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Continued.... Hill 395 was located at a strategic point in central Korea, and its loss would have endangered other UN positions, in that region. In October 1952, the Chinese attacked the hill, which was defended largely by ROK Army units, with U.S. artillery and air support and French infantry. A standard history of the Korean war notes that "pre-battle preparation, made possible by effective intelligence, added to well-trained troops, skillfully employed, and backed by coordinated air, armor, and artillery support, demonstrated what might be accomplished on defense." The standard history could not say how good the intelligence was. Warning of the battle came first from an intercepted Chinese message, prompting ASA to establish a field intercept site for tactical COMINT during the battle. Prior to the battle, this site identified the Chinese units assembled for the attack, then accurately predicted the date and time of the first wave. Low-level intercept kept the UN forces informed of the location of Chinese units during the battle, and artillery fire was targeted on the basis of COMINT. Submitted by Chuck Kelly ASA Korea member |