Re: Gen. Bradley

[<Jwscpd8@aol.com>]

In a message dated 03/31/2002 7:30:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, Home@DanSources.com writes:


> I bet fires were not available to front line troops. 


You have got that right.  The fires were in the rear, in stoves set up in tents for the rear of the line people.  It was February of 1951:  I was dug in after just about breaking my shovel to get through to the unfrozen ground in order to have a horse shoe gun pit for my water cooled MG, which I must add, did not have any anti freeze in the water jacket, as anti freeze was not available for us anyway.   

We got dug in all along our side of the line, and as night come on, the temp. dropped out of sight.  Men were out of their holes, walking and walking in circles in order to keep warm.  Those of us on the MG's had to stay in the holes, right in back of the gun.  No getting out unless relieved.
Men or boys we were, were crying softly in the night due to the extreme cold.


The order came from the rear, where it was nice and warm, we were not to have fires of any kind, period.  The Sgt.'s moved up and down the positions, making sure no one started a fire.  At one time a single shot was fired in our positions, then the cry out for a medic to come.  Some kid shot himself in the foot.  We settled back down, waiting, not sleeping in fear of freezing to death. I was from Chicago and knew what cold weather was, but this was unbelievable to me.

Then as if on signal, the Chinese line was lit up with fires and we could see them walking around in the light.  Again, we were told, no fires, period.  Due to the cold, neither side was sending out patrols as the snow made a loud nose as you walked through it.  You could hear the noise as it carried in the night.

Then all at once, a fire was started by someone in our positions, almost a bon fire from the size of it.  Then as if by a signal, three more were started,  and soon, the whole MLR was lit up like a Christmas Tree.  It was then the Sgt.'s came by saying the okay for fires was given but should anyone start firing at the Chinese across the way, the fires were to be put out.  One kid said, I will shot the guy myself that fires a shot at the CCF.

Come morning as we left the hill, the Chinese had moved out to the North and as we walked along the path that they used, we could see the imprint of the letter S from their shoes in the snow.  As we moved along, we found three Chinese frozen solid, on their backs on the trail.  One had his knees drawn up, his hands cupped to his face and his lips frozen in a position that showed he had died while blowing on his fingers.  I gave one of them a kick and he was so rock solid I hurt one of my toes.  I was taking out my frustrations on being in Korea out on the dead I guess.  I thought, well, here are 3 less we have to worry about.

John Sonley  Korea 1951 5th RCT