RECAPTURE OF POHANG

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

RECAPTURE OF POHANG

The recapture of Pohang, the strategic east coast port which was captured in the North Korean coastal drive southward more than a week ago, and of Kigye. 10 miles from Pohang, was effected by South Korean forces with the support -of concentrated fire from American tanks, heavy mortars and artillery. They encountered “fairly light” resistance at Kigye. but the strength of resistance at Pohang is not described in General MacArthur’s communique. The South Koreans also captured high ground north of Kigye. according to the communique. One of the serious drawbacks re-

suiting from the earlier loss of Pohang had been that the American airfield six miles south-east of Pohang, which was important as the northernmost take-off for United Nations warplanes in the Korean theatre, had become untenable.

The airfield is not yet in use again. As the • result of the recapture of these two towns oy South Korean troops the United Nations defence lines in this area are described by General MacArthur as “more cohesive.” and running generally westward from these" two points. United' Nations forces are pushing several North Korean regiments there from the south and the west.