Passing the Test: Combat in Korea, April-June 1951

6. HILL 628

HILL 628 West of the ROK 6th Division on the right flank of I Corps, the Chinese 27th Army hit the front of the U.S. 24th Infantry Division while part of the Chinese 20th Army moved into its flank and rear through the ROK 6th Division sector. The 8th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), a unit organized and trained in the United States late in 1950 and shipped to Korea early in 1951, was assigned to the 24th Division in March 1951. It was ordered to move to the right flank of the 24th Division and make contact with the left flank regiment of the ROK 6th Division. The distinguished combat historian 1st Lt. (later captain) Martin Blumenson, then with the 4th Historical Detachment, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea, completed a detailed study of the subsequent action on Hills 628 and 1010, which ensued when the Rangers stumbled on an enemy force while moving to the location where they were to meet the ROKs. Blumenson describes the situation. The Chinese April offensive in 1951 caused the 6th ROK Division to disintegrate. As a result of this, widespread readjustment of friendly positions had to be made. For several days, as friendly units withdrew, the situation was fluid. Communications were not always reliable. Supporting units, in the process of moving to new positions , were sometimes unable to render support. Rumors of organizations encircled and destroyed by the enemy gave rise to feelings of uneasiness, presentiments of disaster, nervousness. The action on Hill 628 must be considered in the light of these factors.1 Chapter 6 8th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), 23–25 April 1951 118 PASSING THE TEST Lt. Alfred J. Giacherine, executive officer, 8th Ranger Company , recalls the orders received by his unit and their subsequent movements. The company was . . . [about five miles behind the front line of the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division] when the Chinese offensive started on 22 April 1951. One patrol was operating in the sector of the 21st Infantry Regiment on the right, and one patrol was out in the sector of the 19th Infantry Regiment on the [left]. The G-3 of the 24th Infantry Division held up these patrols. On 23 April everyone assembled. The retrograde movement had started in force. The company secured some trucks and moved to . . . near Paemal [about twelve miles south of the company’s initial position ], opposite the 24th Infantry Division CP. Giacherine reported Ka p’ yo ng Ri ve r 1010 Route 22 Route 3A 1168 341 628 Polmal Undara Paemal Sop’a Yon’gong-ni Kwanch’ong-ni N MILES 0 2 .5 1 METERS 0 2000 1000 Area of operations, 8th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), 23–25 April 1951. (Original map by author, based on map in Army Map Service series L751.) 119 HILL 628 to the division G-3 at 1600, and Col. Mauz and Maj. Rolland grabbed him. They gave him the mission of taking the company to Hill 1168 [about ten miles northeast of Paemal and nearly two miles north of Hill 1010] to make contact with an ROK unit on the right. The 2d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, was on the left. Giacherine was to get further instructions from the battalion S-3. Giacherine reported this to Capt. James A. Herbert, the [Ranger] company commander, who went to battalion to receive further clarification of the mission.2 Giacherine alerted the company, saw that the men were fed, and that their gear was packed. Herbert returned to the company and said that he had been instructed to have the company on Hill 1168 by midnight that night. He instructed Giacherine to take the company to the 2d Battalion CP and have it there by 1900. Giacherine did so. Herbert arrived there at 1930. The company was carrying two days’ rations, bedrolls, and a basic load of ammunition. Giacherine suggested that the load be lightened and that arrangements be made to secure litter bearers. He wanted Koreans to bring the bedrolls and rations up the hill after the company secured it. But this was not done. Arrangements were, however, made for Korean litter bearers and laborers to report to the company on the forward slope of Hill 628 [about one and a quarter miles southwest of Hill 1010 and two and a half miles southwest of Hill 1168] about 0200, 24 April. The company then proceeded toward its objectives...