Task Force Crombez KW (id:#66964)

(March Madness 2024 The Korean War Pack ID: MM94)   [next]   [previous]

South of Chipyong-Ni, South Korea 1951-02-02 (0 others)

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Overview:

On 2 February 1951, the 23rd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) moved into Chip'yong-ni in order to secure the town's key crossroads and protect the boundary between IX and X UN Corps. While the 23rd RCT consolidated its positions, Communist forces commenced a major counterattack. Twenty miles east of Hoengsong, the defending ROK units were shattered and within several days, UN forces had been pushed south twenty miles to Wonju. From Wonju the UN line stretched northeast to where the 23rd RCT held its shoulder position at Chip'yong-ni. On 13 February, four CPVA divisions isolated Chip'yong-ni and began three days on nights of assaults. While the Chinese made preparations at several perimeter locations, they were unable to fracture the defense. The evening of 14 February, the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division assembled a task force to relieve the 23rd RCT, COL Combrez, 5th Cavalry Commander, added tanks from A Company, 70th Tank Battalion and D Company, 6th Tank Battalion; an engineer company; a medical company; and two battalions of artillery. The morning of 15 February, the TF moved north along Highway 24A toward Chip'yong-ni, deploying two of its three infantry battalions against strong CPVA resistance. Supporting aircraft reported large numbers of Chinese soldiers ahead of the TF. At midday, COL Combrez determined that the only way to reach Chip'yong-ni that day would be to attempt a strong, armored thrust. He assembled a force of twenty-three tanks, a company of infantry riding the tanks, several combat engineers, and a single 2 1/2-ton truck-and headed out.

Defender: Chinese (126th Division, 42nd Corps)  

Errata (source)