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The original caption issued with this photograph (NH 97039)
reads: "Korean Close Air Support Mission" "Here's what a close air support mission looks like to the pilot of a Navy Douglas Skyraider as he dives to bomb Chinese Communist forces, separated by less than 200 yards from UN troops. Friendly troops are pinned down behind the irrigation ditch (upper right). Tanks have rolled up road to the right of the foot soldiers and are temporarily halted." "Enemy mortars hidden in the buildings area (center) which have been holding back the northward push of UN forces have been hit by bombs from preceeding planes in the air attack. Smoke from the bomb hits destroying the gun positions are seen in the center of the photo." "Communist troops which had been established along the line indicated and in the wooded areas were forced out by the bombing attack and fled across rice paddies to new positions (indicated by arrows)." "The Chinese thus forced into the open became targets for more aerial strafing and bombing attacks. Under this protective cover and with mortars silenced, UN troops moved up from the irrigation ditch protection and took over the area vacated by the Commies." "This photo was taken by Cdr. Richard C. Merrick ..., Commanding Officer of Air Group 19 during a routine close air support mission northwest of Seoul. Air Group 19 is based aboard the carrier USS Princeton, flagship of Task Force 77 operating off the coasts of Korea." |
19 October 1999