Task Force Smith KW (id:#58902)

Tactiques (Tactiques # 6 ID: TAC50)   [next]   [previous]

Nearby Osan, South Korea 1950-07-05 (3 others)

Overview:

On 25 June 1950, Communist North Korea invaded its southern neighbor. Nothing seemed to stop the North Korean popular army, equipped by USSR and well led by numerous veterans of the WWII fights against the Japanese. On the 30th, the Americans decided to send some troops and McArthur packed the Japan-based 30th Infantry Division to South Korea. A preliminary detachment was assigned to slow the North Korean advance and to show US determination. Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, this task force was composed of two depleted companies supported with some heavy mortars and recoilless guns. Some of the troops and officers had participated in WWII combat. The Task force arrived in Pusan on July 1st. The refugee columns and the monsoon’s heavy rains hampered his progression to the front line. One artillery battery joined them on the 4th. On the morning of the 6th, an armored column coming from the north appeared... It was made up of 33 T-34s that crossed the Americans positions without damage despite the defenders heavy fire. American losses were light and the situation became quiet again around 0900. One hour later, a new column appeared in the rain; 3 T-34s, then trucks and infantrymen in a several kilometer wide column. This was the first fight of the cold war.

Defender: American (B and C Companies, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)