Map Showing Marine Operations Area
20. October to December 1950

Major General Edward Almond, commander of the X Corps, Ordered the First Marine Division to advance up the road to Yudam-ni. Ignoring reports of massive Chinese forces in the area General Almond had the Marine Division strung out for some 78 miles from Hungnam to Yudam-ni. Major General Smith commander of the First Marine Division stalled the advance in fear of his command being strung out in such a fashion. By now the Chinese Fourth Field army consisting of the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 42nd Armies had already crossed the Yalu River and marched south. Each of the four armies had 30,000 men. 130,000 soldiers of the Communist Army were waiting for the X Corp and greatly out numbered them.

Soon the 5th and 7th Regiments would be at Yudam-ni, of the 1st Regiment, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions occupied Hagaru and 1st Battalion occupied Koto-ri. General Smith began building an airfield at Hagaru, which would play a pivotal part in the survival of the Marine Division.

The plan of the Chinese forces was to isolate the forces of the Division and then wipe them out piecemeal and it almost succeeded