MARINES BREAK THROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27504, 26 September 1950, Page 5

MARINES BREAK THROUGH

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 1.15 a.m. TOKIO, Sept. 25. American tanks shot away Communist sandbagged barricades in the streets of Seoul today and opened up a path for United States marines to reach Duksoo Palace in the heart of the city, state front line reports. Communist snipers contested every inch of ground street by street and house by house, while Northern Korean mortars and field guns bombarded the marines from the heights of “ South Mountain,” within the city.

United States infantry crossed the Han River south-east of Seoul today, forging a fourth link in the steel ring closing in on the heavily-defended city. Marines who captured the suburb of Yongdongpo made a second amphibious crossing of the Han River today, and stormed eastward into the Seoul suburb of Tongmakmari. Street fighting has begun in this, area against stiffening Communist resistance. American artillery, hurling white phosphorous shells, began for the first time the “ softening up ” of the suburbs of Seoul proper, in front of the marines' advance. United Nations flying columns today shortened the gap between their northern and southern front lines to less than 55 miles. The Allies also crashed into Hyopchon, Kumchon, Andong and Yongdok.

Elements of the United States 24th Division today entered the key road and rail centre of Kumchon. This followed a thrust on the city northwest of Waegwan and south of Songju. At the same time Ist Cavalry troops in a lightning advance, moved 26 miles due west of Songju and took Puon on the road leading to the main highway behind Taejon. A British brigade operating with the Americans cleaned up Communist pockets east of Songju against strong resistance.

warning civilians to flee before a large-scale bombardment. Pyongyang radio announced that the civilians of Seoul have been called upon to join in the fight against the Americans for the city. Front line reports said that the Americans who flew into Kimpo came over in a fleet of 150 transports. The South Koreans advanced for the past two days against little or no resistance, and by late yesterday afternoon the 3rd Division was in possession of Yangnyong, 10 miles southwest of Yongdok—an advance of 10 miles. The Capitol Division advanced 12 miles to occupy Panpodong, 15 miles north-west of Kigye, and units of the Bth Division were four miles north of Uisong. In the far south .an American task force led by 20 tanks made a dash of 50 miles in 48 hours to reach the outskirts of Chinju late yesterday. Pilots reported that the city, which was once a major enemy base, appeared to be deserted.

Marines in their surprise thrust across the Han River captured high ground overlooking the railway tracks entering the city from the south.' The forging of the link with other marines means that -the Americans now hold a fairly solid line along virtually the entire western side of the city.

An estimated force of 5000 Communists defending Seoul have entrenched themselves in the city and, may have to be blasted out. United Nations staff officers are considering a leaflet raid on Seoul, calling for surrender and

A Korean war release from General MacArthur’s headquarters issued last, night says the known total of North Korean troops killed by aerial attack is more than 6500.