Seventh Infantry Division - Yearbook (South Korea)

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terattacks continued for two days but were unsuccessful. 2 1 MARCH Maj. Gen. Arthur G. Trudeau became CG upon the rotation of Maj. Gen. W. C. Smith. APRIL 19 5 3 Combat activity during the period was characterized by aggressive patrol clashes. Reconnaissance and combat patrols were dis- patched frequently, with missions of the lat- ter being to capture enemy personnel and equipment. There were 29 prisoners taken during the month. Highlight of the month's combat activity began on 1 6 April, when simultaneous enemy attacks were made against Outpost PORK CHOP, in the 3 lst Infantry Regimental area, and Outpost ARSENAL, in the 3 2nd Infantry Regimental sector. The action against AR- SENAL proved to be a diversionary attack and a two platoon enemy force was quickly driven off. Friendly positions on PORK CHOP were penetrated initially, but friendly rein- forcements arrived and the positions were re- gained in bitter hand-to-hand combat. Action lasted until 18 April, when a final enemy company-size attack was repulsed. The Division continued to organize and ac- tively defend positions in its sector of Line JAMESTOWN QMLRJ. The Division im- proved its defensive positions during the pe- riod by conducting an extensive fortification program. Patrol clashes along the OPLR continued to characterize the combat activity in the sec- tor. Significant actions occurred on 1 5-16 May on Outpost SNOOK and on 19-20 May on Outpost YOKE. In both engagements, the enemy attacks were repulsed and the outposts remained in friendly hands. 15-16 MAY The enemv attacked Outpost SNOOK, in the 17th Infantry Regimental sector, with an estimated company, but the reinforced squad defending the position held the enemy off with intense automatic weapons fire and grenades until reinforcements arrived and forced the enemy to withdraw. 19-20 MAY Outpost YOKE, in the 3 2nd Infantry Regi- mental sector, engaged an unknown number of enemy. The outpost, defended by a rein- forced platoon of the Ethiopian Bn, received heavy mortar and artillery fire prior to at- tacks from several approaches to the position. Enemy was forced to withdraw after sus- taining heavy casualties. Enemy casualties were 44 counted KIA and 2 PW's captured. JUNE 1953 Activity diminished somewhat during the period. The Division continued its active defense by dispatching numerous recon- naissance and combat patrols. Enemy action consisted of patrols and an occasional limited objective attacks on OPLR positions. Patrol

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notably the use of direct fire by 76mm tank guns spaced on the ridge lines all across the front line and the use of towed 90mm anti- tank guns. At the end of February 1952, the Division was ordered back to the reserve area at Kapyong for a well earned rest. Here an intensive training program was initiated which stressed the basic tactics of the squad and platoon on the offensive. At the end of April 1952, the 7th Division relieved the 2d Infantry Division in the im- portant central sector of the Korean battle- front. Before its movement to reserve, the Divi- sion increased the aggressive nature of its patrolling. A proportionately increased num- ber of combat patrols and small unit raids characterized the principal activity of the Division during the month. Enemy probes continued during the first few days of the month against the Division's extended MLR and OPLR positions. All probes were repulsed. Upon moving into reserve positions, the Di- vision spent 5 days rehabilitating positions. On 21 November, an intensive training pro- gram, etc. DECEMBER 1 9 5 2 From 1-29 December, the Division Was in Eighth Army reserve status at KAPYONG AND HWACHON pursuing an intensive training program. After being attached to I US Corps on 27 December, the Division effect- ed the relief of the 2nd US Division on Line JAMESTOWN QMLRD. On 29 December, the Division assumed sector responsibility for the area extending for OJOKSAN-NI to a point east of SONGHYON, in the area west of CHORWON. Upon assumption of sector responsibility for the defense of the MLR and OPLR and for the protection of the I US Corps right flank, the Division initiated an aggressive de- fense policy employing numerous patrols. Combat activity during the last days of the period consisted of small scale patrol clashes along the OPLR. JANUARY 1 9 5 3 The Division strengthened and reinforced its defenses and increased the aggressiveness of its tactical operations while continuing its defense of Line JAMESTOWN QMLRJ dur- ing January. The primary tactical operations consisted of patrolling activities and the raiding of enemy positions with the mission of capturing enemy personnel and equipment. Friendly forces operated as far as 3,000 meters for- ward of the MLR, with raiding parties rang- ing from company to seven platoon in size. Highlight of combat activity was a three platoon raid conducted on 25 January by Company E, 3 1st Infantry Regiment, against T-Bone complex. Despite supporting fires and air strikes against the objectives, three pla- toon-size assaults were unsuccessful. CNote: 3 KIA, 61 WIA in fiascol mp. FEBRUARY 1 9 5 3 Tactical activity of the Division consisted of the dispatching of an increasing number of reconnaissance and combat patrols, the the latter having the mission of capturing en- emy personnel and equipment. Two raids of platoon size were conducted against known enemy positions. Armored elements were ef- fectively employed in platoon size tank shoots to destroy enemy personnel and installations. The enemy employed larger groups and more aggressive tactics during the month, dis- patching numerous patrols and conducting seven probes of MLR positions. MARCH 1953 The Division continued to occupy and de- fend Line JAMESTOWN QMLRJ in I US Corps Sector during March. Principal tactical activity, during the first three weeks of the period consisted of the em- ployment of reconnaissance and combat pa- trols and the interception of enemy forces by friendly outguards. Emphasis was placed on capturing enemy personnel and equipment. Major combat activity of the month oc- curred on 23-24 March, when the enemy ex- ecuted five attacks against the Division MLR and OPLR positions, with one of the attacks, against OLD BALDY, being successful. On 23 March., a reinforced enemy battalion as- saulted OLD BALDY, located in the 31st In- fantry Regimental sector, and the position was seized from elements of the Colombian Bn after an intense struggle. Friendly coun-

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clashes along the OPLR, using small-arms, automatic Weapons, and grenades, Were char- acteristic of the combat activity. Highlight of the month's combat Was a series of limited ob- jective attacks on Outpost PORK CHOP, YOKE and UNCLE by enemy forces. All at- tacks Were ended With the enemy being forced to Withdraw. 4 JUNE Enemy company attacked Outpost YOKE and UNCLE, held by elements of Ethiopian Battalion in the 32nd Infantry Regiment sec- tor. At 2142 hours, two groups of enemy at- tempted to assault the YOKE positions from the east and West flanks employing small arms, automatic Weapons, and grenades. Friendly mortar, automatic Weapons, and tank fire Was directed against the enemy from Outpost UNCLE and MLR positions. The en- emy attack Was repulsed. A second assault on YOKE was also turned back by intense fire from YOKE and UNCLE positions. JULY 1953 During the period, the Division maintained its previous mission of occupying, organizing, and defending the MLR and OPLR in its sec- tor in the right flank of I US Corps. At 272200 July, the Cease-Fire Was effected. The Division initiated a Withdrawal from MLR positions to new Post Armistice Main Battle Positions Where it conducted training to maintain readiness for immediate combat. The Division sustained a major attack by the enemy and repulsed several probes against outpost and MLR positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking enemy. A highly active patrol program, employing both com- bat and reconnaissance patrols Was conducted by the Division throughout the month. Highlight of the combat activity began on 6 July, when enemy forces initiated a coordi- nated attack against outpost PORK CHOP and succeeded in penetrating and occupying portions of the position. After five days of bit- ter fighting, in Which both sides alternately attacked and defended portions of the hill mass, and after the outpost had lost all tacti- cal value. the order was given to Withdraw all friendly elements.