Back To Starting Point— REDS WITHDRAW: U.S. FORCES NEAR 38th PARALLEL

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1950, Page 5

Back To Starting Point— REDS WITHDRAW: U.S. FORCES NEAR 38th PARALLEL

TOKIO, This Day (Rec 11.30 a.m.).—The United Nations forces continue to advance on all fronts in South Korea. Marines and army units completed the liberation of Seoul yesterday and American forces, pushing north from the capital, are now only 12 miles from the 38th Parallel, from which the North Korean offensive was launched. The United States Twenty-fourth division has recaptured Taejon —the last big city held by the invaders. On the east coast, the South Koreans are going steadily ahead. General MacArthur announced in a communique last night that the Americans had driven up to the town of Yonojongni, north-west of Seoul, by yesterday afternoon. An official spokesman said it was likely that they had advanced several miles further north since then.

The spokesman added that since the Ichon landing 3300 prisoners had been taken and 11,200 casualties inflicted. The Communist resistance to the American assault in Seoul suddenly crumbled yesterday morning and the Amei'icans swept forward to the outskirts with only a few snipers’ shots being fired at them. Now In Flight There are indications that the Communists, who had fought a wellplanned delaying action in the city, were in flight to the 38th Parallel. , The city was considered militarily secure about mid-day—two days after General MacArthur’s announcement of the city’s capture. American Marines and infantrymen and South Korean troops were last night in possession of all the accessible peaks in the range of rugged hills which cradle Seoul. The United Nations forces now have a complete stranglehold on all the main roads and railways linking North and South Korea and the capture of Seoul means that the Communist troops in the south are almost completely isolated from supplies and reinforcements. Their road, of retreat is also cut. Blotted Out

Almost one-half of Seoul’s sprawling seven square miles was blotted out in the battle. The United States Twenty-fourth Division's recapture of Taejon came after a bitter battle east of the city.

The Americans then rolled into Taejon with little or no resistance. During the battle on the eastern outskirts, American spearheads heavily blasted the defenders with tank and artillery fire, while aircraft rained down a hail of bombs and bullets.

Waning Fire During the afternoon the Americans brushed aside waning Communist tank and mortar fire and entered the city. The Communists streamed to the north and north-west part of the city, seeking to escape, but they were attacked by Allied light bombers and fighter-bombers. The latest official reports from the southern front placed the northernmost United Nations spearhead at six miles north of Ulchi, on the east coast. Ulchin is just below the 37th parallel. The advance still further north of the South Korean Sixth Division in the course of the day is considered likely. A small number of reinforcements foi' the British brigade have arrived in Korea and some have already joined the battalions in the field. The brigade has had no action since it took up positions near Songju,

about 20 miles west of Taegu, across the Naktong river. Patrols have been out day and night and have scoured the surrounding country for a distance of 10 miles, but have made no contact with Communists.