KOREAN FRONT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 260, 21 August 1950, Page 3

KOREAN FRONT

PROBING ACTION ONLY

ENEMY BADLY MAULED ‘Ss.Z.P.A.—Copyright) (Rec. 11.10 a.m.) TQKIO, This Dsy. Except along the east coast, where the South Korean driveabove Pohang is progressing well; action on the Korean front yesterday was mostly of a probing nature.

The South Korean army spokesman claims that the South .Koreans have routed the North Koreans on the east coast, sending the enemy ff'retr eating in disorder,” towards Yungdok. A Reuter correspondent says the South Koreans continue to advance on a wide front.

Latest reports place leading southern elements 3 J miles north of Pohang. . ‘ A total of 2800 -northerners killed have been counted since the first phase of this push began five days ago. American officials in the Korean military advisory group said that Communist forces routed by the South Koreans comprised 10,000 men who had cut across from the north-east with 4000 guerillas. The mission of this force appeared to be to drive south to Pusan. General MacArthur’s headquarters announced to-day that the North Korean bridgehead over the Naktong west of Youngsan had been wiped out. All ground east of the Naktong in that sector had-been captured by elements cif the 24th Division and the Ist Marine Brigade. All units consoidated organised positions and . mopping-up operations against small, isolated pockets is continuing. v : ;

Heavy Casualties

The operation produced very heavy North Korean casualties, and a considerable amount of weapons and 1 equipment, including 13 artillery pieces, was captured by American forces. The Waegwan sector remained generally quiet, with only smallscale patrol activities. The communique said the ChinjuMasan area was probed continuously by Communist invaders along the American lines in what may be a renewal of the offensive in this sector. Reports that elements of the North Korean 7th Division reinforced the badly-mauled North Korean 6th Divi- ; sipn, plus increased enemy activity movement in rear areas, bear this out. The Ist Cavalry sector also reported as increasing in activity aggressiveness on the part of the enemy. British carrier-based »aircraft at: tacked North Korean shipping on the west . coast sinking three vessels and damaging others. Far East naval headquarters said that naval planes operating with the west'coast blockade force, using rockets rand cannon fire, sank two 100tdn motor coasters at Kunsan,. and damaged a motor launch at Inchon. A motor junk was sunk, and* another motor junk and motor launch set on fire at Mokpo. Slipways, a warehouse gnd railway wagons were strafed at Kpnsan. ~