404
Ian Morrison's Last Dispatch
POHANG IN HANDS OF
NORTH KOREANS
Annex
TOWN IN FLAMES
From Our Special Correspondent
BIHAR ARMY HEADQUARTERS, August 12 —
A serious situation has developed at Pohang on the east coast. North Korean forces, who for several days past were known to be working their way south through mountainous country inland from the coast, and who yesterday were reported at a point seven miles north-west of Pohang, attacked the town early this morning and are now threatening the airfield five miles to the south-east. Fires are burning in the town and it may become necessary to evacuate the airfield.
For several weeks past the South Korean forces based on Pohang have been fighting in and around Yongdok, a small town 25 miles north of Pohang. Their supply line has been the road which runs along the coast. The mountains to the west are some of the steepest in Korea, but they have not deterred the North Koreans from making the obvious outflanking movement. The exact strength of the North Korean force is not known. Three days ago it was reported as two regiments. Probably it consists of a nucleus of regular troops and several hundred guerrilla troops who have long been established in these mountains.
The allied command apparently minimized their threat, because it was only yesterday that reinforcements were hurriedly rushed to this coastal sector. These consisted of South Korean infantry and a small American task force equipped with light tanks. Exactly what happened is still obscure, but the American convoy was ambushed soon after midnight on the main road 15 miles south of Pohang and pinned down until dawn. Air support was called for, which eventually drove off the North Koreans, believed to have been a number of guerrilla troops, and permitted the convoy to continue after considerable delay.
Mustangs were still using the airfield up to 5 o'clock this afternoon, and in some cases pilots were firing their guns only two or three minutes after taking off. The North Koreans had moved south of Yongdok, and pilots claimed to have destroyed two tanks, 10 vehicles, and two ammunition cars. Transport aircraft also were still flying into the airfield this evening and bringing out certain unessential staff such as ground engineers.
According to these arrivals, North Korean mortar shells were landing in the general area of the airfield, but it was not under small arms fire. American gunners who have been supporting South Korean infantry in this coastal sector were shelling North Korean positions on the ridge about two miles north of the airfield between the airfield and the port. Large numbers of Korean civilians who had evacuated the town had gathered round the airfield, which is situated close to the shore of the bay, and two ships were standing by offshore in case evacuation should become necessary.
Lieutenant-General Walker, commander of the Eighth Army, and Major-General Partridge, commander of the Fifth Air Force, flew over the area this morning.
97
404
Ian Morrison's Last Dispatch
POHANG IN HANDS OF
NORTH KOREANS
Annex
TOWN IN FLAMES
From Our Special Correspondent BIH ARMY HEADLARKS AL ||
A serious situation has developed al Pohang on the east coast. North Korean forces who for several days past were known to be working their way south through mountainous country inland from the coast, and who yesterday were reported! at a point seven miles north-west of Pohang, attacked the town early this morn- ing and are there threatening the airbeld five miles to the south-east. Fires arc burning in the town and it may become necessary to evacuate the airfield,
For several weeks past the South Korean! forces based on Pohang have been fighting in and around Yongdok, a small town 25) miles north of Pohang. Their supply linej has been the road which runs along the Coust. The mountains to the west arc some of the steepest in Korea, but they have not deterred the North Koreans from making the obvious outflanking move-i ment. The exact strength of the North Korean force is not known. Three days) ago it was reported as two regiments, Probably it consists of a nucleus of regular troops and several hundred guerrilla) troops who have long been established in these mountains.
The allied command apparently minimized their threat, because it was only yesterday that reinforcements were hurriedly rushed to this coastal sector. These consisted of South Korean infantry and a small American task
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force equipped with light tanks. Exactly what happened is still obscure, but the American convey was ambushed soon after midnight on the main road 15 miles south of Pohang and pinned down until dawn. Air support was called for, which eventually drove off the North small Korenos, believed in have bocu a nugther of guerrilla troops, and permitted the convoy to continue after considerable delay,
Mustangs were still using the airfield up to 5 o clock this piternoon, and in some cases pilots were firing their guns only two or three minutes after taking off. The North Koreans bed maved soul of Yongdok, and pilors claimed to have destroved two unks. 10 vehicles, and two Ammunition cars. Trans- port aircraft also were still flying into the air- Bekd this ewaing and bringing out certain unessential staff such as ground engineers.
According to these arrivals North Korean mortar shells were landing in the general area of the airfield, but it was not under small arms fire. American gunners who have beco support- ing South Korean infantry in this copscal sector were shelling North Korean positions on the ridge about two miles north of the air- field between the airfield and the port. Large numbers of Korean civilians who had evacunned the town had gathered round the airfield, which is situated close to the shore of the bay, and two ships were standing by off shore in case evaomtion should become necessary.
Lkutena m-General Walker, commander of the Eighth Anny, and Major-General Purtridge. commander of the Fifth Air Force, flew over the tree this morning.
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