The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-09-25
DESPERATE |
EFFoRT.,.f0 !
TA!k|F,oclTy
American Forces in
Squeeze Play TO Trap, !, !.
thousand Of Commies +
(By the Associated Press)

| Marines and Doughboys slugged
deep into Seoul today in a deter
mined effort to recapture the capt.
tai of the South Korean Republic
exactly three months from the day
the North Korean Communists
launched their invasion Seoul fell
to the Reds two days after the in
yasion began.
In the south, other Americans
speared to within 40 miles of link
up with northern American forces
in lightning advance. The linkup
would seal off tens of thousands of
Communists in vast trap.
American and South Korean
forces were overunning places whose
names became familiar in bloody
battles of just few weeks ago.
us. First Cavalry Division troopers,
smashing ahead 10 miles in four
days. have driven into Chongju.
From there they were in position to
drive to Chochiwon, 10 miles to the
west. a junction on the main high
way from Taegu to Seoul. They were
only 40 miles from US. Seventh In
fantry troops pushing south from
the Inchon-Seoul beachhead.
Kumchon Captured
us. oath Division troops cap &
tired Kpmchon, S. miles southeast !,
of sChochiwon. Between Kumchon
and Chochiwon lies Taegon. still in
Communist hands. Taegon was the
scene of the bitterest defeat of the
Gath Infantry Division
To the south, us. 25th Infantry
Division troops captured Chinju.
key to the Communist drive along
the south coast. 1t was taken in
bitter fighting after the Reds ig-
nored Surrender or die" leaflets.
This American drive bypassed hun
dreds-even thousands-of Com
munists who now have no escape
route.
South Korean troops entered An
dong, 48 miles north of Taegu, and
other South Koreans drove into
Yopgdok on the east coast, rs miles
north of Pohang.
War Materiel Recaptured
Vast quantities of war materiel is
being recaptured. and some is be-
ing recaptured equipment the
Americans lost In their bitter re-
treats.
The American flag flew from a
hut on the highest point in Scouts
Tongmaksang district. From this
point Marines poured mortar fire
into Red strongpoints in the capital.
Units of the Seventh Division. an
American-South Korean outfit.
joined the Marines in the payoff
struggle for the capital. Its 32nd
Regiment speared across the Seoul-
Suwon highway and crossed tiE
Han river
ReinfOrcementS
Reinforcements poured into the
Inchon beachhead and 2.4O0 air.
borne troops sped from Japan by
ship dropped on Kimpo airfieid
northwest of Seoul.
For the Goth straight day, Far
East Air Force and Royal Australian
Air Force planes hit North Korean
targets. B-29's and light bombers
and fighters hit almost 100 targets
in a record 728 sorties.
In Washington, us. Defense De-
partment observers said it was too
early to predict when Allied victory
in Korea might come, but the use
of airborne troops indicated a mass
ing of swift-striking mobile strength
to be coordinated in the final ami
blow.
South Mountain Taken
Latest report is that Marines and
Infantry seized South Mountain on
the way to the heart of Seoul
Around this mountain most OF the
South Korean capital is built.
Four Allied columns battled into
the capital. The spokesman said the
Marines and Infantry had linked up
at some point inside the city. He
added that Marine units reached
Duk 500 Palace, center of cluster
of government buildings. but he
could not say whether the Ameri-
cans had captured the Palace from
the Communists.
Fall of Seoul to the Americans
seemed imminent. 1t has been in
hands for three months
falling TO them two days after
they launched their invasion July %.