BIG ENEMY ATTACK

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26856, 8 October 1952, Page 9

BIG ENEMY ATTACK

Communist Drive In Korea (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.10 p.m.) TOKYO, October 6. The Chinese Communist forces staged their biggest attack for many * as * throwing more than 12.000 infantry against the Allied positions along two-thirds of the Korean front. The Communists unsuccessfully launched 4000 troops against two hills north-west of Chorwon on the western front, after opening the sluice gates at the reservoir. The water rose slightly around the hills up which enemy infantry stormed in repeated attacks against Alliedheld nositions. There was nothing to indicate that the attack was the forerunner of any Communist attempt' to break through the Allied line at any single point. The action started to increase about noon on Monday, as the Communists stepped up artillery barrages.

With darkness the barrages thickened and then after a sudden lull the Chinese struck.

The main centre of fighting was on the central front, north-west of Yonchon.

United Nations defenders of White Horse Mountain and October Hill held their ground against fierce attacks. The Bth Army reported that heavy fighting, with hand-to-hand encounters,

was continuing early today. The Communist New China News Agency claimed yesterday that American casualties in Korea were much higher than the United States Defence Department has reported. The agency said that North Korean and Chinese forces killed or wounded 10,816 American troops as against a total of 2987 contained in the official American totals from July 30 to September 3.