The Train Wreckers KW (id:#66721)

(View From the Trenches #119 ID: V30)   [next]   [previous]

West of Tanchon, North Korea 1950-10-01 (0 others)

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Overview:

After Seoul, the South Korean capital, was retaken by Allied Forces, General MacArthur’s attention turned to the pursuit of the retreating NKPA. Both the US Marines and the Royal Marines (RM) Commandos were withdrawn; the US Marines destined to Wonsan and the Royal Marines to Japan for further training and orders. While in Japan a mission to destroy some RR tracks came up. Loading a Rifle Troop supported by RM Engineers aboard the USS Submarine “Perch” the RM headed to North Korea’s northeastern coast. On the night of October 1st, the RM of 41 Commandos landed on the coast above Hungnam, west of Tanchon. Numbering just 67 RM Commandos the first major raid against enemy supply lines had started. The Commandos stepped ashore without opposition into two groups; the RM Engineers when inland to the RR tracks while the Rifle Troop set up defensive positions for a quick withdrawal. The demolitions were then detonated making a pile of twisted rails and a destroyed rail culvert. With the mission completed the RM Engineers headed toward the beach for the rendezvous with the USS Submarine “Perch”. With one troop covering their withdrawal the British Marines found themselves in a furious firefight with a fully alerted enemy from nearby Giam village.

Defender: British (41 Royal Marine Commando Covering Troop and RM Commando Demolition Group)  

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