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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759 |
Just re-read "With the old Breed" last week. Imagine having to dig a foxhole under such instense fire that you have to dig right through an old rotting Japanese corpse.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,759 |
The Frozen Chosin, ranks high in my book. The First Marine Division commander, O.P. Smith, got the division out intact. Because he ignored the orders of X Corp commander Ned Almond. Had Smith followed the directives of General Almond and General McArthur the First Marines probably would have been destroyed by those twelve Chinese divisions. The Army's Regimental Combat Team at Chosin wasn't able to break out and was destroyed there by one Chinese division. It is very likely that Hagaru-ri would have fallen had not the Army's RCT absorbed much of the blow intended for the first night battle at Hagaru. I'm not saying the Army's RCT was comparable to the 1st Marine Divison in all facets, because it wasn't. There is an excellent book out about the Army's role called "East of Chosin" that details their fight quite well. With just a little better leadership they might have been able to make the perimeter at Hagaru
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965 |
The Frozen Chosin, ranks high in my book. The First Marine Division commander, O.P. Smith, got the division out intact. Because he ignored the orders of X Corp commander Ned Almond. Had Smith followed the directives of General Almond and General McArthur the First Marines probably would have been destroyed by those twelve Chinese divisions. The Army's Regimental Combat Team at Chosin wasn't able to break out and was destroyed there by one Chinese division. It is very likely that Hagaru-ri would have fallen had not the Army's RCT absorbed much of the blow intended for the first night battle at Hagaru. I'm not saying the Army's RCT was comparable to the 1st Marine Divison in all facets, because it wasn't. There is an excellent book out about the Army's role called "East of Chosin" that details their fight quite well. With just a little better leadership they might have been able to make the perimeter at Hagaru Beanman... The Chinese battle against the Army RCT on the East of Chosin absolutely delayed the Chinese division in their attacking Hagaru. Several military scholars agree that the RCT sacrifice saved the First Marines. But it's impossible to know whether or not it "saved" the First Marines... What is sad is that the RCT performance was severely criticized by the Marines and the Army.
Last edited by idahoguy101; 08/22/14.
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