United States Cavalry Patrols Move Across Thirty-eighth Parallel

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27515, 9 October 1950, Page 5

United States Cavalry Patrols Move Across Thirty-eighth Parallel

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright ' Rec. 11 p.m. SEOUL, Oct. 8. Patrols from the United States Ist Cavalry Division crossed the thirty-eighth parallel yesterday, according to a United Press report from Kaesong, two miles south of the border on the West Coast road to Pyongyang. The Ist Cavalry captured Kaesong yesterday.

Earlier, the first cavalry crossed the Imjin River north of Seoul—the last main natural barrier between the United Nations forces in the west and North Korea. The United Nations commander, General MacArthur, previously had placed security restrictions on the locations of seven American divisions, and the British Commonwealth Brigade, while he regrouped his troops. The North Koreans are concentrating their main defences on the west coast north of the thirty-eighth parallel, according to an American sth Air Force communique. The pilots’ reports said that about 85 per cent, of the convoys were observed travelling south along the roads leading to Pyongyang, and the principal emphasis of the air strikes was, therefore, being planned in this region. Other strikes are being directed along the roads leading north from Wonsan on the east coast. The sth Air Force yesterday concentrated its main effort on North Korean railway rolling stock. It attacked 86 flat cars and also destroyed or damaged 60 vehicles. United States 25th Infantry Division units claimed to have killed or captured nearly 1400 Communists in a battle about six miles north of Yongdong yesterday, says the NZPA— Reuter correspondent, William Parrott. It was one of the biggest actions in South Korea for over a week. The Communists were part of a force of 2000 which was apparently trying to withdraw north after hiding in the hills since the United Nations breakthrough. Yongdong is on the main Pusan-Seoul highway about midway between Kumchon and Taejon. A 25th Division spokesman said today that the infantrymen killed a number of Communists before containing the rest until artillery could be brought into action. The artillery killed 300 more. Fifth Air Force planes then effectively strafed and bombed the area. About 1000 Communists, including a number of officers, surrendered when their position became hopeless. Australian troops fought off ambushing attackers in pre-dawn darkness yesterday in their first engagement of the war. Australian bren-carriers packed with ammunition were attacked six miles north of Yongdong, while moving up to Seoul. No casualties were suffered by the Australians, who drove off the attackers with machine gun and small arms fire. About 10,000 Communist troops are reported to be still holding out in five large pockets in the Taejon area and farther south. According to prisoners, some have been ordered by their officers to make for the west coast and try to escape by sea to Dairen or to West Korean ports in Communist territory. The Pusan-Seoul railway is now reopened, although sniping and patrol clashes continue. Intelligence officers at General MacArthur’s headquarters estimated today North Korean war losses from all causes at nearly 200,000 men, including 40.000 taken prisoner. Moscow Reports Landing Three mechanised battalions of United Nations forces landed last Thursday at Chanjon, about 50 miles north of the thirty-eighth parallel on the east coast of North Korea, stated a communique quoted by Moscow radio. It added that an attempted landing the previous day had been repulsed. “The People’s Army” had since driven the United Nations forces southward and inflicted heavy losses, it was claimed. Thirty lorries carrying infantry blew up on land mines. The British forces played a large part in the victory scored by the United Nations forces in South Korea, General MacArthur said in a message to British chiefs of staff. General MacAthur was expressing his “ thanks and deepest appreciation ” for an inspiring message he had received from the British chief of staff. The British message to General MacArthur said: “We send you our warmest congratulations on your brilliant victory. We have admired not only the skill with which you conducted an extremely difficult rearguard action against great odds, but the equally brave tenacity with which the forces under your command have responded to your inspiring and indefatigable leadership. We believe that the brilliant conception and mast-

erly execution of the ‘ Inchon ’ counterstroke which you planned and launched while holding the enemy at bay in the south will rank amongst the finest strategic achievements in military history.”