Evening star., 1950-08-06
Red Patrols S|ip ip Across Naktong
On 4O-Mi|e Front After Battalion
Is Wiped Out by South Koreans
EnemyF Feeling Out
u. .S.Lines for Blow
Expected Hourly
BY the Associated Press

TOKYO, Sunday, Aug. 6.-Small
North Korean patrols knitted across
the Naktong River today along a
40-mile front after battalion
attempting a crossing in strength
was wiped out yesterday on the
north.
Aside from the aggressive pa
trolling on both sides of the
nervous, 140-mile front, there was
no activity. The Reds were be-
lieved to be feeling out Allied posi-
tions for a big blow, expected
hourly.
An 9Th Army communique said
the Reds were building up strength
on the northwest part of the front
opposite the hinge position be-
tween the South Korean army de-
Tending the northern line and the
United States troops holding the
longer western line along the Max
tong.
No Tanks Cross River.
So far as is known, the North
Koreans have been unable to get
tanks or infantry in any strength
across the wide river barrier.
But the two major blows are
expected to fall farther south on
reinforced United States positions
in the shrinking beachhead OF
southeast Korea. The beachheao
now is SO miles wide by about 100
miles long.
Nevertheless, the 9th Army said
the enemy was throwing elements
across the Naktong at the hinge
position, which is about 35 or 40
miles northwest of Taegu. The
latter is the frontline supply city
SIS miles northwest of the beach
head port of Pusan.
It was in the hills to the north
of Taegu that the enemy battalion,
possibly 500 to 1000 men, walked
into South Korean trap, the
communique said.
The South Koreans, well dug
into hill positions, let the bat
talon through. then closed in and
"annihilated it" in the words of
the communique.
Gen. MacArthur'S headquarters
summary said the southerners had
killed 1000 of the enemy in the
past "a hours. This presumably
was on all parts of the South
Korean front.
Patrol Activity Marks Front.
Major patrol activity marked
the front where the Americans
hold the river line from a point
north of Taegu southwark nearly
100 miles to the south coast of
Korea.
A field dispatch said enemy and
American patrols were active
along the river southwest OF
Taegu. One of the major enemy
attacks is expected here.
The United States oath Divi-
sion on this sector still has nc
report of the large North Korean
forces reaching the rivers west
bank, the 9th Army reported.
Associated Press Correspond
ent O. H. P. King with the Oath
said two enemy platoons of from
SO to go men crossed the river in
boats and RATS near Chirhyon
IS miles southwest of Taegu. They
vanished into the hills before they
could be brought under aerial
attack.
Three other enemy patrols were
seen crossing the river on this
part of the front. The 9th Army
communique said one company OF
Communists had penetrated" the
area but was being repulsed. This
presumabl referred to an enemy
river crossing.
Attack in South Expected.
The other big enemy attack is
expected along the south coast,
where the 25th Infantry Division
holds positions about 35 miles
west of Pusan. -Four enemy divi-
Sions are maSSing there.
The Army communique said one
American company attacked a
town. found it unoccupied, and
IN returning found it was cut off
1t was fighting it's way out and a
relieving unit was also moving up
to help in extricating it.
Gen. MacArthur's Sunday