Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did General Smith want to concentrate the Marines at Hagaru-ri?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Battle of the Chosin Reservoir
Men and armor of the U.S. 1st Marine Division during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, December 1950.
General Oliver P. Smith sought to concentrate the 1st Marine Division at Hagaru-ri to address the risks of their dispersed deployment and to facilitate a cohesive withdrawal toward the coast.
His strategic objectives for consolidating at this location included:
- Operational Readiness: By uniting the Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri groups, the division could effectively absorb necessary ammunition and replacements via air transport.1
- Casualty Management: The concentration allowed for the evacuation of the most severely wounded and frozen casualties through the airfield Smith had established at the perimeter.12
- Sustained Combat Capability: Unlike the "worst-case" retreat proposed by General Almond—which involved abandoning heavy equipment—Smith argued that a concentrated force could maintain its integrity, retain its weapons, and "attack in a different direction" to fight its way to the coastal plain.1
- Defensive Strength: The consolidation allowed the division to reorganize and strengthen its defenses, ensuring the airfield remained operational for critical resupply of gasoline and ammunition.12