For the second time, during the night of 4–5 September, 5th Marines units were assailed on the KANSAS Line, 5 miles to the rear of the 7th Marines troops similarly deployed along the HAYS Line. Yet a large 7th Marines patrol ranged forward some 2,000 yards the next day without enemy contacts. A like result was reported by a patrol representing almost the entire strength of the Division Reconnaissance Company (Major Robert L. Autry) after it scoured the area north of the Punchbowl.[275]
[275] This section, except when otherwise specified, is based on the following sources: EUSAK _Cmd Rpt_, Sep 51, 38–53; X Corps _Cmd Rpt_, Sep 51, 9–12; 1stMarDiv _HD_, Sep 51, 8–14; 7th Mar _HD_, Sep 51; 1st, 2d, and 3d Bns of 7th Mar, _HD_s for Sep 51.
1st Marine Division OpnO 23-51, issued on the morning of 9 September, called for the 7th Marines to jump off at 0300 on the 11th and attack Objectives ABLE and BAKER--Hills 673 and 749 respectively--white maintaining contact with the 8th ROK Division on the right. Other Division units were given these missions:
_1st Marines_--to be released from X Corps reserve near Hongchon to Division control; to be prepared to pass through the 7th Marines, when that regiment secured its objectives, and continue the attack to seize Objective CHARLIE, the ridgeline leading northwest from Hill 1052.
_5th Marines_--to maintain one company on KANSAS line while occupying positions in Division reserve along HAYS Line in rear of 7th Marines.
_KMC Regiment_--to patrol aggressively on Division left to exert pressure on enemy defenses south and southeast of Objective CHARLIE.
_11th Marines_--to displace forward to support attack of the 7th Marines.
_Division Reconnaissance Company_--to patrol northward in the Soyang valley as far as Hwanggi to deny the enemy this area.
The area ahead of the 7th Marines was ideal for defense. From YOKE Ridge the assault troops had to descend into a narrow valley formed by a small tributary of the Soyang-gang, cross the stream, and climb Kanmubong Ridge on the other side. This formidable piece of terrain was dominated by three enemy positions, Hills 812, 980, and 1052 (Map 17). Thus the attack of the 7th Marines had as its primary purpose the securing of initial objectives on Kanmubong Ridge that would give access to the main NKPA defense line, some 4,000 yards to the north.