lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 21, 2024 2:47:50 GMT
Day 120 of the Korean War, October 21st 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaIn the first clash between the armies of Communist China and South Korea, a division of the 40th Army (Chinese People's Volunteers) encounters and overwhelms a unit of Republic of Korea soldiers near Bukjin. Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Yongju) In the days prior, the I Corps (United States) had continued its movement northwards as part of the general advance of the Eighth Army (United States). Following the capture of Pyongyang, the corps commander, United States Army, Major General Frank W. Milburn, ordered the advance to continue to the MacArthur Line, running approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of the Yalu River. The 24th Infantry Division (United States), to which the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade was now attached, was ordered to lead this attack. On the division's right flank three ROK divisions, the 1st Infantry Division (South Korea), under the I Corps (United States), and the 6th Infantry Division (South Korea)and 8th Infantry Division (South Korea) under control of the II Corps (South Korea), were deployed to the east and would also be committed to the attack northwards. The British and Australians had covered 122 kilometres (76 mi) in the previous two days, advancing rapidly until slowed by rain. A Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), was engaged by snipers from a nearby village without suffering casualties. The Sherman tanks proceeded to heavily engage the KPA positions in the village, which was then cleared by the Australian infantry who killed five KPA and took three prisoners. As the rain ceased a KPA T-34 tank, which had remained concealed during the earlier fighting, engaged D Company, 3 RAR, and was knocked out by the US tanks. An unmanned SU-76 self-propelled gun was also located nearby and neither it nor the tank were found to have any fuel. Now the vanguard of the Eighth Army, the British and Australians crossed the Taedong River using a sandbag bridge at Pyongyang at noon on 21 October, moving north on the main highway to Sukchon with the task of reaching the Chongchon River. Under the command of British Army, Lieutenant Colonel George Nielson, 1 ASHR pushed up the road until fired upon by KPA forces in the hills to the south of the town, with snipers engaging the column as it turned west out of the river valley around 16:00.Encountering only light resistance from a small KPA force of approximately 75 men which was then scattered by tank fire, the Argylls successfully cleared the foothills by last light. Approaching Yongyu, Coad decided to halt for the night. The Argylls sent a patrol into the town, establishing initial contact with 3/187 ABN, marrying up with K Company which was established in a number of houses on the northern edge of Yongyu and on Hill 163 immediately above their position. A strong KPA force was believed to be nearby, with at least 300 men thought to remain in the town. Air operations - Korean peninsulaH-5s of the 3rd Emergency Rescue Squadron evacuate some 35 paratroopers in the first use of a helicopter in support of an airborne operation. H-5s also evacuated seven American POWs from the area. A C-47 equipped with loudspeakers persuades some 500 North Korean troops hiding in houses south of Kunmori to surrender. Combat Cargo Command begins aeromedical evacuations from Pyongyang. Naval operations - Korean peninsulaUnited States Army, General Edward Almond, commanding officer of X Corps (United States) asked that a battalion of the 1st Marine Division (United States) be landed at Kojo, about thirty-nine miles south of Wonsan, to relieve ROK soldiers guarding a supply dump there. Since Japanese and ROK LST's have put into Kojo even though the adjacent waters have not been swept, Almond feels that Navy LST's can do the same. But United States Navy, Admiral James H. Doyle, Commander Amphibious Group One, and Commander Task Force Ninety does not consider a Kojo landing urgent enough to justify jeopardizing the troops and ships. Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) bombards targets at Chong Jin, Korea. Photo: A 16-inch salvo from the USS Missouri at Chong Jin, Korea, in effort to cut Northern Korean communications. Chong Jin is only 39 miles from the border of China, 21 October 1950 North Korea North Korea radio announce that Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and Premier of North Korea, Kim Il Sung's government has established a new capital at Sinuiju, on the south bank of the Yalu and opposite the Chinese city of An-tung on the north bank. But the fugitive North Korean capital soon moved on to Kanggye, and it was there in the mountains that the remnants of the North Korean Government and military power assembled. The Kanggye-Manp'ojin area, mountainous in the extreme and heavily wooded, is an ideal area in which to fight defensive delaying actions. It has been a stronghold of Korean guerrilla operations during Japanese rule. Many crossings of the Yalu are near at hand, it was centrally located, and it has lateral road communications to both northeast and northwest Korea. Japan The Joint Chiefs of Staff “authorized” Commander-in-Chief, Far East (CINCFE)to take the action regarding the Suiho hydroelectric plant near Sinuiju. United States Army, General Douglas MacArthur, however, declines to issue any statement on the subject. He has no intention, he said, of interfering with any peaceful use of electric power on the border, but he nonetheless refused to commit the UN Command until he can assure himself that the output from the Suiho plant is not being used to manufacture munitions. The two remaining Pacific Fleet, Gleaves-class destroyers, USS Thompson (DD-627) and USS Carmick (DD-493) arrive at Japan.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 22, 2024 2:45:38 GMT
Day 121 of the Korean War, October 22nd 1950YouTube (The Fall of Pyongyang)Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Yongju) At first light, 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment (1 ASHR) and the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (1 MR) advance into Yongyu to clear the town of KPA. 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, with C Company on point, pass through 1 ASHR and 1 MR and moved through Yongyu, headed north on the Yongyu–Sukchon road. C Company, 3 RAR, came under fire from the 239th Regiment (North Korea) rearguard force entrenched in a hillside apple orchard north of Yongyu and aggressively counterattacked off the line of march into the orchard, routing the KPA from the high ground. The 239th Regiment (North Korea), now on open ground between 3 RAR and 187 ABN, was forced to withdraw westwards with heavy casualties. 3 RAR then relieved the American paratroopers in their defensive positions. By midday, after three hours of fighting, the battle was mostly over. Many KPA soldiers who had been unable to escape hid or feigned death until captured or killed. With the linkup completed, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade relieved the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (187 RCT) at Sukchon and passed through for the continuation of its drive to the Chongchon River. The Australians had distinguished themselves in their first major battle in the Korean War, and the battalion was later praised for its performance. Photo: English: Yongju area, North Korea, In the foreground, seated left and leaning forward, Brigadier Basil Aubrey Coad , Commander of the 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, pores over a map with Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Man, Commander 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment (with moustache) and 2/37504 Lt Col Charles Hercules Green (front, right), Commanding Officer (CO) of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR). The men are discussing the engagement, known as the Battle of the Apple Orchard, in which 3RAR had just defeated a large force of North Koreans and broken through to the beleaguered Americans of the 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Regiment, US Army. Wearing helmets, several members of this American unit are standing in the background Naval operations - Korean peninsulaUnited States Navy, Admiral James H. Doyle, Commander Amphibious Group One, and Commander Task Force Ninety estimated that the Wonsan landing will not be feasible for another two or three days. Japan United States Army, General Edwin Walker, commanding officer of the Third Infantry Division's 7th Infantry Regiment (United States) and serving as a senior advisor to the army of the Republic of Korea request authority from United States Army, General MacArthur to divert to Japan all bulk-loaded ammunition ships arriving thenceforth in Korea from the United States, as he feels there is enough ammunition in Korea to satisfy future needs. MacArthur approves this request, and he also takes steps to have six ammunition ships, en route to the Far East carrying 105-mm. and 155-mm. shells and Air Force bombs, divert to Hawaii or return to the United States. United States Army, General Weible, Commanding General, Japan Logistical Command, request the Commanding General, San Francisco Port of Embarkation, to cancel all outstanding requisitions for ground ammunition and to unload any ships still in port. The remaining two destroyer-minesweepers in the Pacific Fleet, Ellyson-class destroyer minesweepers USS Thompson (DD-627) and USSS Carmick (DD-493) arrived at Sasebo, Japan.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 23, 2024 2:49:06 GMT
Day 122 of the Korean War, October 23rd 1950Air operations - Korean peninsulaCargo command (United States) concludes its fourth consecutive day of airlift for the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (United States). Flying Boxcars have air-dropped almost 4,000 troops and nearly 600 tons of materiel, including jeeps, trucks, and howitzers. JapanThe United States Navy in in a ceremony in Yokosuka, Japan loans two frigates to the Republic of Korea Navy. The two Tacoma-class frigates, former USS Rockford (PF-48) now ROKS Apnok (62) and USS Muskogee (PF-49) now ROKS Dumon (PF-61) will be used for enforcing the United Nations blockade against North Korea and harassing enemy forces. Photo: South Korean, Naval Officers and crewmen lined up on dock at Yokosuka, Japan, prior to transfer of two U.S. frigates to Republic of Korea, October 23, 1950 wooden minesweepers of Mine Division 51 arrived at Sasebo from Pearl Harbor, YMS-1-class minesweepers USS Pelican (AMS-32, USS Gull (AMS-16 and USS Swallow (AMS-36)). United States United States Army, Lieutenant general Charles L. Bolte, head of the Planning and Operations Division of the Department of the Army adviseses the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, United States Army, J. Lawton Collins that he feels a total of 36,000 U.N. troops other than U.S. and ROK soldiers is too great and that the time is now ripe for reducing the current and projected strength of such troops to about 15,000. "In view of the state of operations in North Korea," Bolte said: and in general consonance with the Wake Island conversations, it is considered desirable to review current and projected plans for utilizing other United Nations in Korea. The problem is to reduce logistic burdens on the United States and at the same time retain the political advantages of multinational United Nations representation. United States Army, J. Lawton Collins agrees with United States Army, Lieutenant general Charles L. Bolte and presents his views to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He tells his fellow service heads that the United Nations contingents are a logistical burden on the United States, although not so pronounced in the case of British units that use their own arms and equipment. From the viewpoint of operational usefulness there is also a wide divergence in the quality of the various contingents. Turning to fiscal matters, General Collins notes that "the degree of ultimate reimbursement to the United States may prove problematical in many cases." He does see the political advantages to be gained by having a wide representation of United Nations contingents even if only token forces are involved. He feels, as does General Bolte, that the Korean operations is approaching a point where some of the U.N. units can be dispensed with. Basing his final judgment on all the factors-logistic, political, and operational-General Collins then recommendes changes in the U.N. lineup.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 24, 2024 2:47:47 GMT
Day 123 of the Korean War, October 24th 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaMap: UN offensive into North Korea, 20-24 October 1950 Naval operations - Korean peninsulaUnited States Marine pilots reported AA fire from Manchurian side of Yalu River. United States Army, General Edward Almond, commanding officer of X Corps (United States) request from October 21st to have a battalion of the 1st Marine Division (United States) be landed at Kojo, about thirty-nine miles south of Wonsan, to relieve ROK soldiers guarding a supply dump there which was denied is reassigned to the Marine Division. Since a Marine air strike in this region had discovered and attacked an estimated 800 enemy troops, the idea seemed a reasonable one. Thus today in preparation for this move and to ensure the possibility of support from the sea in the event of an enemy descent upon the coastal road, the Gleaves-class Destroyer-minesweepers USS Doyle (DMS-34) and USS Endicott (DMS-35) sweep and buoyed a channel into Kojo, and two days later a battalion is sent down from Wonsan by train. South Korea An advance party of the Netherlands Detachment United Nations (Dutch: Nederlands Detachement Verenigde Naties (NDVN) arrives in South Korea. Japan With YMS-1-class minesweepers USS Pelican (AMS-32, USS Gull (AMS-16 and USS Swallow (AMS-36)) of Mine Division 51 as a nucleus, supported by Gearing-class destroyer USS Forrest Royal (DD-872) , Task Element 95.69 is formed under the command of United States Navy, Commander Stephen M. Archer. United Nations occupied North KoreaIn United Nations occupied P’yongyang, United States Army, General Walton Walker commanding officer of the Eighth Army (United States) took personal command of his advance Eighth Army headquarters in P’yongyang, located in the same building that had been the headquarters of Premier Kim Il Sung. In retrospect, the Eighth Army had accomplished much in a short period of time. Less than six weeks had passed since the army had fought desperately to hold its lines three hundred twenty miles to the south along the Pusan Perimeter. Likewise, the Inch’on landing was less than six weeks in the past and it was four weeks since the recapture of Seoul. Having broken out of its embattled perimeter and pushing northward, the Eighth Army was now one hundred sixty miles north of Seoul and one hundred thirty miles inside North Korean territory. After many hard-fought battles between the perimeter and P’yongyang, it had succeeded in overrunning the enemy’s capital city and was about to breach the last important river barrier south of North Korea’s northern border. United States Army, Colonel Percy W. Thompson, G-2 of I Corps (United States) made special arrangements to transport the first Chinese prisoner, captured that day at Unsan by the 1st Division (South Korea) to the Eighth Army (United States) advanced command post at P'yongyang for interrogation. There could be no doubt that he was Chinese; he spoke neither Korean nor Japanese. His story seemed straightforward and credible. With this first interrogation of a captured Chinese soldier in Korea by U.S. Army intelligence officials began the build-up of a large body of information on Chinese Communist units in Korea. The Chinese Communist prisoners captured in the Eighth Army zone of responsibility grew steadily in number from the 3 captured at Unsan and Onjong on 25 October. By 29 October 10 had been captured; by 20 November, 55; by 20 November, 84; and by 23 November, as Eighth Army assumed its final deployment for the attack designed to reach the Yalu, 96 CCF prisoners had been captured. They identified six Chinese Communist armies-the 38th, 38th, 40th, 42d, 50th, and 66th, of which they were members-as being in Korea. (Each army had three divisions, thus the six totaled eighteen divisions.) Eastward in its zone, X Corps had captured prisoners from the 42d Army. JapanCommander-in-Chief, Far East (CINCFE), United States Army, General Douglas MacArthur removes the restrictions on the advance of US troops. Eighth Army (United States) and X Corps (United States) are now “authorized to use any and all ground forces . . . as necessary to secure all of North Korea.” However, it is added, non-Korean forces “should be withdrawn from border areas as feasible and replaced by ROK units.” The objective line in Operation Order No. 4 was to be considered only as an “initial objective.” Commanders are “enjoined to drive forward with all speed and with the full utilization of all their force.“
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 25, 2024 6:51:26 GMT
Day 124 of the Korean War, October 25th 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaThe 7th Regiment, 6th Infantry Division (South Korea) and its American advisor, United States Army, Lieutenant colonel Harry Fleming reach the Yalu River at Ch'osan, becoming the first group from the south to arrive at the border with China. The soldiers began firing artillery shells into Chinese territory after their arrival. The Battle of Onjong, the first major battle in the Korean War between the Chinese and United Nations forces, begins after Communist Chinese forces encountered a regiment of the 6th Infantry Division (South Korea). Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Kujin)The Battle of Kujin also known as the Battle of the Broken Bridge begins between Australian forces from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and elements of the 17th Tank Brigade (North Korea) over a key bridge across the Taeryong River near Kujin, North Korea. the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade had resumed their advance towards Pakchon after crossing the Chongchon River, with 3 RAR as the lead battalion. Arriving at Kujin, the Australians discovered that the centre span of the 300-metre (330 yd) concrete bridge had been demolished by Korean People's Army (KPA) engineers, blocking their passage across the river. A platoon-sized reconnaissance patrol crossed the river using debris from the destroyed span; however, it was soon forced to withdraw by KPA holding the high ground. Airstrikes and artillery fire were subsequently called in at 17:15 by the Australians as they prepared to conduct an assault. At 19:00 that evening, following the clearance of nearby Pakchon by D Company 3 RAR, the Australians sent two companies across the river to establish a bridgehead and prevent the KPA from consolidating their position on the western bank. A and B Companies subsequently established defensive positions on either side of the road. Shortly afterwards KPA forces were detected forming up for an assault on the right flank against B Company, and these preparations were broken up with mortars. The KPA then engaged the forward Australian companies with mortar fire which was largely ineffective. However, by 22:30 KPA activity increased significantly, with heavy small arms fire causing a number of casualties among the Australians which perilously had to be evacuated under fire by boat across the fast flowing tidal river. Further artillery support was called in by the Australians at 23:00 in response to renewed concentrations by the KPA in preparation for an assault. Meanwhile, the Australians sent another platoon across the river to reinforce the companies on the western bank. Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Unsan)The 1st Infantry Division (South Korea) attacks north with its 12th Regiment on the western bank of Samtan River while the 15th Regiment was trying to reach the eastern bank. But when the 15th Regiment was about to cross the river, the 120th Division (Chinese People's Volunteer Army) engage the South Koreans with heavy artillery fire. The South Koreans first believed the resistance to be the last remnants of the Korean People's Army (KPA), but the perception soon changed with the capture of the first Chinese prisoner of the war. The prisoner revealed that there were 10,000 Chinese soldiers waiting to join the fight north of Unsan. Faced with the sudden appearance of overwhelming Chinese forces, the 1st Infantry Division (South Korea) tries to establish defensive positions by capturing the hills around Unsan. The South Koreans soon find themselves in a seesaw battle with the 360th Regiment (Chinese People's Volunteer Army) during the night. Air operations - Korean peninsulaFar East Air Force (FEAF) Bomber Command (United States) temporarily quit flying combat missions for lack of B-29 targets in Korea. FEAF removed all restrictions on close air support missions near the Yalu River, allowing fighter operations all the way to the Chinese border. Combat cargo command (United States) sets a new daily record by airlifting 1,767 tons of equipment within Korea. Naval operations - Korean peninsulaNorth and south of Iwon, landing parties from Juneau-class light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-119) and Balao-class Submarine Transport, USS Perch (SSP–313) go ashore to raid the railroad. Photo: The U.S. Navy battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) anchored in the outer harbour of Wonsan, Korea, on 25 October 1950. A British destroyer is in the right background As YMS-1-class minesweepers USS Pelican (AMS-32, USS Gull (AMS-16 and USS Swallow (AMS-36)) and Gearing-class destroyer USS Forrest Royal (DD-872) who form Task Element 95.69 under the command of United States Navy, Commander Stephen M. Archer depart Sasebo, Japan and set off for Chinnampo, United Nations occupied North Korea, PBM Mariners shift reconnaissance operations from the east coast back to the Yellow Sea, now with much greater on-station time thanks to Barnegat-class seaplane tender USS Gardiners Bay (AVP-39) at Chinhae, South Korea. British Sunderland flying boats also participate in these searches. The initial searches are hampered by large numbers of big jellyfish (four feet across) that drift just below the surface, resulting in numerous false alarms. Nevertheless, in the first three days of searching, 34 mines are located and 16 are destroyed by strafing from the PBMs. An attempt to innovate using depth charges to destroy magnetic mines ha mixed results. The helicopter from Worcester-class light cruiser USS Worcester (CL-144) was also temporarily embarked on Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier HMS Theseus (R64) to support the minesweepers. Commander, Mine Squadron Three, United States Navy, Captain Spofford reports that the channel, harbor, and beachhead at Wonsan are clear. TG 95.6 has removed 225 mines along a 25-mile route from a field of more than 3,000 mines spread over 400 square miles. Another 200 likely have broken their moorings and drifted with the currents. South KoreaThe Republic of Korea Army activates the 8th Infantry Division (South Korea), composed of the 28th, 29th, and 30th Regiments, of two battalions each. JapanUnited States Army, General Douglas MacArthur responds to the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding his October 24th order and their responds is defending his action with characteristic vigor. He informs the Joint Chiefs of Staff that his order has been prompted by military necessity since his ROK forces have neither sufficient strength nor enough skilled leadership to take and hold the border areas of North Korea. As to the legality of his decision, MacArthur points out that the Joint Chiefs have told him that the directive of September 27th was not final, that it might require modification in accordance with developments. For additional justification, General MacArthur emphasized that the Joint Chiefs have not actually banned the use of other than ROK forces but had merely stated that it should not be done as a matter of policy. Finally, in his mind, the instructions from the Secretary of Defense on September 30th, which had assured him, "We want you to feel unhampered tactically and strategically to proceed north of the parallel," had certainly modified any prior instructions from the Joint Chiefs and he had proceeded to issue his orders on that basis. He made no move to placate his superiors. While he assured them that he understood their concern, he also hinted of dire developments if he took any other course and clinched his argument by claiming that "This entire subject was covered in my conference at Wake Island." Thereafter, the Joint Chiefs allow General MacArthur's order to stand. The Department of the Army (United States) notifies United States Army, General MacArthur that it plans to cancel shipment of enlisted reserve corps troops to the Far East scheduled for October and November, except 17,000 non commissioned officers. All this is in accordance with general agreements reached at the Wake Island Conference earlier in the month. United StatesThe Joint Chiefs of Staff are made aware of United States Army, General Douglas MacArthur new order that will allow US troops near the border with Manchuria and the Soviet Union. This order conflicts with the instructions the Joint Chiefs of Staff had sent MacArthur on September 27th wherein they had told him that "as a matter of policy no non-Korean ground forces will be used in the northeast province bordering the Soviet Union or in the area along the Manchurian border." The Joint Chiefs, responds to learning of MacArthur's new order, objected in the form of an inquiry. "While the Joint Chiefs of Staff realize," they told him, "that you undoubtedly had sound reasons for issuing these instructions they would like to be informed of them, as your action is a matter of some concern here." The Joint Chiefs of Staff approved, with minor changes, a proposal (see October 23rd) by United States Army, General J. Lawton Collins, Chief of Staff of the United States Army with the goal of reducing the logistic burden on the United States while retaining the political advantages of an international force. Under this plan, the French, Belgian, Netherlands and Philippine infantry units and the New Zealand artillery battalion will be dropped. The Canadian and Greek forces are to reduced to a single battalion apiece. The Australian and Turkish contingents (already in Korea) and the Indian and Swedish hospital units will still be required, as will the 29th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), then en route from Europe, which, on arrival, will release the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade. The Thai force is to be reduced from a regiment to a battalion, which is also on its way. Efforts to obtain Latin American contingents are to be discontinued. These adjustments will leave Commander of the United Nations Command (CINCUNC) a ground force of approximately 16,760 men from countries other than the United States and the Republic of Korea, instead of the 36,400 previously envisioned.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 26, 2024 6:57:12 GMT
Day 125 of the Korean War, October 26th 1950Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Kujin)At 04:00 the KPA counterattacks A and B Companies of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), supported by two T-34 tanks. In the ensuing fighting a convoy of KPA vehicles, including a tank, two jeeps, a motorcycle and about 60 infantry moved down the road towards A Company with the intention of re-occupying the ridges overlooking the river crossing. The Australians ambush the convoy at close range with small arms fire and mortars, forcing the KPA to flee after abandoning their vehicles with only the tank successfully shooting its way out. Later another T-34 tank and supporting infantry pressed to within 10 metres (33 ft) of the B Company headquarters, before stopping and taking up a position between the ridges unaware of the location of the Australians. By dawn the Australians are still in possession of the bridgehead. At 07:00, a further airstrike is called in on the KPA holding the ridges to the west of the 3 RAR positions. With the way reported clear, C and D Companies crossed the river from the eastern bank later that morning. The battle continued during the morning; however, by 12:00 the KPA finally withdrew, abandoning the bridge to the Australians. To the Australians the fighting at Kujin became known as the "Battle of the Broken Bridge", and results in them securing a bridgehead across the Taeryong River, allowing the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade to continue its advance towards the Yalu River. KPA casualties include 100 killed and 350 captured, while the Australian losses, which included their first battle fatalities of the war in Korea, are eight killed and 22 wounded. Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Unsan)The 39th Corps (Chinese People's Volunteer Army) arrives at the west of Unsan, cutting the road between Unsan and Yongsan-dong, completely surrounding the 1st Infantry Division (South Korea). Air operations - Korean peninsulaCombat Cargo Command C-119s (United States) drops supplies to friendly ground troops cut off in North Korea, delivering 28.5 tons of ammunition, fuel, and oil near Unsan, some 50 miles south of Chosan. Naval operations - Korean peninsulaAt Wonsan the 1st Marines Division (United States) lands on Yellow Beach and the 7th Marines Regiment (United states) on Blue beach, in accordance with the original plan, except no one is shooting at them. Actually, the Marines are welcomed by banners from the ROK troops who’d been in the city since October 10th, as well as another banner “This beach is all yours courtesy of Mine Squadron Three.” Perhaps worse, the X Corps (United States) Commander, United States Army, Major General Almond, is already there to greet them along with comedian Bob Hope and a USO troop. Having endured days of seasickness during Operation Yo-Yo, most of the Marines are apparently not amused. Photo: US Marines in amphibious tractor head ashore as Wonsan Invasion begins, 26 October 1950 Photo: Six US and Republic of Korea LSTs unloading at Wonsan, North Korea, during the landing of the First Marine Division, 26 October 1950. USS LST-1123 is the second from the far end. Nearest LST bears the side number QO-83. This view looks approximately northwest along the eastern shore of the Kalmo Pando peninsula, whose northern end is seen in the left center distance Commencement Bay-class escort carriers USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) and USS Sicily (CVE-118) who arrived of the coast of Wonsan on October 18th to cover the minesweeping operations there now concert with the squadrons on Kalma Pando, begin conducting sorties against enemy troops, and heavily attack the town of Tongchon, reported to contain the enemy headquarters. With Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS Hank (DD-702)and USS English (DD-696) taking the enemy troops under fire oparating in the town. Gleaves-class Destroyer-minesweepers USS Doyle (DMS-34) and USS Endicott (DMS-35), along with one AMS, are dispatched to Iwon and clear a 19-mile channel without discovering any mines.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 27, 2024 7:08:06 GMT
Day 126 of the Korean War, October 27th 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Unsan)
Aided by airdrops, the 6th Medium Tank Battalion (United States) and the 10th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, the 1st Infantry Division (United States) reopened the road between Unsan and Yongsan-dong.
Air operations - Korean peninsula
The 452d Bombardment Group flies its first B-26 combat mission in the Korean War, less than a month after it is called to active duty in the United States.
Naval operations - Korean peninsula
The 5th Marine Regimental Combat Team (United States) lands at Wonsan.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 28, 2024 3:47:00 GMT
Day 127 of the Korean War, October 28th 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Unsan)
Fighting at Unsan quiets down, although the ROK's capture two more Chinese prisoners. They repeated the same story told by previous prisoners-that they were members of large Chinese organizations that had entered the war.
United States Army, General Walton Walker, commanding officer of the Eighth Army (United States) is becoming concerned over events to order the 1st Cavalry Division (United States) relieved of its security mission at P'yongyang and to move north, pass through the 1st Infantry Division (South Korea) at Unsan, and attack to the Yalu.
United States
The 22nd Bomb Group returns to the United States after successfully completing 335 combat missions over a period of four months. During these missions, only 14 had to be aborted, and the group dropped a total of more than 6,500 tons of bombs.
United States Army, Douglas MacArthur's chief of military intelligence United States Army, General Charles A. Willoughby, reports to Washington that Chinese troops have been captured and that he believed organized Chinese units to be in Korea, says: From a tactical standpoint, with victorious United States divisions in full deployment, it would appear that the auspicious time for intervention has long since passed; it is difficult to believe that such a move, if planned, would have been postponed to a time when remnant North Korean forces have been reduced to a low point of effectiveness.
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Post by lordroel on Oct 29, 2024 3:48:13 GMT
Day 128 of the Korean War, October 29th 1950YouTube (The Chinese Threat Revealed!)Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Chongju)After leaving Kujin, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, led by the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), continued their northward advance to the Yalu River, on the border between North Korea and China. Six kilometres from Chongju (map) their advance was again stopped. A large North Korean defensive line, supported by T-34 tanks, was well-established on either side of the main road to Chongju. Air attacks had weakened the fighting capabilities of the North Koreans, but the position had yet to be captured on the ground. Australian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Green ordered D Company to attack the ridgeline south of the road, clearing the way for A company to attack the north. D company came under very heavy fire, even though they were well supported by Sherman Tanks from the US 89th Tank Battalion. After two hours of battle, they secured the ridgeline. A Company then moved ahead and secured its objective. B Company dug in on the road between A and D Companies, and waited. That night, the North Korean forces launched a counter-attack against D Company but were held off after two hours of hard fighting. They then turned to A company on the north, and with tank support launched a determined attack at 9.30 pm. With the help of American artillery support, the Australians continued to hold out. By 11 pm, the North Koreans had retreated. During the fighting, three T-34 tanks had been destroyed by Australian bazooka teams from 3 Platoon. Private J. H. Stafford of D company personally destroyed a fourth by firing a Bren gun at the fuel tanks from a distance of 20 metres, blowing up the tank's ammunition. Stafford received a United States Silver Star for his bravery. It had been a short, hard fight, and the Australians and Americans had secured the town of Chongju. Both sides had suffered many casualties, with nine Australians killed in the action, and thirty wounded. Air operations - Korean peninsulaC-47s made aeromedical flights from newly captured Sinanju, North Korea, the northernmost Korean airfield FEAF aircraft ever used. Sinanju was located at the mouth of the Chongchon River, some 40 miles north of Pyongyang. Naval operations - Korean peninsula7th Infantry Division (United States) begins landing at Iwon. Photo: Trucks move inland from the beaches, during the landing of the Seventh Infantry Division at Iwon, North Korea, circa late October 1950. Note fuel dump in the foreground, 29 October 1950 Ellyson-class destroyer minesweeper USS Carmick (DMS-33) and USS Thompson (DMS-38) commenced sweep operations in the outer approaches in Chinnampo (Nampo), North Korea. (This was actually somewhat rare; although destroyer-minesweepers are obviously equipped to clear mines, they were generally used in WWII to provide fire support (and antiaircraft support) for regular minesweepers, and for standard destroyer-type duties). Photo: U.S. Navy Vought F4U-4B Corsairs of Fighter Squadron 54 (VF-54) "Copperheads" armed with 5-inch High-Velocity Aircraft Rockets (HVAR) are spotted for launch on board the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45) operating off Korea, 29 October 1950 United StatesThe 92nd Bomb Group returned to the United States after the completion of its deployment.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 30, 2024 3:48:32 GMT
Day 129 of the Korean War, October 30th 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula (Battle of Chongju)
The Battle of Chongju concludes, as Australian forces entered the town and clear out the remaining North Korean troops.
The fighting around Chongju was the heaviest undertaken by the Australians since entering the war. KPA casualties includ 162 killed and 10 captured, while Australian losses were nine killed and 30 wounded, including Australian commander Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hercules Green who was severely wounded in the stomach by a fragment from a wayward round. He was evacuated to a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) at Anju, however he succumbed to his wounds and died two days later on November 1st.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Oct 31, 2024 3:49:37 GMT
Day 130 of the Korean War, October 31st 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula
Strong Chinese attack on Eighth Army (United States) at Unsan forces its withdrawal south of the Chongchon River.
27th British Commonwealth Brigade, with 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), ordered to withdraw to Pakchon in face of increasing Chinese activity after their first phase offensive.
United States
United States Army, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Army, General Bradley notes that the intervention was conforming to none of the patterns envisaged by the Joint Chiefs in their studies and in their directives to United States Army, General MacArthur. Chinese actions are "halfway between" and left some doubt as to what the specific countermoves by MacArthur should be. Bradley based his analysis on information which shows that elements of five Chinese Communist divisions have been identified south of the Yalu, the largest element being a regiment. On the same day, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, United States Army, General J. Lawton Collins tells the Army Policy Council that these reported crossings of the Yalu River might reflect a face-saving effort since Premier of the People's Republic of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Chou En-lai has said that his government will not stand idly by and watch the North Koreans go down in defeat. Collins does not think that the Chinese will cross the river in sufficient numbers to risk a serious beating by MacArthur's forces. Nevertheless, when asked if the Chinese can become a real threat to the United Nations Command, Collins replies that they definitely can in spite of their lack of air-power and their weakness in artillery.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 1, 2024 7:00:54 GMT
Day 131 of the Korean War, November 1st 1950Unbeknown to United States Army, General MacArthur or to Washington authorities, the Chinese Communist government had begun sending infantry divisions into North Korea on October. Between October 14th and November 1st, it appears, some 80,000 troops from the Chinese Fourth Field Army crossed the Yalu into Korea. More than two-thirds of this force had been in Manchuria, near the border, since July 1950. Three days before these crossings, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs prefaced this invasion with a blunt public warning: "Now that the American forces are attempting to cross the thirty-eighth parallel on a large scale, the Chinese people cannot stand idly by with regard to such a serious situation created by the invasion of Korea...." Ominously, the Chinese Foreign Office described MacArthur's operations as ". . . a serious menace to the security of China. . ."Map: Map of Chinese intervention in the west between October 25 to November 1, 1950 Land operations - Korean peninsulaAs soon as United States Army, General Walton Walker comanding officer of the Eight Army (United States) sees what is happening, he orders the advance halted and withdraws his forces back across the Ch'ongch'on, holding only a shallow bridgehead above the river. When United States Army, General MacArthur learns that Walker has stopped driving toward the border, he directs his acting chief of staff, United States Army, General Hickey, to telephone Walker in Korea and find out why. Hickey reaches Walker's chief of staff, United States Army, General Allen, who furnishes an interim explanation: On 26 October Eighth Army was advancing on a broad front in widely separated columns in pursuit of defeated North Korean Forces. The advance north of Pyong-yang was based upon a calculated logistical risk involving supply almost entirely by air-lift. Supplies available were sufficient for bare maintenance of combat operations of one reinforced American division and four ROK divisions against light opposition with no possibility of accumulating reserves to meet heavier opposition. An ambush and surprise attack by fresh, well-organized and well trained units, some of which were Chinese Communist Forces, began a sequence of events leading to complete collapse and disintegration of ROK II Corps of three divisions. Contributing factors were intense, psychological fear of Chinese intervention and previous complacency and overconfidence in all ROK ranks. There were no indications that Chinese troops had entered Korea prior to contact. The presence of Chinese troops increased materially the will to fight of remaining and reconstituted North Korean units. The ROK Corps retreated in confusion to a position in the vicinity of KUNURI, 13 miles from the only crossing area into the I Corps combat zone, before some semblance of order could be restored. Losses in equipment and personnel were large. The collapse on the east flank together with heavy attack on the 1st ROK Division and 8th Cav RCT on the east flank of the I US Corps seriously threatened the only road supplying the I Corps and dictated temporary withdrawal of exposed columns of 24th Inf. Div. on the west, a regrouping of forces, an active defense, a build-up of supplies pending resumption of offensive and advance to the border. By intense effort progress is being made in reorganization and stabilization of II ROK Corps, however, it is at most only fifty percent effective at present. The 2d US Division has been brought up in a position to take over in the event of collapse by ROK forces.
There has never been and there is now no intention for this Army to take up or remain on a passive perimeter or any other type of defense. Every effort is being made to retain an adequate bridgehead to facilitate the resumption of the attack as soon as conditions permit. All units continue to execute local attacks to restore or improve lines. Plans have been prepared for resumption of the offensive employing all forces available to the Army to meet the new factor of organized Chinese Communist Forces. These plans will be put into execution at the earliest possible moment and are dependent only upon the security of the right flank, the marshaling of the attack troops and the restoration of vital supplies. In this connection there now exists in the forward areas only one day of fire. Opening of Port of Chinnampo and extension of railroad to Pyongyang is essential to movement of supplies and troops.Air operations - Korean peninsulaThree Yak fighters attacked USAF airplanes, including a B-26, over northwestern North Korea. The B-26 crew claimed one Yak, and two F-51 pilots shot down the other two enemy aircraft, scoring the first aerial victories since July. F-80s attacked Sinuiju airfield, destroying several Yak fighters on the ground, but anti-aircraft artillery located across the Yalu River shot down a FEAF jet. Later that day, six MiG-15 jets appeared for the first time in the war and fired on a T-6 and a flight of F-51 Mustangs in the Yalu River area. Fifth Air Force (United States) has a tentative report of Russian MIG-I5 jet fighters, a report which would soon prove only too true. Photo: Air War in Korea. Ability of the North Korean military to keep its tanks and trucks operating in front lines was sharply cut when the Chosen Oil Refinery at Wonsan was bombed out of operation in four attacks in July and August by B-29 Superforts of the U.S. Far East Air Forces Bomber Command. The refinery provided almost all the finished petroleum products for Red mobile units, 1 November 1950 Naval operations - Korean peninsulaCommunist guerillas threaten Kosong, on the coast 60 miles south of Wonsan. ROK troops are loaded onto two LSTs, which leave Wonsan. Gleaves-class Destroyer-minesweepers USS Doyle (DMS-34) and USS Endicott (DMS-35) once again sweep a channel, finding no mines, and the ROK troops are successfully landed (unopposed) and deal with the Communist guerillas situation. Gearing-class destroyer USS Forrest Royal (DD-872) arives at Chinnampo (Nampo), North Korea along with the three AMS minesweepers, two ROKN YMS minesweepers (later joined by two more), and fast-transport USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) with underwater demolition team One embarked (UDT-1), and Bolster-class rescue and salvage ship USS Bolster (ARS-38). A Scajap LST (Q-007) relieve Colossus-class light fleet carrier HMS Theseus (R64) as a platform for the minesweeping scout helicopter she was deploying in support of mine sweeping. Tribal Class destroyer HMCS Athabaskan (G07)and four other destroyers leave Wonsan to escort Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) to Sasebo, Japan. Photo: Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African-American Navy aviator, walks across the flight deck of the USS Leyte in November 1950, about a month before he was shot down and died in North Korea, 1 November 1950 JapanUnited States Army, General Bolte, Department of the Army G-3 discussed with United States Army, General MacArthur, United States Army, General Wright and the JSPOG staff the cancellation and reduction of forces to be sent to Korea and the plans for redeployment of forces already there. Even as these officers are talking, the Chinese struck Walker's advancing divisions and hurled them back. From Tokyo Bolte flies to Korea where he conferred with Walker, all corps commanders, and some division commanders. As a result of his observations, General Bolte cables Washington that he was ". . . convinced that any deferment, cutback, or cancellation of requested units, individuals, or material would be premature." He urges that full support of MacArthur be continued. He points out that even the psychological impact of withdrawal or diminution would now adversely affect the command in the field. "Recent reverses-in Eighth Army," Bolte concluded, "require assurances of full support, which I have given them."United States United States Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert A. Lovett, notes the new developments with some alarm. He is particularly disturbed by an intelligence report which estimates that the Chinese Communists have decided to establish a cordon sanitaire south of the Yalu border. This report, coupled with what Lovett describes as "the renewed vigor of the enemy attacks in the border area," cause him to counsel the Joint Chiefs of Staff to reconsider their plans to reduce the number of United Nations units to be sent to Korea. Director, National Security Agency Chairman, United States Army, General Robinson E. Duff, seconds this suggestion, pointing out that "the possible utilization of the enormous manpower of Communist Asia against the United States makes it mandatory at this time to provide United States Army, General MacArthur with the largest possible United Nations force until the overall situation is better clarified." Duff finds that it is now necessary, politically and militarily, to set a pattern for the development and use of the manpower of other friendly world areas, particularly those where manpower is the chief military resource. The United States, Duff feels, can not continue to provide the bulk of anti-Communist manpower for military operations, but ". . . must preserve its technical and scientific resources, its productive capacity, and its trained military leadership." The Joint Chiefs tell United States Secretary of Defense, George C. Marshall: "The need for air interdiction operations in areas contiguous to the international boundaries of Korea is sufficient justification for not further delimiting air operations." They point out that it appears to them that all United Nations forces will be required to operate clear up to the international boundaries of Korea. "Therefore," they said, "it is not considered desirable from the military point of view, to deny these ground troops air and naval support in these areas, nor would acceptance of the loss of life entailed by such denial be justified."
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 2, 2024 6:54:41 GMT
Day 132 of the Korean War, November 2nd 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaPhoto: A General Patton tank (M-46) leaving through the bow doors of USS LST-914 during the invasion of Wonsan, Korea, 2 November 1950 Air operations - Korean peninsulaThe Far East Air Force (FEAF) flies the first North American B-45 Tornado jet reconnaissance mission in the war. Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Vought F4U-5N Corsair night fighters of Marine night fighter squadron VMF(N)-513 Flying Nightmares on the flight line at Wonsan, Korea, on 2 November 1950 Naval operations - Korean peninsulaAt Chinnampo, United States Navy, Commander Clay and Republic of Korea Navy, Lieutenant (junior grade) Hong, have discovered (thanks to a cooperative North Korean river pilot) and charted a pattern of 217 moored mines and 25 magnetic mines laid in five lines across main channel north of Sok-to Island and one line across an alternate more shallow (15 feet at high tide) and longer route to the south of Sok-to. As a result of this information, United States Navy, Commander Archer decides to clear the alternate passage first. United Nations occupied North KoreaPhoto: A General Patton tank (M-46) leaving through the bow doors of USS LST-914 during the invasion of Wonsan, Korea, 2 November 1950JapanGeneral of the Army Douglas MacArthur's chief of military intelligence, United States Army, General Charles A. Willoughby reveals that 16,500 Chinese Communist soldiers have entered North Korea. The Chinese Communist government reputedly is labeling these troops "volunteers." The Sinuiju radio has announced that these troops form the "Volunteer Corps for the Protection of the Hydroelectric Zone" and have entered Korea expressly to prevent the destruction of hydroelectric facilities along the Yalu. General Willoughby admits that the increasing resistance being met by MacArthur's forces have removed the problem of Chinese intervention from the realm of the academic and turn it into "a serious proximate threat." He is puzzled by the Chinese device of committing "volunteers" in "special units" instead of in regular organized regiments of the Chinese Communist Army. He speculates that the Chinese, who he acknowledged were extremely subtle and obsessed with "saving face," might be doing this in order to have their cake and eat it too. By labeling their troops "volunteers" and claiming that no recognized units of their army are in Korea, the Chinese will avoid the appearance of intervention. Nor will they involve the prestige of the Chinese Communist Army if defeated. On the other hand, by furnishing troops to North Korea, China can claim credit for helping North Korea in its hour of need. MacArthur's intelligence chief concludes by warning: Although indications so far point to piecemeal commitment for ostensible limited purposes only, it is important not to lose sight of the maximum potential that is immediately available to the Chinese Communists. Should the high level decision for full intervention be made by the Chinese Communists, they could promptly commit 29 of their 44 divisions presently deployed along the Yalu and support a major attack with up to 15O aircraft.Hong KongThe Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong and Macau, Walter P. McConaughy sends Washington a report that in August, at a conference of top Sino-Soviet leaders, a joint decision has been made that Communist China would enter the Korean War. According to this report, the formal decision has come on October 24th at a meeting presided over by Chairman of the Communist Party of China Mao Zedong. An estimated twenty Chinese Communist armies have been sent to Manchuria.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 3, 2024 7:07:47 GMT
Day 133 of the Korean War, November 3rd 1950Land operations - Korean peninsulaIn the face of strong Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) attacks, United States Army, General Walton Harris Walker commanding officer of the Eight Army (United States) orders the bulk of (United States) to withdraw to the Chongchon River for regrouping and resupply. Photo: Chinese prisoners, taken by Col Litzenberg’s 7th Marines in the 3-4 November fighting, were identified as being members of the 370th and 371st Regiments of the 124th Division. Chinese Communist “volunteers” fought well, but were surprisingly docile and uncomplaining once captured Naval operations - Korean peninsulaAt Chinnampo, a Republic of Korea Navy, Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper conducts a safe passage through the southern route. JapanGeneral of the Army Douglas MacArthur's chief of military intelligence, United States Army, General Charles A. Willoughby reports to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that there are 316,000 regular Chinese ground forces and 274,000 Chinese irregulars, or security forces, in Manchuria. Most of the regulars are believed to be along the Yalu at numerous crossing sites. These disclosures have an extremely ominous ring and, coupled with the news of the withdrawal of Eighth Army (United States) before Chinese forces already in Korea, causes the Joint Chiefs of Staff to call on United States Army, General MacArthur for an evaluation. They requested his earliest "interim appreciation of the situation in Korea and its implications in light of what appears to be overt intervention by Chinese Communist units." China The Chinese Communist government in an official statement charged that the United States is bent on conquering not only Korea but also China, as "the Japanese imperialists have done in the past." The statement, possibly made to prepare the Chinese people for further moves in Korea, claims that in order to protect China, Chinese military forces must now assist North Korea. United StatesUnited States Army, General MacArthur “interim appreciation” of China intervene problem to the Joint Chiefs of Staff is as he confess that it is “impossible at this time to authoritatively appraise the actualities of Chinese Communist intervention in North Korea.” On the basis of such intelligence as is available, however, he suggests the following possible explanations of Chinese policy: (1) That the Chinese Communist Government proposes to intervene with its full potential military forces, openly proclaiming such course at what it might determine as an appropriate time. (2) That it will covertly render military assistance,but will, so far as possible, conceal the fact for diplomatic reasons. (3) That it is permitting and abetting a flow of more or less voluntary personnel across the border to strengthen and assist the North Korean remnants in their struggle to retain a nominal foothold in Korea. (4) That such intervention, as exists, has been in the belief that no UN Forces would be committed in the extreme northern reaches of Korea except those of South Korea. A realization that such forces were insufficient for the purpose may well have furnished the concept of salvaging something from the wreckage. The first contingency, he points out, “would represent a momentous decision of the gravest international importance. ” He believes, however, that it is less likely than one of the other contingencies, or perhaps a combination of all three of them. He recommends against “hasty conclusions which might be premature,” and urges that final appraisal “await a more complete accumulation of military facts.‘
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Post by lordroel on Nov 4, 2024 3:45:55 GMT
Day 134 of the Korean War, November 4th 1950
Land operations - Korean peninsula
The Battle of Unsan ends in a Chinese victory.
Chinese People's Volunteers (PVA) forces drove hard for Kunu-ri. Hill 622, a large mountain cresting 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Kunu-ri, dominated the town, the valley of the Ch'ongch'on, and the rail and highway communication lines passing along it. The 3rd and 5th Regiments of the 7th Infantry Division (South Korea) held this key terrain feature, with the 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Division (United States), in blocking position just behind them. The 8th Regiment (South Korea) was in reserve along the road east of Kunu-ri. That morning a strong PVA attack broke the 3rd Regiment (South Korea) position on the mountain and ROK soldiers began streaming back through the 5th RCT. The commanding officer of C Company stopped and reorganized these ROK troops and sent them back to retake the hill. The 8th Regiment (South Korea) was now also committed to the battle. The hill changed hands several times throughout the day, but at dark ROK troops held its vital northwest ridge. The 5th RCT itself had heavy fighting in this battle to hold Kunu-ri, and was forced to withdraw about 900 m (1,000 yd). Part of the fighting was at close quarters. By evening the PVA attack in estimated division strength (elements of the CCF 38th Army) had been repulsed. The 7th Infantry Division (South Korea) and 5th Regimental Combat Team (United States) had saved Kunu-ri and successfully protected the right flank of Eighth Army (United States).
Simultaneously with this attack south of the Ch'ongch'on against Kunu-ri, the PVA struck the bridgehead force north of the river. Both ground and aerial observers reported approximately 1,000 enemy soldiers crossing the Kuryong River 3 km (2 mi) northwest of the 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment (United States), and moving south through wooded terrain, evidently intent on getting into the rear of the battalion. The enemy maneuver succeeded. PVA troops captured the battalion's radio while the operator was using it to report the situation to the regimental headquarters. The battalion did not make much of a fight, and, after destroying and abandoning its heavy equipment and vehicles, it withdrew eastward and infiltrated across the Kuryong and Ch'ongch'on Rivers to friendly positions. Nearly all the men escaped. Meanwhile, a task force of the 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment (United States), subsequently reinforced by the entire battalion, tried to drive through to the 1st Battalion's position, but strong PVA forces on the road repelled it. With these difficulties developing in the bridgehead area, United States Army, General Church ordered United States Army, Brigadier General Garrison H. Davidson, the assistant division commander of the 24th Infantry Division (United States), to assume command of all 24th Division troops north of the Ch'ongch'on and to co-ordinate the actions of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade and the division troops. Davidson arrived at the 19th Infantry command post shortly after noon to assume command of Task Force Davidson. The worsening situation caused General Church at 16:30 also to order the 21st Infantry Regiment to cross to the north side of the Ch'ongch'on River during the night and attack the next day, to clear the PVA from the 19th Infantry area and restore the bridgehead line.
Air operations - Korean peninsula
B-26s providing close support for Eighth Army (United States) attack enemy troops near Chongju, killing an estimated 500 soldiers and providing hard-pressed US troops some relief.
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