Sometimes it works

Sometimes It Works

We had been observing the movement of the movements platoon sized groups of the enemy in our vicinity since 2300.  We had effectively ambushed the lead elements of an estimated enemy sized company.

The enemy then withdrew slightly, reorganized and then bypassed my patrol and proceeded toward their objective.  I learned later that it was outpost ‘Erie’ and that their mission was to capture prisoners.

‘Erie’ was an important outpost at the tip of the Alligators jaws.  It was separated from the American main line of resistance by the valley several miles wide.  It was one of two outposts on the jaws.  The other was ‘Arsenal’.

They were the forward element in the American outposts that were situated in tactical positions in front of the American lines. They  were always vulnerable to enemy attacks because of there isolation and there closeness to he enemy positions.  The outpost provided early indications of enemy activity. This was the part cat and mouse game of this phase of the Korean War.

The need for prisoners was always very important to both sides.  The interrogations always provided valuable information.  The command structure was always reevaluating the field of combat based on troop deployment, strength, reinforcement, and a myriad of factors.  On the ground, direct enemy interrogation was always one of the very best sources.  The source of this information was enemy personnel captured during combat operations.

The initial contact was a textbook ambush.  The enemy companies were caught completely by surprise. They were on a mission  Outpost ‘Erie’.  We were right in their way.

The initial firefight did not last long.  The enemy had bigger plans. We had established initial contact with the MLR informing them of our sightings and contact.  The enemy was moving quickly when they were first sighted.  They were in our perimeter before we knew it. It was hand to hand combat. They quickly withdrew.  At this point our radio was inoperative and we could not communicate information.

The radio was repaired at about 0200 and I established communications with the MLR.  This was also about the same time that the main enemy attack on ‘Erie’ commenced.

Corporal Greff came up to me and said “Rosie and Sgt Grole are down. They are lying on top of each other on the perimeter. They are not moving. Two dead enemy soldiers are lying on the top of them.”

I turned to Greff and said  “take over as Platoon Sergeant until we see what has happened to Sgt Grole. Get them in here where we can make a thorough check.  I’m on the radio to the MLR. They want us to keep them abreast of what is going on.  This is a large enemy force.  We will need to keep in contact, direct artillery and harass and confuse their flanks.

Corporal Greff said “yes sir “

“Greff our main job is to get artillery on these enemy forces.  We will have to move around a bit, just short distances, quickly to allow our artillery to fire on the best locations. Make sure everyone gets the word”

We directed approximately 4000 rounds of artillery and mortar on the enemy in the vicinity of our patrol.  We had suffered no casualties, except for Grole and Rosie, due to close coordination with the MLR.

This action demonstrated the effectiveness of patrolling and was advantageous to the Regiment in three very important ways.

In the first we harassed the enemy by small arms fire and grenades so that the enemy was not able to use its full strength in the attack on ‘Erie.”

In the second, we were in a position to direct and adjust mortar and artillery fire on the attacking enemy elements.

In the third, we were able to communicate with higher echelons and provide exact disposition and movement of the enemy.