Company G, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines
1st Marine Division

34. A Marine Position

On 10 November the 7th Marines emerged from the Funchilin Pass onto the open plateau. Upon reaching the Koto-ri plateau the 7th Marines was to meet a new enemy who would take a heavier toll in casualties than the Chinese. Many men went into shock from the intense sudden shock of the cold. The Marines recovered quickly after thawing out, and platoon warming tents, heated by camp stoves burning fuel oil were set up in Koto-ri. The Unit provided buckets of steaming water for warming up their "C" rations. Cold weather (temperatures down to -40 F and wind chill factors of -120 F) numbs the spirit as well as flesh. Cold weather clothing handicaps movement and the use of some weapons often becomes undependable. Carbines do not work properly; howitzers can take minutes to return to firing position after a round.