Both Sides Building Up In Korea For Test Of Strength

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 August 1950, Page 5

Both Sides Building Up In Korea For Test Of Strength

Clearly Defined Naktong River Front Now The Last Line Of Defence

TOKIO, August 6 (Recd. 11 pan.)—The uneasy silence over the 125 mile Korean battle-line today was broken only by short, sharp local actions. Out of five weeks of blurred confusion of retreats and outflanking movements, there is now a clear picture of both sides building up for a great test of strength along the clearly defined

Naktong River front. The only fighting reported in the last 24 hours was when Communists crossed the Naktong River in small groups at two or three points to probe the Allied lines and dug in on the river bank. The Americans and South Koreans used the same tactics. They allowed the northerners to cross the river and then wiped them out with cross-fire.

On the strongly pressed southern front the United States line apparently was pulled back from the forward positions held yesterday. Fighting was reported west of Chintori, less than 10 miles from the port of Masan. American forces are building up to an offensive, an official spokesman said today. He was confident there would be no further retreat until this was launched.

Earlier reports stated that Communists forces had crossed the Naktong River at some points. The crossings were east and southeast of Sangju, in the north-western corner of the American defence box. This is the third point along the new American line where Communist strength is gathering for a potential offensive.

The Associated Press correspondent said the North Koreans crossed the Naktong River without opposition from the South Korean forces, who had withdrawn, according to plan, to a ridge guarding a mountain nass.

The Communists are moving ele ments of the 4th Division into the Chiniu front for a new major thrust. The Reds have been beaten back with heavy losses in four attacks on this front in the last two days.

Officers reported that two Communist attacks on Thursday cost the Reds at least 1200 casualties.

Major-General Robert Gay told the United Press correspondent that tni North Korean command had herder South Koreans into the einemy front lines to serve as human shields Major-General Gay said conscripted South Koreans were qrmed with pointed sticks and mixed with the first wave of the enernv assault troops. This was mowed down, to be followed by green troops, who. in turn, were followed by seasoned fighters.

The United Press says Major-Gene-ral Gay’s theory seemed tc explain the robot-like style of the advance which nuzzled the American soldiers Unit after unit has reported that North Korean attacks are listless and mechanical, but relentless. North Korean assaults do not comnare with the Jananese “banzai’’ charges of the last war.

NORTH KORF AN Ant ACTIVITY IS INCREASING. Evidence of a possible increase in I North Korean air activity south of the 38th parallel has been noted bf Allied observers. n-<mrding to an offic al ai • communique. American light bombers strafed light aircraft grounded at Kumchon only 15 miles from the new American defensive positions alon» the Naktong River. American light bombers, in a daylight mission over Inchon harbour, sank an enemy 10,000-ton freighter or transport which was u" loading offshore. Four smaller coastal ships were damaged by jets in the strafing of Inchon. Super-fortre c ses again blasted the Seoul marshalling yards, unloading 80 tons of high explosives with devastating effect. Numerous fires were left burning. The Kumchon and Oson marshalling yards were also pounded. Excellent weather enabled the fighters to take heavy toll of Communist troops,‘vehicles. road bridges and sunnly denots in and behind the battlefront area. South Korea i forces annihilated a Communist battalion that crossed the Naktong River on the northern front, according to an Bth Army headquarters announcement today. The South Koreans let a battalion, estimated at 1000. penetrate towards their positions, and then closed in and slashed the Red unit to pieces. The headquarters said the Communists a“e building up considerable strength south-east of Hamchange, and have sent other elements across the winding river line against the South Koreans defending that area. General MacArthur’s communique today reported no large attacks, but considerable patrol action, with both sides probing across the Naktong River. On the southern front one American company is fighting its way out of Communist encirclement. The communique said two British cruisers and two British destroyers bombarded military targets at. Inchon for two hours yesterday, with excellent results. Carrier-based United States Marine pilots provided fighter cover. Neither planes nor ships drew enemy fire. On the east coast United States warships continued blasting enemy

troop concentrations and communications.

Naval guns kept up a barrage 1800 yards ahead of the South Korean Army front line. A report that North Koreans had succeeded in getting tanks across the Naktong River line today proved to be incorrect. Field dispatches reported considerable enemy patrol activity in the area south-west of Taegu, the front-line supply city 55 miles north-west of Pusan.