Evening star., 1950-12-18
By Tom Lambert
Assoeioted Press War Correspondent

Inc long, prOuQ DaCIle nlStOry OF
the United States Marine Corps
lists many backgrounds where
its men fought and won.
Many Leathernecks died in those
battles. When they were over,
"objectives were secured" as the
Corps says.
But the Marine 1st Division in
Korea Is sore at heart. In spite
Of magnificent fighting, the divi-
sion cannot mark secured" after
such battle names as Yudam.
Hagaru, Koto and the Changjin
reservoir.
The odds were too great.
The 1st Marine Division, COM
manded by Maj. Gen. Oliver
Prince Smith, landed on the east
coast of North Korea in late Oc-
tober after taking a leading role
In the liberation of Seoul and
having fought at the Pusan per-
imeter in the south.
Brisk Fighting Flares.
Following the new landing some
Marines were Immediately en-
gagged in brisk fighting against
Korean Communists near the east
coast port of Wonsan. These
Reds had been by-passed by South
Korean troops rushing up the
east coast.
The Marines western flank was
unprotected. There was gap
between them, as part OF the
United States Army 10th Corps
on the east coast, and the United
States 9Th Army on Korea's west
coast.
Late in October, the 7th Marine
Regiment, under Col. Homer l..
Litzenberger, jr., of Washington,
D. c., was ordered to relieve a
South Korean unit which had
begged down on its way toward
the Changjin reservoir.
The 7th Marines under fire re-
lieved the South Koreans Novem-
ber 2 and reported killing Large
number" of Chinese Communist
troops.
It was apparent, of course, that
there were Chinese in the Korean
War-and that they were maneu-
vering through the gap between
the 9th Army and the 10th Corps.
Hits by Chinese Battalions.
Early on the morning of Novem-
Der 3 the 7th Marines were hit
again by an estimated two battal-
ions of Chinese who had two
tanks. The attack was beaten off.
Nevertheless, the 7th Marines
were ordered by the Army to con-
tinue moving north. Their west
flank still was exposed.
The 7th ran into extremely diff
ficult terrain. The main supply
road was primitive. but practically
the only route north. Sharp
ribbed hills and mountains flanked
the road and provided good cover
for the Chinese.
On November 4 the 7th Marines
killed an estimated 800 Chinese
and destroyed four tanks. The
next day they were hit by what
they termed an aggressive and
determined" enemy. The Marines
encountered "well-defended posi-
tions" and determined resist
ance." +
Marine headquarters was con-
cerned, but one staff officer said:
I'VE felt there was nothing real
big in the wind at this time. We
thought we we're up against one
division 124th of the 4Oth
Chinese Communist army. 1t was
trying to block our route to
Changjin reservoir"
Resistance Lessons.
Beginning November 7, Chinese
resistance to the Marines lessened.
One week later the 7th occu-
pied Hagaru on the southern end
Of Changjin reservoir.
Hagaru was shambles OF bomb
blasted, clapboard houses. Practl-
cal Marines used the boards for
firewood and to erect some small
huts for themselves.
The 5th Marine Regiment un-
der 1t. Col. Ray Murray, OF San
Diego, Calf, had been ordered,
meanwhile, by the 10th Corps to
proceed toward Pujon reservoir
east of Changjin.
A South Korean unit had been
sent there previously and had re-
ported the road to Pujon ran out.
The 5th Marines found the
South Korean road report was
correct. Then the 5th returned
south.
On November 10 the 5th. Ma
rines started north again, under
Army orders to pass through the
7th Marines at Hagaru and
move up the east side of Changjin
reservoir. BY November 22 the
9Th was about one half the way
up the east shore line.
1st Marines Get Orders.
Meanwhile, the 1st Marine
Regiment under Col. Lewis "Ches-
ty" Puller, Saluda, Va, had been
ordered out of the Wonsan area
and told to move to Huksu,. south
west of Changjin. That move
envisaged some flank protection
for the 5th and 7th Marines.
BY this time the Marines, es-
sentially beach assaulters who sell
dom operate far from sea, were
about 70 miles inland and in wild,
mountainous country.
The 1st Marine Division staff
officers now were more than
concerned" and for several rea-
sons:
There had been civilian reports
of a buildup of Chinese Reds on
the exposed south and west flanks
of the Marine regiments. The
9th Army was not advancing
on the west coast. AS the Marines
moved farther north, their ex-
posed flanks grew longer. The gap
between them and the 9th
Army grew wider. The 5th and