The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-07-12
YANk5 FORCED
Back SEVEN
BLOODY MILES
Americans Retreat 10 Bor-
der Of Temporary Capital
and Hope 10 Hold Out
(By the Associated Press)

hiIicIiCdl trpOpS, TeJreaJlHR III
South Korea before the massive,
relentless offensive of the. North
Korean Communist invaders, fell
back today behind the important
Kun river to positions they hope
to hold until power for counter
attack arrives from across the sea.
Tank-led North Koreans, pluny-
ing south behind mortar and artil-
lery barrages. drove American
forces out of Chochiwon with pre-
sumably heavy casualties and
pushed them back seven bloody
miles to the Kun in what was de-
scribed by US. headquarters as an
orderly withdrawal.
The Northern troops pressed
along the north bank Of the Kun,
last major barrier before Taejon,
emergency South Korean capital
is miles south. The Americans hold
Konju on the south bank.
A communique of Gen. MacAr-
thurs headquarters, tagging behind
battlefront reports, acknowledged
that the strong Communist pres
sure against outnumbered Ameri-
can battalions in the battle area
north Of Chochiwon may compel
further Withdrawals behind the
Kun river" The shallow river,
quarter mile wide north of Taeion.
with banks 10 to is feet high. ure-
sents a considerable military bar
rier
PLANNED" withdrawal
Red pressure against South Ko-
rean forces between Chongju and
Umsong, northeast Of the main bat
tie area, resulted in . planned
withdrawal = tQ defense positions
along the Pceafig river" the COM
munique said.
East of Chungju a North Korean
force was reported attempting to
ford the winding Han river The
Fifth North Korean Division. NOV
ing east In the same area. appar-
emily was trying to outflank the
Eighth South Korea Division and
elements of the Red force were
probing south toward the Sixth
South Korea Division.
The 18th Norsh Ko--an Division
was reported moving toward a juno
ture with the Reds Fifth ut
Chungju.
The attack which drove Ameri-
cans behind Kun river defenses
began at midmorning after the
Reds used their deadly and now
familiar thanking and infiltration
tactics.
"A broad flood dixie about 20 feet
high and 80 feet thick at the base
offers strong defense position. US.
Engineers mined the modern bridge,
but dispatches did not say whether
it was blown up yet. M
Yanks Bitter
The Americans who fell back were
exhausted and bitter. Front dis
patches said they talked glumly of
encirclements and infiltrations by
the Reds, and Of the Communists
superior ornaments and striking
power.
For the Americans it was the be-
ginning Of their second week Of
ground action-a period of logged
delaying tactics and retreat before
powerful forces armed plentifully
with Russian materiel. including
monster tanks.
Anger swept American lines oyer
the execution of at least Is Ameri-
can prisoners of war This was con-
demned In a communique of the
UN. commander. Gen. Macarthur,
as "barbarity and murder" He said
North Korean war leaders will be
held responsible.
Headquarters said it had proof of
such atrocities In official photo
graphs showing Americans with
their hands tied behind their backs.
all shot through the head.
The reports of atrocities stirred
United Nations Secretary General