10 JUNE 1953 - BATTLE OF OUTPOST HARRY BEGINS #KoreanWar
The Battle of Outpost Harry was one of the last engagements of the Korean War. Outpost Harry was a small artillery observation post, located at the top of a hill in the vital ‘Iron Triangle’.
#Armyhistory #USArmy #TRADOC
The Battle of Outpost Harry was one of the last engagements of the Korean War. Outpost Harry was a small artillery observation post, located at the top of a hill in the vital ‘Iron Triangle’.
#Armyhistory #USArmy #TRADOC
The post was protected by the 3rd Infantry Division and elements from the Greek Expeditionary Forces. Harry was one of the UN's most important observation posts in the area, as it allowed the UN forces to view and call accurate artillery strikes against the Chinese Army.
To capture Harry, the Chinese planned to soften the defenses covering the approach to the summit of the hill with artillery. The Americans used a series of interlocking fields of fire, pre-arranged artillery, barbed wire, and mines to cover the perimeter of their outpost.
After the battle started, it quickly developed into a rhythmic sequence in which both sides would mutually bombard each other during the day, while the Chinese would launch additional infantry attacks during the nighttime hours.
Beginning with a company, the Chinese added two battalions and penetrated the position. Counterattack was followed by counterattack with the U.S. forces emerging on top in the morning. The enemy came back with an estimated regiment that night and the pattern was repeated.
There was a small-scale probe on 14 June and then a two battalion assault on 18 June, but the end result was the same. The 3d Dvn estimated that the Communists had over 4,200 casualties during the nine-day period. The UN casualties amounted to 699 killed, wounded, or missing.
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