Course of Action One: Defend in the East
Under the first course of action, the platoon would defend from the east side of the valley. (See COA One map.) With their tanks situated about 1,500 meters west of the bridge, his men would use the crossing as a choke point to hopefully block the enemy advance into the valley’s “opening.” They would battle it out from positions to the north and south of Route 51 and withdraw as needed, continuing the fight through the defile until the North Koreans are repulsed or destroyed.
PETHO CARTOGRAPHY
Lt. Stone realizes that the bridge will be a vital choke point – a key objective of the North Korean attack – so he decides to concentrate his defense at the valley’s eastern “opening.”
Course of Action Two: Defend in the West
Under the second course of action, the platoon would defend from the west. (See COA Two map.) The tanks would set up firing positions from which to target the valley’s “exit” as well as the western slopes of Hills 575 and 555. This plan would entail blocking the North Koreans as they try to leave the valley and defeating them in the defile.
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“Blue One, this is Scout Four,” the scout on Hill 555 radios. “Enemy is about 15 minutes away from the bridge.”
“We need to move now, Lieutenant,” Buckner barks over the platoon radio net. “What’s the plan?”
PETHO CARTOGRAPHY
The valley is a natural funnel that will canalize the North Korean attack. Lt. Stone decides to defend the valley’s western “exit”, engaging the enemy tanks and APCs as they try to emerge from the narrow defile.
If you choose for Stone to take Course of Action One: Defend in the East, go to page 4.
If you choose for Stone to take Course of Action Two: Defend in the West, go to page 6.
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