RUSSIAN-BUILT ARMOUR AND AMERICANS CLOSE FOR SHOWDOWN

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 July 1950, Page 5

RUSSIAN-BUILT ARMOUR AND AMERICANS CLOSE FOR SHOWDOWN

Battle Will Decide # - . . ■ ’ .. . . ' 'Duration Of War

TOKIO, July 4 (Rec 10 a.m.).—Russian-built armour and American forces, equipped with the latest anti-tank weapons, today closed upon each other for a showdown in the rice-bowl south of Seoul, says Reuter’s correspondent in South Korea. The decision of the impending battle may well decide whether the Korean war will be short or protracted. The North Korean success so far has resulted from the skilful employment of armour in a country which is undeniably poor tank country. „ Today’s reconnaissance reports indicate that the South Korean withdrawals south from the Han river outstrip the North Korean advance. This is because of the knowledge that a hard line is forming behind them and the constant fear of the outflanking of the thin defences established following the rout north of the river. Although the armoured spearheads were reported to be rolling down the main Seoul-Suwon highway at dawn today, none has yet established contact with the retiring South Korean forces. Ground patrols yesterday afternoon found Osan, 40 miles south of Seoul, still free of North Koreans.