On Feb. 12 and 13, 1951, elements of the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division, including 38th Infantry Regiment, suffered severe losses in combat with superior Chinese forces, near Hoengsong,during the Korean War. Photos shot three weeks later show the carnage on a frozen battleground. Remnants of a destroyed U.S. field piece are surrounded by dead U.S. Army soldiers frozen on snow-covered ground. A severely damaged U.S. halftrack sits in the dirt. An unidentified jumble of burned out war machinery. Damaged 20mm dual mount anti-aircraft guns. U.S. Marines, of the 7th Regiment, in full field gear, entering the area for the first time since the February battle. They march over a snow-covered road, past remnants of the U.S. Army convoy that was fighting its way out of the area besieged by Chinese forces on all sides. A destroyed U.S. Army truck. Sign next to wreckage reads:"38th I.FL Co CP." A fallen American soldier frozen in a rice paddy. Smoke rising from Korean village buildings burning in background, above terraced landscape. More views of wrecked equipment and fallen soldiers. A mountain pass in the background. A destroyed truck. Suddenly black smoke starts rising in the background. A U.S. Marine standing near an M46 Patton tank. More debris and destroyed trucks.
Battle of Taejon during Korean War. Views of rocky hills and mountains with the U.S. Army 24th infantry flanked and circled by North Koreans. Soldiers of 24th infantry attack the enemy with tanks and guns, holding position. North Korean troops and T-34 tanks encircle U.S. Army troops in the streets. General William Dean arrives, inspects and instructs soldiers. Troops idle awaiting instructions to advance out of the city. Battle scenes with tanks advancing out of the city. Views of city destroyed. Taejon burning. Reinforcement soldiers preparing and firing mortars and howitzers. Soldiers waiting in chow line and enjoying meal. Artillery firing. Foot patrols descending hillsides carrying wounded. Exhausted looking troops.
U.S. troops march across the Han River Bridge. South Korean refugees move along the frozen river. Men pull sleds loaded with luggage. A motor convoy of the 29th British Brigade moves along the road past a wrecked T-34 tank near Suwon. Tanks and other vehicle pass on bridge. Wrecked tank on broken bridge in the background. U.S. troops dig fields for a delaying action in Suwon. Tanks at field. Soldier shovels fields.
U.S. Marines arrive at Kotori from Hagaru-ri during the Korean War. Weary and fatigued soldiers walk along as it snows. A truck crosses the road. Marines on railway tracks. Marine dragging a cardboard box with rations along the snow laden path. Marines resting on at a camp. Tents in the back ground A marine puts handful of snow in his mouth.
U.S. soldiers at the 40th Infantry Division area in Seoul. On return from R&R (Rest and Relaxation) in Japan, Sergeant Tubb and Private First Calss (Pfc) Hill walk up a steep hill to their sandbagged Command Post. They are greeted by a Sergeant who walks up from the CP and gives them armored vests. They are joined by three buddies. Hill and Tubbs present the Sergeant with a cap and parasol.
U.S. soldiers at the 40th Infantry Division area in Seoul. On return from R&R (Rest and Relaxation) in Japan, Sergeant Tubb and Private First Calss (Pfc) Hill show their comrades snapshots. They walk past a mail box to the supply bunker. Sign on bunker reads: 'From Here On You Earn Your $45.00'.