British Brigade In Danger Of Being Cut Off

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 November 1950, Page 5

British Brigade In Danger Of Being Cut Off

SEOUL,, Nov. 5 (recd. 11.59 p.m.). —Waves of troops, reported to be in the field dress of the Chinese Communist army, attacked and infiltrated into keystone of the United Nations defence line in north-west Korea today, and the British Commonwealth Brigade, holding positions around Pakchon, is in danger of being cut off north of the Chongchon River Front-1 line reports said the Chinese troops' drove a wedge between the British i flank and elements of the American I 24th. Division south-east of Pakchon. I Enemy forces pushed to within three j miles of the only bridge spanning the! Chongchon River at Anju. Air obser-1 vers said infiltrating forces slipped through the defending British Com-J monwealth Brigade, and succeeded in j working to the north bank of the river.

. | A United States Eighth Army 11 spokesman said the first assault waves - > were dressed in blue uniforms—preI sumably those cf special elite shock ; troops. Succeeding waves wore the ■ regular field dress of the Chinese i Communist army. I The enemy was brought under ‘ Allied air attack and artillery lire this . afternoon. Elements of the 24th. Divi- ; sion meanwhile tried to clear an • escape route for the British brigade. II A First Corps spokesman said the I British might be able to pull out ■; southward along the Taeryong River, j “If they don’t, he added “It looks hike they will be cut off." However, First Corps officers say that the British are still not considered trapped, although their normal escape route across the Chongchon River has been I occupied by the enemy drive.