Korean War (24)

1952

F-86 aircraft in Korea

1 January, with the new year, the 1st Marine Division continued to occupy and defend their sector, but 2 bombs managed to be dropped on Kimpo airfield and damaged 16 wing-tip tanks (used for in-flight refueling) and a F-86.  The approximate position of the Korean battle line was about 5 miles south-east of Kosong on the east coast to 10 miles southeast of Kaesong in the west.  This was the 319th consecutive day of naval bombardment at Wonsan.

The Fast Carrier Task Force – 77 carried out Operation Moonlight Sonata, which took advantage of the full moon to inflict air strikes on enemy trains.  Five 2-plane groups traveled over 50 mile stretches of railroad tracks to stop enemy locomotives and locate others for future attacks.

Soviet-made Yak-9

4 January, the FEAF (Far East Air Force) reported that 100 to 150 Yak-9 fighter planes were spotted near the front lines at 0301 hours.  This was the first time enemy propeller planes were seen in such strength near the front and this indicated they were beefing up their ability to make night attacks.  The 1st Corps was reporting attacks on their left flank on Kimpo Peninsula coming from Kangwha Island.  Cruisers were ordered to move in and give support.  The HMS Belfast was at the entrance of the Han River and radioed that other ships should move into that position.

6 January, the 8th Army was relieved from ground defense of the islands on the east and west coasts (north of the 38th), where special Air Force equipment was based; it would now be under CTF-95 (Commander of Task Force – 95).  The Amphibious Redeployment Group (4 APAs, 2 LSDs and 8 LSTs) began an interchanging of the 40th Infantry Division and 24th Division between Yokohama and Inchon.

7th Fleet patch

9 January, a conference was held on the USS Wisconsin to form the West Coast Island Defense Element TE – 95.15 with the headquarters at Paengnyong-do.  The 7th Fleet and the Wisconsin organized Marine detachments capable of defending any of the islands.  Sunwi-do was now controlled by the enemy.  The east coast from Kansong to Sonjin would be swept once every 2 weeks.  The following day, the island of Changnin-do was in enemy hands.

Task Force – 77 patch

11 January, MGeneral John T. Seden assumed command of the 1st Marine Division’s Operation Derail went into affect with 11 key railroad targets by air and/or ship.  The USS Gregory and USS Mackenzie had a battle with onshore artillery batteries, hitting the enemy Command Post.  The Thailand ships RTN Prasae and Tachin started in their first escort service with the USS Brisbee.  Ground forces enlisted air support to attack gun crews on the Amgak Peninsula, their targets were hit.

ROK soldiers

18 January, the city of Wonsan was, at this point, in its 12th month of bombardment.  The USS Halsey Powell had its own operation called ‘Chicken Stealer.’  She sent her small boat in close to Sam-He to spot targets.  They damaged 18 jetties, filled numerous boats with Scrapnel. completely gutted a warehouse and engaged gun crews.  Three days later, intelligence reported that they were aware of a Soviet submarine in the Chongjin area.

USS “Consolation”

23 January, the North Korean 15th Division was relieved by the 89th and 90th regiments.  Intelligence reports noted that the enemy guerrilla movements were more cautious than usual, but mortar and artillery fire was on the rise.  West coast evacuation of the islands was halted due to the discovery of a typhus outbreak.  The next day, the USS Consolation completed her tests.  This was the only hospital ship equipped with a helicopter pad and the wounded could now be flown from the front lines directly to the ship.  On the east, ROK troops landed to perform attacks on railroads, tunnels and bridges.  By the end of this month, Marine Fighter Squadron 312’s CP was moved back to Itami, Japan.

 

Click on images to enlarge.

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Farewell Salutes –

David Aubrey – Sun City West, AZ; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart

Bruce Byram – Phoenix, AZ, US Air Force (Ret. after 22 years), MSgt.

Peter Ciadella – Niagara Falls, NY & Scottsdale, AZ; US Navy, USS Enterprise, Vietnam

Purple Heart

Verlie Eller – Fannin County, GA; US Army, WWII, ETO

Paul Gitter – NYC, NY & Miami, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII

John Philip Knight – Middletown, OH & Coral Springs, FL; US Army, Korea

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