PUSH BY U.N. TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26264, 8 November 1950, Page 7

PUSH BY U.N. TROOPS

Local Communist Withdrawals

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.10 a.m.) SEOUL, November 7. American and British troops struck out across the Chongchon river to-day in a broad counter-offensive, and gained a mile in the first few hours against withdrawing Communist forces, who put up only light opposition. The attack was launched at dawn by the United States 24th Division with, the British Commonwealth Brigade to recapture Pakchon and expand the bridgehead north of the river. The drive is intended to wipe out the Communist threat to the twin cities of Sinanju and Anju. on the south bank of the river, 50 miles north of Pyongyang. A United States Ist Corps spokesman said to-day that there had been some local withdrawals of enemy forces, but there were still large enemy forces in the bridgehead area and no indication of a general withdrawal. Considerable movements indicated .that the'enemy was regrouping and redeploying. Air observers reported .that long columns of men and equipment moving south-east from the Yalu river had been brought under air attack. The American spokesman said the problem of refugees crossing the Chongchon river from north to’ south was serious. He estimated that 20.000 refugees had crossed to the south bank in 33 h*urs. They were being screened at a bridge across the Chongchon river at Anju, . and about 50 be-’ lieved to be deserters from the North Korean Army, had been arrested. There were several probing attacks

this morning along the northern part of the 2nd South Korean Corps defence line about four miles north-east of Kunuri. These were repulsed and contained with the help of American artillery. United States sth Air Force Headquarters announced that United States and enemy aeroplanes were engaged in a prolonged air battle over Sinuiju to-day. The fight was continuing after an hour and a half—the longest air battle of the Korean war. A communique issued by headquarters said that Mustangs were attacked by Russian Mig jet fighters with swept-back wings. The first contingent of Canadian troops arrived at Fusan, South Korea, to-day.