Korean War (25)

No. 4 gun, Battery “B”, 999th Armored Field Artillery Batt./US Army – Cpl. Andrew Williams fires gun (at right) from Doro, AL 23 Feb. 1952

 

Politics was still running the Korean War as 1 February 1952 rolled around and Ridgeway informed the commanders of the US Naval forces of his “deepest concerns over the recent series of possible infractions by UN aircraft of neutral areas centering around Panmunjom and of authorized supply convoys on the Wyongyang-Kaesong road.”  He directed them to take action as the communists might use the actions as propaganda and effect the UN talks.

2 February, naval intelligence received reports that the enemy left the Sunwi-do and Yoncho-do islands, leaving about 2000 refugees.  The following day, the USS Manchester fired on an enemy battalion supply dump, political headquarters and supply shelters at Hojo; artillery, and equipment were destroyed and approximately 550 enemy troops were killed or wounded.

8 February, the enemy withdrew from the island of Changmin-do, Sunmi-do and Yongu-do off the west coast because of ROK marines and LSMR  (Landing Ship, medium rocket) firing.  Mahap-to was taken by the enemy.  Friendly guerrillas were evacuated by the HMAS Warramunga.

Wonsan Harbor map

10-15 February, the US Army began Operation Clam-Up; whereby the army troops would cease all activity with the enemy in a ruse to lure them even closer to into an ambush.  New mines began to appear in the Wonsan Harbor.  In the vicinity of Sokto-Cho, the HMAS Bataan was hit by a 76 mm shell, but sustained no casualties.

17 February, the HMCS Athbaskan and Nootka, along with the HMS Cardigan Bay and HMAS Bataan fired flak successfully against an enemy air strike.  The following day, the islands of Wi-do, Pa-do, Dunmad-do and Yongho went into enemy hands.

19 February, ROK personnel and guerrillas were beginning to surrender in light of a North Korean amnesty grant giving full pardon to anyone who committed political, military or economic crimes, if they confess to the North Korean authorities.  A total of 389 MiGs were observed, the most to date ever spotted.

HMNZS Taupo, Korean east coast

20 February, approximately 250 North Koreans tried to make an amphibious landing on the island of Yang-do near Sonjin.  The HMNZS Taupo, USS Sheldon and Endicott used their 40mm guns to halt the operation.  The island commander reported heavy losses of the enemy and the assault ended.

21 February, BGeneral Lee Il, of the North Korean Army/24th Mechanized Artillery Division, surrendered to the US Marines on Tae-do Island.  He arrived in a stolen sampan with a brief case filled with top-secret North Korean papers that showed dispositions, organization and defense plants.  He stated that the North Koreans had made plans to make night raids on the Wonsan Islands with approximately 100-200-man parties when visibility is poor.

22 February, a Naval Liaison Officer of the 1st Marine Division reported that a NKPA POW disclosed that ship gunfire forced the 45th North Korean Regiment to evacuate; proving that the UN naval operations were effective.  For the next two weeks, the Fast Carrier Task Force (TF-77) operated a campaign for small boat destruction to help reduce the possible amphibious landings planned by the NKPA.  By 5 March, 303 would be destroyed and 547 damaged.

An invasion of Mu-do was halted by the HMCS Cayuga on 25 February.  A conference was held on the USS Wisconsin at Pusan.  Admirals Briscoe, Martin (US Navy), Admiral Scott-Moncrieff (Australian Navy), a representative from the ROK Navy were present.  Syngman Rhee was in Pusan at the time to visit the 7th Fleet.

27 February represented a new high of MiG sightings in northwest Korea, with 404 planes being spotted.

###############################################################################

Father Emil Kapaun

Personal Note –  Unfortunately I missed this noteworthy story of Father Emil Kapaun during 1951.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Kapaun

I hope some of you will take the time to read at least his Korean War service.  Thank you.

###############################################################################

Farewell Salutes – 

Scott Carpenter – Boulder, CO; US Navy, pilot, Korean War & NASA astronaut

Charles Preble, Jr. – Annadale, VA; US Army WWII (91st Inf. Div.), 82nd A/B, Colonel, Office of Army Chief of Staff (Pentagon) retired, Bronze Star

William Smith, Jr. – McLean, VA; US Army Corps of Engineers (Ret.), Colonel

Emil Kapaun helping a wounded soldier

Dutton Stoy – Clarksburg, WV & DC; US Air Force (Ret.) Lt. Colonel, Vietnam

Frank DeMarco – Mesa, AZ; US Army, Vietnam, 2 Purple Hearts

Richard Harris, Sr. – Sun City, AZ; USMC, Korea

Click on images to enlarge.

###############################################################################