replacements into the battalion. Anticipating a strong enemy attack in the vicinity of the 6th ROK Division, the 70th Tank Battalion formed the core of Task Force Johnson, which conducted a reconnaissance in force on 22 January to disrupt the communist forces preparations for the looming attack. The battalion supported the regiments of the 1st Cavalry Division in conducting combat reconnaissance missions through the remainder of the month. In February 1951, the battalion supported the 1st Cavalry Division on the left flank of IX Corps in carrying out limited offensive operations northward from Kumyangjang-ni. On 15–16 February, Company A was attached to the 5th Cavalry Regiment to form Task Force Crombez in order to relieve the 23rd Infantry Regiment and a French Infantry Battalion which had been cut off by approximately six regiments of communist forces. In the heavy fighting that ensued, the infantry, who rode on the tanks during the advance, suffered numerous casualties, but the task forces succeeded in reaching the 23rd Infantry. The 2nd Platoon, Company A received the Presidential Unit Citation for their actions in relieving the 23rd Infantry. The battalion resumed aggressive patrolling in the 1st Cavalry Division sector into early April 1951, along with limited offensive objectives reaching Wonchang-ni. By 11 April, warming weather, which began to thaw the ground, and flooding by the communists of the lowlands below the Hwacheon Reservoir, forced the 70th Heavy Tank Battalion into inactivity, and they were moved out of the line in order to conduct much-needed repairs and maintenance on their vehicles and to take on new replacement personnel. In Eighth Army reserve, the battalion was once again up to strength when communist forces resumed the offensive on 23 April 1951. By 25 April, the 1st Cavalry Division, with the 70th Heavy Tank Battalion still attached, was used to plug a gap in the Eighth Army line just north of Seoul when the 6th ROK Division collapsed, and to relieve the hard-pressed 27th British Commonwealth Brigade. Having thus stabilized the line, the battalion reverted to aggressive patrolling, often deep behind enemy lines. In late May 1951, the mission changed from combat patrols to direct support of the cavalry regiments as they advanced on an axis from Seoul to Uijongbu, thence north to the Imjin River in the vicinity of Cheorwon. Having reached these limited objectives, the emphasis again returned to combat patrols, primarily between Cheorwon and Tosan