Evening star., 1950-09-08

troopers, punchy after Six-day
battle to stem a strong Commu-
mist drive from the north,
climbed halfway to their objec-
tive before they pulled back down
the muddy slope under stiff en-
emy resistance.
Vital close support expected
from Allied aircraft failed to ma
terialize as rain and heavy mist
enveloped the strategic hill on the
cavalry's right flank.
Behind the American regiments
attacking the hill north of Taegu
infiltrating Communists early to-
day mined the main road with
captured American mines, Mr..
Macbeth reported. Before the
road could be cleared three We
hicles blew up.
No sooner had the mine field
been cleared by engineers than
other infiltrators fired either an
anti-tank rifle or heavy caliber
machine gun from hill positions
to the side of the road.
In the British sector, dug-in
Tommies tried to keep out of the
rain but kept a wary eye out for
any of the large group of inf1l-
traitors known to be in their i'm
mediate vicinity. There was some
patrol activity last night.
One British company, virtually
cut off for three days by the enemy
in front of it and a huge noun
tain behind it, was supplied by
air today. -Four vehciles trying
to get through to the pinned
down Britishers were knocked out.
THE POHANG FRONT
Associated Press Correspondent
Bill Ross, on the Kyongju front,
southwest of Pohang, reported that
American and South Korean
troops launched separate attacks
in rugged, rain-swept terrain to-
day in an attempt to close a five
mile gap in the United Nations
defense line.
At dusk little progress was re-
ported. American officers said the
attack had been slowed by bad
weather and the mountainous ter
rain. The American commander
in the area said the situation was
not serious despite the wide hole
in the U. N. line.
He reported that American
troops-aided by the South Ko-
rean Sd Division-had contained
the Communist advance which
swept from the hills to the north.
South Korea's roughest terrain is
in this area where Red Koreans
drove wedge between Yongchon
and Angang.
Both the Americans and South
Koreans smacked into enemy small
arms fire but casualties were light,
Mr.. Ross reported
Terrain Biggest Obstacle.
American officers said the great
est obstacle to the double headed
U. N. attack was terrain rather
than the enemy.
Eve seem to have the Reds of
balance at the moment" a staff
officer said. But in two or three
days it may be different and we
could have a tough situation on
our hands"
A Communist roadblock had
sliced the important supply high
way between Yongchon ano
Kyongju. The Reds held posi-
ton astride this road about five
miles south of Yongchon. Ar
enemy tank was there and efforts
of South Koreans to blast oper
2, the communications links were un.
successful.
The town of Yongchon changed
hands at least twice in a savage
but minor encounter between
North and South Koreans. Two
Red tanks pushed into Yongchor
last night but were driven out
during today's daylight hours.
"But Yongchon probably is IL
enemy hands or at least enemy
domination" a staff officer sale
at sundown.
THE NAKTONG FRONT
! Associated Press Correspondent
Don Huth with the United States
I'd Division, reported that driving
rain slowed ground action alst
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