Evening star., 1950-07-11
10 American Tanks
Destroyed by Reds,
Pentagon Reports
By John A. Giles

Ten American tanks have been
destroyed and two disabled in the
battle against advancing North
Korean Communist forces, the
Army announced today.
A spokesman, who made the an
nouncement at a Pentagon press
briefing. said he had no informa-
ton as to the size of the Ameri-
can forces committed in the South
Korean fighting.
Nor could he say whether the
enemy aircraft or anti-tank
weapons inflicted the losses. Most
Of the enemy tanks reported de-
stroyed have been hit by rockets
fired from aircraft, he said.
Meanwhile, defense officials
studied plans asking Congress for
additional funds to increase the
size of the armed forces because
of the Korean war.
French to Contribute Ship.
A Navy spokesman reported
that the French Far East naval
forces would contribute one ves-
sci to the effort to throw back
the advancing Red forces. The
naval forces there already are
made up of units of the Amer
lean. British. Australian and
Dutch fleets.
The naval forces bombarded the
eastern coast of South Korea
some IS miles south of the 38th
parallel and hit enemy tanks
there.
The military spokesman were
unable to confirm the presence OF
either Cotton Russian built tanks
or Jet fighters in the North Ko-
rean forces. A communique issued
by Gen. Macarthur had stated
that three Yak jet fighters were
reported in action. A previous
report that Cotton North Ko-
rean tank had been observed was
later retracted by Gen. MacAr-
thurs headquarters.
The Air Force spokesman re-
ported that excellent flying wealth
er had improved close air support
Of the ground forces and that a
tactical control center to direct
operations of the fighters had
been set UP in South Korea be-
hind the battle lines. This center
is in communication with ground
support parties on the front lines
Military Leaders Worried.
The fighting in Korea and re-
ports of possible corollary moves
in the Far East have military
leaders worried.
In a move indicating urgency
Gen. j. Lawton Collins, Army
chief of staff. and Gen. Hoyt S
Vandenberg. Air chief of staff
left last night to confer in Tokyo
with Gen. Macarthur.
Gen. Macarthur has been
given wide authority to conduct
the Korean operations as he sees
fit and his requests for addi-
tional help are being met with
dispatch. But as additional
strong North Korean forces press
down the peninsula, Pentagon
officials are inclined to become
somewhat pessimistic as to the
total forces which ultimately
will have to be committed. One
official estimated today that 1t
would probably require 10000
men to drive the Reds back.
New Airstrips Nearly Ready,
The Air Force plans to operate
its fighter planes soon from an air.
field in South Korea. Maj. Gen.
Otto P. Weyland told reporters
here that one such airfield, south
OF Taejon and presumably close to
Pusan, would be in operation this
week. The general has just re-
turned from the area.
Other such airfields, he said.
will be ready soon. So far all
air support has been operating
from Japan.
Gen. Weyland, commanding
general of the Tactical Air Com
mand at Langley. Va, warned
that I'VE should be prepared for
the toughest possible opposition
in the air."
Meanwhile. State Department
officials were puzzled over a report
credited to the Soviet news
agency Tass that more than
l5O 900 Russians had voluptaerad