If you wish to listen to some golden oldies from 1940s-1990s, click on the selection on the list below.
There are about 80 full-length songs to choose from.
(NOTE: Song audio degraded due to space limitations, but adequate for computer listening.)
Free JavaScripts provided
by The JavaScript Source
HOW IT WAS!KUNSAN AIRBASEVMF(N)-513 "FLYING NIGHTMARES"
(1951-1954) Page 2 of 9 |
 The Chief Sez
Annie and Charlie's GSD
& Naval Aviation Site (NR) |  Award of Honor
USS Harlan Dickson (NR)
|
Some of the awards this site has received. To view our awards, go toAwards.
 HOW IT WAS:
KUNSAN AIRBASE
(1951-1954) |
Marine Squadron VMF(N)-513 (1952-1953):
"The Flying Nightmares"Click on to enlargeAcknowledgment: Special thanks to Ron Stout of Burien, Washington for his narratives and invaluable technical information. Special thanks to Paul Noel of Oak Harbor, Washington for his invaluable assistance in providing information, proofing the text, providing guidance in assembling the materials and contributing his narratives. Special thanks to Jack Kio of Oswego, New York for his narratives, photos, and invaluable technical information. Thanks to Jim Curzon for his narratives and photos of Kunsan. Thanks to Eugene "Mule" Holmberg for the patches of the VMF(N)-513. Thanks also to Ken Gates for his research materials and photos. Thanks to Ron Harribson for his narratives. Thanks to Bill Brennen for his narratives and photos. Special thanks to Robert Frankovich for his narrative of a 22d CRBS rescue attempt. Also thanks to Ray Bourgholtzer; Gil Garcia; and Ray Harvey for their contributions. Thanks to Joseph S. Rychetnik of Point Richmond, California for his narratives and technical information. Primary Source Material: The Flying Nightmares: A History and Assessment of VMF(N)-513 at War in Korea 1950 - 1953 by Benjamin Huston Kristy, History Thesis, Kansas State University, 1995; U.S.Marine Corps Aviation: 1912 to Present by Peter B. Mersky); Air Power, January 1986; Naval Fighters Number Four Douglas F3D Skyknight, by Steve Ginter. 
On the Move:VMF-513 in World War II:First commissioned as
Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-513 on February 15, 1944, at Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield (MCAAF) Oak Grove, N.C. The Squadron was transferred to Marine Corps Airfield (MCAF) Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, on September 14, 1944. The squadron flew F6F Hellcats until moving to Mojave, California. On December 4, 1944 the squadron moved to Mojave, California, where it was redesignated VMF(CVS)-513. At Mojave, the VMF-513 transitioned to F4U Corsairs. (NOTE: According to the VMF-513 site, "During World War 2, all Marine Air Wing Squadrons were designated VMF (Marine fighter squadron). Late in WW2 and during Korea, some squadrons took on the role of Nightfighters. Their designation was changed to VMF-(N). During Vietnam, it was changed to VMFA (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron). Today, these squadrons are designated VMA (Marine attack squadron).") 
VMF-513 at Mojave, California
In front of F-4U Corsair
(Click on photo to Enlarge
(From VMF-513 site)Flying F-4U Corsairs, VMF-513 provided close air support of the 3rd Marine Division during the invasion of Okinawa. According to the VMF-513 site, "The Squadron departed San Diego, California 17 June 45 on board the USS Vella Gulf with VMTB-234 to begin carrier operations against the Japanese. Arrived Pearl Harbor 25 June 45 and moved to Ewa. In early July 45 departed in USS Vella Gulf and arrived Saipan late that month. In Aug 45 departed for Okinawa. Ship remained two days in Ryukyus area and returned to Guam 15 Aug 45. CO was Major Thomas O. Bales." 
USS Vella Gulf, an escort carrier
Pic shows the cramped space onboard
(Click on photo to Enlarge
(From VMF-513 site)After World War II: During the years between World War II and the Korean War, VMF-513 operated from MCAS El Toro, Calif. Transitioning to the F4U-5N, the squadron was designated VMF(N)-513, a night fighter squadron. The Flying Nightmares of VMF(N)-513, became a
night-fighter squadron on 1 Aug. 1947. In 1948, the squadron changed from "Night" to "All Weather". The squadron flew the F4U-5N Corsair and the Tigercat.  VMF(N)-513 F4U-5N Wind Mill Start at El Centro
(From Gil Garcia)
Click on photo to enlarge
VMF(N)-513 1949-1952
El Toro-Korea-Kunsan
Click on patch to enlarge
Courtesy of Eugene "Mule" HolmbergVMF(N)-513 Ordered to Korea:The VMF(N)-513 was based at MCAS, El Toro, CA when ordered to Korea as part of
the First Provisional Marine Brigade, consisting of the Fifth Marines -- a
regiment from Camp Pendleton, CA -- and Marine Air Group (MAG)-33 from El Toro.
The Brigade departed San Diego, CA on July 12, 1950. Flying the F4U-5N
Corsairs, VMF(N)-513 embarked aboard the U.S.S. General
A.E. Anderson for Japan on 14 July 1950.
(Note: This "Brigade" would later be expanded to a "Division". ) Korean War -- Marines is an excellent source of information. The following info on the 1st MAW
MAG33 is excerpted from this site:
Forward Echelon, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Aircraft Group 33
- HQ Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 33
- Service Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 33
- Marine Fighter Squadron 214
- Marine Fighter Squadron 323
- Marine Fighter Squadron (Night) 513
- Marine Observation Squadron 6 (Under operational control of the 1st Provisional
Marine Brigade.)
- Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2
Korean War -- Marines says, "When the Korean War began, the U.S. Marine Corps, like all services,
was understrength and still equipped with World War Two equipment so when
ordered to Korea, all that could be provided initially was a provisional
brigade, designated the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. The Brigade was formed
from assets of the 1st Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Camp
Pendleton, CA. The Brigade was activated on 7 July 1950 and built around two
units, the 5th Marines as a regimental combat team and Marine Aircraft Group 33
(MAG-33). The air component was consolidated under Forward Echelon, 1st Marine
Aircraft Wing who's commander was double billeted as the deputy brigade
commander. Troops were hurriedly reassigned to the Brigade from 1st Marine
Division units as supplies and mothballed equipment were arriving. Some 6,800
troops were sent from the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC for both the
Brigade and to begin the rebuilding of the 1st Marine Division. Much of the
equipment and vehicles came from Marine Supply Depot, Barstow, CA and were
recovered from Pacific islands and refurbish during Operation ROLL-UP in the
late 1940s. Regardless, many units were still short men and equipment. The 5th
Marines' three battalions had only two rifle companies apiece. While third
rifle platoons were hastily formed for these six companies, they were still
short some 50 men each. The three artillery batteries had only four 105mm
howitzers instead of the normal six and the regimental Antitank Company lacked
its organic tank platoon."
While the unit was enroute to Korea in July 1950, the first Army ground troops went
into action at Osan and were simply overrun by the Soviet made T-34 tanks on July 5, 1950. Units of the 24th ID
(Task Force Smith) were the first to encounter North Korean armored units and
infantry near Pyongtaek. During the first several weeks, units were committed
to battle in company and battalion-sized units, which had little success and
suffered high losses. They were overrun and the survivors were progressively
forced to retreat. None of the Americans were equipped, trained or mentally
prepared for combat. Meanwhile, the Navy aviation units struck deep behind
enemy lines and flew close support missions in operations intended to relieve
the pressure on UN forces which were fighting a delaying action while
withdrawing toward Pusan. Marine aviation units were involved in close air
support of the retreating U.S. Army and RoK forces.
 
San Diego Union (dated 14 Jul) photo of the loading
of the Badoeng Strait in San Diego. Caption read,
"At nearby dock, leatherneck Corsairs from El Toro
were going aboard the Badeong Strait, soon to sail."
(Click on photo to enlarge) (Courtesy Bill Brennen)
Arrival in Japan: According to U.S. Marine Operations in Korea 1950-1953, Volume I, The Pusan Perimeter, Lyn Montross and Capt. Nicholas Canzona, USMC, 1954, "When Task Group 53.7 entered Far Eastern waters, the ships transporting the forward echelon of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing veered towards Japan, while the others continued to Korea." Bill Brennen stated, "The Bing Ding (U.S.S Badoeng Strait) left San Diego on 14 July, 50. ... LSD's were traveling in our convoy, and we (the Bing Ding) collided with one of them while we were refueling it. We unloaded at Kobe, not Yokosuka. I believe we had about 75 aircraft aboard. The flight deck was full, as I recall."
On July 31, 1950, theBadoeng Straitarrived at Kobe, Japan, with elements of the First Marine Aircraft Wing on
board. As the port facilities at Kobe were unsuitable for offloading, the Badoeng Strait stood offshore on 1 August and catapulted 44 Marine aircraft into the air. These immediately flew to Itami NAS. The following day, 26 more were launched to joined the original group. Four days later,Sicilyarrived at Yokohama, Japan with a load of ammunition, and on 1 AugustPhilippine Seareported to Commander Seventh Fleet in Buckner Bay, Okinawa. These were the
first carrier reinforcements to arrive in the Far East and the beginning of
carrier deployment to the combat area that, by the wars end, totalled 11
attack, one light and five escort carriers sent into action--some for two or
three tours.
Marine and Navy commanders agreed that the VMF-214 and VMF-323 would be carrier-based to achieve maximum mobility and fire power. On 3 August, the VMF-214 landed their planes about the U.S.S. Sicily and on 5 August, the VMF-323 landed about the Badoeng Strait.
The VMF(N)-513 arrived in Japan on 31 July 1950 aboard the U.S.S. General A.E.
Anderson in preparation for operations in Korea. On August 2, 1950, theClymer, the lead ship of the convoy carrying U.S. Marines to Korea, steamed into
Pusan Harbor. The Brigade consisting of 6,534 officers and men would be thrown
immediately into battle. (Go toMarine Corps Historyfor details of the Marines in the Pusan Perimeter) According to Bill Brennen, "The first Marine unit to arrive in Korea was the 1st Provisional Brigade. MAG 33 was its air support unit. The brigade left California on 14 July, 50, and arrived at Pusan in early Aug. The Army units had been squeezed into the Pusan Perimeter at about the same time the Brigade arrived. It became known as the Fire Brigade, as it was deployed to the hot spots where the NK Army was pushing the hardest on the perimeter. The air support units were assigned to 2 small carriers, and to Itami Air Base, Japan."
On August 3, 1950 the VMF(N)-513 arrived at Itami AB,
Japan. On August 4, 1950 the Pusan Perimeter in southeastern Korea was established.
Move to Itazuke: On August 7, 1950 the VMF(N)-513 moved to Itazuke AB, Japan.
The VMF(N)-513 flew initially out of Itazuke (along with the
VMF(N)-542) as an F4U-5N "Corsair" unit. (Note: Listed as "permanently
shore-based in Korea" during the Korean Conflict, but it flew missions from
Itazuke and Itami when the CCF overran its positions in Korea.) According to U.S. Marine Operations in Korea 1950-1953, Volume I, The Pusan Perimeter, (p90), "The squadron of night fighters, VMF(N)-513, was land-based. Having been assigned to the Fifth Air Force, it would be controlled by the Itazuke Field for night heckler missions over Korea. This unit had only a few night training flights before being committed to combat."
In Air War Over Korea by Robert Jackson (p35), it states, "The remainder of the Marine Air Wing with
no possibility of deployment in Korea for the foreseeable future, was placed
under the temporary control of the Fifth Air Force in Japan. One of its
Squadrons, VMF(N)-513, was a night fighter unit operating F4U-5N Corsair
all-weather fighters; this was attached to the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing at
Itazuke and immediately began night intruder operations over Korea as directed
by Fifth Air Force." During this time, the VMF(N)-513 Corsairs accounted for
up to ten of the 35 sorties per night carried out on average by the 5AF
Intruders during August 1950.
In The Korean Air War by Robert F. Dorr and Warren Thompson (p27), it states, "While the Pusan
Perimeter was being defended by the Marines bolstered UN air power by bringing
in VMF(N)-513 "Flying Nightmares," a seasoned night-fighter squadron commanded
by Maj. J. Hunter Reinburg and flying radar-equipped F4U-5N Corsairs. The
squadron introduced the capability for air-to-ground operations at night.
There were no more air bases on the ever-decreasing amount of Korean soil
available to the UN, so Reinburg's Marines had to fly from Itazuke, which
limited their Corsairs' range to the area of the Naktong River, the embattled
northern boundary of the perimeter. Major Reinburg described the challenge:
"The F4U-5N (was) equipped with a better radar than that used during WWII and
besides being able to detect other aircraft, it had two other outstanding
features: it could 'map' the terrain ahead for almost 80mi (128km). We also
had four 20mms cannons mounted in the wing as compared to the older birds with
their six .50cal machine guns. On my first mission into Korea, when the 20mms
were fired, the recoil was like several mules kicking and the radar went blank!
Needless to say, the factory people got right to work on some better shock
mountings. In our first few weeks of night strikes over the Naktong front, we
discovered that our mere presence over the hostile side of the lines did a
great deal of good, even when we were not actively engaging. We got so
proficient at uncovering him that the enemy thought we had a super electronic
way of detecting his every move, so the North Koreans kept their lights out and
stopped all movements and activity."
Between August 27 - September 15, 1950 the fiercest fighting of the war took
place in the Perimeter battles. Between September 1-5, the North Korean Korean
People's Army (Inmun Gun) attempted one last great Naktong Offensive. After the
initial onslaught, the NKPA attack was stopped at Taegu and the Pusan
Perimeter held. A major contributor was the FEAF (Far East Air Force) bombing
and strafing missions that held the enemy in check. The North Koreans attacked
relentlessly, but the rapid increase in UN reinforcements through Pusan helped
to reinforce the line. On 7 September the North Koreans were escaping over the
Nam River near its junction with the Naktong leaving more than two thousand of
their dead behind. The outnumbered, outgunned enemy had fought fiercely but to
no avail. The Pusan Perimeter was intact. The crisis was over.
Inchon Invasion: On September 15, 1950, the landings at Inchon took place. Under heavy support
by naval gunfire and aircraft, elements of the First Marine Division landed on
Wolmi Island at 0630 and, after landing craft were regrouped and the tide was
again favorable, followed up with a successful assault of the mainland at
Inchon. (Go toMarine Corps Historyfor details of the Marine Landing at Inchon.) On September 16, 1950, Col.
Raymond L. Murray's
5th Regiment and Col. Lewis (Chesty) Puller's 1st pushed inland rapidly. By
September
18, they had
Kimpo Airfield. American air support could now fly from land bases.
On September 20, 1950, two days after the capture of Kimpo Airfield by troops
working inland from Inchon, the first elements of the First Marine Aircraft
Wing arrived from Japan, and early the next morning began air operations from
Kimpo with strikes supporting troops advancing on Seoul. The F7F-3N night
fighter was brought to Korea by VMF(N)-542 "Flying Tigers" (WH Tail Code) under
Lt. Col. Max J. Volcansek, which arrived at dusk on 19 September 1950 with just
two of the squadron's 24 F7F-3N Tigercats. Within five days, the squadron
had all 24 Tigercats. It flew its first night
interdiction mission against Communist supply routes on September 21, 1950,
three days after Kimpo Airfield was captured by the 5th Marines.
  
| Marines at Kimpo: Bill Brennen wrote, "The shot of the pup tents was taken the first day we were there, which I
thought was 19 Sept. Everyone who had a camera took a shot of, and at,
the butchered NK aircraft. The flight line photo, which includes Corsairs
from VMF 323, was taken after we had been there a while." (Click on the photos to enlarge) (Photos Courtesy Bill Brennen) |
Following the successful amphibious invasion at Inchon, the division fought its
way in Seoul, South Korea's capital. On September 26, 1950 Seoul was
recaptured. The 1st Marine Division was withdrawn and again loaded aboard ship
to make another landing, this time at Wonsan on North Korea's east coast.
Move to Itami, Japan: On October 8, 1950 the VMF(N)-513 moved back to Itami AB, Japan from Itazuke,
Japan in preparation for the Wonsan operations.On October 10, 1950, the carrier force moved into action off the east coast of
Korea with strikes and sweeps from Wonsan to Chongjin in preparation for
amphibious landings at Wonsan. When a heavy concentration of mines in the
harbor delayed the scheduled landings, the carrier attack shifted northward and
inland to assist the advance of United Nations forces which by the time the
landings were made on the 26th, had swept past the intended objective area and
were advancing toward the Yalu River.Move to Kimpo AB, Korea: On October 12, 1950 the VMF(N)-513 moved to Kimpo AB, Korea. On October 16,
1950 the squadron moved to Wonsan Airfield, North Korea.On October 19, 1950 Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, was taken.
The 1st Marine Division was ordered to conduct an amphibious operation to
occupy Wonsan, the principal seaport of North Korea. The landing at Wonsan
began on October 26. (Go toMarine Corps Historyfor details of the Marines at Wonsan. Also see Korean War for more info.) However, by the time the combat assault landing was scheduled
to take place, North Korean forces had collapsed and Wonsan was already in the
hands of South Korean forces advancing up the east coast highway so the
division was landed and then trucked northward to the Hamhung-Hungnam area of
North Korea. From there, the division advanced up a narrow road leading to the
Chinese-North Korean border via the towns of Koto-ri and Haga-ri.
Move to Wonsan, North Korea: In The Sea War in Korea by CDR Malcolm W. Cagle, USN and CDR Frank A. Manson, USN, 1957, (pp146-147),
it stated that flying from Wonsan Airfield on October 26th, the VMF(N)-513
supported the X Corps landing at Wonsan. "Major General Field Harris,
Commanding General, First Marine Air Wing and Tactical Air controller for the
Tenth Corps, flew to Wonsan on the 13th, two days after the ROKs had captured
the city. After inspecting the airfield, he determined that flight operations
could be initiated immediately. He ordered VMF-312 to leave Kimpo the next
day. To facilitate flight operations, the Far East Air Force Combat Cargo
Command started to bring in aviation gasoline in 55-gallon drums. Bombs and
rockets were loaded on Corsairs of VMF(N)-513 at Kimpo and air transported to
Wonsan."
"According to original plans, VMF-312 was to be supported by airlift for only
three days, pending the opening of the Wonsan port, when the surface echelon
was due to arrive. But because the harbor was not cleared of mines until 25
October, flight operations had to be supported entirely by airlift for twelve
days. The arrival of VMF(N)-513 on 17 October added to the logistical burdens."
"For twelve days, two Marine air squadrons were entirely dependent on airlift
for all their supply. Fuel in 55-gallon drums were rolled along the ground a
distance of one mile from the supply dump to the flight line, and then pumped
by hand from containers into the aircraft. Operating with one jeep and eight
bomb-trailers, the ordnance sections unloaded the transports, assembled the
bombs and rockets, and reloaded them on planes. With muscle substituting for
machines, flight operations were maintained."
From Wonsan, the VMF-312 and VMF(N)-513 gave direct support to the First ROK
Corps advancing northward to Hamhung. In Night Wings: USMC Night Fighters, 1942-1953 by Thomas E. Doll, it shows a photo of an VMF(N)-513 F4U-5N Corsair uploaded with rockets on 2 November 1950 at Wonson. "The Squadron operated from a captured North Korean airfield in support of the 1st Marines advance towards the Yalu River. The VMF(N)-513 and VMF(N)-542 provided air cover for the Marines' breakout from the Chosin Reservoir one month later."
The official K-designator for Wonsan is "K-25". However, it appears that numbers were arbitrarily assigned as a
means for Joint Operations Center (JOC) to direct aircraft back to its base.
Wonsan has been heard to be called "K-45" and "K-75". There were four K-bases
in the area: K-25 Wonsan Air Base; K-26 Sondok Airdrome; K-27 Yonpo Airdrome;
K-28 Hamhung West Airdrome.(Go to Airfield Location and Designator Map.)
Ron Stout states, "The "K-45" I made reference to at Wonsan was a temporary base built
by Marine engineers and from what I knew then was just some PSP with revetments
of sandbags. At times I've also heard it referred to as K-75 but those
designators were kind of hastily made up and loosely applied. Their main
purpose was to facilitate the JOC air controllers in figuring out where you
were coming from and where they should vector you back to when you were hauling ass home low on fuel."
The 71 Navy transports packed with the 28,000 Marines, waited for a week off
Wonsan while Navy frogmen of the underwater demolition teams and mine sweepers
cleared the landing area. The Marines came ashore
standing up, an administrative landing. The North Koreans were gone, the city
had fallen to Allied ground forces, and Bob Hope had already put on a USO show. On the 18 October, the Marines were greeted by jeering placards of welcome from the First Marine Air Wing after their a uneventful non-assault landing.
Between November 10 - 26, 1950, X Corps advanced toward the Yalu in the east
and the Eighth Army in the west. MacArthur's planners had called for United
Nations forces to push forward to the Manchurian border, securing North Korea
in a three-pronged drive to the Yalu River. MacArthur confidently boasted that
the troops would be home by Christmas. Units of the 1st Marine Division were
ordered forward to occupy the Chosin and Fusen Reservoirs. Other elements of the
division were dispersed over 300 miles to link with Allied units. The division
was north of Yudam-ni at the far north end of the Choshin Reservoir when
Chinese Communist Forces attacked in November 1950, blocking the road to
safety. What followed was days of hell as the division fought its way out the
trap in sub-zero temperatures and down the narrow road to Hungnam. This battle
is a classic in the proud history of the United States Marine Corps.
MacArthur's "Final Offensive": On November 24, 1950 MacArthur's "final offensive" kicked off, but he was
unaware that the Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) had entered Korea under
darkness and were laying in wait. Unseen, there were eight Chinese divisions
hidden within striking range of the Marines. On November 3, the division's 7th
Marine Regiment, largely comprised of recalled reservists, was the first
American unit to go head-to-head with the Chinese in a frontal attack near
Sudong. Over the course of the four-day battle the Leathernecks gained less
than a mile, as Marine air and artillery pounded in advance of the 7th
Regiment. Chinese casualties were estimated at almost 9,000. There were 300
wounded and dead Marines. Intelligence remained faulty about the Chinese
strength.
MacArthur ordered the advance to the Yalu for November 24, and units of the 1st
Division moved north on the west side of
the Chosin Reservoir through fields of snow. The 1st Marine Division and other
United Nations forces were ordered forward to the vicinity of the North Korean
and Manchurian borders bounded by the Yalu River. The forward Marine elements
at the Chosin Reservoir were 125 miles south of the border but needed critical
supplies.
On November 25, 1950 the CCF sprang the trap and struck the Eighth Army along
Ch'ongch'on River in the west. On the 25th, Chinese forces had thrown massed
assaults against the U.S. Eighth Army and the X Corps, and II Republic of
Korean Corps who were also advancing on the Yalu.
The 1st Marine Division units had been largely consolidated and were
repositioned north, northwest of Wonsan from the town of Hamhung to forward
positions at the Chosin and Fusen Reservoirs. The Marines' main supply route
from their rear support base at Hamhung to the Chosin was 56 miles. A bitter,
sub-freezing winter had set in. Engineers improved the road, installed
culverts and plans were made for a 5,000-foot airstrip at Hagaru-ri. Air
dropped supplies could satisfy some, but not all of the needs.
Chinese Enter the Conflict: On November 27, 1950 the CCF struck the 1st Marine and 7th Division in Changjin
Reservoir in the east. First contact was between elements of the 5th Marines
and Chinese forces. Between November 26 - December 1, 1950 the U.S. 2nd and
25th divisions were defeated along the Ch'ongch'on in the west and were in full
retreat. Massed Chinese assaults cut the Marines' main supply route separating
the 5th and 7th Regiments from the rest of the division. The Eighth Army was by
now in retreat also, and the two isolated regiments were threatened with being
overrun. The Chinese commanders elected to throw the weight of their attack not
against the fragmented United Nations units, but against the 1st Marine
Division, the only strong concentration of forces.
The Division concentrated their firepower in four defensive perimeters:
Yudam-ni, Hagaru-ri, Koto-ri and Chinhung-ni. By
dawn of November 28, faced with the grim reality of a determined enemy, and 20
degree below zero temperatures, every man
went online with a weapon. Fighting at the defensive perimeter was initiated at
Yudam-ni, masses of Chinese against companies and platoons of Marines. Marines
were forced off fighting positions, but would then counterattack. Headquarters
and service support personnel, cooks, clerks, truck drivers, and a host of
other non-infantry disciplines, were engaged in close quarters fighting.
Marine Corps close air support Corsairs blasted the Chinese at the next dawn,
and then shifted to the Koto-ri area 25 miles south where enemy troop
concentrations were massing. In The Sea War in Korea (p169) it states, "Courageous and tough fighting men that they are, itis certain that the First Marine Division could not have extricated itself as a unit from the clutches of six Chinese divisions without the close air support which ws to come from Navy and Marine pilots. Nor would the job have been as easy nor as many of the injured saved without the logistics and rescue support that was to come from the U.S. Air Force." In the Yudam-ni area Marine Skyraider and Corsair aircraft blanketed the area with rockets, bombs, and napalm. By the time the enemy jumped off at 1800, his estimated 2,000 strong had been slashed to an estimated five hundred.
In an article entitled "Anecdotes of the VMF(N)-513, The Flying Nightmares"
by Joe Rychetnik in the Flight Journal (June 1998), there is a story of Ordnance Sergeant Rene Wattelet, now a
retired corporate executive in Stonington, IL at Wonson during this time. "He
had the hazardous duty of checking each returning nightfighter for dangling
ordnance, a typical occurrence in Korea. This strip at Wonson was busy with
night interdiction and day close air support missions. He would "eye ball"
each fighter as it came in, giving the pilot a thumbs up, if he was clean.
This night he was shocked to see two navigation lights from his ordie shack,
instead of the starboard green light of a normal incoming plane. It meant that
the Corsair was not on the normal level approach. He took a dive for the bomb
shelter trench near the shack."
"He was not surprised to hear the plane land with some crunching sounds and the
engine quit abruptly. The pilot had landed perpendicular to the runway and
flipped over on his back. When asked how he happened to come in at 90 degrees
to the runway, the pilot said, "I dunno. I guess I screwed up."
"Wattelet recalls Corsairs coming in with armed and dangling bombs that fell
off on the first bounce of the landing -- in one case blowing the tail off the
plane. Often, the bombs would drop onto the runway, bounce and then blow a
crater in the surface, spraying rocks and fragments everywhere."
VMF-513 F4U-5Ns at Wonsan.
Top: Gil Garcia, a radar tech, is in the cockpit.
Bottom: Crashed aircraft.
(Click on photo to enlarge) (Courtesy Gil Garcia)
In two days the Marines had suffered the equivalent of a battalion in losses,
1,094 casualties -- 871 killed, wounded or missing, the remainder casualties
mainly to searing frostbite. The eight Chinese divisions, two armies, at least
80,000 men, were massed along a 25-mile front against the 1st Marine Division.
Between November 27 - December 10, 1950 the X Corps fought back toward port of
Hungnam in the east. The Marines retreated to Kot'o-ri. In Night Wings: USMC Night Fighters, 1942-1953 it relates the story of
Capt Alfred F. Macabe of the VMO-6 and 1Lt Truman Clark of the VMF(N)-513 who flew TBM-3Es and 3Rs to evacuate the wounded out of Kotori. Because of the conditions, they used a Landing Signal Officer (LSO), Capt Malcolm Moncrief of the VMF(N)-312, as one would on a carrier landing. Clark commented on this daring rescue mission to get the wounded out, "We just did what any Marine would have done under the circumstances, that's the way it was."
The main supply
route, broken and overrun at places, was critical for the Marines. The
positions, like Koto-ri, had to be held and Colonel Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller
led his Marines in holding the ground. Hagaru, the southern point of the Chosin
Reservoir, was the thinly held defensive point for the resupply airstrip. Lt Col
Thomas L. Ridges, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, fought from the hilltops,
counterattacking and driving off the Chinese when their positions were overrun.
On November 29, 1950, emergency conditions existed on the front lines. This
was created by the deep penetration of a Communist offensive. It required a
shift of emphasis in fast carrier operations from bridge strikes to close air
support. On November 29, the forward elements of Marines, Royal Marine
Commandos and U.S. Army troops who fought their way through from Koto-ri,
arrived with supplies. A rear element of the initial column had been turned
back under fire. However, the bulk of the convoy had been overrun by the
Chinese--130 Marines, soldiers and Royal Marines captured.
As the situation worsened, support operations of carrier forces were
intensified through December to cover the withdrawal of troops toward east
coast ports and their evacuation by ships, and continued into January as the
Communist advance rolled past the 38th parallel and was slowly brought to a
halt. With the Chinese attacks repulsed, General Smith's Marines now repaired
the airstrip at Hagaru and awaited the December 1 arrival of C-47s which would
bring in supplies and evacuate the wounded. As supplies flowed into Hagaru,
decimated Army units began to straggle into the Reservoir perimeter, and were
placed under General Smith's operational control. About 450 soldiers were
issued Marine equipment and formed into a provisional battalion.
After four days on the defensive, the 5th and 7th Regiments took the initiative
to break out from the vicinity of Yudam-ni and
redeploy to Hagaru . The 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment set out at night on
December 1 and the remainder of the two regiments moved out shortly after
daylight on December 2.
For comments or inputs, contact Kalani O'SullivanNOTICE/DISCLAIMER: The content of this page is unofficial and the views and
opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of anyone associated with
this page or any of those linked from this site. All opinions are those of the
writer and are intended for entertainment purposes only. Links to other web
pages are provided for convenience and do not, in any way, constitute an
endorsement of the linked pages or any commercial or private issues or products
presented there. None of this site has been endorsed by the DOD, the Air Force,
the 8th Fighter Wing or Mickey Mouse. All Air Force links are publicly
accessible through the world-wide web. When eye-witness accounts conflict with
OFFICIAL DOD materials, this website opts to lend credence to the people who
were there.
| |
