Corsairs over Korea
FIRST MARINE DIVISION
FIGHTS TO REACH HAMHUNG
|
I stared at the men trudging in with frozen hands and feet. Body numb from the cold. Mind numb from
the horrors of the ordeal they have endured. I shuddered as I
looked at bodies stiffand grotesque, frozen by the cold. Surely someone will be
held resonsible for this debacle.
|
|
|
5 December 1950.
The 1stMarDiv is fighting its way through the Chinese
heading for the sea at Hamhung. The Chinese are everywhere it seems. UN
forces are being overrun in many areas. As bad as the Chinese attacks
are they are not the worst thing. They can be killed, the cold can't.
The sub-zero cold is proving to be as deadly as any bullet, shell, or
bayonet.
Marine Corsairs are giving all the support the weather will allow. At
Yonpo we help any way we can wishing we could do more for our Marines,
for everybody. Anything we think they can use we stuff into the old TBM
torpedo bombers that are shuttling back and forth from landing strips up
north. The TBM's have been modified to carry litter patients and they
are doing a great job. We sent all those sleeping bags the Air Force
guys threw away and some of our own. The night crew shares sleeping bags
with day workers.
The US Army set a line of defense around Hamhung to cover a complete
withdrawal.
VMF-214 Corsair over frozen mountains of North Korea.
Photo by LtCol John Perrin, USMC. Courtesy of Dan Pierce.
6 December 1950.
Our aircraft flew away to land aboard Sicily after
making their strike. We departed Yonpo late in the day moving to Hungnam
Harbor. Not much was said among us. It's pretty hard to face up to
what's happening. The road was crowded with people. Most looked like
they wouldn't make it another mile. As we passed they looked at us on
our truck like, "How come you got so lucky?" It was so bad we yelled at
the driver to stop and we jumped off. We helped people get aboard that
were being helped along by another person. It didn't take long to fill
the truck. We walked the rest of the way.
As we neared Hungnam we entered mass confusion. But, in all that
confusion a lot was happening. People were going aboard ships. Those
waiting had warming tents and hot rations. The freezing weather don't
seem as bad here. The sight of all those ships out there is strangely
warming. Inviting they were, nothing to fear once aboard. No more
shooting, no more watching a buddy fall, no more freezing. Steaming hot
water for showers, cool fresh water to drink. Hot food and hot drink,
all you want, and best of all a clean warm place to sleep.
I stared at the men trudging in with frozen hands and feet. Body numb
from the cold. Mind numb from the horrors of the ordeal they have
endured. I shuddered as I looked at bodies stiff and grotesque, frozen
by the cold. Surely someone will be held responsible for this debacle.
Sicily was out there waiting for us. The crew gave us grand welcome.
They had banners and streamers and signs hanging over the side and on
hanger deck. "WELCOME HOME VMF-214" the signs said.
Captain Thatch was there greeting us as we came on the hanger deck.
Ships crewmen helped get our gear below. The mess hall had chow ready,
turkey a-la-king and cake and ice cream, and lots of hot coffee and hot
chocolate. They sprayed us with DDT bombs and gave us new skivvies as we
got out of the shower. While we slept the ships laundry ran all night
doing our laundry. Needless to say it made us feel right at home. Now I
ask you, is that one for the book?
Sicily had mail for us. I read the letters from my Joan before I could
sleep. She was worried about me. The news back home is not good. I also
had a large Christmas package from her.
7 December 1950.
We were on the flight deck at 0500. Sicily was in deep
water and the Blacksheep were needed back there. TSgt. Paul Dursch is
having trouble with his hemorrhoids so I will work his plane, WE 9,
until a replacement WE18 comes aboard.
The cold wind across the deck don't hurt as much as it did on the beach.
Knowing a warm space is only one deck below sure helps. I can only
imagine the hurt those Marines and soldiers suffered after days in that
numbing cold with no relief. The heat, fever, and rain in the Solomon's
beat this by a country mile.
The days run together one after another. Anger is the driving force
these days. It's funny how everyone seems to have the same feeling.
Scanlan and I talked to some of the pilots and they feel the same way.
We don't feel shame or embarrassment. Being run out of Korea was no
fault of ours, especially no fault of the First Marine Division. This
mess all started back in Washington. It has been compounded by the
stubborn top brass at the Supreme HQ in Tokyo. Scuttlebutt says those
people had the intelligence but were too egotistical to take notice.
Some of us wish the head chinaman, General Peng, could have gotten a
lick at them. Even as the Chinese were overrunning army after army
General Mac Arthur was saying they wouldn't dare.
VMF-214 back aboard USS Sicily.
WE15 on portside catapult. Operations continue.
Christmas Day 1950.
The Chaplain held religious services on the hanger
deck. The Commissary Officer and his department served a feast at the
evening meal.
It was a good Christmas, a special Christmas. We celebrated quietly,
sharing special moments, remembering those who didn't make it.
How lucky we are. We're aboard ship, sleeping in clean sheets, eating
good food, time to rest and write letters. Truly we have a lot to thank
our Lord for.
I opened my Christmas box. It was mostly good things to eat. I shared
with my friends then put the box in the corner back of our lockers. It
became "our" goodies box. When the other guys had something they put it
in.
We are busy. Our Corsairs fly over areas where the enemy is expected to
be, always searching for targets. Chinese forces are moving south at a
goodly rate. US Army officers report they have the situation under
control. I sure hope so.
31 December 1950.
The pilots say the Chinese are gaining ground going
for Soul.
The new year arrived on schedule. Not a lot of celebrating on Sicily.
1 January 1951: A NEW YEAR
~~~ This war, it's now called a conflict, has been something of a nightmare from the beginning. It started off in a rush that never slowed until they ran us out of Korea.
Seems we hurried like hell a long way just to get our ass kicked. ~~~
Looking back it seems like last year lasted forever. I
hope this year will be a kinder year. Somebody said they heard straight
scuttlebutt we'll be home for Christmas.
The pilots returning from strikes say it looks as though the Chinese
have begun an all out offensive and will take Soul any day now. Air
Force and Navy carrier planes are going all out hitting enemy targets.
2 January 1951.
Major Kenneth L. Reusser's plane lost power on takeoff
this morning and splashed not far ahead of the ship. The plane went
under right away but he was able to get free of the cockpit. His cold
weather flight suit worked like it's supposed to floating him to the
surface. He was picked up right away by our destroyer escort DD-755. The
Major is ok.
Returning pilots say targets are scarce. Can't find anything to shoot
at. That seems strange. Everyone knows they are pushing for Seoul. They
must work nights.
Corsair power failure on launch.
Pilot ditches to left to get
clear of oncoming Sicily.
Corsair down off Sicily sinks quickly.
"MORNING PRESS, U.S.S.'SICILY"
PAGE ONE
R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D T-O
S-H-I-P-B-O-A-R-D U-S-E O-N-L-Y
MORNING PRESS U.S.S.SICILY
3 JAN - '51.
SUMMARY OF SICILY OPERATIONS FOR YESTERDAY, 2 JANUARY:
OUR FIRST LAUNCH INCLUDED A FOUR PLANE UNIT. ARRIVING OVER KOREA, OUR
CORSAIRS CONDUCTED AN ARMED SEARCH WEST FROM HAEJU (NORTHWEST OF SEOUL)
TO'THE COAST, THEN NORTH ALONG THE COAST TO CHINNAMPO NEAR THE MOUTH OF
THE TAEDONG RIVER. SIGHTING WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE A CAMOUYFLAGED
VEHICLE, OUR PILOTS PRESSED HOME A CONCENTRATED ATTACK, BUT THE VEHICLE
FAILED TO BURN. TURNING SOUTH THEY FLEW OVER ONJONGNI AIR STRIP BUT
SINCE NO ACTIVITY WAS SEEN AND TIME WAS RUNNING OUT THEY RETURNED TO
BASE.
ON OUR SECOND LAUNCH THE ENGINE OF MAJOR REUSSER'S CORSAIR BEGAN TO CUT
OUT SHORTLY AFTER TAKE-OFF. HE JETTISONED ALL ORDNANCE AND BELLY TANK.
HE WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE WHEELS WHEN THE PLANE STRUCK THE
WATER AND SANK IN SECONDS. MAJOR REUSSER SUCCEEDED IN FREEING HIMSELF
FROM THE COCKPIT ONLY AFTER IT WAS WELL SUBMERGED. AIR TRAPPED IN HIS
EXPOSURE SUIT BOUYED HIM TO THE SURFACE AND HE WAS RESCUED BY THE BOLE,
DD-755, ONLY EIGHT MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH. THE THE CANOPY ON LT.
DODENHOFF'S AIRPLANE JAMMED AND HE WAS FORCED TO LAND ABOARD.
THE REMAINING TWO CORSAIRS SEARCHED NORTHERN ROADS BUT FOUND NO TARGETS,
THEY WERE CONTACTED BY A CONTROLLER IN A GRASSHOPPER PLANE WHICH
DIRECTED THEM TO A VALLEY WHERE THEY KILLED' THREE HORSES WHICH THE REDS
WERE USING FOR TRANSPORTING SUPPLIES. NEARBY THEY CAME UPON 100 ENEMY
TROOPS WHICH THEY ATTACKED REPEATEDLY LEAVING AT LEAST 50 PERCENT DEAD
AND MANY WOUNDED.
OUR THIRD LAUNCH CONSISTING OF FOUR CORSAIRS CONDUCTED ARMED
SEARCH NORTHWEST OF SEOUL AND BOMBED THREE AIRFIELDS NEAR HAEJU.
SEVERAL PATROL CRAFT AND A LCVP WERE SIGHTED BUT WERE NOT ATTACK-
ED SINCE THEY WERE BELiEVED TO BE FRIENELY,
OUR LAST LAUNCH CONTNUED OUR ARMED SEARCH OF THE COAST AND THE MOUTH OF
THE HAN RIVER. A BEACHED LCVP WAS SIGHTED AND REPORTED BUT NO TARGETS
COULD BE FOUND.
~~ OUR SCORE FOR THE DAY ~~
DESTROYED : 3 horses, 50 troops.
DAMAGED: 3 airfields, 1 vehicles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is about the way things are going since 15 December 1950.
4 January 1951.
The communists are back in Soul.
This war, it's now called a "conflict," has been something of a
nightmare from the beginning. It started off in a rush that never slowed
until they ran us out of Korea. Seems we hurried like hell a long way
just to get our ass kicked.
In five months our forces drove the enemy from Pusan all the way to the
Yala. Just one month later the enemy is back in Soul.
The Chinese inflicted heavy losses on UN forces in North Korea. The
1stMarDiv's march into the Chosen Reservoir area cost them, 700 dead,
3,500 wounded, 7,000 non-combat casualties. What a terrible waste. What
shame.
VMF-214 left the Sicily. We went to Itami for 3 days R & R in Osaka. From there we went to a WW II Japanese air base at Bofu, Japan.
The First Marine Division and First Marine Aircraft Wing are ashore in
southern Korea. VMF-214 joined them at K1 air base near Pusan after a
short time at Bofu, Japan.
Airstrip at Bofu, Japan, where VMF-214 enlisted lived.
Flight operations are not as hectic as last year. The weather's not as
cold as it has been. It's noticeable that the pilots were more relaxed.
All in all the new year looks like its going to be a better year. We may
be home for Christmas!
| | | | | | | | |
|
