OPERATION NOMAD - Preface to Associated Press Reports Oct. 13 – 24, 1951
by Tom J. Thiel, Co E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, Korea, 1951-52.
North Korean Central Sector October 1951, U. S. 24th Infantry Division and the Republic of Korea 6th and 8th Divisions
Operation Nomad was the name given to the 24th Infantry Division's push toward Kumsong, North Korea, on Korea’s Central Sector some 30 miles north of Parallel 38, in October 1951. The 24th was accompanied by the ROK Second and Sixth Divisions on this push toward Kumsong.
According to 24th Forward, Nomad’s goals were to
“… root the Chinese from its proposed winter line of defense, gain high ground overlooking the Kumsong valley to render it ineffective to the Chinese army operating in the area, and demonstrate the considerable fighting power that was at the command of the Allied Powers.” [24th Forward, Troop Information and Education, 24th Infantry Division Headquarters, APO 24, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, CA, circa 1952.]
The following excerpt from Hermes sets the stage for our drive toward Kumsong in October 1951.
“On October 9, General Van Fleet visited IX Corps headquarters and found Lt. Gen. William H. Hoge and his division commanders eager to carry out local advances along the corps front. The objectives would be to improve the defensive positions of the divisions in the line and to maintain pressure upon the enemy. Since both of these coincided with Eighth Army directives, Van Fleet gave his approval.
The U.S. 24th Division, and the ROK 2nd and 6th Divisions were selected to make the advance to a line about four miles south of Kumsong. The American division was flanked on either side by the South Korean divisions and was expected to provide tank support for the ROK 2nd.
On October 13, units of the three divisions moved out and registered gains of almost two miles the first day. During the night the Chinese mounted several counter attacks, which were successfully beaten off. Despite stubborn resistance and intense concentrations of artillery fire, the IX Corps troops pushed ahead slowly during the next few days and reached the objective line by October 17. The favorable outcome led Hoge to direct another advance two miles closer to Kumsong. Here the attackers would establish a strong outpost line and patrol aggressively to maintain contact with the enemy.
The pattern set up during the initial phase of the IX Corps advance repeated itself during the second phase. Hoge reported that the enemy reaction seemed to be one of delay rather than a serious effort to hold the line. Chinese attacks varied from platoon to battalion size and most frequently were launched during the night or just before dawn. Heavy artillery and mortar fire accompanied the enemy drives and hand grenades were used plentifully.” End Hermes quote 1.
Continuing from Hermes, the following quote appears to have been one of the significant motivating factors in General Van Fleet’s launching attacks such as Nomad. Hermes states:
“The Eighth Army shift from the passive defense was fostered by both external and internal developments. Since the enemy had used the respite on the battlefield to build up his stocks and to bring his combat units up to strength, Van Fleet wanted to probe the Communist defenses, determine the disposition of the enemy troops, and prevent them from employing their mounting offensive capabilities by keeping them off balance.
In addition, Van Fleet was aware that the combat efficiency of the Eighth Army had slipped during the latter part of July. Patrols were conducted indifferently and failed to bring in prisoners. Gathering intelligence became an increasingly difficult task. Even a stepped-up training program was not enough to restore the ability and will of the Eighth Army to fight. Inactivity and the hope that the armistice talks would prove successful were a tough combination to defeat.
As Van Fleet pointed out later:
"A sitdown army is subject to collapse at the first sign of an enemy effort .... As Commander of the Eighth Army, I couldn't allow my forces to become soft and dormant."
In the course of disturbing the enemy's dispositions and of sharpening the fighting edge of the Eighth Army troops, Van Fleet also hoped to improve his own defense positions along the front. There were several areas where the seizure of dominant terrain would remove sags in the line or threats to the UNC lines of communication.” End Hermes quote 2.
From the above writings and the several Associated Press articles we were able to obtain with datelines from October 13 to October 22, 1951, it would appear that Operation Nomad was a fairly easy time.
A piece of cake!
However, for me and my company, E Company, and our regiment, the 19th Infantry Regiment, it was anything but that!
From my analysis of casualty records, the 19th Infantry Regiment suffered one of its greatest monthly casualties anytime during the Korean War – 912 total casualties and 152 who paid the supreme price – to Operation Nomad.
And the accompanying article, Nomad 24th Forward, has words that support this view of Nomad.
So as you read the Associated Press articles please keep in mind that while some components of the 24th apparently were able to move relatively freely toward Kumsong, some others were not.
I transcribed the AP News articles, which were provided to me by Merry Helm as graphics files copied from copies of microfilm images. The transcription process was not perfect because of the low quality of the images; some Korean city and town names were especially difficult and I have not taken the time to clarify these.
We are especially interested in contacting anyone with the 24th Division or its supporting units who would like to cooperate in our effort to better document and describe Operation Nomad.
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[Hermes, Walter G., United States Army in the Korean War, Truce Tent and Fighting Front. http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/korea/truce/fm.htm.]
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Tom J. Thiel, Co E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, Korea, 1951-52. 24th.division [at] gmail.com
Merry Helm mhelm [at] cableone.net