In a savage ten-day battle, the
CCF 38th Army used an estimated 23,000 infantry
and supporting troops in an attempt to capture
the vital White Horse Hill complex which
protected the Chorwon area and road net supplying
IX Corps. With tanks and quad-50's protecting
their flanks, and supported by massive artillery
barrages totaling over 185,000 rounds, ROK 9th
inflicted an estimated 10,000 casualties before
the CCF finally stop their assaults. Among their
diversionary attacks, the CCF assaulted Arrowhead
(Hill 281) but was driven back three separate
times with heavy losses, by the French
battalion.
Another diversionary attack, on
Jackson Heights (Hill 281), was more successful.
The Puerto Rican 65th Regiment had taken heavy
losses at OP Kelly and was still not fully combat
ready, but bore the brunt of the fighting. When
company and platoon leaders became casualties the
lack of experience and depth at company combat
levels became apparent and the position was lost.
US 15th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division later
counter-attacked and kept tenuous holds on a few
OPs at the base of the Hill.
When Eighth Army launched
Operation Showdown against the Triangle Hill
Complex in October, the CCF were able to force a
stop to the attack, substantially making up for
their defeat at White Horse.