1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL REPORT - TYPE C - REPORT OF ... · 1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL REPORT - TYPE C - REPORT OF NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT - 23 DECEMBER 1951 - 31 DECEMBER 1951

1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL REPORT - TYPE C - REPORT OF NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT - 23 DECEMBER 1951 - 31 DECEMBER 1951

Korean War

Korean War Project Record: USMC-1189

CD: 15

United States Marine Corps History Division

Quantico, Virginia

Records: United States Marine Corps

Unit Name: 1st Marine Division

Depository: National Archives and Records Administration

Location: College Park, Maryland

Editor: Hal Barker

Korean War Project

P.O. Box 180190

Dallas, TX 75218-0190

http://www.koreanwar.org

Korean War Project USMC-00123456

-

From: To: . Via;.:

Sncl:

DECLASSIFIED

Oommending General Conunandf..nt o~ the Har1n13 1 Cot"Ps

?6-ghh A9 . SerJ 00160-52 l. Mar·52

Commenc11np: Gene~el, Fleet Har1ne Foree, P!'cific

Subn1~e1on of Type "C" Spec1 a1 Report of N av2Q. Gunfire

SUpport ot let 2,~ar1ne D1v1a1on 1n Kp:rea tor the period

2~ September - 31 December 1951

{1) oqecord of NGf Hif!s~ons F1~ed 1n Su-ooort of lstHarD1v

(2) Spe~iPJ. G-2 N~ With seleotecl. Pbc:>togreq,h~

1, .. '"he First r·:e.r1ne Division began receiving Naval Gunt1r~

9Jpport on Sel'tember 2~, 1951, "-'hen at'tP.r rolievinp; the 8th

ROKA Divi~ion, ?..nd one regiment of the I :.:\OKA Corps, the

c.ivi€11on sector wP.e "'ell i:.rithin the r~Re o::q,ab1lit1es of the

hP.~vY cruiser (C.A) type, The foll-o~,ring is P. description of

th8 nroblcms encountersd, the ooculiaritirs or the m0thods

0.t'lplo~roc., F. Cletflilec'1. F,n='lYais or th~ P.ffoct1vnn~s~ of the

su~no~t obt~inoe 1 F-nd ccrtFin rAcomMend~tions for fUture study •.

2 •. Hethocl.s of. obt F.in1ng llPV :-1 GunfirR sypport:

P-. .• The Division obt ?.in·~d its support in~ ships by dispatch

rcaunet to thG ComnH·nd1ng Grn·~rF:l, X ·corps, "'lho in turn re

aucstod tho eupport from the Commmd1ng G~?n-~rPl, :EUSAK. The

C~H1!ill?nd1ng Gonc:rcl, EUSAK for,·rr..rdAd tho :reoueste to

ComSf'vonthFl t, who RE!~i~nncl the fl.hipe to report to this

Division for :::-~ spccifi~d period. Originrlly thnsc rP.aunst a

for run-oort hc-.d to bn PUbmi tt •'d · sep ~.r?..tr;ly tor n ~h period.

tb"lt !". ship ~·r!'.s dneirnd, ~·rith a FJP8Cific juetifice.tion for

thr; roque st 1n.cl1.lded. .. In E.dd1 tlon, e. e.ch ,..cOU8 st ··r~ts rAouiraCI.

to cont"in P.lie-t of te.rgcts th?.t the r:U11p "'rot·.lC. br. ce.llcd on

to fire u:oon •... From P. D!vi sian stmdpoint this sy F!tnm ""T.'!'_s

oone1dcrJC1. undD.J~~·ir~~blr; for m"'ny ro~:sonR. In thP- first in-

st ~no c, n C'.V ~1 gunfire suppo-:rt ~~~(;.s do s1rnCI. ~·!hen ever possible,

E.'nd not on q intermittent bP-.s1s~ Sr;cond,ly, the t:-1.rgets fo,..

t·tlioh the division dcs1r•:!d the ships Hr.rn for the most p"'-rt

t-~.r?.:=ts of opportunity:, 1~.e,: ~m,:my mort!:'ra, ~rtUlery, r-:.nd

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tn>on aoac""l}trotions, ·lOcP.t<:!d on stP•~P reverse slopes th~

could not \'le ctfcc.tivr.ly t elk en und!"'r fire ,..,1 th orp, !ln1o Di

Vil':ion "-rmei~ . In c ~rl y ~tovf't'ibcr~ ~.:rtnr the ·t'.ivi·aion 1 ~ field

Prt1llcry r..mmun1t1on ~1.1oc~.t1on h~:td bf'lrn r~"~ducoct P..nd ;·.rhnn

clORP. e.ir supnort tor tho .~tt P.C~~ or th:' rever EV'! E!lOpe t Rr-

p:~tt~~ H!!'f! not rc~.OUy r-vr.ilablc, !t rooucet l·rt,s mP..d(.) th~.t the

D1viR1on br: PU.pportod 'l'·nr-mP-vnr P. ship oould bA rn~dr. !:l,v~:il-

'"'blr;. At this t1mrl the r<·::Clucst u':'1.e f,rr:'ntea., !!'lnd e. schodulc

or Pll1ps to eupp~rt thr: Divle4.on ,,,,:._s est?.blished. i•T1th rc

gc,rd to t!'.l'got 1n·tO:rm-"t1on,. it ''''·B soon rceogn1z"ld th~~t ta.J:Ogcts

BUit'='blo fOl" ID"'ifl b~ttnry f'-re did 1,n f~.ct CXiet, 0 Pd the

r~;ou1X'2M,;nt tor r.dvr>noc t"Ji;rt che1gnotion t.oJ'r.'.S discontinued,

~. ConC'.ugt ot: l~ !:'.vrl Guntirt SuJmotl:

"'·~ 'Then "" shj,p roport --d to th0 FirAt 1: r-.rin"' D1v1 a1on

for tho first tin()' the D1v1F1on N -:v rl Gunfirr. Offic :;r Or

his r:t.ssist!".nt nril.-'1 t:'.li"ioon trip .-1th(':r to thr: eh1p or to

t?.. C0!'11.i'10n mc;;t Ul§: Pl n.c ~~I 1n Of'CI.i:'r to brir;:f' th<1 ~hin' s gunnnry

"nd oomntu110 ntion otfio "rs. ~t th !:'tt t1r'lc, thn ship tM"ae

fu..:t-n!shccl 711th the ro~lO,.,T1.Pf:: inforr:1t'>t1onl

(1) Front Lines- (ovcrl<>.y)

( ?.) l'Jo....,F1rc; Lin<> - ( ovnrl !'.y}

(3) ?ombl1nc- (ovcrl~r)

(4) Voice ::-nd c~·l crll si~ns Of P~"'rtinnnt Division units,

(5) R,ei!J,o frr.;qu:mcy pl!">n for control rna. spotting.

(6) A br1cf outlin., of hO'·' :t'1r,}8 ~~ToUld b.; controlled.

(7) Rcstr1etiv,; fire plan 1nroro~t1on.

At the s~c ti:.1r:, tho ship turn1shoc1. th:; Division rAprC"'!srmt"..

tivr: 111 th 1nform"'.tion on ?J'!'1Munit1on Rv~il ".b1lity !!lnd "'nY

other m".ttors p('!eul1Pr to their st~r, i. ·~·; ,-then th'1Y would

raflH'l, ~.·rb.cn thoy '·roulO. be Pble to ro~, P,nd. exp:1ct8d. periods

of extended non-r:vPJ.l~.bility, These contnrences servad to

flllnili".rizc both parties t..r1th ,_..ny d.1vcrgrmoe from stPlld"'rd

proc cc.ur.:;, P.nC!. to gi v a 'thn sh~p e: bett;;r )tnot,ITl edp; ~ of con-

cUt ions in thc; D!v1sion seotor. 'rhe v~.lue of tnes'" li?.1 so.n

vie1te .o~not bo ovornr.tph£>s1zr-:d.. In tho c o;,ge ot ~ ship th~.t

hP-d previously benn br1rfed rn~ th P:t sucoe ssfully ''.rorkctl.

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SECRET 26/pmh ~9 .

"'ti th the Division, only sucn pe1nts ~f information that ~-d

chenge(l s ~nee the!J" li-.s t briefing ~'er.e cons ide red necessary,

and 1r· these cquld be passed "ver the voice radio circuit,

tlle liaison trip we.s elimj.nate_d.

b~ Once a eh~p had been briefed, all f~rthcr directions

vere ~aesed over the Cont~ol n~t.

c~ 'I'he procedure tor the -conduct of fire la briefly a~

follows:

A,t the start of erch day's firing, the ship we.~ di

rected to contact a speo1f~c spotter (air· spotter, ~~en one

l··as available or gl'$\Uld spotter if there ¥Ere lucrt..t1ve tar

gets ths.t Cfuld be seen from aj:gro\lnC. OP), and b~th the

. epotter and the eh1p lre:re told·1tpe spotting frequency to be

used that day, ~he spotter th~n sent hi~ fire m1e~1ons

directly t~ tn~ ship, using eta.ndard v~ced~e outlined in

current doetrineJ (car 2l56.E), Upan receipt of a fire mis

sion, the ship oall~d the :P1v1s1on F1re Sup·)oJ~t Coordination

06nter (Piv_,.sion NGFO) ~n the control net, and requested

cleaT&noe t-• t1re, g~ving the te.rget, loce.tion, and the

identity •f the ep~ttcr wno sent the mission. ( This clee.l'!

ance "·Fe \UJ~ally requesteq by the shtp whi~e tne p;roblem was

being liJet-..up 1n :Plot, and the~~ "'at;~ +~ttl~ o:r no time lost

1n 'Pentng fire~. due to thi~ edded step in the handltng tf

& m1,e1on. •t the FSCC thr. requ~st '\11E"•s qulokly checlted on

the Operat~on~ ~~p., "'ith :pr.:rt1cq:J_a:r regF:rd to .Air Operatione

and PdJaeent un~t pRtrol ~o~1vity, since all tires, of n~oeP

e1 ty 1 "'·e:re across $1'ld cvf:r P.dje.Qen t ~Pi. t secto:rs1 Bo~h the

Div!sior~ Air Off1oer and the .Artillery Fl'O "~'ere notified

of th~ pr•p•IJed m1sf!1on, so that they in turn oould inform

or rr:-f;1tr1et the l1a1e•n a.nd fi'potting a1rc:reft which were fly

ing in or near th€ te.rgr-t area, ~e m~aeton ""'as then clearei,

r.nd continued betwfen th~ ep()ttPr and the ship in normal

fashion. WhEn a mission bFd befn oompleted 1 the ship sent

to the D1v1sion recc a destruction report for record purposes

1nclud~ng the number of roun~e e.nd type of e.mmun1 t1on used.

4, Effegtive-pPsp •f N-<>ve.J. Qypfire SUI?'?~rt;

a~ ~nolosure (l) ie A co~?lete ~eoord of all Naval Gun

fire missions fired in eup:~o:rt of the F1r$t ME">r1ne Dlvision

during tht; period 23 SeptemrJe;t- - 31 December, 1951~ Frc~m an

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26/ghh A9

'MH'lyais ot the m1sa1one contF>j..n.:;d ther81n 1 cex-t~J..n brond

conolu sian s o ~.n be x-e E'Ched. -

(l) In terr!'J.n suoh P.s 1s found in EP.st Centr~~ KoreP:., obscrvzd nP-Ve~ gunfire, -aven ~rJhon t'1!'od ~-t OJ'" neelr

maximum ct'fect1ve rt'np;,J, 1s ,;ffaot1v., in tht3 dastru.ction or

enemy 1natcllP.t1one, Th~s question t•P's onf) thP.t c!!Ulsed sorn.c

ap;)eul~t1on origin~lly, md for th~ r;~e.aon, !'.morig- others, !'>,

complete rooord of Pll m1ss1one hils be0n kopt. It w?.s or-i.P-;in

?J.ly thoupJlt that eJtecut1on or such l'!l1~s1one "'-'Oul~- r.,qu1rc en

exPendi turo or m?.in ~ttcry rr1mun1t1on cxo!':lesivc 1n rel Rt1on

to the d!"roE'P:o inflicted, It 1e believed that the rtvar?.v;:-;

nUITlbcr ot rounds expended per t ~.r12:et, And tllc r:1port ~a re

sults~ as shc"''n on the e'Jlllm?J;-y sh·~---t ot Jncl.oetp•e (1), baO;r

out tho cono~ue1on thP,t the support r~dorod durin'- this

period ~''e.e both cf'feoti.ve md Juet1t1cd,

{ 2) Air s~ot, f\1~ sh.1d 'by the ~illory Re~1mant 1 s '

~ir obeoxovor acQt1on, 1 s pr0tcr:rcd ovnr ground o'beerv ~ion t

in this n~.rt"1oUlar t~est1G«l. ·qJ;tU:attort'\' Ttde conclusion 1e

borrtc 0 1.1t by. the :follo,~r1np: teet sl

(4) Tho c:1r spotter uses less rounds per Mission.

~·1hile tho statist1cru. en8lye1s sho,..,s only ... 2 rounds per mi~

sion 1 e ss rre used. by the r1r Apott er, one t' net or not e}:lo,-m

'by the ".Etta is th r:t tho air e-pott er 1. e ~-bl c to get P, quicker

acjustmcnt on F• ta~ct~ ana. n.ore of the mMunition expended

1s ~.ctueJ.ly ~.cl1VC'!'·<)U on the t F.'.r~ot 1n 11 f1ro tor Rffnct."

FUrthorrnora, m etr spotter is less 11k81Y to "lo~mlt his

1nitiel s.s>lvo, an oocurrrnce that is not too unoOMr•lon for a

~round spotter in hillY terr~~n.

(b) Not shO'~'t1l'l b;r t.ny statistic?.). data t:tre the

follo•,ring ft'.ctcrs i.n fF.vor Of ueinp, air spotters es opposed

to p:round obscrv?.tion, FJ.r st ~ the pr;1.r:H'.ry J!li se1on or the

ships in this pP.rt1c'l,l.lP.r s1tu?..t1on v.re.s to t-:>J~c undcr fire

those t Bre~ ot e th r.t ,·wre in =:oc 0 <=l e1bl e to organic arms, see

enclosure ( 2). Locs.tion of these targnt a reaui:red an ~~r

epottJr ~:rho '!i-re.a thoroughly rm111~ 'I:-.T1th the terr~n in our sector, md one ,.rho hc.d bJ(:n briefed on those t~rr\ets '~'•lhich

l'Mre consiacrcd both inpox-trnt e.nd eu1tf'.:'ole_, just p1'1or to

t~.kc-off. This of Qourse i~ inpossible~men ~spotter 1'1hO

1s not orr;mic to the Div1s1on is used. On t·wo -sepETcte

occP.sione r.ir spotters other then those cr~~1c to the div1..

s1on ,.,.ere uscd 1 md on b9th occ?~s'-ons the ,-n-su1ts t.rere hi~hly

un.satisf~tory~ The usc of r.rtillcry :?.lr ~'bservers rrom the

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artillery :regiment_··~he.s hP.d the di.eauvan-tage of placing an

e:-rtra burden on this small· group of r>f ficere, and ~·,uJ.d be

considered impract1c~ble in any situation in wh1ch normal

amounts ot a.rt~~lery tires were be_irig conducted. l'hree poe

si'bil1t1es present themselv-e-s ~::a solutions to this problem.

The first is to add to the T/0 for the Division ANGL.IOO t"'o

(2) air •o~ervers as a nF-val gunfire air ooeervere section

in tpe Divi~ion Ll.aison Tee.~ The eecono. is to .change the

~·iOB o1 two (2) of :the preeent N&val Gunfire Spetters from

0840 to 0806 in order th:~t the D1vie~on oay ho.ve trB1ned

naval gun!1re a1r s'~tter~ without the addition. ~t ~fficers

over the preeent e.\lth~r+zed strength. The tl'1ivd pope1bi;Lity

is to add t"'~ (2) air observers to the present ArtillerY

Regiment T/0. M the three aolut1ons presente<l E-bove, tne

lPst 1s deemed to be the beet 1n the '-nterests tJf consolide .....

ting all air qb(iervers, training, e.nc th~ :r~f',dy prov1e1on of

an adequate- m,unber Qf air observers for ~he Division.• e needs,

( 3} Navel G\lnf+:re Bup·'Jort ~n n te..ctic.nl e1 tuation

such·as prevailed during the'period in C\lE>stion h.Pe been

c•n~rolled f8 a ;;rene~Pl S\lP:?~":rt ~.rm, e.nC'. a~s1gned according

to the nePos of the Pivi.s·ion Fa e whole,. :t'hie hF~& assu~ed

economy of eff~rt, ~nd complete coordination. w~th other

su·?port1ng e.rms,. ·

b. J\s. soon PS nr-vP.l gunf;+re support be cAm~ !:'lvailable on

~ fairly r('gulPr be.sisA the P1v1aion G.-2 directed the pris

oner of "'t=q.· interrogetion team to question incoming POlis on

the. effectiveness of cur nAval guntlre bomb~rdment. A. re ....

cord ~f the ree3ul ts of this interrognt1on }lAs been revie~red,

and indic.~tes t,ihRt p~vA.l gunfl.re hAs been effective. As

exmX1plE s of Pm~· repn;ttte 1 th~ follC'"ring exe;rpts f:'l.nd notes from

the Interrog~tion reporte Fre given below.

11 PW het=trd from hie Co clerk tl•st a/a 22 Je,n 52 the ~5th

Iliv CP "re.a hit by NRve.l gunfire "rhich caused Qonsidera'ble

daJimg(;;, lt ie estimrted thr-t npprox h~lf pereon.nel ot the

~5th Div CP ~rere cE::.Sl.lal tie_st" {Note: On 25 Jan, 52 USS

wi~conein fired 100 rds 16'11 :ac at Prea in queetion, A1r

Spot and ~I reported 20 c~ves cloae4t ~0 KIA counted, est

~5 ·•tht::r cce f:rom one round thet hit f'. group of p€rs•mnel).

All i>W repc:r:1;:s .. "r~:r6 not . this· indl.cnt~ve ot tt'le effective~

ness or' th€ nt'rv.nl s\.g~pot-t; ~t· they .;ene~llY in~1ce.tt:d that

the ene~y hr~d a· llet.l t}Jy': ~JJl)ect for the me.jor C!'ltbPr firing.

On one ocoas!on ~- PW ~'teted: th~t he }lFd -,.,een to;I.d by h1s

ba ttf'.lion pl!ll~ t\Qe+ ~fttc~-r th~t tne ·UN was flr~ng l r.tomie

F..:rtillery shell~t beOP\l.S~ :,•f the si,f.e of t}le or~ttrs thrt

5 SECRET

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DECLASSIFIED

SECF.E~

-26/pmb A9

the 16 inch. shells m~de.~·- ··Ail Clf . these PO'\'-: reports hr:ve b6en

checked "t••ith the record of~f!ri-ng·,_ ·ni+d·it nc::e been determined

thr t it "·~e n~'vr.l gunfire thrt.7 h~a· be~n ·tired. As l".n 1ndi

cP.tion Of the r.tdVerse mornle e·tfeot. Cf'·.Uc:led by Mf".jor O~.libt'r

bOmbFrdment 1 lo•F.l.S the S tr'.tenie'n t; Of ttitother pmr 1 ~110 Snid th~~ t

he 1>'!'8 induced to eu:rrende:r ~.fte.r h~e un1·t )lt.a puttered

1 hH:vy ar..eunl tiee l in one bc®r..rdment, riJ}9 t-rhell· one shell.

lr-.nded ne~r his poa1tlon, nnd ft".l.lecl to gd off, the size rrt

the du~, a 16 inoh HC shell. convinced him tlv t 1 ~ ·w•e time

to surrel.ldE'r, ·

5~ Comm3an*c~tions:

.n, Stflndr-rd ¥"aQ.1o equipment "8 f3hOll'n in ·.current 'X/E 1 s

'l)lr·~s used in the conduct of r.ll N""V!'tl Gunfire wtth the excep

tion of tlle one set uaed by tht:. d~v1sion n'"vl"'.l gunttre offi

cer r"t th~ FSCO.. The inlnnd, def1l,decl locrtion ot the d1vi

s1on c@)mmnnd vtet "'~e S\1Ch th~~ neither the AN/VR~l. nor ·the

~/.c-!RC-6 hnd s~ft'1c1ent cutput tc pe ~omp;l.etel;v rel1fl.bl~~ ··

The D1v1s1on S1gnr;l Off1cer supplied an SC~399; "'hich pi"()ve~

moat snti~f~ctory 1n the mnintninence of good veioe cimmuni-·

c~tions~ ·

b. Fr-oi.D fo~~rd obaerVE".tton :poflt~, ~rh1ch fq~ the most

pnrt "'for£ leQr ted on QOmmt:nd1ng terrF'.tn, the A.N/GM-9. func

tioned Well fO;" the gr~und. Sp~ttere 1n their ndjuet~e.nt. oe . t'ire. /

\

c1 The §Cll-:300 \'l•r· f:l. (')f lj, ttle us~ in the hilly Koreun

terrnin, ~nd einee moet of the f1r1~g 1P aupport •t t~ First

If.!'.rine D1vl,s1~n \l'r::.s ~co~mpli~hed rtfter n st"'.b.ll~zed. line hrtd

been r:chieved, l4re ""~·e used rte the prim.r.ry 1nte;r.-teF:m meP.ns

of o~mmun1o:tions~

F'.. Ae the F~rst M"'rin~ Dl.vision "rt=:e the on:l.Y unit in

Korer .. '-"t>r1th ~rl1iqed N"'Vf"ll Gunfire tertme, it ~TP.s ct'llled upcn

to furnish pfreonnel f'.nd equipment to oontrol thE> nr-vf'l

gunfire. support being given to other Un1ted Nntione units,

(1) One shore fire control prrty, {l. br-ttrlion 11n1-

eon tenm nnd 1 bntt~lion spotting te~m) v~s flttnched to ~he

4let. Rcwrl l'trrine Itic;iepen.dent Comm~.no.9 Grm,1p opprrting und~r

CommPnder Nnvf'll· Force: a Frr Eft. at!'· Th:l,.s ~hore t'lre control

:P"'rty trnined ~·i th the Ccmmr::ndo uri,11f · ~fl Jr..pr-.n,, n.nd pr-:rtic-1-'

pnted "rith tt in :rn3.-ce,- :t:tnd lenoinge P) .. qng the Er-st Conet •f

Koren 1 prinolpr-1lly ~n the ~rops":n t>:ren~ 'V."p.e::n the Ofmm!.".ndo

Gr9up ·"" e ina.ct1ve) . the. rfry·r-1 {Nnt~t~ ·personnel "'ere attached

to the ~sl~nd Defense Co11mn.nder of the \t!one~n Hr:r.bor fl.ren 1

6 SECRET

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SECRE'l' 26/pmh A9

and succeestu.lly set up and m~'-nta1ned observing p(:)sition~

on three {3) ~all 1elanc:ts ·ln· the-')l(met.n Hn:Pbo:- e.ree.. In

this manner they "'·ere. able to lo'ofl,~~ and take under tire me.ny

te.rgete that •theMr1se oeuld no~: hp.ve been effect1v~lY fired.

upon. Certain leesone l•~med · trom· the oper·)tl,on of this

te·.m in this apeb1··l1z..ed'id.tu;··.t1o~ tire·under study, ~-<nd.l(ill

be the aubJeat ot •epr~rnte tJor:re.spondenoe if tne f1n·:l dete~

m1nr~tion in41~~te-e th~ t nt~w tech.niquQs · ure requS.:red~ -..

(2) One ebol"e fire Qont:rol pr:.rty "'r· (! ·1ttc-.ohed to tne

I ROK_Army O~f:P_, in. •:rde:r t4 pl· ~. ·;ri.d ~1:rec.t the n'"'.vr·l e~ppl'l:r~

th· t \<•··e be1n; hrft.i.shed to ~h--t unit. The I- ROIC Con>s,

l'"or ted. em the !r.et- cc~·:,t ot ~o:re~ :reo.e1ved ~- 11(: jor p0rt1on

of' their suppo:-~ 1n ··tbe term ~t n" vel gunf1rte ~r:smuch r-~

tl1e RO~ unite d(!) ~ot h'·ve r.:rt~llery 1n the s~.me qurnt1ty ne

U; s. ~\~a, The preeence of tri:1n,~d N .... v,~l Gunfire pera•nnel

t•t(e C!,f gre~' t belp to them in the prope:r control. r.nd direction

of tlie euppo!'t ""bicb they rece1ved,

?~. Cop~d_a,nr~ion ,""~'h ot~r §tA®9rttng Am§~

r, · +n the p..,rt1culrr t~.ctic.'"'·l e1 tu:-.~i1on "r~ioll prev~iled

du:r_~n,g the period 23 September to 3l Peoernber 1961, only

linltted. ciQr\\11\fltion bet'\<reen 5up~rt1ng Al'lllB 1 llir.a X'equ1red .

p:r_1mrr1ly beonuee there ,,·r..e so little nj,r eupp()rt, The nr.V"f'.l

s.upp~~t lima inte~:rrted into tl\e ove:rnlJ. eupporS1ng ~rms Pl..~

ture by re~1sn1ng 1t to h~t t~rgets th~t could not be h~t by

::-.rtille:r~, c.-. t;:rgete '\<Thien beo."'.use of their he·'VY con~truc

tion alul4 not be de~troyed by ~rt~llery fire,

.'b, ~~f¥$1;r1ot1ve n,re plc.ns ne set forth in. PSF6;3 ~md

USF6, mocl1f1ed by X Corps ~rcter, 't··ere constr.ntly used fb~

the ,?ro~eot10n •·t r.ircrr.'.ft during close '1r eupp~rt miss1on.s4

o. ~ring :rr:_ids ~md other tr ctio,-1 moves ¥hich were

SUpported by f~re 1 n :Vr:l gunf1ri '\o1f'.8 1ptegrnte4 ipt(;) the OV€X'r.ll plr:n Of fire .. -.t the 1"8CC', to r.:.void duplicr:tio;n r·nd

to ..-:ssut"e oom:;>lete :~rec cover• ge.

e. C!rf11!ent; r:n~ Becomm::-.ndntione·:

u, Ae. ~J,.eouseed 1n pr..rPgr:-~ph. 4r.(l), it is beli-eved

th 't n• vnl'. gunfire O' n be cons.1dere<l :m effective support:1,ng

rrm even tllQ~i~ the ever<1ge r,~nge of t ... rgE:te lies between the

m~im~ etfac~1Ye an~ the max+mum rnnge ot th~ gun in quee

"t;~on, :prov~ded th~".t r..ll f1rea r..;re o'be~rve(\.;

b~ lt 1e believed thc.t n~vn+, gunn . .re su;ppq:rt, 1n n

7

DECLASSIFIED


SECRET

Copy· t~

Comdt: MCS CG Lf.tiFO.k'Devo~nte:r· co G~t1re &,pt.~ee~ L~nt CO Gunf1~e SptB;ccl Pno

DECLASSIFIED

8

DECLASSIFIED

26/pmh A9

SECRET

j ... LI .J Korean War Project USMC-00123464

DECLASSIFIED

0726/135 A9 Ser : 0 0 2 1 7 · I 2

APR 2 1952

FIRST £NDORSEl,!ENT on CG, lstl-ia.rDiv sec 1 tr ser 00160-52 of 1 Mar 1952

From: Comme.nding General, Fleet Mg,rlne Force, Pacific To: Comme.nde.n t of the l~e.rine CorpEI

Subj: Submission of Type 11 C11 Special Report of Naval Gunfire Support of let Marine Division in Korea for the period 23 September - 31 December 19fil

1. Forws.rc1ed.

2. The basic report is considered tc> represent an excellent picture of the naval gunfire suvport problems \'lhioh will occur during protracted operations on r:L large land maso.

3. This Headquarters concurs with the comments and reoommeudations contained in the basic report subject to the follow1ng remarks:

a. P5ragraph 2.a.

omment. It is noted that the initial procedure for obtaiilillt; nava gunfire support in a post D-d·9.Y ai tua tion was in direct opposition to doctrines ancl techniques presently estaoliched for the naval service. The1 target juat1fication required for requesta submitted for fire support ships appears 'to have exceeded in detail that presently required to aupport Dday requirements. In view of the fe.c~t that the let Ms.rine Division could use only certain typeo of ohips, while other ships were mti t:3ble for units operating clooer to the coa.at, the initial method for procuring r~val gunftre support appears unrealistic. The method employed during the concluding month of the reporting period - aooignment of ships to diviaion in a schedule - appeG.rs to have allevia.tec.l the problem. Established doctrine within the naval service ·Hould preclude occurrence of this problem in a. Navy-Marine Corps ope:ration, however, it could easily cccur in any joint opera. tlon underta.ken in the future.

Recommendation. That the Coramanda.nt of the Marine Corps initi~te oteps to provide for eotablishment of a joint doctrine to prevent posoi ble reoccurrence of nuch e. s1 tua tion. At the same time, it is recommended that a 1~echn1que be outlined to proVide for paooa.ge of control of shore based naval gunfire support rna ttero to the senior echelon O,I.Jera. t~Lng within range of naval gunfire support.

9

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,~·· "i'j

'\,'J;:::· ,~.1·

, •·

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t

b. Pe.ragraph 3.·a.

0726/135 A9 Ser: Ge 2 17 - I I

f-\PR 2 195~

Comment~• It appe-s.ra that the information conta1nec1 in subpal"J.[;re.phO f 4) through ( ?) Ghoulcl be !lV'iilable to the senior Navy echelon in the theatre of opermtiona and should bi passed to all shit's des tined for fire suppc•rt missions prior to -9.rri val on st[3.tion. The advantages or dir>a<:t liaison between ship and supported tnJ1 t are great and opportunity for such conferences ohoulc1 b:::; seized \lhenever possible. In thio connection, it is felt tha.t the preoence of one of thn Marine officers from the ohip 1 s Ee.rine Detachment would be lAlrticularly desii'able at such lialcon meetings. In addition to their knnwledge of ground te.ctics, these officers a.rs trained ne.v~l gunfire air spotters and ms.y be employed to spot ships 1 fire when ships 1 helicopters are employed.

Recommenda tton. The. t the Commandant of the ~J.arine Corps ini tia.te a recommendation to the C~Lef of Naval Operations relative to employment of ships' Marine officers in liaison roles during Gituationo oimila.r to that outline~ in paragraph 3.a..

c. Paragraph 3.c.

Co~. The procedure for conduct of fire is at variance with eotabliohed doctrine when fire is controlled by front line ground elements. It io felt that permission to fire, if neceoGary at all, should have been requested by the unit being oup.fJorted r&ther than by the ohi:t-' !J:roviding supl;ort. Subject to c:-1va bill ties of organic radio ewtipment of shore fire control pe.rties, it is felt the.t e.ll units concerned with gunfire support could h~.ve manned the ns.val gunfire control net in those canec vihere only one or t\10 ships 't\Tere involved.

'!·, Regomm§pde.tion. That doctrine or technique be written

to provide for changen in the naval gunfire communicationo

I, structurE required by o~eratlons similar to those covered by the basic re1Jort.

d. Paragraph 4.a.

Comment. (1) Thio Headquarters concurs in the statement that n::;v D.l gunfire can provide effective support well beyond the prenent me.ximum effective range. In thio connection, 1 t is pointed out that the size and composition of a target as well as the terrain will dictG.te the effective range of the weapon rather than the distance involved,

10

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0726/135 l\9 Ser: 0 0 2 17 - I a

i. ' '.I • . .. I • ' . APR 2 1952 { ~)l:.~.i\~~~~iji3Ji\Clouarters does 11()t concur in the requirement

for addi t 1o'n8lill-air observers outlinecl in paragraph 4. a. ( 2) (b). It is felt that use of division artillery air observers is de sirable, but not absolutely necessary. Availability of ships spotting helicopters and hic;h performanoo airoi'aft spot should be exploited to the utmost. The abnormal situation outlined in paragra.._Jh 4.a.(2)(b) is in part resp(>ns1ble for the availability of naval gunfire to replace artiller~t and increased artillery availability would tend to de crease J:>equirements for naval gunfire support. By previous correspond.et'lce, this headquarters has recommended that additional air observer be authorized for the division.

I Be commendat1Qll. ( 1) That pro sent naval gunfire support

I doctrine· be reexamined to provide a more comprehensive picture of the maximum effective range of naval guns.

( 2) That the recommendation tor two ( 2) additional artillery observers - naval gunfire spottors be disregarded.

e. Paragraph 4. b, ,.

Cowmenli. The material conta:Lned in this portion of the report a!)pears to be strikingly similar to the re}lorts obtain'ed from POWs and diaries in the Pacific ·.!.'heater duri11g World War II.

f. P arae;raph 6.

Comment. The let ~1-.GLICO alno provided ~wo (2) Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers for the lst ROK Army Corps.

g. Paragraph 8.

Comment. The comments and rE~oommendations contained herein arec'O"Ve"red in subparagraph d,. above.

4. 'i'ransmission by Un1 ted States registered ma.il or registered guard lMl.il is authorized in accordan43e with United States Navy hegulntions.

.···

Copy to: (See next pnge)

' ' / I

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~.'/! ~~/\ ~ ::. L. CtHI\~ r~J1.'i.': r .)f s:,nrr

,,', ,nO•

"i" ~ ' :1~~

I

.•. ~·'·

'"


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'' ,..,J,Ji, 1.~'. ' I • . . "'It&

DEW.~t,\f,tl: L ::: • 'lj! YEA ;

CinCPncli'l t C.t.vl.CS i'!C.DC

( IWl DIIL&l~~.t!l / t 1 e11ol thereto) wroc~1o repor ess

' 0726/135 A9 ser:

APR 2

00217-··

1952

CU. Ir.FLant {w/basio report less enol thereto) CG li'i,J,'Pao '1'roops CamPen ( "'/b11sio report less enol thereto) CG let harDi v CO 1st A~''GLICO ( w/bnsio CO Gunfire &upport bool CO Gunfire bupport Bcol

,. , I

report less enel thereto} Lant Pc.c

-l2

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.... , ...•

·'· ,fil••

ti!J '··It!<

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DECLASSIFIED

··'" . .,,.,... .......,. ..

Prom-To:

. Ser,No:

~'>outine:

IN REMARKS

Rout-"1.,0' IT"'"'"'· lnate Addressees

{Entries to be signed and dated)

Asst r.Mr. ---~--~--~~~~------~--~r-_, ____ _, Mil Secy Legal Aide

Aviation Historical Inspection

Pers Dept

Plans & Policies Public Info Hecruiting

Reserve Supply Dept

Women Marines

DTVI~ION OF PLANS AND POLICJ:ES

Exec SPl Asst to Dir

~--4----~--~--~G~-1~----------+----4--~~---~

G-2 1\ ' ( 11

G-4

---~--~--~----------+---1---r----; •·---I---11--.J...J:!J.:::.t....:A~c:::.:t'-::!1:;::o.!.!n-'P~a~n:.:::e:.:::l_l---+---ll----t

SPS

Research & Dev

Erurineer

Si~~:-Elec

1 ; 1, ;'""~~I i c'

I

.i 1 ~ r' I ·" 1

: t '

I

!C930S

~_ .. __ _..,...... ......... _..-. ·~·-- .. '

{ (.fl

"' ; ,· .. · . . ..,, ~ ~ ~

I · ••• · ( .( :~.··~

.... \ .... I I,

ACTION ~x{~'~ .. l ~. _Approval Inf'o~""t'i~ llWNGIIAOED AT 3 mn u;·~D.'J!.w( __ compliance. _Reconunendation DECU~IF!ED ,aFTER f2 YEA~ \ /'..-;).··· .

.....;;;:;;:::;::..R_e_tur_n ________ _...:.:.:..:;;__P_re_p_a_r_a_t_io_n_l_e_t_te_r_....,""'"".....,.,.."'.:L:"~-A:.:;:d~d .8~ ...-..: &20Bdf Side \/: .• 11·'

,2, .. '"Ui~T.f!:iNf0R:.·vd1

1~ To be seen prior to signature

ll To be seen prior to mail1ng /y to be seen after mailing

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.. ~o~..~

""''' ,(

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DECLASSIFIED

• • I!'' ,I • • >'

~·~)~ .1<.1 .. ·~~~~~·-:· .•

rn •n};. ',.,,..,, ... ' ""'-· I "'' j_ I ~ ~ ,;.

'l';'l" .,, ...... '•)' ()J'l

Type 11 0 11 E~neciA1 H.eport of NevA1 C+unflre Support of 1Pt M~rine Division in Korea ror the 1)f ri oc1 of ~;;z. Septernhf' r - 01 Dece~CJhfr 1951

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DECLASSIFIED

SECRJ.!!r SECU?.IT¥' INFO,

N .4.V 1>L Guttll"' RJt STAT"I STI 0 ~ s:JHHARY

23 September - ~l December 51

1. N'umber of r·1i ssions fi.r-ed cturing period:

2.

~.

4.

16" 55 8~ 119 au __Q

Total 177

Number of r4unds fired cJurinr, period:

160·; 968 8~: 2023 611 51

Tot eJ. 3042

Averr.ge number of rouno s/rni ssion:

1611 17."6 8" i7;o Gil 17.0

.Ave rap:e number Of rounds per mission by type of spot employed:

Air Ground

5 •. Results reported;*

Personnel; estimated casualties ..... 2023 Artillery pieces 20 destroyed 10 damaged

BunJ:::er s & J?er s Shelters 209 " 116 If

1: or t ar s 5 " 3 It

.Arnr:1uni t ion du..'!l,p s 19 " Buildings 5 ~ 5 1f

liachino guns 5 tt 3 1f

0? 6 4 11

6. Average range~

16" 32,500 yards su 22 1 000 yards 6" 18,000 yards

oil-Note: The so re 5~1 t s are as reported bv. indiv~du aJ.. spotters. They do not incluC!e incidental damege done to roads, trenches,. etc. Personnel casualties- a!'e .totals of both counted and estimated KI-!.1. and ·liX. From past experience the ae estimates are con siclered to 'be about 80~ correct •.

Enclosure ( 1) 9:SC'I1:ST

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SECRET NAVAL G1Jl"'FIR3 MISSIO~TS FIRED I'H SUPPORT ')F 1ST M.ARD8 TIIVISIOlJ

DATE TIH3 TGT LOCATION TGT 'DESCRIPTION SFcT &roJS :E\'J' SHIP P..ESULTS

23Se:p 1450 DT 272518 En bkrs ~~ :pers Ground 4 }Tew 'Neg ._Tersey

24Sep 1200 TIT 294506 En bkrs Ground 25 }Tew ?,xcellent coverage Jersey

25Sep lllO "DT )02504 3n bkrs Ground 27 1Tew 1 bkr dest. 1 amrro dump IJ Jersey dest

25Sep 1530 1JT 233547 En bkrs & arty Air 44 J.ITew 6 arty posns dest,.excel-

"~T 218528 & &tJ:p dump area Jersey 1 en t coverage on trps

c DT 213533

t'l'j 2oct 1)T 298504

c ~

Bkrs & sup nt Ground 31 1rew 11 bk:r s des t t'l'j

r Jersey ~

> r

rFJ >

rFJ 20ct D~ 3124G6 "3krs 8~ 76mm gun Ground 29 }Tew 4 bkrs deS t-,_. 1 76mm gan• rFJ

"""" rFJ

"""'l Jersey prob dest· I ....

"""" l""'"j

t'l'j I ....

c 76 14 bkrs dest ~ . unk ~~ ners-~. t'l'j

20ct DT 305503 Bkrs, pers & Ground Hew c Sup :pt Jersey 1 76mm gu'l'l•-dest· ·

30.ct- DT 312498 :Bkrs & pers Ground 52 New Good co ve:rage · 41 Jersey

30ct DT 309495 :Bkrs & :pers Ground 29 lTew Good coverage Jersey

l60ct 1420 DT 293516 Trps & bkrs Air 15 Few 2 bkrs des t, 15 KIA Jersey good coverage

16oet 1030 'DT 271521 Active arty Air 17 £-Tew 1 arty pc dest, area

btry Jersey neut

Enclosure ( 1) 2 S:SCP.3T

.. '·

ti<l~lt-


c t'l'j ~

~ rFJ rFJ ; ~ c

>i<lllt,:;tlt-

SECRET s.JAVAL GU::"TIEE FIR~ I1i SlJPFOR=' OF 1ST ~,~_tJtHE "IVISIOF ( COl\fTI;J)

DATE TI~ TGT LOCATION TGT D:ESCRIPTIO}T SPOT =*~DS R"XP SIDF RSSULTS

rEo ct noo DT 266523

rEo ct 1200 DT 226552

16oct 1500 DT 231532

r6-170ct

Tight DT 243576 lli:I DT 228554

DT 227552

170ct 0730 DT 293506

l70ct 0830 DT 288526

l70ct llOO DT 310500

170ct DT 3021)08

170ct 1200 DT 321535

170ct 1230 D':' 286527

24oct 0745 DT 355555

Enc:lo sure ( 1)

Active arty btry

Air

cP area (III l:!K Air Corps)

"En sup pt, 4 arty pos

cP & sup area

Strong pt

Strong ::pt

Strong pt

Strong pt

Arty btry

Eort btry

En bkrS, pers & strong pt

Air

:rone

Ground

Ground

Ground

Ground

Air

Air

Ground

15

6

13

18

24

24

12

37

24

20

25

3

}Tew Jersey

1'ew JerseY

l~ew

-Jersey

}Tew Jersey

Few Jersey

J.iTew Jersey

lJew Jersey

!'Te,., Jersey

}Tew

Jersey

Yew

1 arty -pc dest, good coveragtl

1 bldg dest, good cov·erage

1 house lest, 5 arty posns des t, 1 en KI.A., good coverage

}.,.igh t H&I uno bS

:;:;st l5C cas

3-vcel 1 ent coverage

so-6o cas

Area well covered

2 bldgs dest., ~ sec ammo explosions, 2 arty -pes dest, 20 cas,. road cut

4 mort dest., 2 mort dam,_ 75 Jersey cas

'Ibledo Area & bkrs well covered

S~CRF;T

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e

c t'l'j ~ r > rFJ rFJ l::a ~ c


S:ECRET }.TAV.AL Gl:J!JFIR:S FIR:SO IN SUPT{)RT OF 1ST~; RHTE "DIVISIO!-T (OJ~TT'D)

DATE TIME TGT lD CATI01! '!'GT :JES CRIP TI Ql.T SPOT d#.RJJS ~XP Sl:Ip RESTJL'!'S --

24oct 094o DT 333526 Strong :pt Ground 21 Toledo Area well covered

240ct llOC DT 348565 BkrS & pers Grcund 7,7 Toledo Area well covered, white s~oke rept from rear Slope

24oct ll25 DT 358555 Strong -pt Ground 20 Toledo .kr ea well cover ei e 240ct 1237 DT 349535 Bkrs & trps Ground 25 'Ibledo Ar-ea well covered

24oct 1345 lJT 350554 :BkrS 8! pers Ground 8 Toledo Ul'JO bs due to poor vis

24oct 1430 DT 348567 :Bkrs & pers Air 12 Toledo 20 cas

c t'l'j

24oct 1615 DT }48563 Pers in bkrs Air r4 Toledo 25 cas,~ 2 bk:rs dam, well c

~ t'l'j

r DT 348570 covered. ~

> r

rFJ 24oct r627 DT 305560

> rFJ ~rs & pers Air 11 Toledo 2 bkrs dam & 10 cas rFJ

"""" rFJ

"""'l DT 348570 I ....

"""" l""'"j

t'l'j I ....

c 2_f:P.ct, 0755 DT. )4S570 Trps in bkrs Ground 9 'Ibledo 1)irect hits on bkrs, unk cas t'l'j c

.. .''

250ct 093J. DT 350559 TrpS & bkrS Air 19 Toledo Area well covered

250ct 1017 DT 309586 SUp erea Air 8 'Ibledo }Teg results e 2'5oct 1155 DT 347563 ::3k:rs & trps Ground 21 Toledo _A.;r ea. w~Il covered

250~ r4oo DT ~4757C Strong pt Air 22 Toledo 2 direct hits in trenches, 1 on gun empl~ 20 en cas

25Cct 1430 DT 315528 Sup· area Air 5 Toledo }T eg reSUltS

250ct 1530 DT 35755) Fers in bkrs Ground 22 Toledo 2 bkrs dest, est 25 cas

EncJo sure ( 1) 4 S3C?.ET

... o\'.tl:1J~~


S:::;CEET }TAV.U G\.TiilFIR~ !"!Ro:D IN SUPPORT 0? 1ST W.RDTE TIIVIS!O]I"l' ( CQl.TT'D)

D.A~ TIME TG'l' 10 C.'.':'! ON TGT 1JESCP..IP'fl:OF. S?OT ~TIS KXP SHIP R~STTLTS

270ct 0800 DT )52556 Trps & bkrs Ground 20 'Ibledo .krea well covered, direct hit on t~s •. est 20 en cas

270ct 0845 DT 353535 Ekrs & pers Ground 24 'Ibledo J..:rea well covered~ direct hits on bkrs, est 25 ~IA

41 270ct 0950 DT )34575 Trps Air 25 Toledo ~s t 15-25 cas

27oct 1035 DT 347570 Strong pt _;_ir 30 ~ledo Hill 1098, l bkr dest ~ dam

270ct lo4o DT 347563 Strong r-t Ground 25 'lbl edo 20 cas

c 270ct 1330 TIT 133529 :Biv area • .:.ir 24 'lbledo ?i v area 1ore11 covered, 2 nsns dam t'l'j

c ~

t'l'j

r 270ct 1330 DT 338546 Strong pt .<'.ir 21 Toledo 6 trench pSns covered, near ~

> r

rFJ misses on bkrs >

rFJ rFJ

"""" rFJ

"""'l 27-oct. 1515 DT 317570 :skrs & pers ,.

31 'Ibledo 2 bkrS dest, 2 others dam, 6 hits I ....

"""" .tl.:u" l""'"j

t'l'j on bkrS, 20 cas I ....

c t'l'j c

2S0ct 0830 DT 355555 Trps & bkrs Ground 18 'lbledo 5 bkrS dest, 15 cas, area ,.,ell covered

~-28-': .ct 0930 DT 308577 Sup pt ..;.ir 18 Toledo 1 house dam, ners shelter dam

2Sect . 1025 DT 3)4574 Biv area Air 4 Toledo 1TIX> bS due to cloud coverage

2~:ct 1121 DT 345563 Pers Ground 22 'Ibledo Several direct hits,_ unk +..._a

28''·ct 1414 DT 354543 "SkrS Ground 25 'lbledo :':xcellent coverage, several hits on bkrs

• (!, '"'~t 1510 :JT 356559 OP Ground 2 '!bl edo Tgt uno bs, noor vis

1!.aJ,osure (1; 5 S3CR"E~

.. ~ .. tlft.!!l;'


c t'l'j ~

~ rFJ rFJ ; ~ c

SECR3T l;?AV.AL GUNFIRE FIR~ IN St"TPOR':':' OF 1ST M.ARD~ 1JIVISI01T ( 001-TTI'l))

DATE TIME TGT IDCATIOF TGT 'D:ESCRIPTIO~i SFOT .!bBDS E:x:P Smp

290 ct 0735 :)T 350559

290ct 0845 DT 337546

29Qct 0955 :OT 152537

29Qct 1010 DT 341570

290ct 1050 DT 322536

290ct 1150 DT 333575

_,

29{)~t . 124o DT 3545?4

290ct 1320 DT 3485()4

29Qct 1515 DT 34557l

290ct 1557 DT 3~9566

29Cct 1630 :DT 344561

3();ct 0800

3nclosure (1)

.Pers & bkrs Ground

TrpS & bkrS Ground

Bkrs & :pers Ground

:BkrS & pers _ur

Sup pt, en act Air pass, 4 arty psns

Sup dump Air

llkrs & per::; Ground

Bkrs & trns Ground

Pers & bkrs Air

'l'r:!JS, trenches, Air bkrS

Pers bkrs ~ir

Tros & bkrs Ground

6

18

20

20

22

20

13

,...," c...v

21

25

25

25

14

..

'!bledo

'lb led.o

Toledo

Toledo

'lbledo

'Ibledo

rrL.., r-ri:.J..U..L~V

'lb ledo

Toledo

'Ibledo

Toledo

Toledo

p~~

Area well covered, est 15-20 cas

AJJ11ro:x: 5 bkrs dest, :poss OP, ~ est cas

Area Well covered, goad coverage on ridge,. 3 bkrs dam, 10-15 cas e 3 bkrs dest, 25 cas, 50 yds of trenches closed

Area Well covered, 2 arty :psns dam, 2 sec exnlosions

Area well covered, 6 hits sup dumy, gpod coverage

J..:rea ¥ell co veren _ :b1itia1 . .

salvo on tgt :poss 15 cas

Area well covered, direct hit on trench, 3 bkrs dest, 15-·cas ·

Good coverage, 2 bkrS dest, est e 10 KI.A

4 bkrs dest, 1 EG TJBn dam, est 8 KIA '··

P.rea well covered, 6 bkrs dam. est 10 YIA

Lrea well coverec1; 1 bkr dest, est 15 cas, trench dest

S:ZCR"S'::'

. k~ .~,: t'i<1.h.if~

c t'l'j ~ r > rFJ rFJ I~ ~ c


c t'l'j ~

~ rFJ rFJ ; ~ c

>i.th'l~i~

SECRET FAVAL GUNFIRE FIRED IN SUPFORT OF 1ST MARUT~ DIVISIIJlT (OOFT'D)

DATE TIME 'l'GT lOCATION rroT nESCRIPTION SPOT 4F..nS ~ SJITp

300ct 0817 DT 350535

30Qct 0847 DT 348572

SlifoT 1300 DT 350559

8Ney •1345 DT -p;9571

SNov 144o DT 334573

SNov . 1500 DT 291509

S!fo~· ' .'1545 ·pT 304521+

9Nov· 074o l)T 355546

9Jhv ()~03 DT 336522

9N-ov 0835 .DT 299583

9N&v 0915 DT 297585

9Fo'V' ~025 DT 305591

Enclos.ure (1)

Ela"B & pers Ground

2 50 cal MG, 25 Air en in trenches

Trps & bkrs Ground

'l'rpS & bkrS Air

~s & biers .Air

Strong pt Air

Trps & trks Air

TrpS Ground

TrpB Grolllld

TrpS &·com pest .Ai:l"

2 large bkrs Air

10 bk:rs Air

7

13

20

12

21

27

18

10

9

20

24

28

22

'lbledo

Toledo

los AngeleS

los .AngeleS

ros AngeleS

loS AngeleS

lOS

lulgeleS

J:A)S

AngeleS

!DB AngeleS

!tiS Angeles

loS .Ange1es

loS .Angeles

R~LTS

.Area well covered

Several hits obs~ too much SJIOke for cas est·

Tgt Well covered. ~ direct hit ~

bkrs & trps • 15 KlA .,

Area well covered, 3 bkrs dam;

15 KIA

Excellent oove::tage, 5 bttrs dam, 1 ¥.G psn dam, est 20 cas ·

6-7 bkrS des t. 20 oa.s

~ bkrii d~, t:St 15 ca:;, 8.11 fit<i~ in tgt area

5 cas, trps di&persed

_,, .........

Area well U>vered, ~ cas

1 bkr clf>Sed, 1 direct hit, 10 cas .• ·

1 bkr dest, 23 ~IA

1 bkr dest

S"ECRE~

-

..

c t'l'j ~ r I> rFJ rFJ l::a ~ c


S3CR'<T }.TAV.AL GUNFIRE FIRZD IN SUPPORT OF 1ST MARIE DIVISION (OOFT'!J)

DATI TIME TGT 10 CATIOl' TGT DESCRIPTION SPOT ~SEW smp RESULTS -.-91-Tov 1246 . DT 309501 ::Bkrs & :pers Ground 10 loS Poor vis

Angeles

9Nov 1417 DT 338547 :Bkrs & pers Ground. 8 loS 1 OP dest, 10 KIA AngeleS

9_~Tov 1458 DT 318502 Caves & trps l~ir 22 loS 2 caves dam, 1 dest, 15-?.0 cas tt .AngeleS

<)Nov 1528 DT .300508 Trps & bkrs Air 11 Los Unable to adjUSt on bkrs, 10 [email protected]

.Angeles

c 9Nov· 1621 DT 312510 Trp btv area Air ~ Los 50% coverage of tgt area

t'l'j i.ngeleS c ~

t'l'j

r ~

> 9Nov 1705 DT 300530 Arty- psn Air 3 loS Firing at neAr max range, r rFJ

> rFJ

.Angeles unHble to "l<tjust

""""

rFJ

"""'l rFJ

"""" .1oNoT DT 303499 I ....

t'l'j 0807 J3kr8 & oort psn Grown 19 loS ~ bkrs dem, 1 oort psn neut, l""'"j I ....

c .b.ngeles est- 2() KI..i t'l'j c

lCNov os4o TIT 330505 En biv area Ground 17 loS £rea well covered, 2 direct hits

i.ngeleS on trenches, est 18 KIA e lONo-v 0935 DT 2935·')8 Arty psns, OP & Ground 14 loS 2 bkrs d.est, 1 arty psn dam~

bkrS .Angeles approx 15 ces

1.0Fov 1005 DT J43565 Hvy bkrs & pers Gromld 8 loS Unable to adjUSt due to range

.AngeleS

l{)Nov 1.o4o DT 305544 5 bldgs, well Air 17 loS 5 rds landed; 25 yds of bldgs,..

USed trr' ilS, .Angeles believe bldgs 111ell covered

pl"ob sup danp or CP

mc:osttre (1) g S~CF.ET

.. ,.,. tl:i~:Vit-_-.· _.-........


c t'l'j ~

~ rFJ rFJ ; ~ c

..

SECRET }T.AV.AL GUNFIRE FIR3!J IN SUPPORT OF 1ST Ml.RI~ I'IVISION ( CONTtD)

DLTE TIME 'IDT IOCLTION TGT DESCEIPTIOF SFOT ~S E:x:P Smp m:sm,rrs

lO}!ov 1105 DT 300504

lONov 1200 DT 316499

lONov 1337 DT 350535

lO:Nov 144o DT "309501

lONov 154o DT 336571

llNov · 0846 DT J46562

l)Nov· · 1015 !JT 262532

1 UTov 1123 . DT 274521

IHToy 1255 :· DT 354550

lllTo-v 1415 DT 333530

17Nov 1308 DT 353543

Enclosure (1)

~ .. it.~~f

50-100 trns in .tur trenches, mort psn

Trps ~ bkrs Ground

]krS, 2nd mort Gro tmd psns

Pill boxes, trps

Ground

pers, 1!. :t--iG rsn, .Air bkrs

ilrty GroUDd

!Erge psn Air covered

poss mort 1.: bkrS

OP & bkrS

Assy aref'

Trp & bkrB

o-r,

Air

Ground

Ground

G:rrcund

q

15

16

17

15

15

15

23

ros .AngeleS

los Angeles

loS AngeleS

Ios AngeleS

loS AngeleS

}Tew "t=--""--tJ t:i.&. ~c..,v

New Jersey

15 }Tew Jersey

18 · New Jersey_·

20 New Jersey

2 direct hits in trenches, 10-20 KIA

Reverse Slope area Well covered -Area well cover8d, en disnersing. 6 direct hits

2 nrob dest, 4 neut, 2e KIA

5 bkrs de.m, 1 M:G dam , 15 "R"! A.

.t.:rea well covered, obs l· sec· __ , ..... a...f- .... "',... ,..,.~,, ov V.J\..,lJ•v- .... v•• •,6.• .,._~...._..z....,.y

2 direct hits .on t~a~~~es, 75-100 cas

1 bkr dest, 1 direct 'hi,t on e.ssf.ll urea •. est 50 cas

OP dest, est 15 cEs

4 bkrs de$t .. 15-75 c::>:s; ~-od ~verag(l

5 loS S:PCtter unable to obs tgt .AngeleS

S:::ijCR"3T



SECR£T NAVAL GUNFIRE MISSIONS FIRED IN SUPPORT OF 1ST MARINR niVISI ')}I ( CONT'D)

DATE TIME TGT ID CA T!O}."f 'IDT DESCRIPTION SP0 T- 4R.US EXP SHIP RESPLTS --l]Nov 1418 DT 133528 TrpS & bkrS Ground 26 loS 6 bkrs closed & are well cover-

Angeles ed, 50-75 ~s KIA, trps dis~ persed

1-,Nov 1515 DT 330525 OP, poss MG Ground 14 res 1 bkr closed & o ther psn psn & bkrS Angeles cloSed, 5-8 cas XIA

~-19Nov 0830 DT 350530 Bk;rs & pers Grotm.d 20 los Area well c:overed, 4 bkrs

Angeles direct hit~ est 10-12 n.A. •

19Nov 0935 :DT 353543 :Bkrs & pers Ground lq loS 3 bkrs deS1;, 2 bkTs cloied, Angeles 15-20 :KIA . . ;. . .

c c t'l'j 19~1ov lOll DT 334527 :Bkrs, trenches, Ground 28 loS 6 bkrs dest~ 3 dam, 5 hits:on ~

t'l'j

r & pers .AngeleS trenChes, 20-~0 ce.s ~

> r

rFJ 14oO DT 337545 1 bkr dest, 2 bkrs prob, 6-8

> rFJ 19ll'ov large bkrs Air 10 los rFJ

"""" rFJ

"""'l Angeles cas I ....

"""" l""'"j

t'l'j I ....

c 19Nov 1420 DT 351538 Trench line Grotm.d 20 loS 5 bkrs dest, ) bkrS dam, 7 t'l'j c

& bkrs .Angeles trench pits, sec exploSion

19!-'ov 1531 DT 342569 Trps carrying Grotm.d 30 loS ·4 bkrs dest, fire hill 10q8, e Sup Angeles sup train dispersed, est 4o cas

19~Tov 1645 DT 347527 1-iort psn Ground 1 loS : Hnable to o bs tgt .Angeles

20!1ov 0820 1JT 347527 TrpB Ground 9 res . 1 bkr deet, trps seen run-Angeles ning over ridge, 15 cas

20Nov 0910 :DT 315528 TrpS Ground 25 LoS 2 bkrs de~t, 3 direct hits on AngeleS trench,, 'a:> cas

Enclosure ( 1 ~ 10 SECRET

... ti<l~~lc


c t'l'j ~

~ rFJ rFJ ; ~ c

;i. J):{~:L-' .... l!.,,

S:SCR:ET 1H .. V4-L GmTFIR3 MISSIONS FIR-m IF SUPPORT OF 1ST ~~J'RIN~ 'DIVISION (CX:lJ~l'I'.'D)

DLTE TUfE TGT LOC .. TIQN 'ffiT D:SSCRIPTI01T SPOT dRDS E::x:P SHIP RESULTS

20Nov 1015 DT 354547

2CNov 1145 DT 317513

20Nov 1216 DT 351532

~ONov 1315 DT 312582

lDec 1745 DT ?!50570

lDec 1745 DT 350566

4Dec DT 281561

4Dec DT 27~520

4bec DT 273520

5Dec 0937 DT 347573

5Dec 1045 DT 280562

5Dec 1307 DT 265534

5Dec 15~5 DT 344574

Enclosure (1)

OP Groun1

TrkS Ground

Pers & HG Ground

l.ir

}3krS Air

Arty Air

Bkrs & trps l•ir

Strong pt Air

Strong :ot .t".ir

Arty pc ~ trps ldr

?krS 8= trps

2 nrty pes, S bkrs, 1 entrenchment

~ .. ssy are~-

.·~ir

P.ir

Air

11

16

' 20

10

21

12

14

1

5

11

11

11

3

loS Angeles

LoS AngeleS

~ bkrs dest, 2 d~m, 10 c~s

2 rds on tgt, no est of d~

Ins Angeles

2 bkrS dest, prob MG, 4 VG psn e d.es t, 20-~5 r:u.

loS .lmgeles

·~-rot obs

Bo chester 'l'\iredt hit on bkrs & Pll overs

h~.d effect on other tgts

F..oc.h.ester 1Tot oos t.,o \'tell~ but Rl1 splvo

hP.d effect on P.rty & areP.

~isconsin 1 bkr dest, 1 pers shelter dest

1 direct hit on trench

~visconsin 1 bkr dest

~·Tisoonsin ReSul\S "Q.liO,bS ··e ·.risconsin 1 ~rty d~m. 6 bkrs dnm, 15 cas

•.r1scons1n 4 bkrs dBm, 10 FIJI.

~visoonsin 4 bkrs d:-m, 1 :=trty pc dPm

~'Tisconsin Ul:Joba rl.a.e to shadow on tgt

SEC?..ZT

..



SECI8T FAVJ.L GtJliTFIRS MISSIQ1JS FIR3D I~T SuProRT OF 1ST Y.ARU'T~ niVISIQ1T (<nFT''D)

Dl.TE ':'I"t-3 TGT 1.0 CNri OF TGT DESCRIPTIO}T SFOT ~s ".:XP smp RESULTS

5Dec 1555 D'l 272522 3 arty psns, Air '"'is cons in 6 bkrs, 3 arty psns, 100 ft

bkrs 8'! trenches trenches dest

6Dec 1200 ")'!' 261?34 J3krs & trencheS Air 18 '·risconsin 2 bkrs dest, 4 trenches dam, 1 trnbkr dam

7Dec 1109 DT 317500 poss mort psn :dr 1 Saint M~-6 repts uno bs due to -pauJ. weather

7Dec 1213 1)T 354547 :Bk:rS Ground 18 Saint 2 bkrs dnm, 5-10 cas paul

c 7Dec 1315 'DT 35S543 BkrS Ground 12 Saint 2 bkrs hit, 5-S cas t'l'j

c ~

pauJ. t'l'j

r ~

> SDec 084o DT 341538 Bkrs & pers Ground 25 Saint 2 bkrB dest, 2 dam, 3 cuts r rFJ

> rFJ Paul trench line, 15 cas

""""

rFJ

"""'l rFJ

"""" ~ bkrs dest, 4 cuts tr~ch I ....

t'l'j 8Dec DT 3~6542 BkrS & pers Ground 19 Saint l""'"j

c I ....

PP:uJ. line, 15 cas t'l'j c

SDec 1230 DT 332525 . J3kr &: OP , 4 eJ?- Ground 21 Saint 2 bkrs dest, 5 bkrs dPm, all·

\d th field gPs- Paul rds in tgt areB, 6 cuts trericli a ses & map cl'Se line, 20-25 cHS

8Dec 1525 DT 34~73 Lrty psn. Ground 17 Sf1.int AreA well covered, 1 direct

Paul hit 75mrr. P.rty :pc, Rll pers YIA or '•'IA, hilll02S well covered, dam more per ammo Pllo'lr

9nec 1515 DT 355548. 8 bkrs. & sup -Ground 12 Saint 1 bkr dest, 20-25 cas, 6 fell

poS Paul in area where party was work

3nc1o sure ( 1) 12 S3CEET

.... "~lt~.:-4jf


S'EC!i.ET !1/~.V:.L GID"!'FFB3 MISSIO'·'S FIRED nr SUPPORT OF lS':!' ¥APHTE 'DIVTSIOF {aY~TI!1''D)

Dh.TE TI~ TGT IOCl"TION ':roT DESCF.IPTION SPO~ d!RDS~XP SHIP R~JLTS

9T)ec 1615 'l"'T 344525 '!'rp Rree Ground 7 SRint l.re~ neut, 8 cP.S

PPul

9Dec 1643 :9T 355543 13kr & trp Ground 12 St'int 5 bkrs dest, 4 cuts trenches,

Paul 20-30 c~.s

lODec 1912 DT ,33531 BkrS & trps Ground q Sflint 3 bkrs dest, 3 hits trenches,_ -PC:>ul 5-6 cr>S

lODec t957 DT· 355544 :Bkr, t ... ·ench, Ground 18 Soint 2 bkrs dest, 4 dPm, 4 cute in

&trp Pnul trenches, 5-8 e~~.s_, ·all but

c 3 rds on tgt

t'l'j DT 3455'2 Seint Explosion & fire f'tmmo dum-p, 6 c

~ 10nec 1155 l3kr, Co. OP & Ground 13

r l~G Paul hits ridge line, i8~5 c~s, t'l'j

> 4 bkrs dest · ~

rFJ

r

rFJ

>

""""

rFJ

"""'l lO.Dec DT 342528 OP & Co l'.r<X' Ground 15 C"-.1 -.L "~ell eovore!!, op d!R:pursterl &· rFJ

""""

\Jr· ..Llll.f

t'l'j

I ....

Pru.l trps in arel"., est 2(l cR' l""'"j

c I .... t'l'j

10Dec· 134o DT 35S543 MG emplecement Ground 20 Seint 1 bkr des t, 5 "t'krs de.m /- 1 birr c Paul w /~<_G dl"lm, 1 MG iPrri ~ 20-25 c~ s:

lODec 1415 DT ,3,528 Pers trenches Ground 22 Seint 5 cuts in trenches, -pers d1~ -' Paul burScd, 12-15 CPS

12Dec 8835 DT 353543 Bkrs & trps Ground 19 Saint 4 bkrs dest,. 1 bkr dem; 6 cuts

PPUl on coinm houses, 1 direct hit

on t~t Arc:>.

12Dec 0950 DT ,535U "Bkrs & tl}ls Ground 13 S~int 2 bkrs dest. 1 bkr dnm, S-10

P.<>.ul c;_,s_

Enclo sul"e ( 1) 1, SECF.~T

' $\).'~).:il~


SECRET l:!.b.Vl>L GIDITIR:S MISSIONS FIR"':J) llT suPPOP.FII QF 1ST M'RIN~ ntvtSION ( (X)l,TT'Tl)

lJA'E 'T'!~iE '!'GT lD CA TI 0 !-T 'roT D~SCRIPTION SpOT ~DS 3XP SHIP R~lFIIS - -- '\. 13Dec 1200 DT 34756B Strong pt Ground 17 ~~isconsin 5 bkrs des t, 4 cuts on trmehes

est 45 cas, ~11 rds in tgt areP, some rds on res Slope supply nren

13Dec 1310 DT 300508 Bkrs Gronnd 12 "l!sconsin 2 76mm bkrs dest, 10-16 il.l e l3Dec 1504 DT 114528 3krs Ground 13 Hisconsin 1 bkrs dest, unobs mort dest,

1 sec explosion, est 20-30 VIA

13Dec 16o3 DT 354543 3kr & trench Ground 5 ~,risconsin 2 bkrs dnm, 4 cuts in trenches, est 5 KV

c c t'l'j 15Dec 1115 !>T 333529 Strong pt Ground 9 •,risconsin Neg ~

t'l'j

r ~

> lSDec o84o DT 292507 Biv aren Ground 13 'vis co nsin 2 bkrs dest, suspect hit on r >

rFJ bi v rreE> , est 50 KV• rFJ rFJ ..... rFJ '"l'j I"'"' ..... 18Dec n44 DT 276563 Pers shelters Air 17 ~-J"isconsin J pers shelters dest, 4 pers

l"'''j

t'l'j I"'"'

c & trps shelters dE>m t'l'j c

18Dec 1227 TIT 270522 Strong Jtt l:.i.r 23 ~~sconsin 1 bkr dest, 3 trenches hit

~~· 19Dec e8oo DT 276518 'Bkr s & :per s Gronnd 2 ~ITisconsin Unobs

19Dec 0830 DT 292507 :Bkrs & trenches Ground 10 ~.risconsin 1 direct hit·on bkr, direct. hit on comm trench, · 3 hits on trench 1 i:he

19Deo DT 297508 :::lkrs Ground 21 •·risco·nsin 1 hit on bkr

19Dec DT 302502 3krS & tl'J'S Ground 7" ~"'iscons1D. 1 directhitonbkr, 1 cut trench line

Enclosure (1) 14 S~C'i!IJ'

..


SECRET F.AV.AL G'tTh1FIRE MISSIONS FIRED IN SUPPORT 0:"' 1ST MARINE DIVISION { OONT'D)

DATE TIME ':!'GT IDCt•TIO?J' TGT DESCRIPTION SPOT ~s EXP SHIP R:EZULTS -

19Dec 1245 TIT 288509 13krS & trenches Ground 14 ··risconsin 1 direct hit on trenches, bkr3,

7 direct hits on reverse Slope, unPble to est d~Jn

19Dec 1250 TIT 273519 3krS & trenches Ground 12 ··Tisconsin 2 bkrs dest, 3 cuts in trenches, 2 Sec exploSions, e tgt well covered

19Dec 1)25 TIT 300508 }3krS Gron.nd q ··risconsin "'gt well covered, 1 bkr dest, 1 bkr dam, ~ hits on trenches

c 211Jec 1020 DT 272510 :Bkrs Grounti q .. ,_sconsin 2 bkrs dnrn, ~ 76mm bkTs dast,

t'l'j 2()-~0 ens c

~ r 1.126 DT 297495 26

t'l'j

> .21"""'~ec J...mmo dump, sup, ground ~''is co nsin 1 bkrs dest, 5 bkrs dam, ~ sec ~

rFJ trps explosions, poss ~nmio d\%np, 4 r

rFJ

>

"""" cuts trenches, 86 c~s rFJ

""'l rFJ

""""

I ....

t'l'j 21Dec · 1348 "!)1J:I 283510 BkrS & trpS Ground 10 ~.r1 sco nsi n 2 bkTs n_est,. 2 bkrs d~m, 20

l""'"j

c ..

I .... t'l'j

ens c

21Dec 1415 DT 286526 3krs & trps Ground 5 '''1Sconsin 1 bkr dest, 1 bkr dam, ~ cuts

trench line, 15 cPs e 21'\')ec 1510 DT 285500 Pers shelters & Grounn. 15 •,risconsin 4 bkrs dest, 1 hits RSsy areR,

poss assy arel' 50 cl'ls

2J.De.c 1606 ·DT 313500 Po ss P.rty empl Grounrt 10 '>!is co nsin 1 76nrn bkr rtest, 2 bkr dRm, 3

& trps cuts in trench line,· 20 ens

mec 1130 TIT 355546. Bkrs & pers Ground 15 Saint 2 ukrs dest, 1 bkr dam. 6 cr,s

P13.ul

.·-.,.tncl~ sure .. rl) ·!5 SECR"ST

.. ~i.U:i).:.JV


S2CRET N.t.Vi.J:, GUlOORZ MISSIOlTS FIR'ti!l TIT suPPORT OF 1ST M.ARHTE nrVISIOY (C:Ol!T'D)

'DA'E TIME 'NT IOCr-TION IDT m~:SC'=IPTIO!-T SPOT :ftJIDS ".:XP SHIP ~SUL!S

22Dec 1252 DT J4~546 ':TTp s & 'bkr s Ground 3 Snint J.ifo obs PPul

22'Dec 134o Df 3QS6o6 Trps Air 11 Sfl.in t t;;st :'i cas, trps dispersed Pflul 41•

22Dec 1710 D'l' 310595 TrpS Air :'i5 Saint :B;st 6o crs pe.ul

22Dec 1510 DT 357545 UDobS Ground 5 Snint UDQbS

pauJ.

c 2)Dec 1100 . DT 347572 15 bkrS Air 11 Srir..t 4tkrsdam c t'l'j ~

PPuJ. t'l'j

r ~

> . 23J?ec n4o DT 357545 Trenches & bkrs Air 25 Stoint 1 bkr 1 gun empl dest, cuts in r

rFJ >

rFJ PHul 2 trenches, 9 KIA rFJ

"""" rFJ

"""'l I ....

"""" l""'"j

t'l'j 2JDec. 1350 DT 317500 1-brt ::psn Grtlund 11 St:~int Unobs I ....

c t'l'j

PF'.Ul c

25Dec 0900 DT 351536 ~s Grtlund 15 SP.int 4 bkrs dest; 2 bkrB dPI!I_. 1 melt ll PPul sec eXploSion, 15 KIA

25'"lec 1015 DT 350558 ?,Jcrs Grtlund q SFint 1 bkr dest, 2 e:w:plosions, 15 Fflul YIA

25!)ec 102.5 DT 3~5)4 OP & bkrs Ground 16 Srint 2 bkrs Cl.est, CP n.es.t, 8 KI~i.

pnuJ.

2JDec 0655 DT 323522 :Bkrs & trps Ground 15 SPiilt ~ bkrS. ~.est, 2 bkrS dPJ!l 1 15 .. Paul. c~.s

EncloSure (l) 16 SBCR~T

...


c t'l'j ~

~ rFJ rFJ ; ~ c

SECRET

DATE TIME

27IJec n44

29Dec 08~

29Dec 1030

29Dec 1120

EncloSure ( 1'

llAVJJ., GUNFIP.~ MISSioirS FIR'ID IN SUPPORT OF lS~ 14:.A..1UFO:: ""'IVI~0~1 ( OOF'!''D)

TJT lO CLTIOF TGT !>~SCRIPTION SFOT ~DS ~"'1' ----DT 355553 5 bkrs & pers Ground. 6

in open

DT ":57550 :Bla"S Grounn 17

DT 355553 3k:rS Ground 18

DT ~50556 :Bk:rS Ground 16

17.

SHI'P

Srint P~ul

;~en-

chester

Efln-chester

l,1!Jn-chester

~

RESnL'!G

5 cas

Direct hits on 2 bkre, est 6 c~s

2 bkrs dest, 1 bkr d~m, ' cuts in trench line

2 bkrs dest; 1 bkr dP-Ill., severr1 Sm<'ll fil'eS st;::.rted~-11 cLcS

S~CR~T

e

•

~i.m~v



.... ,_ .• ,.,·'-<1 ,_ h'l·i>•r' ' ~ ... ~ ..,'I\'•,,), I •

DECLASSIFIED

.. ~

._07~6/135 A9 Ser : 1 0 1 tY ... I I

APR 2 1852

FIRST El~DORSEhENT on CG, lstl>lB.rDiv ee~~ ltr ser• 00160-52 of 1 Har 1952

From: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific To: .,. Comme.ndant of the l1e.rine Corps

.... ',,,,, :BubJ: Submiooion of Type 11 C11 Special Report of Naval Gunfire

Support of 1st Marlne Division in Korea fOr 1 the period 23 Septenlber - 31 December 1951

1. :F'orwG.rded.

2, The basic report is considered to represent e.n excellent picture of the naval gunfire su~port problems ~1ich will occur during prot:r.act~d 01Jet.'ationo on :3. large land rnaso.

3. This Hesdque.rters concuro with the comments and recommendations contained in the bs.sic report subject to the following remarks:

a. P~ragraph 2.a.

Comment. It io not eel that the initial procedure for obtaining rw.ve.l gunfire supr;ort in e. post D-day oi tue.tlon we.o in direct oppooition to doctrir1es and techniqueo presently eotaoliGhed for the n!:?.V[il service. The target juotification required for requeats submitted for fire support ships e .. ppeG..rs to hG..v::~ exceeded i'n dets.il th·9.t preoently raquirad to support Dday rec{uir~men ts. In view of the fe.ct that the 1st Ho.rine Division could use only certain types of ohipo, while other ships were DUi te.ble for units. ope:rs.tlng clone:r to the coast, the initial method for procuring n.r-·val gunfire GU}Yf.lOrt appears unrealistic. The method employed during the concJuding month of the reporting period - aonignment of' ships to division 1n a ochet.lule - appe8.rs to ha.ve alleviated t.he problem. Esta.blished doctrine within the naval service ,"rcmld preclude occurrence of' this problem in a. Navy-Marine Corps operation, ho'lt.rc:ve:r., it could easily (;ccur in any joint operation undert·3.ken in the future.

~~nde.tlon. That the· Commandant of the 1\/le.:r.ine Corps initiate otepo to provide for establishment of a joint doctrine to prevent poaoible reoccurrence of such a situation. At the same time, it is recommended that a technique be outlined to provide for pe.G cege of control of shore b-9.s eel n9.val gunfire support mattero to the senior echelon o 1.~er·9.ting within range of n-9.val gunfire support.

9

:s . t':l'i"i r,w ,r·, : .. : ·~_i.':l'.!lU, ,.,_.,. __ .)'( " ' I l !7 ' ~~'. , 1 ,~lt>'<l1t 1 M. · 'i' f .Jt'

DECLASSIFIED

I

,nj·• ~/! I '. '<! ;~''' I 1~-

I


DECLASSIFIED

• -''' 'b, PSJ.ro.graph 3. a.

0726/135 A9 Ser: 002Jl7-ll

APR 2 1112

Comment. It ap};ears that the information conte.ine:J in subpar~l[;J'[~.phs ( 4) through ( 7) should be s.v '3.ils.bl e to the senior Ne.vy echelon in the theatre of 0}-1er.:-;. ti ons o.nd shoulc1 bf; p9.[H> ed to all chi}:D destined for fire support missions prior to arrive.l on statiott. The advantages of direct liaioon between ship and supported unit e.re g:re.e.t e.nc1 op!)ortuni ty for such conferences ohould b: seized Hhenever possible. In this connection, it is felt that the presence of one of the Marine officers from the ship 1 s Ee.rine Detachment 1.vould be }.J:u•ticularly desi~able at s.uch lie.lcon me etingo. In e.ddi tim< to their knmvledge of ground to.ctico, thE oe officcro e.rc; trained navs.l gunfire ·9.ir spotters and m9.y be employed to spot ships 1 fire 11rhen ships 1 helicopters are emp1oyecl.

Recornmende.tion. The.t the Comm9.nclant of the E'irine Corps. ini tiatc a recommenda.tion to the ChiEf of Nave.l Ope:rat.ions relative to emplo~lment of ships 1 M-9.rine of!'i cers in liaison roles during Di tue.tions cimlle.r to that outl..Lncd in pe.ragraph 3. a.

c. Paragraph 3.c.

Comment. The procedure for c:onduct of fire is at v:;rlance 1ATith ectr.:.bliohed doctrine 1~rhen fire is controlled by front line grouncl elements. It is felt thr:~t pc;rmission to fire, if necess.::J.ry et a.ll, should he.ve been rE~quested b~" thG unit being supvorted rather thr:m by the shi 1 .. }..!roviding DU1Jl ort. Subject to crJ.}.Jabili ti eo of organic raclJ o eq1,1lpment of shor;:: fire control pG.rti es, it is felt th-o.t e.ll unl ts concerned l·Ti th gunfire support could b.a.ve me.nnecl the ne.v!3.1 gunfire control net ln thone cases v,rhere only one or tvJO ships HePe involved.

Hegommendo.ti91l· 'llEl.t doctrine or technique be v,rrl t ten to provide fo:r changes in the ne.vG.l gunflre communice.tionn structure required by OJ:.;81'G.tions sim1lar to those covered by the be. sic report.

d. Paragraph 4.a.

Comment. (1) Thio P.er::clqua.rters concurs in the st-<:J.ternent that no.v c~.1 gunfire co.n provide effe c·~i ve support well beyond the present maximum er:t'ectivr; re.nge. In this connection, it is pointed out that the size ancl composition of a target as well as the terre.in will dict~;;te the effecti 'le range of the weapon rather ths.n the eli s te.nce involved.

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( 2) ·rhis Headauarters does no·t concur in the requirement for additional air observers outlined in paragraph 4.a.(2)(b). It is felt that use of division artillery air observers is desirable, but not absolutely necessary. Availability of ships spotting helicoptel .. s and hit;h performance aircraft spot should be exploited to the ut1nost. 'l'be abnormal situation outlined in paragra.._Jh 4.a.(2)(b) is in· part responsible for the availability of naval gunfire to replace artillery and increased artillery availability would tend to de crease ro quirements for naval gunfire support. By previous correspondence, this headquarters has recommended that additional air observer be authorized for the division.

, Recommendation. ( 1) That pre1ilent naval gunfire support doctt~ine be reex~ined to provide a more qomprehensive picture of the mtlximum effective runge of n~:.tVlll guns.

(2) That the recommendation f1jr two (2) additional artillery observers - naval gunfire spotte:ra be disregarded.

e. Paragraph 4, b.

Comment. The material contained in this portion of the report appears to be strikingly similar to the reports obtained from POWs and diaries in the Pac1fic !.'beater during World War II.

f. Paragraph 6.

Comment. The 1st ANGLICO ale1:1 provided two ( 2) Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers for the let :ROK Army Corps.

,, g. Paragraph 8.

Comment. The comments and recommendations contained herein are covered in subparagraph d. above.

4. 'l'ransmission by United States reg:Letered mail or registered guard hlail is authorized in aocordanco with United States Navy hegulntiona,

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Documents

1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL REPORT - TYPE C - REPORT OF ... · 1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL REPORT - TYPE C - REPORT OF NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT - 23 DECEMBER 1951 - 31 DECEMBER 1951