BLOODY BATTLE ENDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27505, 27 September 1950, Page 7

BLOODY BATTLE ENDS

REDS’ FANATICAL STAND

New Zealand Press Association —Copyright Rec. 11.50 p.m. TOKIO, Sept. 26. United Nations forces have recaptured Seoul, the South Korean capital, from the North Korean Communists who seized the city on June 29, four days after they began their invasion. The capture of Seoul was announced today by General Douglas MacArthur in a special communique. He said: “ The liberation of the city was conducted in such a manner as to cause the least possible danger to civil installations. Correspondents’ despatches report that the capital fell to United Nations troops after 24 hours of bloody street fighting. American and South Korean troops stormed the heart of the capital after the Communists had set up a hard core of “ suicide fighters ” in concrete strongholds.

In the final assault one American 7th Army Division column swung behind the Communist defences and hit them from the south-east, while marines went in from the west. In some places the defences cracked, but 5000 fanatical Communists fought from house to house making a last stand in thick concrete buildings in the centre of the city. Some of the defenders were half-naked women. They were hauled out with smoking guns in their hands. It was a bloody battle for both sides.

Marines fought some diehard North Koreans in foxholes dug between tramcar tracks in the flame-swept capital.

PACE QUICKENS Talks On Terms Of Settlement ASSEMBLY LEAD SOUGHT NZPA—Copyright Rec. 11 p.m. NEW YORK, Sept. 26. The United States has started informal conversations with official United Nations delegates—but not with the Russians —on the terms of settlement of the Korean war, says the diplomatic correspondent of the New York Times. The conversations have taken on a more urgent pace over the week-end because United States intelligence reports indicated that United Nations forces have cut up six North Korean divisions in the last six days and may be at the thirty-eighth parallel within a matter of days. The correspondent adds that .United States officials have made it clear that they expect the General Assembly to define the policy to be followed in North Korea if and when the North Korean Army withdraws behind the thirty-eighth parallel and ceases fire. The Secretary of State, Mr Dean Acheson, is trying to see to it that General MacArthur is author-

An enemy tank attack had to be smashed by bazookas before , the marines resumed their advance this morning. It was not until the marines had waged an American-style “banzai” attack, which broke the defences of Western Seoul, that the city was returned to rightful hands. American marihes fought by the flickering light of burning buildings last night as they battered their way into the centre of Seoul, says Alex Valentine, NZPA—Reuter correspondent in Korea. The rattle of machine guns and the crack of snipers’ rifles mingled with the roar and crackle of flames. Shadowy figures of croaching marines were suddenly outlined amid showers of sparks as one after another Korean wooden huts collapsed in bursts of fire. As the collapsing buildings flared up Communist sniper fire snarled out at the clearly visible marines.

Amid the blazing ruins of Seoul, the Communists were being over-run one at a time by the deadly persistence of the marines. About three hours after dark the North Koreans, blasted back by the weight of the marine ground and air attacks, began to form a tight defence ring around the GovernorGeneral’s palace in the hilly northern

ised to take such military action as may be necessary near the thirty-eighth parallel to press his military advantage, but Mr Acheson is understood to be emphasising that the United Nations itself must lay down the long-range occupation and political policy to be followed in Korea.

section. ... . > . .. ... With the defences of the city crumbling around, them, the Communists were still defiant and the Americans dropped leaflets guaranteeing their personal safety if they surrendered. The Communists countered by sending pamphlets over to the marines telling them exactly the same thing.

There is apparently general agreement among the United States and top United Nations officials, on the policy that should be followed in Korea on the assumption that Soviet Russia and Communist China do not intervene directly. Under that policy the United Nations’ forces would be authorised to carry their military campaign north of the thirty-eighth parallel unless the North Koreans agree, first, to cease fire; secondly, to hand over their arms to United Nations authorities; and, thirdly, to accept the authority of the United Nations until such time as a free, independent Government of all Korea can be elected under the supervision of United Nations officials.

The civilians of Seoul, at first outwardly indifferent to the American arrival, last night cowered in terrified groups as their homes crashed around them. The roar of bombers overhead and the piercing whistle of bombs and shells sent many running in pitiful aimlessness looking for safety. But there was no safety in Seoul last night. Shrapnel and .snipers’ bullets struck down Communists and marines and civilians with indifference. Some 1000 Communist soldiers were killed in the day’s fighting. Probably as many civilians also died amid the rubble, and the marines were paying dearly for their advance.