Re: Combat MPs

[<Jwscpd8@aol.com>]

How well I remember those combat MP's.  I was with a patrol, checking out a village in no man's land and during the course of our stroll, we noticed that the map the Sgt. had, indicated a gold mine just off to our left a bit.

Being a city boy as well as figuring I could fill up my pockets with gold nuggets, I asked the Sgt. if we could go and check out the mine.  He agreed and as we approached the entrance, we heard the command of "Halt" in English.  We stood there, looking to see to challenged us and not seeing anyone, started up to the mine.   Again we were told to "Halt", which we did.

We spread out and waited to see who was watching us, when we saw two MP's came out of the mine entrance with a machine gun.  We bantered back and forth as to who we were as well as this being a clearing patrol.

I asked one of the Map's how did they get through the lines, as well as just what were they doing there?  They had been dropped off by a chopper that morning and were protecting us, as the mine might be wired, and we were to leave the area.  I noticed one of the Map's had a look of shock on his face when the Sgt. told them they were out in no man's land.  

We knew the CCF were watching us and wondering I am sure, what we were doing out in no man's land.  We left to head back, wondering if the CCF were going to pay those two MP's a visit during the night.

One of the other big city boys said that he bet the MP's had so many nuggets in their pockets, that they will not be able to run for the MLR if they are hit at night.  Should the mine have been booby trapped, just what were they doing in it I was thinking?  I had a lot to learn about gold mining, that is for sure.

   John   Korea 1951