Sth. Korea Asks U.S. For Tasks Planes, Ships

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23289, 26 June 1950, Page 5

Sth. Korea Asks U.S. For Tasks Planes, Ships

(10 a.m.) SEOUL, June 35. The acling-Premier of South Korea, Mr. Sihn Sung Mo, said he Washington for tanks, planes, larger calibre artillery and ships for South Korea.

Mr. Sihn said that after a long Cabinet meeting he had radioed the Korean Ambassador in Washington to appeal to President Truman to act quickly. The North Koreans’ surprise attack had made progress until the defenders had retreated to a long prepared defence line. Mr. Sihn said the South Korea’s need for vessels was that great landings had been made with small craft at three places along Kore’s coast. A full division of 10(COO men, supported by 90 tanks, had struck at Pochon, east of Tongduchon. The South Korean President, Dr. Syngman Rhee, this morning telephoned General MacArthur for aid. The spokesman for the Information Director, Mr. Clarence Ryee, said the Government believed the situation was desperate. He said the South Koreans were short of rifle ammunition and were appealing for aircraft for observation Durposes. Mr. Ryee estimates the casualties thus far at 4000 on each side but no official figures are available for the North Koreans are using Russiantrained and Russian-equipped regular divisions for the attack. The United States military advisory group last month estimated the; North Korean forces in the vicinity of 100.0000.

The South Koreans have eight divisions totalling about 95.000 men advised by 200 American officers and 300 enlinsted men. The South Koreans have no aircraft and no tanks but one cavalry regiment with armoured cars, plus 105 mm. artillery. The South Koreans have concentrated their defences on the approaches to Seoul: