THE BATTLE FOR TAEGU

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26196, 21 August 1950, Page 7

THE BATTLE FOR TAEGU

North Korean forces massed before Taegu have resumed the attack, but avoided the Kunwi-Taegu highway, where the defenders had pushed them back four miles. Instead, the Cojnmunists assaulted the north-west comer, of the defence line about 14 miles from Taegu, apparently driving from the direction of Waegwan. where a new build-up of the Communists forces has been reported. Heavy artillery barrage firing from across the Naktong river preceded the attack. Five North Korean divisions are known to be concentrated north and north-west of Taegu.

Prisoners said that several units are in bad shape. One told American

intelligence that the 13th North Division was down to 2500 men from the full strength of 10,000. Another said that he had seen no food for three days and no ammunition for five days. On the Kufiwi-Taegu road, where the advancing American and South Korean forces have so far /struck only minor resistance, one American regiment fought off two counter-attacks. Two of three Communist tanks which penetrated the front line were knocked out by bazookas, and a third was dis.abled by an air strike.

Four shells last night hit the centre of Taegu in its second artillery attack of the day.