Korean War Scrapbook 1952-1953

Airstrike on Chinese MLR viewed looking North over the U.S. MLR

The Korean war was fought using leftover supplies (and in many cases people) from World War II. There was always a chronic shortage of ammunition and gasoline, both were rationed while I was there. These tanks were an example. The terrain and the tactical situation made them pretty useless in their traditional combat roles, so they were driven to the MLR, (Main Line of Resistance) dug in, and were left there with just their main gun turret peeking over the edge of the hill.

The 90 mm cannon was extremely accurate at the relatively short range between the opposing MLRs and could be used as a (very big) sniper's rifle. They did not shoot often, though, as ammunition was rationed. In order to get a new 90 mm round, the crew had to trade in an empty 90 mm casing. This led to some interesting scrounging with patrols in the Ch'orwon valley picking up spent casings left over from earlier battles.

There was a story told (I didn't see it happen) about an armored personnel carrier which ran down the railroad tracks going past outpost Tom and Chinese held Jackson Heights (click here for map) picking up empty 90 mm shell casing. They did it in daylight and were dodging Chinese mortar and artillery rounds as they went. The armored personnel carrier was an old WWII tank modified with the turret and top remove but still sporting a 500 horsepower radial air-cooled engine. It could, reportedly, scoot along at over 60 mph as it was overpowered for its weight once the turret and top armor were removed.

I did see, when in reserves, an armored personnel carrier being chased by a couple of MPs (Military Police) in Jeeps. We first heard the sirens, then heard the distinctive sound of an air-cooled radial engine (sort of like a low-flying aircraft) then saw the two Jeeps chasing the personnel carrier. The carrier was riding smoothly down the dirt road, flattening any bumps as it went. The Jeeps, on the other hand, were bouncing around and almost out of control. Speculation about what would happen if the MP's caught the carrier (Just another bump in the road?) to how close to actual combat the MPs would be willing to get to issue a speeding ticket. Normally there were no MPs with white arm bands and white banded helmets in the combat zone. This pair may have chased the carrier from Seoul as that was in the direction they were coming from, but we never knew.

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