Black Outlook In Korea At End Of Last Week Has Changed In Favour Of Allies

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 5

Black Outlook In Korea At End Of Last Week Has Changed In Favour Of Allies

TOKIO, Aug. 19 (Reed. 6 p.m.)—Three days ago the war looked blaek for the Allies, but now they are on the attack everywhere, said a Reuter correspondent in Korea today. United Nations troops rolled Communist invaders back four miles yesterday and today, north of the Allied defence pivot of Taegu, and slashed the threatening Naktong River bulge bridge-

head in half. Tne Reds swam frantically cross the Naktong River today is American troops swept on them from three sides. \ The Americans killed or captured at least 1000 fleeing ‘Reds.’ The Red rout came at the end of r three-day battle—the Battle of the Naktong Bulge—to clear the Red bridgehead on the east bank of the river. The main part of the North Korean 4th. division was estimated to be in the bulge when the Americans counter-attacked on Thursday. , The Americans’ headquarters announced that contact with the enemy | had been broken in the area north of Kunwi. Patrols, penetrating four to six miles have reported that no enemy resistance was encountered. Probing actions continued by rhe Red forces along the extended Naktcng river line in efforts to determine' soft spots in the United Nations de-1 fence positions. Sporadic small arms and automatic fire continued to fall into United States and South Korean positions througnout this afternoon. ( Pilots reported that an enemy buildup has continued in the 25th. division I sector, with troop concentrations in the vicinity of 30 miles west and south-west of Masan.

NORTH KOREAN'S ATTACK TAEGU AGAIN.

North Korean forces massed before ■ Taegu resumed their attack, but avoided the Kunwi-Taegu highway 4, j where the defenders had pushed them i back four miles. Instead, the Communists assaulted the north-west cor-, ner of the defence line about 14 miler I from Taegu, apparently driving from I the direction of Waegwan, where a new build-up of Red forces has been reported. A heavy artillery barrage, firing from acros sthe Naktong River. ’ preceded the attack. Five North Korean divisions are known to be concentrated north and north-west of Taegu. Prisoners said several units are in bad shape. One told American intelligence that the 13th. North Korean diviison was down to 2500 men from a full strength ot 10,000. Another said he lias seen no food for three days and no ammunition for five days. On the Kunwi-Taegu road, where advancing American and South Korean forces have so far struck only minor resistance, one American regiment fought off two counter-attacks. Two of three Communist tanks which penetrated the frontline were knocked out by bazookas and the third disabled by an air strike. Four shells last night ’ hit the centre of Taegu in the second artillery attack of the day.