Americans Disposed Of 1400 Out Of Force Of 2000 Communists Fleeing North

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 October 1950, Page 5

Americans Disposed Of 1400 Out Of Force Of 2000 Communists Fleeing North

Australian Troops In Their First Engagement In The War

SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Recd. 9 p.m.)—United States 25th InfantryDivision units claimed to have killed or captured nearly 1400 Communists in a battle about six miles north of Yongdong yesterday, says the N.Z.P.A.-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 apparently is trying to withdraw north after hiding- in the hills since the

United Nations break-through. Yongdong is on the main Pusan-Seoul highway about midway between Kumchon and Tae-

A 25th. Division spokesman said today that 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 the 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 Are.

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 officers to make for the West Coast and try to escape by sea to Dairen or West Korean perts in Communist territory. The PusanSeoul railway is now reopened, although sniping patrol clashes continue. The North Koreans are concentrating main defences on the west coast north of the 38th. parallel, according to the American Fifth Air Force communique. Pilots’ reports said that about 85 per cent, of the conjoys observed were travelling south along roads leading to Pyongyang. The principal emphasis of the air strikes, therefore, is being planned in this region. Other strikes are being directed along the roads leading north from Wonsan on the east coast. The Fifth Air Force yesterday concentrated the main effort on North Korean railway rolling stock. It attacked 86 box and flat cars and also destroyed or damaged 60 vehicles on the road. The South Korean Third Division was reported this morning to be approaching the outskirts of Wonsan, an important North Korean east coast city. Communist resistance was light. A South Korean intelligence spokesman said there were indications that Communists are evacuating Wonsan in preparation for an all-out defensive stand along the north bank of the Mandi River, south of the city. Frontline reports state the South Korean Third Division yesterday occupied Tongchon in strength, then pushed on towards Wonsan, the enemy forces, which the South Koreans believed would defend Tongchon bitterly, withdrew without firing a shot.