Determined And Well-Armed Forces Encountered

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1950, Page 5

Determined And Well-Armed Forces Encountered

SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Rec. 11.59 pm).—Strong Communist forces well armed and determined were today reported as still present in organised formations among the hills of western North Korea. At the same time usually reliable sources reporteed that strong Chinese Communist forces were assembled on the Manchurian side of the frontier, but there was no evidence of any attempt to cross into North Korea.

Although an Eighth Army spokesman declined to comment on the matter this morning, it appears that the strength of the Communist forces still remaining in North Korea is much greater than was estimated several days ago. A spokesman foj the Second South Korean Corps admitted today that the Sixth South Korean Division had lost 30 per cent, of its effective strength in fighting around Onjong last Thursday, and is now reorganising. Fierce fighting continued in the Onjong area, though an American officer said the situation was now less serious. However, the First South Korean Division’s attempts to drive north-east from Unsan to Onjong and north-west from Unsan to Chcngsanjangsi Were still held up by stubborn Communist formations.

strength in the north-west is shown by reports of opposition against elements of the American 24th Division advancing west of Taechon and against the Fifth Regiment of the Seventh South Korean Division southeast of Taechon.

Although these Communist forces are said to be withdrawing, they are each described as about 1000 strong and well armed.

A First Corps spokesman said 24th Division elements captured two Chinest west of Taechon —the first Chinese captured in this sector. Reports of Communist forces in the northwest show they still retain some tanks and also apparently are equipped with artillery, mortars and machine-guns. Fanatical North Korean leaders today ordered every man and woman to battle to check the United Nations armour and infantry hammering fit the last mountain defence line in the north-west. A broadcast from Sinuiju, temporary Communist capital on the Yalu River, said: “Our Fatherland faces a serious threat. All North Korean young men are being mobilised for the front-line to fight the enemy, North Korean women also are going to the front-lines as they believe they can do as much as the men.” North Koreans threw powerful counter-attacks against the United Nations forces in the north-west today, and the Communist defence stiffened along the whole front near the Manchurian border.

A First Corps spokesman said the Communists, were well entrenched and camouflaged and would not retreat. “We have to get them with bayonets,” he added. Thousands of Communists were reported between Onjong and Chosan—a town near the Yalu River, reached ifest week by elements of the Sixth South Korean Division. These elements have ■been ordered to withdraw, but Communist forces were today standing across their path. Further evidence of the Communists’