HARD FIGHTING IN KOREA

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26362, 5 March 1951, Page 7

HARD FIGHTING IN KOREA

Counter-Attacks t Beaten Off

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

kftec. 11.10 p.m.) TOKYO, March 4. Fierce fighting flared up on the central front to-day as the Allied forces resumed their advance against determined Chinese counter-attacks. Chinese counter-attacks yesterday forced some American, French, and South Korean infantry to withdraw, but most of the attacks were beaten off under the overwhelming superiority of United Nations artillery and aircraft. The United States 7th Division vainly tried to move Communists stubbornly defending high ground nine miles southeast of Hoengsong, but they were forced to withdraw at nightfrfl. General MacArthur said that the Chinese forces were organised in some depth north of Hoengsong. He said that the delaying actions gave the Communists time to replace their troops and regroup their tactical reserves.

Earlier reports said that British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian troops pushed north against stiffening Chinese resistance in the Yongdu area 17 miles west of Hoengsong. American Marines swept through abandoned Hoengsong and pushed deeper into the heart of enemy resistance on the central Korean front. Enemy resistance stiffened all along the Allied Jine. North Korean troops, wearing South Korean uniforms, drove inside the Allied positions on the east central front and fought American troops hand-to-hand.

U.S. BATTLESHIP PUT INTO SERVICE

(Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 3. The. United States Navy to-day recommissioned the battleship Wisconsin (45,000 tons) and ordered it to active duly. The Wisconsin is the third active battleship. The others are the Missouri and the New Jersey, sister-ships of the Wisconsin.