Inch'on 1950 by Gordon Rottman

Author:Gordon Rottman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Inch’on 1950: The last great amphibious assault
ISBN: 9781782005018
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Ships of the JTF7 Transport Group take up position in the transport area outside Inch’on Harbor. (USN)

The X Corps operation plan had begun to be developed by the GHQ Joint Strategic Plans and Operations Group in July. It was taken over by the GHQ Special Planning Staff (aka “Force X”) on August 12. This staff provided the nucleus for the X Corps staff.

The X Corps plan called for the 1st MarDiv to conduct an amphibious assault to seize Inch’on on September 15 (D-Day), secure a beachhead, advance as rapidly as possible to seize Kimpo Airfield to provide a base for close air support aircraft, and clear the south bank of the Han River. It would then assault across the Han, seize Seoul, and secure the high ground to the north. It would fortify a line to the north with reduced forces and await relief (tentatively by 3d InfDiv still in the States). The division would then recross the Han and seize a line 25 miles southeast of Seoul. The 1st MAW would provide close air support, air warning, and air control operating from Kimpo Airfield. The Pusan breakout would commence on September 16. It was considered that the NK might reinforce Inch’on–Seoul with units attacking the Perimeter. The closest were the 3d, 10th, and 13th divisions astride the Taegue-Taejon–Seoul Highway, the route the main breakout force would take.

The 7th InfDiv would land behind the marines on about D+4 and advance to secure high ground south of Seoul and the Han. It would move into Seoul, secure a line to the north to the right of the 1st MarDiv, and then conduct a reconnaissance-in-force south of Seoul where it would secure a line. Alongside the 1st MarDiv to the east, the two divisions would face south to provide the anvil to meet NK forces withdrawing before the hammer of the Eighth Army breakout.

The tides were a major planning factor. The navy wanted to make the perilous approach up the Flying Fish Channel during daylight. This meant the four-hour approach would arrive at 1130hrs and low tide. The tide would be receded by 1300hrs. The next high tide allowing landing craft to run ashore was at 1919hrs. Wolmi-do would have to be secured in the evening with only two hours of light remaining for the marines to clear the island which was honeycombed with fortifications. After the evening tide receded they would have to spend the night on an incompletely secured island at risk of infantry attacks across the exposed mud flats. The main landings into Inch’on would then be conducted during the morning high tide. This would allow the NK much of the previous day and all night to bring in reinforcements and position troops to meet the main landings.

The approach would have to be made in the pre-dawn dark and the first landing to seize Wolmi-do made during the morning high tide. The main landings into Inch’on would occur in the evening with just enough time to secure beachheads. While

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