 On the left of the ROK 7th Infantry Division , ROK II Corps , the US 2nd Infantry Division of the IX Corps was placed in the path of a major Chinese supply line . During the Home @-@ by @-@ Christmas Offensive , US 9th Infantry Regiment led the division 's advance northward along the Ch 'ongch 'on River , while the US 38th Infantry Regiment was placed on the division 's right flank . The offensive started with little resistance against the US 2nd Infantry Division , although the 9th Infantry Regiment was stalled by Chinese defenses at Hill 219 , north of Kujang @-@ dong on November 25 . In order to renew the offensive on the next day , the 23rd Infantry Regiment of the US 2nd Infantry Division was moved into the rear of the 9th Infantry Regiment . At the same time , the 38th Infantry Regiment had arrived at Somin @-@ dong , a town on the road between Kujang @-@ dong and Tokchon . When the aerial reconnaissance detected an increase in Chinese activities , the 38th Infantry Regiment 's A Company was sent on a patrol into Chinese territory . 
