Battle for the Punchbowl: The U. S. 1st Marine Division 1951 Fall Offensive of the Korean War Page: 112
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Jack L. Cannon was attached as a sniper to Baker Company 1/7:
The company saddled up at 0400 after our artillery support (2/11), along
with our mortars, had begun pounding 673 and 749. The firing continued as we
moved down across the Soyang River .. . After we waded the river, we began to
climb up a sharp ridge or finger leading up to the base of 673. Our 105s, "Four-
Deuces" (4.2-inch mortars), and 81mm. mortars worked on 673 and 749 for
about three hours until we were in position in front at the base of 673.... A short
time later, at about 0800 all hell broke loose.... The North Koreans put up a
suicidal and fanatical defense. They were well dug in, with excellent fields of fire,
and were well-supplied. They held high ground and had good cover and
concealment. They had planted antipersonnel mines every damn where they
thought you might step. There would be bayonet and hand-to-hand fighting here,
too....
Some parts of the hill were so steep that the North Koreans didn't have to
throw grenades. They would just pull the pin or yank the string in the handle to
ignite the fuse and then roll the grenades down the slope.56
The assault of 1/7 also became bogged down under the heavy enemy fire. These
Marines had to dig in at nightfall (2330 after Charlie's night assault was repulsed by
heavy fire).57
The day had cost the whole division 11 KIA and 59 WIA, and 9 WIA among the
KMCs. Enemy losses were: 25 counted KIA, 35 estimated WIA, and 6 POWS. These
numbers are surprisingly low considering the amount of fire thrown against the attacking
units.58
56 Jack L. Cannon, "Attack on Hills 673 and 749," 22.
57 Lynn Montross, et al., The East-Central Front, 183; 1st Mar Div, "Historical Diary," September 1951, 14;
Seventh Marine Regiment, "Historical Diary," September 1951, 6.
s8 1st Mar Div, "Historical Diary," September 1951, 14.112
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Montandon, Joshua W. Battle for the Punchbowl: The U. S. 1st Marine Division 1951 Fall Offensive of the Korean War, thesis, August 2007; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3938/m1/127/?rotate=0: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .