Evening star., 1950-07-17
Texts of Communiques on Fighting in Korea
BY fhs Associated Press

TOKYO, July Is (Tnesday).-
The tert of Gen. MacArthur's
9 conlnsuliqie No. 89, issued at
12::35 am. (10:35 am. EDIT,
Monday:
Heavy pressure combined with
infiltration tactics of foot ele-
ments of two, or possibly three,
North Korean divisions have
forced American troops in the
Observation-Disclosures triangle
to withdraw to new positions in
the general vicinity north and
west of Taejon.
Heavily supported by artillery
but with little tank support, the
invaders in this area are contin-
uing to pay a high price for
ground gained. Only two tanks
have succeeded in crossing to the
south side of the Kun River and
these have been destroyed. With
drawals in this triangle continue
to be orderly.
Heavy Red concentrations have
been reported in the vicinity of
Chochiwon. The North Korean
I'd Division is apparently trying
to turn the north flank of United
States forces in the Taejon area.
Yongju was reported in enemy
hands as of midnight July 1917.
A large tank and motorized coll
umn were reported on the high
way between Tanyang and
Punggi.
On the east coast Communist
forces are reported in retreat
after the reversals suffered at the
hands OF South Koreans in the
vicinity of Kiomdang.
A recapitulation of scattered
guerrilla reports shows potential
1900 guerrillas between Yongyang
and Yongchow.
Fifth Air Force fighters and
light bomhers continued with the
mission of maintaining air superb
ority and performing interdiction
and close support. B-26s and
B-29s bombed targets of opportun-
ity in the battle area.
A number of Communist jet
fighters were reported sighted
near Chongju. They were de-
scribed as smaller than the Amer
lean F-80, with swept-back wings,
stubby fuselageS and broad noses.
Naval blockades of Korean
waters continued. with no change
reported since the noon COM
munique.
TOKYO, July 17.-Tert Of
Gen. M1cArthur'S comn,uriQue
No. 88, issued at $40 pm. (3:40
an, EDIT today:
The Gath Infantry Division.
commanded by Maj. Gen. William
F. Dean, continues to hold the ad-
vancing Northern Korean army
thrust toward Taejon. The saith
and 10Th Regimental Combat
Teams have been under heavy
attack since 200 am. Saturday,
Is July, when enemy infantry and
tanks in superior numbers crossed
the lightly defended Kun River
southwest of Konju. After fight
ing a successful delaying action,
these regiments now occupy de-
fensive along the approaches
north and west of Taejon.
Repeated attacks against Amer
lean positions were repelled until
Sunday night when North Korean
forces were successful in thanking
the positions, forcing the units to
withdraw. Ii
The action of the oath Divi-
sion in delaying the enemy's adj
vance since July S has furnished
American and South Korean
troops with much valuable time,
During which supplies and troops
for assuming the offensive against
North Korean forces have been
streaming into South Korea. OUT
numbered by 10 to 1, the oath
Division has been forced to with
draw from one defensive position
to another along the enemy's
route of advance. The losses
within the division have not been
excessive, but the casualties in
flicted upon the enemy have been
tremendous and out of proportion
with the ground gained"
TOKYO, July II (P).-Tert of
a con1nlunique issued By Gen.
MGcArthnr's headquarters at
2:20 pm. 1920 a.m.), EDIT to-
day:
Twice within the last IL hours
deadly American fire support and
aggressive, hardhitting South Ko-
rean army units have teamed up
to hurl back advancing North Ko-
rean units in two of the most con-
elusive SetbackS administered the
Reds since hey crossed the 38th
Parallel.
Early this morning. strong in
vading forces attacked the South
Korean 23d Infantry Regiment on
the East coast north of Yongdok.
This Communist force, heartened
by a partially successful sea and
land operation yesterday against
the South Korean 23d Infantry.
received it's biggest surprise of the
war when 5th Air Force fighters.
flying in close support, joined the
South Korean regiment in a coun-
terattack which resulted in
catastrophe for the Red force.
In the battle area and for foul
kilometerS north, the supporting
fighters bombed and strafed
throwing the enemy into complete
confusion. The counterattackini
South Korean regiment capitalized
and pushed forward so aggres
Sively that the Communist fore
fed in .disorganized retreat ant
broke contact with the Soutl
Korean regiment. Extensive Soutl
Korean patrolling is now beinl
conducted to regain contact will