U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 4 (of 5) / The East-Central Front - United States. Marine Corps; Norman W. Hicks; Hubard D. Kuokka; Lynn Montross

USMC Photo A 158079

Necklace of Boots—Above, a South Korean cargador carries a necklace of boots to a front line company; below, new thermal boots are issued to combat troops.

USMC Photo A 157927

MAP 9
1^st Mar Div Zone of Action

Operation Ripper

The Civil Transport Corps proved to be a boon for the Eighth Army. Veteran porters could manage a load of 100 to 125 pounds over ground too rugged for motor vehicles. Several hundred were attached to each regiment during Operation RIPPER.

Any lingering hope of rounding up Chinese prisoners in the Hongchon area was blasted on the 15th when evidence of Chinese withdrawal came in the form of an enemy radio message intercepted at 1230. “We cannot fight any longer,” the translation read. “We must move back today. We will move back at 1400. Enemy troops will enter our positions at 1300 or 1400. Enemy troops approaching fast.”[133]

[133] CO 7thMar msg to CG 1stMarDiv; CO 1stMar, 1300 15 Mar 51.