Evening star., 1950-07-16

(C), North KOr cans were driv
upply line in the KumchOn area
ing along the south bank of tn,
Kun. the South Korean army OF
the East flank had to yield some
ground.
The South Koreans are fight.
ing doggedly. however, and so fal
have kept the invaders from
reaching the Kun River. A breal
across the river here might pu
the Reds in the rear of tht
American positions north and wes
of Taejon.
Mr.. Moore said the Communist.
attacking the United States line.
northwest of Taejon threw in ar.
tillery and possibly self-propellec
guns. American artillery returned
the fire. It was believed that
every new crossing attempt wa.
crushed.
American planes and artillery
have kept these roads (south ol
the Kum) under merciless at,
tack" Mr.. Moore reported.
American troops stood firm or
the river line northwest of Taejor
where the main Seoul-Pusar
highway crosses the Kun. The
Communists used tank guns as
well as their other artillery in q
savage effort to cave in the Taejon
defenses at their center.
THE Americans returned the
artillery fire and believe they
beat back every river crossing at
tempted by Red patrols.
What the Communists can
throw into their next major drive
may become known before the
day is over. So may be the ques-
tions of whether the Reds will
make q heavier smash at the
South Koreans on the right or a
push around the Americans on the
left"
Using Every Trick.
The Reds, who launched their
surprise invasion of South Korea
just three weeks ago today, were
using every trick at their COM
mand-including night-striking
guerrillas clad in American fatigue
uniforms or disguised as civilians.
The situation in the vital sector
west and northwest of Taejon
was described as fluid" by Gen.
MacArthur's communique early
today. Headquarters conceded the
North Korean bridgehead, at an
undisclosed place west of Taejon,
remained intact despite heavy
losses"
A spokesman at American ad-
vanced headquarters said last
night that although no Commu-
mist tanks had been observed
south Of the Kun River, some
were seen on two north south
roads west of Taejon.
This apparently meant that Red
tanks had not been-able to cross
the shallow river barrier to re-
inforce the main North Korean
bridgehead, but were swinging in
from point farther west.
Mr.. Moore reported that there
was mo reason to believe the in
vaders have lost the power to
keep their tank columns in mo-
tion when they are ready to dc
So"
He pointed out the North Kore-
ans still outhumber the defenders
by long odds. Enemy strategy ap-
peared to be one of spreading out
wide to thin the defense line
then pressing in from both left
and right flanks.
Whether the Communists would
attempt to overrun Taejon's de.
tenders, or bypass the city of more
than 100000 persons was not We,
clear.
Reds Infiltrated at Night.
The left flank. held on thu
west by American forces, wa.
turned by Communist soldiers WHIT
infiltrated across the Kun Frida,
night.
i In surprise raids on American
units under cover of darkness they
caused some loss of American
artillery positions. The defens.
dropped back to new positions
blowing bridges and dynamitins
roads as they retired.
The crossings apparently wer,
| in the vicinity Of Samygo, 20 mile
northwest OF Taejon.
On the right flank, north o
Taejon and, north of the Kun
River, South Koreans nearest t,
the American sector were forced
back to higher ground by the i'm
pact of the Red fanking drive.
4 Again speedy jets and Mustang
came, supported the defenders
slashing in for low level attack
on Red armor.
Withdrawal Limited.
Gen. MacArthur's morning com.
munique, which usually runs be,
hind field accounts. placed tn,
South Korean withdrawal alonl
the Chongju-Koesan sector. Koe.
san is 20 miles northeast O.
lChongju, which in turn is % mile.
north of Taejon. Headquarter.
- l. ,