**Chosin East: Night One - Korea (A Warhorse Campaign Series Modification)

[Chosin Reservoir-Eastside, Korea] [H2H] [HIS] [GD] On November 27, 1950 the Battle for the Chosin Reservoir began. At that time the weather was everyone's worst enemy. At times the temperature dropped to below -20F, the reservoir froze and the surrounding countryside was snow covered and driven by 30mph winds! A day or two earlier the 31st RCT of the 7th Infantry Division replaced the Marine 5th Regiment/1st Marine Division on the eastern side of the reservoir. The 10th Army plan at this point was to have the 7th and 1st Marine attack northward on opposite sides of the reservoir towards the Yalu River starting on or about the 28th. This never happened because the Chinese had different plans and it didn't include lying in defense waiting for the UN to attack. The Chinese formed up the 80th Division and one regiment of the 81st to hit the Americans on the eastside of the reservoir. The balance of the 81st Division began operations further east off the map and is not seen here. At first the Chinese believed they were going to engage US Marines on the eastside of the reservoir but as the situation unfolded, they were mildly surprised to encounter US Army units. [Throughout the battle the Chinese preferred to conduct operations at night. This was because of the overwhelming American air support used in daylight.] As the 31st RCT moved into position on the 25-26th they were getting reports from the locals about thousands of Chinese in the hills around the reservoir, reports that 31st RCT commander Col. MacLean and 7th division command chose to ignore. They would pay dearly later on in the battle for not paying attention to the warnings! Team "Faith" [1st Bn 31st RCT] held the area around "Neidongjik" a name given to the area by the Koreans and point 1316. Team "Reilly" [3rd Bn 31st RCT] held the area between points 1456 and "The Inlet". They were supported by elements of the 57th Field Artillery Battalion commanded by LtCol. Ray Embree. 2nd Bn 31st RCT never made it to the area. They were held in reserve by division some miles to the south. The Chinese began operations at 2250 on the night of the 27th.