By the 30th, the 1st and 3d KMC Battalions were behind the line of departure on Hill 755, ready to attack in the morning. The 2d Battalion assumed responsibility for the regimental zone on the KANSAS Line.
The 2d and 3d Battalions of the 7th Marines had meanwhile completed the relief of elements of the 8th ROK Division. On the other side of the river Lieutenant Colonel James G. Kelly’s 1/7 had relieved units of the ROK division on the hill mass a mile and a half north of Tonpyong (Map 17). These Marines were first to come under fire as the enemy sent over a few mortar rounds after dark on the 29th.
Division OpnO 22-51 directed the two assault regiments, the 7th Marines and KMCs, to attack at 0600 the following morning and seize their assigned positions on Corps Objective YOKE, the ridgeline running from Hill 930 on the west through Hills 1026 and 924 on the east (Map 17). Objective 1, the hill mass 1½ miles northeast of Tonpyong, was already occupied by 1/7.
The 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, was ordered to seize Objective 2, generally that part of YOKE Ridge east of Hill 924. The KMC Regiment was assigned Objective 3, consisting of Hills 924 and 1026.
Other 1st Marine Division units had the following missions on 31 August:
_5th Marines_--to patrol the Division zone along the KANSAS Line and protect defensive installations;
_1st Marines_--to remain in the rear in the Hongchon area in X Corps reserve;
_1st Tank Battalion_--to move up in readiness to support the assault regiments;
_Division Reconnaissance Company_--to continue to patrol the Punchbowl and mop up bypassed enemy.
Land mines were a constant menace to troop movements as the assault regiments adjusted positions in preparation for the attack. As usual, neglected “friendly” mines were encountered as well as those planted by the enemy.[272]
[272] This section, except when otherwise specified, is based on 1stMarDiv _HD_, Aug and Sep 51; X Corps _Cmd Rpt_, Sep 51; 2/7 and 3/7 _HD_, Aug and Sep 51; Kelly, _Notes_; Col G. P. Groves, ltr of 8 Apr 58.
FRONT LINES ON 20 SEPT 51 WERE GENERALLY ALONG HAYS LINE
POW information and air reports indicated a southward movement of two to three enemy regiments with artillery and supplies. Prisoners stated that an attack was due on 1 September, leading to the G-2 conjecture that the enemy’s Sixth Phase Offensive might be about to start.