Action on the 38th Parallel: SP3

[sachmo71]

January 1st, 2003

At the end of 2002, North Korea expelled United Nations nuclear weapons inspectors and announced to the world its intention to restart its nuclear program. The United States leveled economic sanctions on the state, and warned the North Korean government that it must abandon its nuclear research or face the consequences. Both countries begin to rattle sabers as diplomatic posturing heated up. China, which had long been North Korea’s strongest ally, warned the United States that it should use restraint but also began to exert political pressure on North Korea in an attempt to find a peaceful resolution to this situation.

January 17th, 2003

Despite heavy diplomatic pressure from the world community, North Korea continues to reactivate the nuclear facility at Yongbyon. This site was capable of producing weapons-grade nuclear material. The US continues to blast North Korea in the diplomatic arena, and leveles more economic sanctions against them. In response, North Korea officially withdraws from the 1994 Nuclear Proliferation Treaty.

February 8th, 2003

Tensions increase as North Korea continues reactivating its first plant at Yongbyon. The United States voices more protests to these actions. China begins to move troops to their common border with Korea.

April 14th, 2003

The Yongbyon plant is now fully operational. Construction of new plants capable of producing plutonium continues. The action is denounced by the United Nations. The US warns North Korea that they are on an “irrevocable course toward war.” China warns the US to continue to show restraint. South Korea also pleads with both countries to come to the table and negotiate a solution to the crisis.

April 23rd, 2003

The North Koreans, under mounting pressure from the Chinese, attempt to open a dialog with the United States. They offer to halt new construction of nuclear plants in exchange for monetary aid. The US refuses to budge and responds that aid will only be continued if all plants are deactivated and nuclear inspectors are allowed in. In response, North Korea orders construction to begin on a third nuclear plant and shifts more troops to its southern border. South Korea again pleads for calm.

April 30th, 2003

China moves three mechanized infantry divisions into southwestern North Korea. They advise the world community that this troop movement is an attempt to ensure that the martial situation does not escalate into open warfare between North Korea and the United States. They state that these troops will man the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. The world community is split on the ramifications, and intentions, of this move by China. The move is denounced by the US, Britain, and South Korea.

April 31st, 2003

The 8th US Army in Korea begins to deploy to forward areas. North Korean troops continue to build up around Panmunjom and all along the DMZ. The first Chinese troops reach the DMZ and begin to deploy in the area.

May 15th, 2003

The war of words begins to die down. Both sides seem to take a watch and wait approach. The Chinese troops have now deployed all along the DMZ. The tension builds even as the political front calms.


June 1st, 2003

US airstrikes severely damage the Yongbyon nuclear power plant and destroy the three construction sites of future plants. While the raid is successful, it is not without cost. The US loses four aircraft and North Korea loses ten. A handful of North Korean civilian construction workers and a few soldiers on the ground lose their lives, also.

June 2nd, 2003

The United Nations speaks out against the United States attack on North Korea. Washington responds with information proving that two nuclear warheads were in the final stages of construction at the plant, and that the US government would not sit idly by and watch while a state in the “axis of evil sold nuclear warheads to the highest bidder.” P’yongyang sends a terse message to the United States stating that it considers the attack to be an act of war and will be treated as such. Within hours, North Korean troops begin to move south toward the DMZ. They are able to move thru it with no interference from the Chinese “peacekeeping forces.”


June 2nd, 2003

The war didn’t start for Colonel John Stanley in the manner that he was expecting. His unit had been stationed in artillery range of North Korea since it had been in Korea. He had expected the war to begin with an intense artillery bombardment of his position followed closely by a very large North Korean armored force. What he got instead was a radio message from Major General Davis, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. It read:
“STATE OF HOSTILITY NOW EXISTS BETWEEN NK AND EUSA. NK ELEMENTS ARE ADVANCING. ENGAGE ANY HOSTILE FORCES CONTACTED. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BE WITH YOU.”
Following this message closely were a blistering series of direct orders from the regimental commander. Stanley was to take his force, the 2nd Battalion, 72 Armor Regiment and move toward the DMZ to engage any hostile forces found moving south.
To accomplish it’s mission, 2-72nd Armor was normally composed of four tank companies and support troops. Because of the amount of area that the unit needed to cover, 2-72nd was currently down by two tank companies. C and D companies were attached to other formations within the division. To make up for the lost tanks, 2-72 was given a mechanized infantry company from the 9th Infantry Regiment. Adding the infantry company expanded the flexibility of the battalion, and Stanley was glad to have them along.
The actual force structure was as follows:

HHC 2-72nd Armor “Hellraiser”
- 11 US HQ Troops

A Company, 2-72 Armor “Apache”
- Company HQ – 2 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- 1st Platoon- 4 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- 2nd Platoon- 4 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- 3rd Platoon- 4 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- Company Fire Support- 1 M981 FIST-V

B Company, 2-72 Armor “Bulldog”
- Company HQ – 2 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- 1st Platoon- 4 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- 2nd Platoon- 4 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- 3rd Platoon- 4 M1A2 Abrams MBT
- Company Fire Support- 1 M981 FIST-V

B Company, 2-9 Infantry
- 1st Platoon– 24 US Riflemen, 5 M2A3 Bradley
- 2nd Platoon– 18 US Riflemen, 4 M2A3 Bradley
- 3rd Platoon– 18 US Riflemen, 4 M2A3 Bradley
- Anti-Armor Platoon– 3 Javelin Teams
- Company Fire Support- 1 M981 FIST-V

Battalion Support Units
- 4 Stinger Teams, 2 M2A3 Bradley
- 18 US Scouts, 6 M2A3 Bradley
- 3 M1907 HMMWV (for HHC)
- 4 M106A3 SP 107mm Mortars
- 1 Bradley FIST-V
- 1 M981 FIST-V

Attached to the 2-72 for this mission were the following units:

- 6 MLRS Launchers
- 6 105mm Howitzers
- 12 M1026 HMMWV
- 2 M966 HMMVW TOW

Colonel Stanley met with his company commanders briefly, and then began the process of moving his battalion out to meet the enemy.

[sachmo71]

Once the battalion reached the town of Yonchon, Colonel Stanley had the units take up defensive positions. It was just past 4:45 am when he was given the latest intelligence report. Division intelligence was still trying to put the pieces together, but they were able to tell him that there was a sizeable force spotted moving toward his area from the northeast. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much more that intelligence could tell him about the enemy unit.
John smiled to himself. What if there were a division bearing down on his position? Well, I guess we will find out soon enough, he thought. He looked north and could see flashes on the horizon. He let his eyes wander across the horizon. He could see flashes to the east and west, also. People were fighting for their lives up and down the entire line. Stanley wondered how far the North Koreans had penetrated. As he turned to look south, he was relieved to see that there were none of the telltale flashes in that direction. Thank goodness they haven’t flanked us and gotten into our rear, he thought. If they had, his battalion wouldn’t be holding onto this piece of real estate for very long. In fact, he was surprised that the North Koreans weren’t already in Yonchon. They had been preparing for this war ever since the first Korean War had ended, and they had their operations down to a science, especially the initial phases. All of the war plans expected the initial assault to be brutal and lightning fast.
He shook his head at the thought. This was a real war, and not a training exercise. People made mistakes, or machines broke down. Any number of things could throw the North Korean’s off of their timetable. When they finally arrived, they would find 2nd Battalion ready. Hopefully, Stanley and his men would be able to keep the town out of enemy hands.
The companies deployed just outside of Yonchon. Captain Daley took his two scout platoons to the very edge of town and deployed in defense positions. Joining him were the company of attached HMMWV scouts. If the North Koreans attacked in full force here, the scouts would be able to delay them using hit and run tactics while waiting for reinforcements. Stanley didn’t believe that they would come directly for the town, however. No, they would come pouring into the valley and head right for the top of Hill 274, a very tall, rocky hill that towered over the entire valley. If they could get control of Hill 274 they would be able to see, and fire down upon, anything opposing their advance. For this reason, Stanley deployed the majority of his strength in the south of the hill but along the road leading up to it. He deployed the mechanized infantry company in a woods south east of the town, which allowed them to control access to the main road leading into Yonchon. If the North Koreans broke through over Hill 274, this would be the best place to slow their advance down to allow a maximum number of civilians to escape. Further east and closer to Hill 274 he deployed his two tank companies. A Company deployed on a smaller hill just south of Hill 274 and in the woods around the area. This afforded them a lane where they could get maximum range shots at anyone coming down the main road that ran into the valley from the east. This road continued on into Yonchon, but also split off and ran across the top of Hill 274. This is where Stanley thought the main attack would come. B Company was deployed even further south, behind another hill. They were to move up onto the hill and try to lay flanking fire down on any units pressing through the valley. He deployed the M106A3s about 500 meters behind the hill that A Company was on, and the MLRS and 105mms even further east and hopefully out of the combat area. He deployed the Stinger teams close to the M106A3’s, and the FIST vehicles on the hill with A Company, where they would have a perfect view of the valley, should the North Koreans decide to come this way. The troops began to dig in as deep as they could before the inevitable action began.
Stanley called his company commanders to his command post (CP) for on last briefing. This meeting would serve two purposes. First, it would allow all of the commanding officers to ensure that everyone was on the same page. If confusion could be kept to a minimum, lives would be saved. It was a simple fact of war. Second, it would give the officers a chance to relax a little before the battle. Most of these men had never been in combat, and they were more than a little nervous. Their brains were working overtime as they tried to keep up with all of the details they had to know to fight a modern war. Through all of that, in the back of their minds was fear. That fear would gnaw away at their confidence. Having the other officers here would allow them to share their strength and hopefully get them through what was coming. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, and Stanley tried to keep them that way. As the meeting ended and he sent them off, he didn’t give them a huge pep talk. He only told them to keep calm, do what they were trained to do, and stay alive. Once everyone was gone, Stanley walked off to steal a private moment for himself. It was then he realized just how frightened he was. He had been in combat before. Back in ’91 when he was a wet-behind-the-ears 2nd Lieutenant, he had commanded a tank platoon in Desert Storm. He could still remember the fear and the thrill as they raced across the desert in their M1s, fearing what was to come but looking forward to it at the same time. He knew the fear then, but this was different. Back in Desert Storm, he had been the aggressor. Here, Stanley was on the defensive. Someone was out there hunting him and his men. Someone else was the aggressor, and would have the initiative. The North Koreans were almost sure to have many more men, guns, and tanks then he did. That made Stanley afraid that they might be able to break through his position. If they did, he would lose, and that scared him almost more than dying.
He took another look down at the valley, and knew he had done all that he could to prepare. He turned to walk back toward his command post and glanced up at the sky. A light rain had begun to fall, and the sun had not yet risen. Another advantage for our side, he thought. It would allow the US troops to take advantage of their advanced optics and vision enhancement equipment. They would need every advantage they could get their hands on. He glanced at his watch as he walked. It was 5:14am. The sun would come up before too long, and while it wouldn’t break through the clouds, it would allow the North Koreans a bit more visibility. He frowned at the thought. He had almost made it back inside when his executive officer, Captain Walt Yardley, shouted for him. He pulled back the flap and stepped into the tent.
“What is it, Walt?” he asked.
The captain looked at him, his face grim.
“Sir, Major Olson has made contact. He hasn’t given an exact count, but he reported many vehicles. Sir, he positively identified Chinese fighting vehicles. He’s requesting permission to fire.”
Stanley’s jaw dropped. “Chinese? Is he sure?”
Yardley nodded. “Yes sir, he’s looking at a platoon of Type 80-Is right now. He’s also spotted Type 85-IIs and WZ-551s. He’s also positively identified Chinese Army markings on the tanks sir.” Yardley stopped and listened to the headset again, and he spoke into the microphone.
“Copy that, Apache 11.” He turned back to the colonel. “Sir, they have fired at his position. No one was hit, but they are firing at him now. What would you like him to do, sir?”
Stanley nodded. They were committed now.
“Tell him to return fire, and tell all elements that the Chinese are now to be considered hostiles until otherwise notified.”
Yardley sent out the message, and the valley erupted in flames.

[sachmo71]

The lead elements of the Chinese force behaved exactly as Colonel Stanley predicted that they would. The main body came rumbling down the main road through the valley south of Hill 274. About a third of the force moved up Hill 274, presumably to secure the position. Unfortunately, the Chinese were headed right into the guns of A Company and its fourteen M1A2 main battle tanks. At about the same moment when the lead elements of the Chinese force spotted and began firing on A Company, B Company had completed their move along the ridge that they had been deployed behind. This put another fourteen M1A2s astride the Chinese flanks. B Company had barely completed their maneuvers when the order to open fire came over the battalion radio net. The gunners in the M1s swept the Chinese lines with their thermal sights, accessing the danger each target presented to the company. The first Chinese vehicles to fall were their main battle tanks. The predawn sky was lit up as 120mm cannon roared to life. Practically every shot fired from the American tanks destroyed its target. Within moments, the burning hulks of Chinese Type 80-I and Type 85II-M tanks littered the valley floor and the flanks of Hill 274. Once the initial wave of tanks was destroyed, the M1s began to target the personnel carriers. HEAT rounds streaked across the valley, igniting YW-531s, WZ523s, WZ551s, and a host of other vehicles. No longer finding protection within their vehicles, most of the Chinese infantry abandoned their transport and tried to advance on foot.
The Chinese returned fire with whatever they could muster. Red Arrow anti-tank missiles were launched from the YW531/Ats that survived the initial American volley. A few of these missiles found their mark, but none were able to penetrate the thick armor of the American tanks.
At this point the battalion fire support officer, Major Atwater, spotted the Chinese infantry advancing across the crest of Hill 274 and called in an artillery strike on the hill. Almost immediately, the MLRS launchers fired their entire payload, turning the crest of Hill 274 into a small piece of hell. Almost everything unlucky enough to be caught in the barrage simply ceased to exist. The barrage was well timed by Major Atwater, and it struck the hill at the same moment that a large concentration of Chinese troops were crossing it. A large chunk of the Chinese force was destroyed in a matter of seconds. The few units that survived began to retreat back down the hill.
Down in the valley, the second echelon of the Chinese force succeeded in momentarily dislodging B Company from their ridge by sheer volume of fire. A Chinese rocket attack destroyed one tank in third platoon, and knocked the tread off of another. Major Basilone, commander of B Company, ordered his forces to withdraw to regroup and take up secondary defensive positions. Unfortunately, most of his platoons were under such heavy fire that they were unable to withdraw. The rocket attack had a devastating effect of 2nd and 3rd platoon, and they were barely capable of fighting off attack, much less maneuvering. At this point, the Chinese tank reserves rushed the ridge, and some crack shooting by their crews claimed two more M1s, one from 1st platoon and one from 2nd. Major Basilone was able to rally his company at this point, and thanks to a few excellent long-range shots from A Company, they destroyed the main threat to their position, and were able to hold it for the rest of the engagement.
As the Chinese attack faltered, Colonel Stanley decided to press his advantage.
“All two-bravo elements this is two-bravo actual. Pursue and destroy all hostile forces.”
All units in the battalion sent an acknowledgement on the battalion net, and the counterattack began.
The mech infantry company, under Captain Dobbs, was given the task of taking Hill 274 away from the Chinese. They moved out at full speed, deploying in wedge formation. As they crested the hill where B Company had made their stand, Dobbs got his first glimpse of modern war. It was a sight he would never forget. Everywhere he looked there were destroyed vehicles. Most were burning. In the thin, gray light of the cloudy dawn, he could see broken Chinese bodies strewn across the landscape near the burning vehicles. They were twisted, mangled, and charred. It took all his willpower to keep the fear and horror from totally dominating his mind.
Soon the Bradleys began to acquire targets. Some of the Chinese AFV’s were still defiantly holding the top of the hill, along with supporting infantry. The Bushmaster chainguns of the Bradleys made short work of most of these thin-skinned targets. They chased any remnants of the Chinese force off of the hill, destroying those that did not run fast enough. All of the Chinese vehicles present were destroyed.
A little farther north of the town, the scout company joined the attack. They moved cautiously down the north road, but did not come into contact with any Chinese forces until they were almost directly north of Hill 274. A 100mm anti-tank gun opened up on the Bradleys from the concealment of some woods. The scouts quickly destroyed this gun, and in the process they also found and destroyed a 120mm mortar. The scouts continued to move down the road, while the HMMWVs moved south toward Hill 274. Before the HMMWVs could reach the hill, they spotted two more 120mm mortars and immediately attacked. During the run into attack range, the mortars were able to destroy two of the HMMWVs. There were no survivors from either vehicle, as they were struck dead on with mortar shells that ripped through the relatively thin-skinned vehicles. Finally, the remaining HMMWVs were able to silence the remaining mortars. The scouts in the M3A3’s were able to flank Hill 274. They spotted the two Chinese rocket launchers and destroyed them with chaingun fire.
The entire battalion was heavily engaged and was rolling up the Chinese force. Every vehicle that came into range was destroyed, but still the Chinese infantry continued to fight and retreat. The tanks and Bradleys pounded them mercilessly, along with the battalion mortars, but they would not surrender. Finally, on the east side of Hill 274, the battalion elements met. Not a single Chinese unit remained on the battlefield.
Two hours later, Colonel Stanley deemed the area secure. The final figures were staggering, if not entirely accurate. It was estimated that the Chinese had hit them with an over-strength mechanized infantry battalion. They had counted eighty destroyed AFVs, and eighty-four destroyed APCs, along with fifteen artillery pieces and 1328 men. They had captured twelve wounded and eight POWs.
On the American side, there were sixteen KIAs and five WIA. The KIAs were the crews of the three destroyed M1A2 and the two Humvees. To him, any death was a heavy price to pay. In the strategic sense of things, it had been an incredible victory. They had completely destroyed a crack Chinese infantry battalion and had sustained light casualties in return. He could only hope that their fortunes would be this good for the rest of the conflict, but he knew better than to plan on that. For now, he would resupply, reequip, and reorganize. He had to have his men ready for whatever their next mission would be.

[sachmo71]

Unit "kill" stats
The kills represent units destroyed. Note that all that is required for a kill is to destroy the last vehicle in a unit, and so it is not an entirely accurate measure of a units lethality.

HHC- 0
A Company HQ- 6
1st Platoon- 6
2nd Platoon- 11
3rd Platoon- 6
FIST- 0

B Company HQ- 4
1st Platoon- 8
2nd Platoon- 6
3rd Platoon- 5
FIST- 0

Infantry Company HQ- 1
1st Inf Platoon- 0
2nd Inf Platoon- 0
1st Bradleys- 3
2nd Bradleys- 5
3rd Bradleys- 4
Javelin Team- 0
FIST- 0

Stinger Team- 0
Bradleys- 3

M3A3 1st Platoon- 2
1st Platoon Scouts- 0
M3A3 2nd Platoon- 2
2nd Platoon Scouts- 0

HHC HMMWV- 0

M106A3- 0
M106A3- 0

Bradley FIST- 0
M981 FIST- 0