Evening star., 1950-07-15
US. Left Flank on Kun
Gives Way as Reds
Score Break Through
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Red break through was at Sam
gyo. 20 miles northwest of Taejon.
Taejon is the abandoned emer-
gcncy capital Of South Korea. He
said the bridgehead remained in
tact despite heavy Red losses.
Only at the center of the line
were the Americans reported hold
ing. Field dispatches credited
this force with battling the Reds
all day furiously.
Some Artillery Trapped.
The attack by the disguised
Reds on the left flank trapped
some artillery. d
The withdrawing Americans
blew bridges and roads as they
retreated.
A United States spokesman at
advanced American headquarters
in Korea said no Red tanks had
been seen south of the river.
But other Red vehicles of war,
including tractor mounted '76-mil-
lmeter guns, swung into action.
From the Samgyo bridgehead
the Reds braved mortar fire to
seize jeeps and trucks. Vehicles
Of both types were seen sweeping
south on roads Is and 20 miles
northwest of Taejon. The ad-
vancing Reds could continue south
or sweep below Taejon. Their in
tent may not be clear for another
"a hours.
U. 8. Guns Pound Reds.
American artillery kept UP an
all-day din. The Communists an
swered with 76-mm. guns.
William r. Moore, Associated
Press correspondent in Korea, said
In a 1852 pm. (8:52 am. EDT)
dispatch that some Red soldiers
were seen advancing lin the face
Of mortar fire.
Earlier MIR. Moore had reported
some American troops reorgan-
lied and stabilizing their new DO
sitions.
Intense air strikes by the Amer
leans were credited with knocking
out four Red tanks and crippling
10 more.
The Communists apparently
were trying to drive a wedge be-
tween the American right flank
and South Korean troops defend
ing q sector 10 miles south of
Chongju.
Some Of the Reds waded the
shallow river to reach the south
side. where they held ON tenacious
~, IN the Samgyo area crossing.
The Red bridgehead was estab-
lished by large forces of inflltrat-
ing troops carrying considerable
equipment and covering an ex-
tensive area.
The Reds. some wearing Amer
lean fatigues, attacked in over
whelming force. They overran one
American artillery unit. There
was no indication of the fate of
the artillerymen.
Earlier Gen. Macarthur said the
American and South Korean forces
were withdrawing before superior
forces He said they were fight
ing rearguard actions awaiting re-
inforcements.
The Allied air offensive was
slowed by bad weather for the
second consecutive day. Amer |
acan and Australian planes made
100 sorties. however, and blasted
targets from the front to Seoul,
90 miles north.
Yak Fighters Destroyed.
A Far East Air Forces COM
munique said two ,Russian.made
Yak-9 fighters were DESTROYED on
the ground at Kimpo Air Field
near Seoul In all, pilots reported
six tanks destroyed and seven
damaged They said they also
destroyed 81 trucks and damaged
IS others.
.B-29 Super Forts pounded
bridges. roads and vehicles near
Chungju, so miles northeast of
Jaejon. Others bombed the North
Korean east port city of Wonsan
TOR the second day. The COM
munique said results Of the strikes
were good but that extent of dam
age was unknown.
1t. Gen. Stratemeyer said
F-S0 Shooting Star Jets "haye
accounted for IS per cent of North
Korean vehicle and materiel
losses"
Rocket and machine gun fire
from F-80s has blown up more
tanks, trucks and other equipment
than all other types of air attack
combined" the commander of the
Far East Air Forces added in a
statement.
He said the jets "have flown 10
per cent Of all the combat sorties."
Some battlefront reports have