September 15 - September 30, 1950 
  October 1 - November 22, 1950 
  November 23, - December 31, 1950 

WITHDRAWAL TO THE PUSAN PERIMETER

Jun 25 to Aug 3, 1950

At approximately 4 a.m. (Korean Standard Time) on a rainy Sunday morning Democratic People's Republic of Korea Army (DPRK - North Korea) artillery and mortars open fire on Republic of Korea (ROK - South Korea) Army positions south of the 38^th Parallel, the line then serving as the border between the two countries. The opening barrage is followed shortly by tank/infantry attacks at all points along the Parallel. At 11 a.m. North Korea announced a formal declaration of war and what is now known as "The Korean War" officially began. In this announcement North Korea claimed ROK forces on the Ongjin Peninsula attacked North Korea in the Haeju area (west) and their declaration of war was in response to this attack. This claim was bogus.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman was notified of the invasion and returned from his home in Independence, Missouri, to Washington, D.C., arriving in early afternoon. Meanwhile the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of North Korean forces to north of the 38^th Parallel.

June 26, 1950

Uijongbu falls to North Korean forces. South Korean government - President Syngman Rhee and cabinet - leave Seoul for Taejon.

President Truman meets with State Department and Defense Department officials. He authorizes General Douglas MacArthur to: 

(1) send ammunition and equipment to prevent the loss of Seoul,

(2) provide ships and aircraft to evacuate American citizens, plus Air Force fighters and Navy ships to protect the evacuation, and 

(3) send a survey party to Korea to study the situation and determine how best to help the ROK government and military. Later in the day President Truman expanded his instructions by ordering General MacArthur to use Air Force aircraft and Navy ships against all North Korean military targets south the 38^th Parallel. General MacArthur issues an "alert order" telling all combat units in the Far East to prepare for possible deployment to Korea.

June 27, 1950

U.S. Ambassador Muccio & staff leave Seoul for Suwon. ROK Army headquarters leave Seoul for Sihung-ni (about 5 miles south of Yongdungp'o) without informing their U.S. advisors with the Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG.) KMAG follows ROKA Hq to Sihung-ni shortly thereafter. After discussions, most of ROKA Hq and KMAG return to Seoul a few hours later.

During the late evening, the U.N. Security council passes a resolution calling for member nations to give military aid to South Korea.

Meanwhile, in compliance with President Truman's order to provide help to South Korea and the use of U.S. air and naval forces south of the 38^th Parallel, General MacArthur sent a fact finding group, headed by Brig. General Church, to Korea. This group left Japan at approximately 4 a.m. and arriving at Suwon in the early afternoon where they set up a temporary headquarters.

A U.S. Air Force F-82 shoots down a North Korean Yak fighter for the first U.S. air victory of the war. Two more North Korean aircraft are shot down a few minutes later in this same battle.

June 28, 1950

ROKA engineers blow the Han River Bridge at approximately 2:15 a.m. trapping the bulk of 3 ROKA divisions fighting on the outskirts, plus ROKA Hq and KMAG personnel still in Seoul. Somewhere between 500 and 800 people - civilian & military- are killed in the explosion. All trapped KMAG were able to escape across the Han River later in the day via still-operating ferries, arriving in Suwon late that afternoon, where KMAG senior personnel briefed Gen. Church.

North Korean force entered Seoul in the early afternoon and street fighting ensued but by midnight Seoul was in North Korean hands.

June 29, 1950

Detachment "X," 33 officers and men from the 507^th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, arrive at Suwon and set up their weapons. During the day they engage 4 enemy planes, shooting down one and damaging another. These are the first American ground troops into Korea and theirs are the first shots fired by U.S. Army personnel arriving from Japan.

Gen. MacArthur flies to Suwon and confers with General Church and KMAG staff, then returns to Japan where he sends a message to the Joint Chiefs recommending introducing U.S. ground forces into battle. President Truman receives and approves the recommendation.

USS Juneau shells North Korean positions in the Samch'ok-Kangnung area (east coast.)

North Korean troops cross the Han River in the Kimpo area and take the air field.

June 30, 1950

Gen. MacArthur receives permission to employ U.S. ground support forces and to carry the war into North Korea and the waters offshore but to stay well clear of the Manchurian and Soviet borders. Later in the day he receives permission to deploy one (1) Regimental Combat Team (RCT) to Korea to establish a defense line in Pusan area to assure retention of the port. A few hours after this the order was expanded to 2 combat divisions and with permission to employ these forces against North Korean forces in the Suwon area. The United States was now fully committed to the Korean War.

General Church goes to Osan (12 miles south of Suwon so he can communicate with Far East Command Headquarters via telephone. He is told that if Suwon Air Field can be held, 2 U.S. infantry battalions will be flown in the next day. While he is in Osan, ADSCOM personnel panic in the belief they about to be surrounded, destroy their documents and radios, then move to Suwon Air Field to set up a defense perimeter. Once there, they decide to retreat south to Taejon and order AAA personnel to accompany them. General Church meets the retreating Americans on the road and orders them back to Suwon but finding all communications equipment destroyed, orders all to fall back to Taejon.

In Japan, MacArthur orders the 24^th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. William F. Dean commanding, to deploy to Korea. At approximately 10:30 PM the 1^st Battalion, 21^st Infantry Regiment, 24^th Division - less "A"& "D" companies, was ordered to proceed to Itazuke Air Base fro immediate deployment to Korea, thus forming the infantry element of what would become Task Force Smith (TFS.)

July 1, 1950

ADSCOM establishes a headquarters at Taejon. Task Force Smith ("B" & "C" Companies, ½ 1^st Battalion Headquarters Company, ½ a communications platoon, a composite platoon of 75mm recoilless rifle with of 4 guns, and 4 4.2" mortars - 406 infantry total) troops destined to be flown into Suwon are flown into Pusan instead and were immediately put on a train for Taejon. Remainder of 24^th Division to follow. Gen. Dean is also named to command all U.S. Army Forces in Korea (USAFIK.)

July 2, 1950

TFS officers and men arrive in Taejon at approximately 8 a.m. That evening TFS is ordered north to the towns of P'yongtaek and Ansong, arriving after dark. C Company dug in at P'yongtaek and B Company at Ansong.

USS Juneau and 2 British ships engage 4 NK torpedo boats escorting 10 small wooden freighters. 2 torpedo boats and 7 freighters destroyed.

34^th Infantry Regiment, 24^th Infantry Division, arrives at Pusan

July 3, 1950

General Dean arrives at Taejon and takes command of USAFIK.

Aircraft from the USS Valley Forge and HMS Triumph attack air fields in the P'yongyang-Chinnamp'o west coast area.

A Royal Australian Air Force F-51 mistakenly attacks an ammunition train stopped at the P'yongtaek Railroad station, causing it to explode. Railroad station was destroyed.

Two USAF Tactical Air Control Parties (TAC) arrive at Taejon.

North Korean forces take Inch'on and Yongdungp'o.

July 4, 1950

Task Force Smith consolidated at P'yongtaek and was joined by part of the 52^nd Field Artillery Battalion. This artillery contingent consisted of ½ of Headquarters and Service Batteries and all of "A" Battery with 6 - 105-mm howitzers, a total of 108 men and officers. Task Force Smith ordered take up positions north of Osan.

2^nd and 3^rd Battalions, plus regimental support troops, 21^st Infantry Regiment arrive at Pusan.

Meanwhile Gen. MacArthur requested from the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the U.S. 2^nd Infantry Division, a regimental combat team from the 82nd Airborne Division plus a Marine division be sent immediately to Korea.

July 5, 1950

Approximately 3 a.m. Task Force Smith reached the selected defense positions approximately 2-1/2 miles north of Osan and began digging in. The 52^nd Field Artillery guns dug in a mile and half or so to the south of TFS positions with one gun dug in a half mile to TFS's rear. This one gun had all the High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds the artillery had brought with them - 7 rounds.

A little after 7 a.m. a North Korean tank column, with a few infantry riding, was spotted coming the road. 8:16 a.m. the 52^nd Field fired the first artillery rounds by an American unit of the Korean War at the advancing T-34 tanks. Artillery fire was accurate but ineffective against the tanks as was fire from the 75mm recoilless rifles and 2.36" Bazookas fired at the tanks as they continued without stopping past Task Force Smith defenses and continued south. It did, however, kill or wound most of the infantry on the tanks. Two T-34 tanks were disabled but were pushed off the road. In total, 33 T-34 tanks went through Task Force Smith infantry positions by 9 a.m and through the 52^nd artillery positions by 10:15 a.m and continued on toward Osan.

Meanwhile a relative calm settled over TFS infantry positions. At approximately 10 a.m. a column of trunks and infantry could be seen coming down the road. Led by three tanks, this column was several miles long and arriving at point approximately 1000 yards north of TFS infantry positions. At approximately 11 a.m., TFS mortars and .50 caliber machineguns opened fire on the column. The fire was effective. Trucks blew up and men were blown into the air. Everyone who could took cover in ditches and rice paddies but the three T-34 tanks continued to advance and took TFS infantry positions under fire. Meanwhile North Korean infantry quickly reorganized and began a double envelopment of TFS's flanks. By 2:30 p.m. North Korean units were on Task Force Smith's flanks while a huge North Korean reserve waited on the road so the order to pull out and fall back was given. American forces in Korea had suffered their first defeat. It was a costly one for Task Force Smith. It lost approximately 150 infantrymen and officers killed, wounded or missing and 15 artillerymen and officers.

While the TFS fight was going on north of Osan, the 24^th Division's 34^th Infantry Regiment arrived at Taejon and was deployed north to set up defenses at P'yongtaek and Ansong with regimental headquarters at Songhwan-ni, a town 6 miles south of P'yongtaek on the main highway and rail line. The 1^st Battalion established positions on both sides of the main highway and rail line north of P'yongtaek while the 3^rd Battalion was ordered to Ansong.

USAF TAC parties deployed from Taejon to the 34^th Infantry Regiment, one team going to the 1^st Battalion at P'yongtaek, the other to the 3^rd Battalion.

July 6, 1950

1^st Battalion, 34^th Infantry, blow the highway and railroad bridges north of their positions at approximately 3 a.m. Enemy tanks and infantry arrive at the blown bridge at dawn. The destroyed bridge stops the tanks but North Korean infantry wade the river both upstream and downstream. 1^st Battalion opens fire on the tanks/infantry but without much success. At this point the North Korean infantry begin a double-envelopment and the 1^st Battalion begins withdrawing to prevent encirclement and retreats south to Ch'onan where they take up new positions along with "A" & "D" Companies of the just arrived 1^st Battalion, 21^st Infantry Regiment, two miles south of the city. Meanwhile the 3^rd Battalion arrives from Ansong and takes up positions at Ch'onan.

July 7, 1950

3^rd Battalion, 34^th Infantry was ordered north up the road from Ch'onan and to advance until it contacted the enemy, then fight a delaying action while withdrawing back to its position at Ch'onan. "L" Company, with the regimental I&R Platoon at point, advanced to a point approximately 5 miles north of Ch'onan with the rest of the battalion following. A general retreat began but instead of the 3^rd Battalion taking up its positions 2 miles north of Ch'onan, it continued south into the city, taking up positions at the north edge and railroad station at the west edge of the town. Meanwhile a battery of the 63^rd Field Artillery Battalion arrived at Ch'onan to support the 34^th Infantry.

Remainder of the 21^st Infantry Regiment arrives at Taejon and ordered to continue on to Choch'iwon and support the 34^th Infantry. 3^rd takes up positions blocking the highway six miles northwest of Choch'iwon while "A" & "D" Companies, 1^st Battalion, 21^st Infantry are ordered to move south on the Ch'onan-Choch'iwon road and take up advance blocking positions at the town of Chonui.

The UN Security Council passes its third resolution asking the United States to name the commander for UN Forces in Korea.

July 8, 1950

Shortly before daybreak North Korean T-34 tanks entered Ch'onan from the east as did infantry units. The tanks roamed back and forth shooting at every American vehicle and suspected American position while North Korean infantry began systematically to attack from the east and other North Korean infantry moved south of the town and cutting the escape route for the 3^rd Battalion. By afternoon Ch'onan was in North Korean hands and the 3^rd Battalion. Approximately 175 men and officers from the 3^rd Battalion were able to escape from the town.

When notified of the loss of Ch'onan, Gen. Dean ordered what was left of the 34^th Infantry Regiment to fight a delaying action as it moved south down the road leading to the Kum River and ordered the 21^st Regt to delay the North Koreans north of Choch'iwon at least 4 days. He augmented the 21^st Inf with one battery of 155mm howitzers from the 11^th Field Artillery Battalion plus "A" Company, 78^th Heavy Tank Battalion (misnomer since the battalion was equipped with M-24 light tanks, not M4E8 medium tanks.) At the same time the 3^rd Engineer Combat Battalion was ordered to prepare roadblocks along the 34^th Infantry's withdrawal route at Kongju and to prepare all bridges over the Kum River for demolition.

President Truman names Gen. Douglas MacArthur as Commanding General of United nations Military Forces and directs him to use the United Nations Flag, concurrently with the flags of the various nations participating, in the course of operations against North Korean Forces.

July 9, 1950

By dawn "A" & "D" Companies, 1^st Battalion, 21^st Inf, were in forward blocking positions on a low ridge just southeast of Chonui while the 3^rd Battalion, 21^st Inf, manned stronger defense position a mile to the south. A USAF FAC team was with the forward blocking force as well artillery observers from the 11^th FA Battalion.. In mid-afternoon 11 T-34 tanks, escorted by 200-300 infantry appeared on the road north of Chonui. The AF FAC team called in air strikes while the artillery FO called in artillery. By 4:30 p.m. five of the eleven tanks were burning and North Korean infantry retreated under 4.2 mortar and artillery fire. A short time later another air strike hit approximately 200 NK vehicles on the Choch'iwon-Chonui road destroying approximately 100. After dark, NK patrols entered Chonui and began probing 1^st Battalion blocking positions but were driven off with mortar and artillery fire. This engagement set the village of Chonui on fire, lighting up the night.

July 10, 1950

Fog shrouded the ground when dawn broke at Chonui and with it came North Korean soldiers. Men of the 1^st Battalion, 21^st Infantry could hear North Koreans on the northwest side of the road. A few minutes later firing began coming from that direction, most in the direction of the platoon set up on small hill. The platoon reported the firing was coming from a higher hill two or three hundred yards to their northwest. Mortars from the 1^st Battalion. began firing pre-registered salvos at the area between the two hills. North Korean forces circled around the American held hill and attacked the mortars to the rear. The mortar and 75mm recoilless rifle sections were overrun at approximately 7:15 a.m. About the same time, North Korean tanks came out of Chonui, passed through American lines and down the road towards Choch'iwon. The tanks could be heard but not seen because of the fog as they moved south. The fog lifted at about 8 a.m. and at approximately 9 a.m. North Korean infantry moved out of Chonui and began a frontal attack on 1^st Battalion positions but were beaten off. A second attack developed at approximately 11 a.m. Initially the 1^st Battalion held but soon U.S. artillery began impacting on the 1^st Battalion. Attempts to stop the friendly fire failed. North Korean forces pressed their attack and by approximately noon the 1^st Battalion was partially overrun so the 1^st Battalion withdrew back to Choch'iwon. Later that afternoon the 3^rd Battalion, 21^st Inf. retook former 1^st Battalion positions. While advancing for the attack, the 3^rd Battalion found six U.S. soldiers lying dead in a ditch, hands tied behind their backs and killed by a single shot to the head. The 3^rd Battalion stayed in former 1^st Battalion positions until about midnight when they withdrew to its old positions about six miles north of Choch'iwon..

At approximately 10 a.m., the first tank-to-tank battle of the Korean War took place south of 1^st Battalion positions and Choch'iwon when 4 U.S. M-24 light tanks engaged the same North Korean tanks which had gone through 1^st Battalion lines earlier in the day. U.S. tanks performed poorly, losing two while the North Korean's lost none. Later that afternoon the second tank-to-tank battle took place in the same area. This time U.S. M-24's lost none and destroyed two T-34 tanks.

Meanwhile Task Force Smith, reequipping in Taejon, had received 205 replacements and was ordered to rejoin the 21^st Infantry Regt. at Choch'iwon. About the same time, General MacArthur was named Commander in Chief, United Nations Command, in addition to being Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP,) Commander in Chief, Far East (CINCFE,) and Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces, Far East.

The 27^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Division lands at Pusan and is sent north to Uisong, 25 miles north of Taegu. 25^th division headquarters is established at Yongch'on, a point half way between P'ohang-dong on the Sea of Japan and Taegu.

Meanwhile, Gen. MacArthur received word the 2^nd Infantry Division had been ordered to deploy to Korea.

July 11, 1950

Task Force Smith's "B" & "C" companies rejoined the 1^st Battalion at Choch'iwon shortly before dawn. The 1^st Battalion then moved to positions about 2 miles north of Choch'iwon. Meanwhile the 21^st 's 3^rd Battalion was already engaged with North Korean tanks and infantry. A double-envelopment by North Korean troops soon had the battalion surrounded and by noon the 3^rd Battalion was completely overrun while individuals and small groups tried to make their south to safety. Only 322 out 667 made it.

To west on the Ch'onan-Taejon highway the 1^st Battalion, 34^th , fought a series of small delaying actions as it withdrew, crossing to the south bank of the Kum river that afternoon.

July 12, 1950

At dawn North Korean forces began probing the 1^st Battalion, 21^st, at the same time executing a double envelopment of their positions two miles north of Choch'iwon. By noon the 1^st Battalion was falling back so the 21^st was ordered to withdraw and take up new positions on the south bank of the Kum River at Taep'yong-ni. The withdrawal was completed that afternoon.

The 24^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Division arrive at Pusan. Meanwhile two battalions, 27^th Infantry is moved to Andong while one battalion is sent to P'ohang to provide security for Yonil Air Field (K-3) 5 miles to south of P'ohang on the east coast. Meanwhile, two battalions from the 29^th Infantry Regiment on Okinawa were ordered to Korea.

July 13, 1950

By the morning of 13 July, the 24^th Division was in defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River on at Taejon and Taep'yong-ni. As soon as the last troops were south of the river engineers blew all road and railroad bridges crossing the Kum while the 24^th Reconnaissance Company fanned out along the Kum's south bank, destroying all ferries and flat-bottomed boats. The front now extended from Taejon, northeast to Ch'ongju, and across the Taebaek Mountains P'yonghae-ri on the east coast. In the Taejon-Kongju area the 24^th Division was deployed with the 24^th Reconnaissance Company watching principle river crossings west of Kongju, the 34^th Infantry at Kongju, the newly arrived 19^th Infantry Regiment at Taejon, and the badly mauled 21^st Infantry Regiment in blocking position southeast of Taejon. The 21^st was down to a total strength of approximately 1100 men, having 1,433 men missing-in-action during the first week of fighting. At Kongju the 3^rd Battalion, 34^th Infantry Regiment was on the high ground around Kongju astride the Kongju-Nonsan road. On the line from left to right were "L." "I," and "K" Companies, with the heavy mortars of "M" (Heavy Weapons) Company behind them.

Also on the 13th, 8^th Army Headquarters, under command of Lt. Gen. Walton Walker, is established at Taegu. At the same time ROK Army Headquarters is moved to Taegu.

July 14, 1950

As dawn broke on July 14^th 3^rd Battalion, 34^th, occupied the same positions as the day before. At approximately 6 a.m. enemy tanks on the north bank of the Kum River opened fire on "I" Company positions but did little damage. A few minutes later an "L" Company outpost on the far left flank reported that two barges were ferrying North Korean Troops across the Kum two miles to their west. An estimated 500 North Korean troops crossed by 9:30 a.m. By then "L" Company was under increasingly accurate mortar and artillery fire so its commander ordered the company to withdraw, an action which lead the company commander being relieved. Instead of attacking the 3^rd Battalion, the North Koreans continued south intent on enveloping the infantry positions. Three miles south of the river, the 63^rd Field Artillery Battalion set up along a secondary road near the village of Samyo. At about 1:30 p.m. an outpost reported North Korean troops approaching and the outpost soon overrun. The North Koreans pressed their attack and over the next two hours the entire 63^rd Field Artillery Battalion was overrun, losing all of their 105mm howitzers, most of its vehicles and 136 men and officers. "I" Company, 3^rd Battalion, 34^th, did not learn that "L" Company had withdrawn and enemy troops were holding the roads to its rear until late in the afternoon. At this point the "I" Company Commander began a withdrawal over the mountains to its east and southeast of Kongju, rejoining the regiment at its new positions east of Nonsan.

Meanwhile the 19^th Infantry Regiment dug in on the south bank of the Kum River while the 21^st reorganized at Taejon. The 19^th Infantry front stretched from 3 miles east of Kongju, to Taep'yong-ni and to Sinch'on, a straight line distance of 15 miles and approximately 30 miles along the Kum River because of the river's twists and turns. Its main defense position was astride the main Seoul-Pusan highway where it crossed the Kum at Taep'yong-ni. In early afternoon, and despite air attacks, North Korean tanks appeared. dug in across the Kum at Taep'yong-ni and began firing on 19^th Infantry positions. After dark small North Korean patrols probed 19^th positions but no serious engagements took place. Meanwhile on the North Korean side of Kum across from Taep'yong-ni the build-up of armor and men continued.

President Syngman Rhee places all ROK military forces under UN command.

Meanwhile, ROK forces on the east coast withdrew to new positions between Yonghae and Yongdok, a fishing port some 20 miles north of the all important port of P'ohang-dong and the Yonil air field.

July 15, 1950

At approximately 6 a.m. the 1100 or so men remaining of 21^st left their assembly area at Taejon for Okch'on (10 miles east of Taejon) on the Seoul-Pusan highway. Headquarters set up at Okch'on while the 1^st Battalion set up positions astride the main highway about half way between Okch'on and Taejon. Meanwhile at Taep'yong-ni the 19^th Infantry things were relatively quiet until just before dusk when small groups of North Koreans began wading across the Kum at various locations, but without success.

July 16, 1950

At 3 a.m. the North Koreans mounted a full-scale, coordinated attack against the 19^th, opening the attack with a massive artillery and mortar barrage while infantry waded across the Kum at several points and by 4 a.m. had succeeded in establishing several bridgeheads. By dawn well over a thousand North Koreans were on the south bank of the Kum. Once across they began their standard double-envelopment and by 10 a.m. had established a roadblock on the Taep'yong-ni - Taejon road. Over the next several hours 19^th Infantry positions were overrun one by one and American troops began retreating, leaving their dead and seriously wounded behind. With the loss of Taep'yong-ni by the 19^th Infantry, the 34^th Infantry was ordered to pull back from Nonsan to Taejon and establish new defense positions approximately 3 miles north and west of the city.

July 17, 1950

34^th Infantry establishes a defense line north and east of Taejon. Originally it was planned both the 19^th and 34^th would defend this line but the 21^st was combat-ineffective so the job fell to the 34th.

July 18, 1950

Lead elements of the U.S. 5^th and 8^th Cavalry Regiments, 1^st Cavalry Division (dismounted) land at P'ohang-dong.

Gen. Dean orders the 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Infantry back to Taejon along with the "B" Battery, 13^th Field Artillery Battalion and 24^th Reconnaissance Company.

July 19, 1950

5^th Cavalry Regiment departs P'ohang-dong for Taejon. Advance party of the 1^st Cavalry Division, including Division Tank Company, arrive at Yongdong.

North Korean YAK aircraft bomb and strafe the railroad bridge two miles northwest of Okch'on in the early morning. Later that afternoon, 2 YAK's were shot down by "A" Battery, 26^th Antiaircraft Battalion. 24^th Reconnaissance Company arrives at Taejon and moves southwest on the Nonsan Road. At approximately 10 a.m. some three miles west of the Kapch'on River, its advance platoon ran into a North Korean roadblock and withdrew back across the Kapch'on where it joined "L" Company, 21^st Infantry. By noon the position was under heavy North Korean attack and by 1 p.m. was being overrun. The 2^nd Battalion, 21^st arrives at Taejon from Yongdong and is sent on to support "L" Company and 24^th Reconnaissance Company. At approximately 1 p.m. the 2^nd Battalion, 21^st receives word the North Koreans have broken through "L" Company positions and is ordered to retake "L" Company's former positions on the south bank of the Kapch'on River.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Battalion, 34^th is under heavy attack in the Yusong area on the main Seoul-Pusan highway. This is northwest of Taejon. The 1^st Battalion was able to hold on to most of its forward positions during the day. However, the 34^th Infantry commander withdrew his headquarters and vehicles to Taejon and moved the artillery supporting his regiment to the south edge of the city.

About mile to the west of the 1^st Battalion, 34^th, "F" Company, 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Infantry, came under heavy North Korean attack, which they successfully repelled. However, after dark both "F" Company, 19^th and 1^st Battalion, 34^th could hear North Korean troops and tanks moving south via a mile-wide gap between "F" Company, 19^th and the 1^st Battalion, 34^th. This was reported to their respective regimental headquarters.

July 20, 1950

A little after midnight, 34^th Infantry Headquarters received word North Korean tanks and infantry were six miles south of Taejon on the Kumsan road. A patrol from the 24^th Reconnaissance Company was ordered south to check this report out. They did not return so at approximately 3 a.m a platoon-sized patrol from the 24^th Reconnaissance Company went to find out what had happened to the first patrol. They ran into a strong roadblock where the found the bodies of the first patrol and their destroyed jeeps.

A major North Korean tank/infantry attack developed in the 1^st Battalion, 34^th area shortly after 3 a.m. and by 4 a.m. most positions had been overrun. Survivors began withdrawing individually or in small groups. The largest group, a mixed bag of approximately 200 1^st Battalion headquarters and mortar company personnel, moved south and away from the sound of tank fire.

When telephone communication was lost with the 1^st Battalion, a wire team from 34^th Headquarters was sent to repair the line. They returned about 5 a.m. and reported North Korean tanks and infantry on the road a mile to the west of Taejon. Not believing the report, the regimental S-3 went to see for himself. He ran into a T-34 tank at road junction a half mile west of Taejon. His jeep was destroyed but he escaped. A few minutes later the T-34 was destroyed by a Bazooka team from the 3^rd Combat Engineer Battalion, using the newly arrive 3.5 Bazooka. This was the first known use of this weapon in combat. Within the next hour two more T-34 tanks had been knocked out by this weapon.

Shortly after daybreak, the 3^rd Battalion, 34^th was ordered to attack in the direction the 1^st Battalion. This attack was supposed to close the mile-wide gap between the 1^st Battalion, 34^th and the 2^nd Battalion, 19^th. However, they ran into a strong mixed tank/infantry force about an quarter mile west where the T-34 tank had been destroyed and were forced to withdraw back to their previous positions and by noon surviving units and men from the 19^th and 34^th Infantry Regiments were withdrawing south into the mountains. The roads into Taejon were open to the North Koreans.

Meanwhile, shortly after dawn T-34 tanks and small groups of North Korean infantry began entering the outskirts of Taejon. At the same time North Korean snipers began infiltrating and taking up positions throughout the city. The first knowledge of these was when two T-34 tanks entered the compound being used by Service Company, 34^th Infantry and opened fire. This killed several men, destroyed several vehicles and set an ammunition truck on fire, moved away looking for other targets. However, these two T-34 tanks and six others were destroyed by American 3.5" Bazooka teams by 11 a.m. At about 2 p.m. Gen. Dean ordered a withdrawal from the city using the Taejon-Okch'on road and then to Yongdong. However, by this time North Korean infantry was already moving toward this road and some were already astride it.  As various units from the 24^th Division withdrew, they were soon stopped by enemy roadblocks and forced to abandon their vehicles and try to reach safety via the mountains. Some did, many did not. The 24^th Division Commander, Gen. Dean, was one of those who did not and was captured some days later while evading. At dark, for all intents Taejon was in North Korean hands. However, the 21^st Infantry Regiment still held its positions at Okch'on as the North Koreans had concentrated on Taejon and left the Okch'on area for later. The 21^st was given permission to withdraw the next morning and to fight delaying actions as it did.

8^th Cavalry Regiment departs P'ohang-dong for Yongdong on the Taejon-Taegu road.

In the central sector, troops from the U.S. 24^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Division, engage North Korean forces at Yech'on. They enter the town but withdraw that evening.

July 21, 1950

At daybreak, engineers blew railroad and highway tunnels just north of Okch'on, then blow the last bridge across the Kum River east of Okch'on. The 21^st Infantry Regiment and 52^nd Field Artillery Battalion make a successful withdrawal from the Okch'on positions to new positions 4 miles northwest of Yongdong. Throughout that day and the next individuals, large and small groups of made their way across the mountains from the Taejon area to Yongdong.

3^rd Battalion, 24^th Infantry retake Yech'on. Meanwhile the 2^nd Battalion, 35^th Infantry, 25^th Division take up positions northwest of Hamch'ang on the Yechon-Sangju road. This is in the central sector, north of Taegu.

July 22, 1950

North Koreans attack "F" Company, 2^nd Battalion, 25^th Infantry Division positions at dawn. ROK Army forces on both sides of the American unit withdrew without informing the Americans who were soon taking fire from both flanks forcing them to withdraw with heavy casualties. At the same time the 2^nd Battalion, 24^th Infantry is advancing up a road 20 miles northwest of Sangju when it ran into a North Korean roadblock and withdrew.

8^th Cavalry Regiment replaces the 21^st Infantry Regiment, 24^th Infantry Division at Yongdong and the 1^st Cavalry Division assumes responsibility for defending the Taejon-Taegu corridor. The 1^st Battalion, 8^th Cavalry, took up positions on the Taejon road northwest of Yongdong and the 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Cavalry in positions southwest of Yongdong. The 5^th Cavalry Regiment took up positions east of Yongdong. At this time each Regiment, like earlier U.S. divisions deployed to Korea, consisted of only two battalions.

July 23, 1950

The first engagement of the battle for Yondong began around dawn when a North Korean mounted an attack against 1^st Battalion, 8^th Cavalry Regiment positions northwest of Yongdong. Three T-34 tanks were destroyed. Another attack, coordinated with an attack on 2^nd Battalion positions took place a couple of hours later. This was repulsed but during the day, the North Koreans attacked frontally 4 times. While these attacks tied down the two American battalions, a North Korean battalion infiltrated around 2^nd Battalion positions and established a strong road block a mile an half to its rear.

2^nd Battalion, 35^th Infantry withdraw to new positions 5 miles north of Sangju. Meanwhile the 27^th Infantry relieves ROK troops in around the Hwanggan area. Once there the 1^st Battalion, 27^th moved up the road toward Poun taking up positions at Sangyong-ni, a village a short distance south of Poun. Thus the U.S. 25^th Infantry Division now held the sector from the Seoul-Pusan highway to Sangju. and the ROK Army troops hold the front from northeast of Sangju, to Andong, to the east coast.

Shortly after dark, the 1^st Battalion, 27^th sent a 30-man patrol toward Poun. Near the town the patrol saw a large column of North Korean troops approaching and set up an ambush. Once the lead unit was in the killzone, the small patrol opened up with every weapon, decimating the lead and following North Korean units. The rest of the North Korean column drew back to prepare for counterattack. While they did, the small patrol fell back to 1^st Battalion lines. It lost six men missing in this action.

July 24, 1950

The enemy unit ambushed the night before attacked 1^st Battalion, 27^th positions at approximately 6:30 a.m. A heavy fog covered the ground. The fog allowed the North Koreans to approach very close before being discovered. The fight see-sawed back and forth over the 1^st Battalion's high ground positions all day. Several times T-34s appeared, only to be knocked out by 3.5" Bazookas or airstrikes. Six tanks were destroyed and two escaped. Expecting the North Koreans to encircle the battalion, when dark fell, the 1^st Battalion quietly withdrew from its positions through 2^nd Battalion positions immediately behind it.

At Yongdong a series of attacks by U.S. tanks starting around dawn against the enemy roadblock behind the 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Cavalry failed to dislodge the North Koreans. The 1^st Battalion, 5^th Cavalry Regiment and the 16^th Reconnaissance Company is sent to try and break the roadblock. Meanwhile, North Korean forces kept up frontal attacks on the 1^st Battalion, 8^th Cavalry. These were beaten back with the help of 105mm, quad-fifty and 37mm Antiaircraft afire from supporting artillery units. As the day before, the North Korean frontal attacks were diversions to allow several platoon-sized units infiltrate around 1^st Battalion positions. Some infiltrators came down the main road, dressed as civilian refugees.

24^th Infantry Regiment relieves the 1^st ROK Division in the Sangju area.

The 29^th Infantry Regiment arrives at Pusan from Okinawa. It consists of two battalions but these units are made up mostly of newly arrived recruits while most of the NCO's and officers are also new to the unit. They have never trained together, nor have most fired and zeroed their weapons. Their new .50 caliber machine-guns are still in cosmoline and their mortars have never been test fired. Despite being promised time to draw equipment and to fire and zero weapons, the 29^th is ordered to proceed immediately to Chinju where it will be attached to the 19^th Infantry, 24^th Division.

July 25, 1950

The 24^th Infantry Division receives orders to defend Chinju in far south-central South Korea to block a North Korean flanking movement. That night the 29^th Infantry, now in Chinju, receives orders to seize Hadong, a town road junction 35 miles southwest of Chinju. At dusk the 3^rd Battalion, 29^th begins a road march toward Hadong.

At Sangyong-ni the North Koreans evidently did not realize the 1^st Battalion, 27^th had pulled back during the night because as dawn broke, it revealed a large enemy force in the open behind the 1^st Battalion's former position and directly under the guns of the 2^nd Battalion and supporting artillery and quad-fifties. A turkey-shoot took place as Americans on the high ground pounded the North Koreans below with rifle, automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire. Only a few survivors of two North Korean battalions escaped. Despite this setback, the North Korean division began attacking the 2^nd Battalion at about 10 a.m. By mid-afternoon small North Korean units could be seen making their way around the battalion's and regiment's flanks so a withdrawal to new position on high ground near Hwanggan was ordered. This began after dark and the 27^th disengaged successfully.

By morning all positions of 1^st Cavalry Division units in the Yongdong area were under fire from North Korean troops who had infiltrated around through the positions so Gen. Gay ordered Yongdong abandoned. The 1^st Battalion, 8^th Cavalry made successful withdrawal from its positions northwest of the town but lost their heavy mortars during the withdrawal.

To the southwest the 2^nd battalion and supporting units were not so lucky. A concentrated artillery/mortar barrage briefly opened the roadblock south of the 2^nd Battalion. Most of the battalion escaped before the North Korean slammed the door shut again, trapping "F" Company, the 16^th Reconnaissance Company and the 1^st platoon, "A" Company, 71^st Tank Battalion who were fighting rearguard. Only 4 of the 11 tanks broke through North Korean positions. The other seven tanks were abandoned and the entire group took to the mountains, reaching safety two days later.

On the other side of the enemy roadblock, the 5^th Cavalry Regiment attempted to keep the road block open but failed. During this fight, "F" Company tried to envelope the roadblock but ran into an ambush instead and was badly mauled. Only 26 men from the company returned.

Meanwhile, Regimental Headquarters, 7^th Cavalry Regiment and the 2^nd Battalion arrived and took up a position west of Kumch'on astride the Taejon-Taegu road and railroad near a small village named No Gun Ri (Nog'un-ri.) Throughout the evening occasional rifle shots and short bursts of machine-gun fire could be heard as nervous, green troops fired at sounds or perceived enemy targets although the nearest North Korean troops were miles away. The uneasiness increased as exaggerated rumors of enemy gains in the 27^th Regiment's sector spread through the newly arrived unit.

July 26, 1950

Around 12:15 a.m. the 7^th Cavalry received an erroneous report of a North Korean breakthrough in the 27^th 's sector and 7^th Cavalry Headquarters ordered an immediate withdrawal. At this point the 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Cavalry, scattered in panic, leaving behind the battalion switchboard, 14 machine-guns, 9 radios, 120 M1 rifles, 26 carbines, 7 BAR's, and 6 60mm mortars, all recovered after daylight when a few NCO's and truck divers returned to pick up the abandoned equipment. The 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Cavalry DID NOT return to its former positions. By evening, 119 men from the 2^nd Battalion were still missing.

While the 7^th Cavalry was trying to reassemble other elements of the 1^st Cavalry Division held their positions at Yongdong. The North Koreans mounted small probing attacks to tied these elements down while sending a regiment in a sweeping flanking movement through Chirye and thence toward Kumch'on. That night North Koreans mounted a major attack against 1^st Cavalry elements at Yongdong by DRIVING SEVERAL HUNDRED REFUGEES AHEAD OF THEM THROUGH AMERICAN MINES FIELDS. This attack was repulsed.

By dawn the 27^th Regiment, 25^th Div, had successfully withdrawn to its new positions near Hwanggan. About midmorning the 1^st Battalion, 35^th Infantry Regiment, took up a position on the 27^th 's right flank but a large gap existed between the 27^th and the 7^th Cavalry Regiment on the 27^th 's left flank.

34^th Infantry Regiment, 24^th Division, is ordered from its positions in the Kunwi-Uisong area north of Taegu to Koch'ang in far south-central Korea. At the same time, division headquarters moves to Hyopch'on, a town 12 air miles west of the Naktong River, 25 miles north of Chinju.

Much farther to the south, around daybreak a truckload of wounded ROK soldiers met the 3^rd Battalion, 29^th Infantry, now attached to the 24^th Division's 19^th Infantry, and informed them the North Koreans now held Hadong. Because of no radio communication with 19^th Infantry Headquarters, the battalion XO, 3^rd Battalion, 29^th, returned to Chinju to pass this information to regiment and receive orders. He was told the 3^rd Battalion was to continue its mission. The XO returned to the battalion, now stopped at Wonjon, and the battalion continued its advance toward Hadong, stopping at dusk at the village of Hoengch'on-ni, about 3 miles from Hadong.

July 27, 1950

About daybreak, 1^st Battalion, 27^th , 25^th Division, came under attack from the gap on its left flank. It lost and regained its positions several times during the day but managed to hold on.

At Hoengch'on-ni, the 3^rd Battalion, 29^th Infantry began moving up toward the pass between there and Hadong at approximately 8:45 a.m. "L" Company arrived at pass at approximately 9: 45 a.m and began digging in. The battalion command group and group of ROKA officers, including General Chae Byong Duk (former Chief of Staff, ROKA) gathered at the pass so they could watch an airstrike that had been called in on Hadong. As the watched, a company of North Korean infantry was seen coming up the road from the Hadong side. At about 100 yards away, "L" company opened fire. Simultaneously, mortar and machine-gun fire from unsuspected North Korean positions on high ground about 200 yards to the north of the pass began impacting where the command group was. General Chae was killed instantly while the 3^rd Battalion Commander, XO, S-2 and assisted S-2 were wounded. The fight lasted until about noon when the battalion was ordered to withdraw but found the way cut off by North Koreans who were dug in to the rear. Very few made it to safety and the 3^rd Battalion, 29^th ceased to exist as a fighting unit.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Battalion, 29^th Infantry was sent north from Chinju to the Anui area to relieve the 1^st Battalion, 19^th Infantry which returned to Chinju. Farther to the north, the 34^th Infantry Regiment, 24^th Division was in dug in at Koch'ang, a town about half way between Chinju and Kumch'on.

July 28, 1950

By early morning the North Koreans had penetrated 1^st Battalion, 27^th positions at Hwanggan and the 27^th was ordered to withdraw through 1^st Cavalry Division positions are return to 25^th Division control.

Meanwhile, "B" and "D" Companies, 29^th Infantry were under attack by superior enemy forces at Anui. They tried to withdraw to high ground across the Nam River but only 2 officers and 16 men made it before North Korean troops slammed the exit door. The remainder of the two units engaged in street fighting until around midnight and then, those who could, slipped into the hills and tried to walk to safety. Approximately half of the two companies were either killed or missing in this battle.

At Chinju the surviving 354 officers and men, including walking wounded, of the 3^rd Battalion, 29^th were reorganized into "K" & "L" Companies. "K" Company was attached to the 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Infantry, and "L" Company to the 1^st Battalion, 19^th Infantry. The 1^st Battalion, 19^th relocated to Kuho-ri about 10 miles south of Chinju to block a secondary road from Hadong.

Considering the fight at Anui to be a "small battle," main North Korean forces turned north toward 34^th Regiment positions at Koch'ang.

July 29, 1950

The attack on the 34^th Infantry Regiment at Koch'ang began around 4 a.m. One North Korean force struck from the north and cut of "I" Company while a second North Korean force circled north of the town, then southward and cut the road east of Koch'ang. The 1^st Battalion repulsed this attack, then withdrew without orders to secondary positions three miles east of Koch'ang. A short time later the 3^rd Battalion also withdrew from Koch'ang, leaving "I" Company. After daylight the 1^st Battalion returned and rescued most of "I" Company except for one platoon which was either killed or captured. The regiment then withdrew to new positions 15 miles to the east near the town of Sanje on the Hyopch'on road. As they withdrew, engineers destroyed all bridges and blew cliffs to block the road. Alarmed by the loss of Koch'ang, 8^th Army ordered the 17^th ROK Regiment to Sanje and the 1^st Battalion, 21^st Infantry from the Yongdok-P'ohang-dong area on the east coast to Hyopch'ong where it took up positions back of the 34^th .

At Umyong-ni, the 1^st Battalion, 29^th Infantry, commander did not learn of the disaster at Anui until early morning. By this time what was left of the 1^st Battalion and mixed force of ROKA/ROKMC units was under attack. These forces withdrew towards Sanch'ong, a town about 20 miles north of Chinju, after dark.

2^nd Battalion, 35^th Infantry withdraws to new positions 2 miles north of Sanju while the 27^th Infantry is ordered into Army reserve at Waegwan on the Naktong River. After the 27^th had withdrawn through 1^st Cavalry positions, the 1^st Cavalry began withdrawing to new positions near Kumch'on, an important road junction 30 air miles northeast of Taegu. The 8^th Cavalry took up a position astride the Sangju road, the 5^th Cavalry astride the Chirye road and the 7^th Cavalry astride the Yongdong road six miles northwest of Kumch'on.

July 30, 1950

Sometime during the night an enemy unit moved around the right flank of the 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Infantry, which was holding a position on high ground astride the Chinju-Hadong road, and cut the road. Meanwhile the North Koreans mounted frontal attacks against the battalion, slowly forcing it to withdraw so by afternoon, the 2^nd Battalion, and the attached remnants of the 3^rd Battalion, 29th, were on the east bank of the Nam River about 2 miles west of Chinju. A lull developed as both sides prepared for the next battle. After dark, the North Koreans mounted a series of small probing attacks on the 2^nd Battalion.

2^nd Battalion, 35^th Infantry withdraws to new positions south of Sangju while the 24^th Infantry Regiment withdraws to last defendable high ground 3 miles west of Sangju.

July 31, 1950

The battle for Chinju began in earnest about 2:15 a.m. with a North Korean artillery barrage on "E" & "F" Company, 19^th Infantry positions. After about 45 minutes whistles blew and North Korean infantry attacked in force with the main effort directed at "F" Company positions. By 5 a.m. "F" Company broke with its men running for "E" Company positions. Organized elements of these two companies fell back to Chinju about daylight. Meanwhile "G" Company was ordered to fall back to Chinju. It went north over the high ground and circled eastward, picking up stragglers and wounded men from "E," "F" and "H" Companies, 19^th, and "K" Company, 29^th Infantry. It was clear the town couldn't be held so a withdrawal was ordered. This was fairly orderly. Since the main highway bridge was under fire the 2^nd Battalion went north to Uiryong. The regimental command post moved eastward out of Chinju, crossed the Nam River then east to Chiryong-ni, a small village 12 air miles east of Chinju.

On that morning, the 1^st Battalion, 29^th Infantry was at Sanch'ong and was unaware Chinju, 20 air miles to the southeast, had fallen but found out when refugees began appearing from the direction of Chinju so about 5 p.m. so began withdrawing southward, first to Tansong and then eastward to Haman.

Meanwhile, 1^st Battalion, 19^th moved 10 miles eastward toward Masan to set up positions at Chinju Pass.

35^th Infantry withdraws to positions 8 miles south of Sanju

The 27^th Infantry Regiment is taken out of 8^th Army reserve and ordered to Masan. It departs about noon.

Aug 1, 1950

27^th Infantry arrives and is directed to high ground at Chungam-ni, 15 miles to the west of Munch'on-ni. Following a conversation with the S-2 for the 1^st Battalion, 19^th, LTC Michaelis became convinced the 19^th couldn't hold their positions and that someone needed to block the south road into Masan so he unilaterally turned his regiment around and sent it to blocking positions on this road in the Chindong-ni vicinity. Michaelis went to the newly relocated 25^th Division Headquarters in Masan and told them what he had done. Presented with a fait accompli they approved.

Meanwhile, as Michaelis had suspected, the 1^st Battalion, 19^th had abandoned its Chinju Pass positions and relocated to "The Notch," a few miles to the east and in the Chungam-ni vicinity. While it dug in, the 2^nd Battalion 19^th moved into regimental reserve at the bottom of the pass.

As these moves took place, "A" Company, 8072^nd Medium Tank Battalion, arrived at Masan. It was equipped with rebuilt WWII M4E8 tanks. These were the first medium tanks to reach Korea. That evening the 1^st Battalion, 29^th Infantry was ordered to form a tank/infantry task force and make a reconnaissance westward of "The Notch."

Aug 2, 1950

At 5:30 a.m. the tank/infantry task force assembled at Chungam-ni (19^th Regimental Headquarters) and started for the Notch at 6:15. This was led by a platoon of M4 tanks. Arriving at the Notch at approximately 6:45 a.m. the task force topped the crest and started down the west side, finding North Korean infantry crawling up the ditches about a 100 yards. The tanks opened fire with their machine-guns while moving slowly ahead. A mortar round knocked out the lead tank, killing the crew. A few minutes later another tank farther up the Notch and near the end of the column was hit by anti-tank fire and set to burning. This effectively locked the remaining tanks and armored cars where they were and the fight deteriorated into a melee between infantry. During this the 1^st Battalion, 29^th and 1^st Battalion, 19^th became intermingled. Despite this, and heavy casualties, they held their positions and by mid-afternoon the North Koreans withdrew allowing the recovery of most trapped tanks and evacuation of the wounded.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Battalion, 27^th Infantry also mounted a tank/infantry reconnaissance task force, send this down the Chinju road from Chindong-ni. Leaving at 4 a.m. and unopposed at first, the column went several miles before surprising an enemy platoon still in their blankets along the road. Tank machine-guns and infantry rifle fire killed all but two. Some light opposition developed at the column moved toward the Much'on-ni road fork, arriving about mid-afternoon, the task force surprised a number of North Korean soldiers including a column of supply trucks which had just descended from the Chinju Pass. A few truck were able to turn around and escape back over the pass, and in doing so, alerted other vehicles heading for Much'on. Most turned around and headed back to Chinju where they became targets for F-51 aircraft which were supporting the tank/infantry column. Approximately 5 p.m., and following a series of engagements which saw two tanks damaged by anti-tank fire, a liaison aircraft flew over and dropped a message ordering the task force to return and informing them the North Korean had blocked the road back. The task force mounted all the infantrymen on tanks and vehicles with tanks in the lead, then made a dash for friendly lines. It had to stop several times and knock out enemy roadblocks but made it safely back to 27^th lines about midnight.

Aug 3, 1950

The following morning Headquarters, 27^th at Chindong-ni, came under heavy fire from a bluff above the town. A North Korean battalion had infiltrated during the night. Following a period of confusion, and thanks to 1^st Battalion arrival late the night before, the enemy was routed. An hour or so later second North Korean battalion joined the first but all enemy troops were driven off with heavy loses.

* *

The Inch'on Landing & Pusan Perimeter Breakout

Sep 15 to Sep 30, 1950

On the morning of September 15, 1950, heavy fighting continued in the 1^st Cavalry Division sector of the "Pusan Perimeter" north and west of Taegu. To the south in the 2^nd Infantry Division "Naktong Bulge" sector, pockets of survivors from 2 North Korean divisions, who had crossed the Naktong early in the month, were being slowly reduced and the Naktong River Defense Line restored. Farther to the south in the 25^th Division sector heavy, see-saw fighting continued in the Sibidang Mountain, Battle Mountain & Sobuk Mountain area west of Masan. On the northern Pusan Perimeter front ROK troops, augmented by U.S. artillery, armor and, in some places, infantry, battled along a rough east-west line stretching through high hills and mountains from P'ohang-dong on the east coast to a few miles north of Yongch'on -- located 15 miles east of Taegu. Overall, the "Great North Korean September Offensive" had been stopped and UN forces were slowly regaining lost ground in most sectors but were stalled in some. Within the Pusan perimeter, two Army Corps had been formed - U.S. I Corps at Taegu which consisted of the 1^st Cavalry Division, the 5^th Regimental Combat Team, 24^th Infantry Division, the British 27^th Brigade plus the 1^st ROK Division and U.S. IX Corps at Miryang, consisting of the 2^nd & 25^th Infantry Divisions.

To date, 84,478 U.S. troops have participated in defense of the Pusan Perimeter.

Meanwhile, and as a prelude to the landing at Inch'on, U.S. X Corps had been organized in Japan. X Corps consisted of, the 1^st U.S. Marine Division, which had sailed from Kobe on 11 September, the 7^th U.S. Infantry Division, which had also sailed from Yokohama on 11 September, and the 17^th ROK Infantry Regiment which had sailed from Pusan. Two days later, on 13 September, a Navy gunfire support group sailed up Flying Fish Channel and began shelling Wolmi-do, an 335-foot high island at the northwestern mouth of Inch'on Harbor and connected to the mainland by a causeway. As early as 4 September aircraft the U.S. Navy Task Force 77 had begun bombing and strafing North Korean positions on Wolmi-do.

Extremes tides at Inch'on, which can rise and fall as much 32 feet in a 12-1/2 hour period, dictated the landing schedule for the Inch'on Invasion because at low tide mud flats extend from hundreds of yards to miles offshore. Thus the only time troops could land was from about 2 hours before high tide through about 2 hours after high tide. Because of this it was decided the first objective to be taken on "D" Day was Wolmi-do, which then could be used as a fire base against enemy positions in and around Inch'on itself. The landing on Wolmi-do would take place shortly before high tide on the early morning of 15 September. The landing at Inch'on proper would then take place in the afternoon beginning 3 hours before high tide.

September 15

At 6:33 a.m., following an intense air, rocket and naval gunfire bombardment, landing craft carrying the first wave of Marines from the 3^rd Battalion Landing Team (BLT,) 5^th Marine Regiment, reached "Green Beach," located on the north arm of Wolmi-do and the first amphibious assault by American forces against an enemy since 1 April 1945 at Okinawa was underway. The initial landing was unopposed and the Marines quickly moved inland against scattered and very light resistance. A half or so after the initial landing a group of Marines raised the American flag on the peak of the island although light, scattered fighting continued for several more hours. 3^rd Battalion casualties for this operation were 17 wounded. North Koreans defenders lost over 200 KIA while another 136 surrendered. Once Wolmi-do was secure the 3^rd Marine BLT took up defensive positions facing Inch'on and prepared to support the main landing later in the day.

Assault troops from the 5th and 1st Marines began going over the side of their attack transports and into landing craft at 3:30 p.m. The first wave of the 5^th Marine's reached the seawall of Red Beach at 5:33 p.m. A Company, 5^th Marines, encountered in the troops in the trenches and a bunker just beyond the seawall. An intense firefight ensued. The Marines lost 8 men killed and 28 wounded. However, 22 minutes after landing the company fired a flare signaling that it held Cemetery Hill, its first objective. Meanwhile, the 2^nd battalion, 5^th Marines, had landed on the right side of Red Beach, encountered only spotty resistance and gained its objective.

Assault elements of the 1^st Marines began landing over Blue Beach at 5:32 PM., and advanced to the Inchon- Seoul highway. By midnight, all first-day objectives had been obtained.

Far to the south in the Pusan Perimeter heavy fighting in the 1^st Cavalry Division sector continue at all points north and west of Taegu in a confused series of small and medium battles but the division held against enemy counterattacks and made small gains.

While the Inch'on Landing was in progress, a second landing was taking place at Changsa-dong on the east coast north 20 miles north of P'ohang-dong and was being made by the Miryang Guerrilla Battalion, an irregular South Korean unit made up of men from North Korea. The idea behind this landing was to place a roadblock on the only road supplying North Korean 3^rd Division troops fighting a few miles north of P'ohang-dong. The landing was successful but high seas drove the LST carrying the unit aground and broached the ROK Navy vessel. The attacking force made it to the low hills north and west of the town before the North Koreans could react, but react they did. By afternoon the guerrillas were under fire from higher ground to their north, south and west and were forced to withdraw back toward the beached LST and set up a perimeter in the sand dunes between the road and the beach.

September 16

In the Inchon area, by 7:30 AM, the two Marine Regiments had linked up and established a solid line on the east side of the city. Meanwhile, shortly after dawn, Marine Corsairs sighted six T-34 tanks and approximately 200 enemy infantry three miles east of Inchon on the main highway. The Corsairs attached with 500 pound bombs and napalm, scattering enemy infantry and destroying three tanks. The remaining three tanks were destroyed a few hours later by Marine Pershing tanks as the 1^st and 5^th Marines advanced towards Seoul. By midnight, the 5th Marines occupied a forward defensive positions overlooking the Seoul highway just west of Ascom city.

Within the Pusan Perimeter the "breakout" attack began. The general attack set for 9 AM to swing into motion everywhere around the perimeter at the appointed hour but failed to gain traction in many areas for the simple reason that in many places the North Koreans were attacking and the United Nations troops defending. In most sectors an observer would have found the morning of September 16^th little different from that of the 15^th, or the 14^th, or the 13^th. It was the same old Perimeter situation -- attack and counterattack.. Only in a few places were significant gains made the first day of the offensive. The 15^th Regiment, the 1^st ROK division, advanced to the right of the North Korean strong point at the Walled city north of Teagu. To the south, the U.S. 2^nd division broke through five miles to the hills overlooking the Naktong River. Meanwhile the 5^th RCT, now attached to the 1^st Cavalry Division, left its assembly area 6 miles south of Waegwan and began advancing toward that city.

To the south in the Masan area, the 25^th Division could not get off the dime because it was under heavy enemy attack in all areas.

September 17

And dawn broke, "D" Company, 5^th Marines, saw six tanks on the road to their east. As the enemy armored force moved past undetected "D" Company positions a bazooka knocked out one of the tanks. At the same time, Pershing tanks opened fire on the enemy T-34 tanks, destroying the remaining five while "D" Company Marines opened fire on enemy infantry who were escorting the tanks. In a matter of minutes approximately 200 enemy soldiers, of an estimated 250, were killed while the Marine loss was one Marine wounded. Following this battle the 5^th Marines advanced rapidly toward Kimpo airfield and were at its southern edge my 4 PM. In the next two hours the 5^th Marines seized the southern half of the airfield. Meanwhile the 1^st Marines advanced east along the Seoul highway toward Yongdongp'o. During this advance, its armored spearhead destroyed for North Korean T-34 tanks. Three miles west of Sosa, a town halfway between Inchon and Seoul, the 1^st Marine advance was slowed by a North Korean Regiment so at nightfall the Marine regiment dug in a mile west of Sosa.

In Pusan Perimeter, the 2^nd Division continued its mop-up in their area of North Korean on the east of the Naktong River. By evening they had secured the west bank of the Naktong and prepared cross the following day. During this advance they captured a large amount of North Korean equipment and supplies. The North Koreans did not attempt a single counterattack during this time. Meanwhile the 2^nd Battalion, 5^th RCT, the regimental point, advanced slowly toward Waegwan against heavy resistance.

In the Masan area a battalion task force from the 35^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Division, attacked enemy positions on Battle Mountain in an attempt to drive the enemy from this commanding terrain. This attack failed and a new task force using the 27^th Infantry was organized.

September 18

Between 2 AM and dawn the 5^th Marines repulsed several company sized counterattacks on the airfield, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers. The entire airfield was secured by 8 AM and elements of the 5^th Marines advanced toward Hill 99 on the south bank of the Han River, which they captured. That afternoon a lone Marine Corsair landed on Kimpo airfield followed a few hours later by elements of the 33^rd Marine airgroup. Meanwhile, during the evening, ROK Marines moved up to take positions alongside the 5^th Marines.

At dawn the 1^st Marines passed through and around the burning town of Sosa, seizing Hill 123, a mile east and north, by noon. That afternoon the 1^st Marines began receiving heavy artillery fire from the Southeast, inflicting heavy casualties. Despite the losses, the 1^st Marines continued their advance toward Yongdongp'o.

Meanwhile, the 32^nd Infantry Regiment, 7^th Infantry Division, landed at Inchon. As soon as the regiment landed it began moving toward 1^st Marines positions on the Seoul highway.

Within the Pusan Perimeter, patrols from the 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions, 38^th Infantry, 2^nd Division, crossed the Naktong near Pugong-ni, due west of Changnyong, finding the high ground on the west side of the river clear of enemy troops. As soon as the 38^th Infantry Regiment received this word is moved its 2^nd Battalion across the river. By evening the 2^nd battalion occupied Hill 308, a mile west of the Naktong. Meanwhile, the 5^th RCT started its attack against Hill 268, a mile southeast of Waegwan, securing this high ground by late afternoon with the exception of the Hill's northeast corner.

As the 5^th RCT advanced, the 5^th and 7^th Cavalry Regiments fought bloody battles against enemy positions to the north and east of Waegwan on Hills 174, 188, 253 & 903 (Ka-San) while the 8^th Cavalry Regiment tried to advance up the Tabu-dong road. All attempts were stopped cold in all 1^st Cavalry sectors with heavy casualties on the American side. However, to the east of the 1^st Cavalry Division the 1^st ROK Division found a gap in North Korean lines, pressed their advance and ended up astride the Tabu-dong-Kunwi road 10 miles northeast of Tabu-dong.

In the Masan area the 27^th Infantry tank-infantry battalion-tank task force again attacked Battle Mountain, again without success.

At Changsa-dong on the east coast, survivors from the Miryang Guerrilla Battalion were pulled off the beach by U.S. Navy landing craft and the beached LST destroyed by explosives.

September 19

In the early morning hours the 1^st battalion, 5^th Marines, continued its sweep along the Han River and capturing the last high ground (Hills 118, 8 0, and 8 5) a mile west of Yongdongp'o. At the same time, the 2^nd battalion seized the high ground in its sector along the south bank of the Han River. That night, and approximately 10 PM, a patrol swam the Han River and a ferry crossing some eight miles west of Seoul. They found the crossing suitable for LVP's. A five-man patrol then continued up the slope of Hill 125 but turned back short of the crest. Shortly before midnight nine Marine LVP's began entering the Han River. Eight LVP's were in the water when North Korean mortar and machine-gun fire began striking among the vehicles. The eight LVP's turned back to the south bank of the Han River and the river crossing was rescheduled for dawn.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Marines resumed their attack when dawn broke.. The North Koreans had mined the main highway between Sosa and Yongdongp'o, forcing Marine engineers to remove the mines before armor could advance, thus slowing the advance. Even so, the 1^st Marines were able to advance to Kalch'on Creek just west of Yongdongp'o.

Arriving early in the morning the 32^nd Infantry Regiment, 7^th Infantry Division, took up positions alongside the 1^st Marines on the south side of the Seoul highway. Meanwhile the 31^st Infantry Regiment, 7^th Infantry Division, landed at Inchon.

Within the Pusan perimeter, the 38^th Infantry Regiment moved its 3^rd Battalion across the Naktong while its 2^nd Battalion continued its advance to the Ch'ogye road. In the 1^st Cavalry sector the 5^th RCT continued its fight for Hill 268. Following a napalm and rocket attack by F-51s, the enemy broke and ran for the Naktong with 5^th RCT troops in close pursuit. By evening the 2^nd Battalion, 5^th RCT entered Waegwan itself while as many of the enemy as could, abandoning their heavy weapons, vehicles, and supplies, crossed to the west side of the river.

Following a series of delays while crossing the Kumho River near Taegu, the 1^st Battalion, 21^st Infantry, began crossing the Naktong six miles south of Waegwan at 6:30 AM. The first wave met no resistance in the crossing but came under intense North Korean machine-gun fire from Hill 174 as it began moving inland. Supported by air strikes and artillery, the battalion had cleared the hill and finger ridge both north and south by noon. That afternoon, the 3^rd Battalion crossed and began advancing north toward Waegwan. The 2^nd Battalion followed after dark and was across by midnight. It began advancing south and southwest. Meanwhile, two miles south of the 21^st Infantry crossing point, the 1^st Battalion, 19^th Infantry, crossed the Naktong and the entire regiment was across by midnight, as was the 24^th Reconnaissance Company which immediately moved up the road toward Songju, probing for the enemy.

In the 1^st Cavalry Division sector the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Cavalry and the 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Cavalry fought for possession of Hills 253 and 300 against a stubborn, dug-in North Koreans and finally, after extremely heavy loses, took both hills. However, they failed to take Hill 371, a mile to the north. Meanwhile, the fall of Waegwan allowed the 1^st Cavalry Division to shift the 7^th Cavalry's 1^st and 3^rd Battalions to Waegwan and begin an attack up the Waegwan-Tabu-dong road.

In the Masan area, the enemy had abandoned its Battle Mountain positions during the night and the 35^th Infantry was able to advance toward Chungam-ni while the 24^th Infantry occupied Battle Mountain to protect the flank. The 27^th Infantry task force went into reserve.

The 10^th Philippine Infantry Battalion Combat Team arrived at Pusan.

September 20

After a heavy artillery preparation against Hill 125, I Company, 5^th Marines, began the assault crossing at 6:45 AM. Enemy fire from automatic weapons and small arms on Hill 125 caused heavy casualties to I Company Marines. Despite the casualties, I Company secured Hill 125 by 9:40 AM. While this battle was going on other 3^rd battalion Marines, riding LVT's, cross the Han River encountering little or no resistance so continue north for about a mile cutting the Seoul-Kaesong railroad and the road at the village of Nung-dong. Here the attacking 3^rd Battalion Marines turned right and the Southeast along the railroad track towards Seoul. Meanwhile, the 2^nd battalion, 5^th Marines, followed the 3^rd battalion across the river with the whole battalion across by 10 AM. Even before the 3^rd battalion had completed crossing engineers began construction on pontoon bridge. The 2^nd battalion passed through the 3^rd battalion and continued the advance. By nightfall the 5^th Marines with 12 tanks were across the river.

On the south side of the Han River the 1^st Marines, relieved by the 32^nd Infantry Regiment the previous evening, who had shifted northeast at that time to occupy the hills formerly held by the 5^th Marines. Company A took up positions on Hill 118. However the 1^st Battalion failed to occupy Hills 80 and 85. During the night North Korean forces occupied Hills 80 and 85, then the counterattacked Hill 118 shortly before dawn. The attack was repulsed and the 1^st Battalion advanced toward Yongdongp'o. A bloody battle ensued as the Marines retook Hills 80 and 85. Simultaneous with the North Korean attack Hill 118 a battalion sized North Korean force, accompanied by 5 T-34 tanks, moved out of Yongdongp'o and advanced toward 1^st Marine positions on the highway west of the city. In the battle that ensued when the North Koreans met the Marines the North Korean force was annihilated. When the battle was over the 1^st Marines continued their advance toward Yongdongp'o and by 9:45 AM occupied the high ground on the west side of the city. They remained in their positions for the rest of the day while artillery and air attacks pounded enemy positions within Yongdongp'o.

As the 1^st Marines fought its way along the Inchon-Seoul highway and into to Yongdongp'o, the 7^th Infantry Division protected its right flank and engaged in the units moving toward the battle area from the south. During the day the 32^nd infantry Regiment captured T'ongdok Mountain and part of Copper Mine Hill, located approximately two miles south of Yongdongp'o and just northeast of Anyang-ni.

In the 1^st Cavalry sector, the 5^th RCT continued its attack, taking Hill 303 north of Waegwan and clearing all the ground within its area of responsibility, thus achieving all it objectives on the east side of the Naktong. Then, at 7:45 PM, the 1^st Battalion, 5^th RCT, began crossing the river a mile above the Waegwan railroad bridge. The crossing went smoothly and the 1^st Battalion was followed by the 2^nd Battalion. By midnight both battalions were across and dug in on the high ground on the west side of the Naktong. Meanwhile, the 1^st & 2^nd Battalions, 7^th Cavalry, advanced up the Waegwan - Tabu-dong road (which looped north of the mountains held by the North Koreans) with the advance slowed by mines and enemy road blocks. Despite this the battalions reached Togae-dong that afternoon, 4 miles short of Tabu-dong.

During the day, the British 27^th Brigade crossed the Naktong, using the same site used by the 19^th Infantry. It was across by late afternoon. Thus, the entire 24^th Infantry Division was now on the west side of the Naktong.

To the south of the 24^th Division, about two hours before dawn the 3^rd Battalion, 23^rd Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Infantry Division, crossed the Naktong River at the Sangp'o ferry site, just south of where the Sinban River enters the Naktong from the west. The battalion achieved complete surprise, capturing a North Korean battalion headquarters, complete with its staff, and their maps. By noon the battalion had captured Hill 227, the terrain feature commanding the crossing site. That after the 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Infantry crossed the Naktong, turned north and advanced toward Hill 207, their objective, which they took.

In the 25^th Division area the 35^th Infantry took the high ground overlooking Chungam-ni. Meanwhile, on the southern flank, the 27^th Infantry was engaged in a bitter battle against a well-dug in enemy, making little or no gains for the day.

On the east coast, the 3^rd ROK Division finally captured P'ohang-dong and began advancing toward Hunghae.

At Pusan, the Swedish Red Cross Field Hospital arrived and began setting up.

September 21

As dawn broke A Company sized North Korean unit attacked 5^th Marine positions nor the Han River. The attack was driven off and the 5^th Marines advanced Southeast along the road and railroad paralleling the Han River. Resistance increased steadily as the Marines advanced. By evening the 5^th Marines faced a line of low Hills running generally north - south along the west side of Seoul. There position was approximately three miles from the main train station in Seoul.

On the south side of the Han River, the 1^st Marines began their assault on Yongdongp'o following a preparatory artillery barrage and air strikes. Their advance met in the resistance and was slow. One company, A Company which was located at the far north end of the Marine lines- that is, on the south bank of the Han River, advanced without opposition and soon found itself entering the western part of Yongdongp'o. It advanced to the Seoul highway at the eastern edge of Yongdongp'o where it set up a roadblock and held this position throughout the day against repeated attacks. When dark fell the North Koreans still held over half of Yongdongp'o but pulled out sometime during the night. As the battles were going on the 1^st Marine Division's 7^th Regiment arrived at Inchon and began landing.

Shortly after dawn the 32^nd Infantry Regiment secured the rest of Copper Mine Hill. That afternoon the 7^th Division Reconnaissance Company arrived at Anyang-ni where it was ordered to turn south on the Seoul-Suwon highway and proceed to Suwon, arriving there at approximately 4 PM where it fought a number of small battles as it made its way through the town and to a blocking position three miles south of Suwon. After dark a tank-infantry task force from the 32^nd (Task Force Hannum) arrived at Suwon. Shortly after arriving a short sharp tank battle ensued between tanks from B Company, 73^rd Tank Battalion, and two North Korean T-34 tanks. One B Company tank was destroyed and one T-34 tank was destroyed.

At Waegwan, in the 1^st Cavalry sector, the 3^rd Battalion, 5^th RCT, was relieved of its positions on Hill 300, four miles north of Waegwan, by the 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Cavalry Regiment, and it began crossing the Naktong. It was across by dark. To the Northeast of Waegwan, the 1^st & 3^rd Battalions fought their way to the Tabu-dong - Taegu highway where the 1^st Battalion turned south to clear the road and to link up with 8^th Cavalry units advancing on the town from the south. The link-up took place that afternoon. As this was taking place, the 1^st ROK Division advanced south to the Waegwan - Tabu-dong road preventing enemy withdrawal in that direction. Thus the North Korean 1^st, 3^rd & 13^th Divisions on Ka-san and surrounding terrain had been cutoff.

In the 23^rd Infantry sector, the enemy counterattacked 3^rd Battalion positions at dawn. Heavy fighting ensued with heavy loses on both sides but in the end, the 3^rd Battalion retained possession of Hill 227. To the north of this fight, the 1^st Battalion, supported by a tank platoon from the 72^nd Tank Battalion, attacked up the road toward Sinban-ni, 5 miles to the west. A bitter battle ensued with the battalion stopped cold half way to its objective.

On the road six miles to the north of the 23^rd Infantry, the 38^th Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Division, advanced west on the Ch'ogye-Hyopch'on road against heavy enemy resistance but was able to capture Hill 239 overlooking Ch'ogye.

In the 25^th Division area, the 35^th Infantry captured Chungam-ni and the well-known "Notch" 3 miles southwest of the town, then advanced 8 miles, past the Much'on-ni road fork, to the high ground of Chinju Pass. Meanwhile, enemy forces in the southern (27^th Infantry) area began a full scale withdrawal westward.

September 22

Early on the morning of the 22^nd, the 1^st Marine Division issued orders for the capture of Seoul. Under this plan the 1^st Marines would attack across the Han River from Yongdongp'o while the 7^th Marines would cross the Han River via the same crossing point used by the 5^th Marines and then deploy north of 5^th Marine positions, thus forming a line for a three regiment assault on the Seoul. Meanwhile, units of the 5^th Marines engaged in heavy fighting at the western edge of the city, making little or no progress.

Shortly after midnight four North Korean T-34 tanks attacked 7^th Division Reconnaissance Company positions three miles south of Suwon. In this encounter two T-34 tanks were destroyed. The remainder of the night was fairly quiet and shortly after dawn Reconnaissance Company proceeded to Suwon Airfield where it was joined at approximately 10 AM by Task Force Hannum. Later that afternoon the 31^st Infantry Regiment, 7^th Infantry Division, arrived at Suwon Airfield and relieved the two units. Meanwhile, a number of small battles took place between the 1^st Battalion, 32^nd Infantry and North Korean units seven miles northeast of Anyang-ni. In these the 1^st Battalion secured the hills south of the Han River railroad and highway bridges.

In the Pusan Perimeter sector, the North Koreans counterattacked the 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Infantry, positions on the Sinban-ni road. The day-long battle ended in a stalemate. To the north, the 38^th Infantry took Ch'ogye. Meanwhile the 9^th Infantry began crossing the Naktong, leaving its 2^nd Battalion on the east side of the river to mop, or contain, enemy still on that side of the river..

In the 1^st Cavalry Division sector, the division organized Task Force 777 consisting the 7^th Cavalry Regiment, the 77^th Field Artillery Battalion, and the 70^th Tank Battalion. Led by the 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Cavalry, Task Force 777 jumped off from just west of Tabu-dong and advanced against occasional organized resistance as it sped toward the river crossing at the Sonsan Ferry. After the task force had turned on to the river road at the village of Kumgok, it was ordered to proceed on to Kaktong-ni and cross there. It arrived just before midnight and was fired on by an antitank gun, which was destroyed. However, during this exchange a shell from one of the tanks hit a North Korean ammunition truck, which exploded lighting up the night. By the light of exploding shells the task force saw hundreds of enemy in the water trying to cross the Naktong as well as a jungle of abandoned tanks, trucks and artillery pieces. It immediately opened fire, killing an estimated 200 North Korean troops in the water and capturing another 200 plus.

In the mountains north and west of Taegu, the 1^st ROK Division, augmented by National Police units, continued their advance south and took the Walled City on Ka-san (Hill 903,) then continued to clean out enemy pockets on that mountain and from surrounding hills.

To the east, the ROK Capital Division took Kigye and advanced toward Andong. On the east coast the 3^rd ROK Division captured Hunghae, driving the North Korean 5^th Division northward toward Yongdok.

For all intents and purposes, the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter was over.

The 65^th Infantry Regiment, from Puerto Rico, arrived at Pusan and began unloading.

September 23

The 1^st Battalion, 32^nd Infantry, captured Hill 290, a dominating terrain feature three miles south of the Han River and seven miles southeast of Yongdungp'o. Hill 290 dominates the southeastern approaches to Seoul. Meanwhile, the 2^nd battalion 32^nd Infantry, seized the hills south of the railroad and highway bridges across the Han and Seoul.

North of the Han River the Marines, including a ROK Marine battalion, continued their attack against enemy positions on Hills 66 and 88, which blocked their advance into the city. Fighting was heavy and the Marines made only small gains throughout the day. Meanwhile the 7^th Marines finished crossing the Han River and moved into position.

In the 2^nd Division sector, the 2^nd Battalion, 23^rd Infantry Regiment, crossed the Naktong, passed through the stalled 3^rd Battalion and took Sinban-ni after hard fighting. The 1^st Battalion passed through the 2^nd Battalion and then took Ch'ogye.

Meanwhile the British 27^th Brigade, attached to the 24^th Division, attacked the hills controlling the road to Songju but were forced to withdraw from Hill 282 when an flight of F-51 attacked their hill with napalm and rockets instead of enemy-held Hill 388 and the North Koreans followed up the air attack with a counterattack. This error caused heavy casualties among the Scottish Highlander Argyll Battalion. Later that day the 1^st Battalion, 19^th Infantry attacked south from Pusang-dong on the Waegwan-Kumch'on highway and took Songju.

In the south the 25^th Division attacked westward. The attack stalled in the north as the 35^th Infantry fought off an enemy counterattack at Chinju Pass.

To the north in the 1^st Cavalry Division area, the 1^st Battalion, 7^th Cavalry crossed the Naktong River and advanced to Sangju, which had been abandoned by the enemy. Tanks and artillery crossed later in the day and joined the battalion there.

September 24

About for AM, the 2^nd Battalion, 32^nd Infantry launched an attack toward the Han River. This attacked caught the North Korean's asleep and the 1^st Battalion quickly overran enemy positions, capturing a regimental headquarters along with tanks and equipment. In the next few hours, the 2^nd battalion cleared all North Koreans from a fold in the Han River southeast of Seoul setting the stage for attack on Seoul the following day.

North of the Han River the Marines continued the attacks on the enemy-held hills defending the western approaches to the city. After a day of heavy fighting the Marines captured Hills 66 and 296, thus partially opening the way into Seoul..

Meanwhile the 3^rd Battalion, 187^th Airborne Infantry Regiment arrived at Kimpo after being flown a from Japan. On arrival, it assumed responsibility for the airfield.

In the Suwon area, a North Korean tank-infantry force attacked 31^st Infantry positions two miles south of the city. The attack was defeated with the North Koreans losing 4 T-34 tanks.

In the 25^th Division area, the 27^th Infantry advanced toward Chinju along the southern coast road while the 35^th Infantry advance to the Nam River.

In the 2^nd Division sector, the 23^rd Infantry attacked Hyopch'on from the southeast while the 38^th Infantry attacked the town from the northeast in a double envelopment movement. By blocking the north-south Chinju-Kumch'on road, the 38^th Infantry cut off at least two enemy battalions so when these battalions fled Hyopch'on to escape from the advancing 23^rd Infantry, they ran into preregistered killzone the 38^th had established. The North Koreans lost approximately 300 killed at the roadblock while several hundred more killed on the road by air attack. Survivors ran for the hills and in doing so became targets for repeated strikes by F-51s supporting the advance.

Meanwhile the 24^th Infantry Division attacked up the Taegu-Taejon highway, making slow progress against well dug in enemy positions. The advance was stopped 3 miles short of Kumch'on by mines, artillery concentrations and the use of every remaining North Korean T-34 in that area as the enemy bought time so its forces could retreat northward.

By I Corps orders, the 1^st Cavalry Division's point stopped at Sangju to allow the rest of the Division to catch up.

September 25

At dawn the Marines resumed their attacks on the remaining hills blocking their entry into Seoul. Shortly after dawn the Marines were joined by two tank platoons from the 1^st Tank battalion, including a flame throwing tank. Resistance on Hill 105 was heavy until the flame-tank got close enough to flame enemy trenches. At this point the enemy broke with over 300 surrendering as the Marines took this position. Hill 88 fell shortly afterward and the Marines entered the western edge of the city. Marine casualties were sever while the North Koreans lost over 1750 men killed and an unknown number more wounded.

Meanwhile, beginning at 6 AM, the 32^nd Infantry Regiment, 7^th Division, crossed the Han River three miles southeast of downtown Seoul. The 32^nd was followed across the Han by the ROK 17^th Infantry Regiment. During the day these units took South Mountain, while others took Hill 120. The units on South Mountain and Hill 120 dug in for the night and awaited the expected counterattack. To the east, the 17^th ROK advanced toward Hills 348 and 292.

Shortly after dusk, two large enemy columns were spotted trying to flee north. B-29's dropped flares through out the night as Marine night fighters strafed and bombed the fleeing enemy while artillery pounded them.

In the 25^th Division sector the 35^th Infantry attacks across the Nam River, taking Chinju.

In the 2^nd Division sector, the 38^th Infantry started northwest from Hyopch'on toward Koch'ang. Their advance was slowed because the road had to be cleared of abandoned enemy vehicles and equipment. According to prisoners, the North Korean 2^nd Division had abandoned all their vehicles, heavy weapons and equipment as they scattered into surrounding hills. The 38^th Infantry advanced 38 miles during the day, stopping a few miles short of Koch'ang. Meanwhile the 23^rd Infantry fought its way toward Koch'ang on parallel road to the north of the 38^th Infantry.

In the 24^th Division area, the enemy stubbornly held their positions 3 miles southwest of the town on the main highway so during the early morning hours the 5^th RCT circled south and attacked the city from that direction. They entered Kumch'on, now reduced to burning rubble, about noon.

By late evening the entire 1^st Cavalry Division was concentrated in and around Sangju. Shortly before midnight, the division command, General Gay, received permission from I Corps to advance and link up with X Corps units in the vicinity of Suwon. Meanwhile, the 1^st ROK Division had crossed the Naktong and moved up to the Hamch'ong-Poum area northeast of Sangju, thus protecting the 1^st Cavalry Divisions right flank.

September 26

Shortly after dawn the North Koreans attacked 32^nd Infantry positions on South Mountain. The attack, for the North Korean regiment, was a disaster. The North Koreans lost 394 killed while another 174 surrendered. Meanwhile, to the east, the 3^rd Battalion, 32^nd was advancing toward Hill 348 when it spotted a large enemy forces on the highway. It attacked immediately, killing over 500 North Korean soldiers, destroying 5 T-34 tanks plus artillery. To the east the 17^th ROK Regiment took Hills 348 and 292 and by evening enemy troops had been cleared from both the 17^th ROK and 32^nd Infantry sectors. Meanwhile, in Seoul itself, the Marines were slowly clearing the city of enemy in what came to be known as "The Battle of the Barricades." By nightfall, X Corps forces controlled approximately half the city.

South of Suwon, the 31^st Infantry attacked south toward Osan, advancing to where Task Force Smith first engaged the North Koreans on July 5^th. The attackers dug in just south of there.

The 38^th Infantry, 2^nd Division, arrived at Koch'ang shortly after dawn and was joined two hours later by advance units from the 23^rd Infantry. Repeated air attacks had reduced the town to almost nothing. In Koch'ang, the 38^th Infantry captured an enemy field hospital. That afternoon, the 23^rd Infantry left for Anui, fourteen miles away, arriving at approximately 10:30 PM.

The 19^th Infantry, 24^th Division, took lead out of Kumch'on and its 2^nd Battalion entered Yongdong that morning, finding three American prisoners locked up in the local jail. The regiment continued on to Okch'on, 10 miles east of Taejon, where it stopped briefly to refuel the tanks and give the men a short rest. It started on towards Taejon in mid-afternoon but was stopped short distance west of Okch'on when the lead tank hit a mine and then was destroyed by hidden antitank guns. The fight continues throughout the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening so the division dug in for the night.

1^st Cavalry Division Task Force 777 left Poun a few minutes before noon, advancing rapidly toward Ch'ongju, arriving there around mid-afternoon. They encountered no enemy resistance during this trip. The town was deserted except for a few civilians. The task force continued north on the Ch'onan, on the main Seoul highway, arriving shortly after dark. The town was full of enemy soldiers, most wandering aimless around. None fired on the American unit, now led by tank platoon from the 70^th Tank Battalion. After leaving Ch'onan, the three-tank platoon headed north on the main highway at full speed and rumbled into Osan passing through the city. The platoon stopped just north of town while the platoon leader tried to contact the task force but was unsuccessful. T-34 tank tracks warned the commander the enemy was probably nearby and he decided his best course was to try and bull his way through to X Corps lines. Also realizing X Corps would probably fire on his tank as he approached, he ordered driving lights be turned on, then proceeded at full speed. The three tanks began receiving small arms fire from enemy troops shortly after this, and then small arms fire from U.S. infantry as they passed through their lines. Fortunately, having the lights on kept X Corps tanks and antitank weapons from firing on them. He reached 31^st Infantry lines at 10:26 PM.. They were very fortunate since they bulled their way through a major North Korean tank force as the approached X Corps lines. The rest of the task force was not so lucky. They were still 10 miles south of Osan when they ran into enemy tanks. In the ensuing battle the task force destroyed 7 T-34 tanks but lost 2 KIA, 28 wounded, plus two tanks and 15 other vehicles. At this point, the task force stopped for the night.

September 27

The Joint Chiefs of Staff send General MacArthur a comprehensive directive to unite all of Korea under Syngman Rhee, if possible. However there are limitations. He is determine whether Soviet or Chinese intervention is likely, and to report any such threat at once.

The Battle of the Barricades continued inside Seoul throughout the day but by evening, except for small pockets and a few snipers, the city was free of North Koreans. Casualties were moderate.

South of their overnight positions, the 31^st Infantry ran into heavy resistance put up by the 105^th North Korean Armored Division. Gains during the day were small but the North Korean suffered heavy loses in men, tanks and artillery, inflicted by air attacks and artillery.

Meanwhile, a few miles to the south, at dawn the 1^st Cavalry Division's Task Force 777 moved out toward Osan. They encountered small pockets of resistance but entered the town at 8 AM. Then, at 8:26 AM, Platoon Sergeant Edward C. Mancil, L Company, 7^th Cavalry, met elements of H Company, 31^st Infantry a short distance north of Osan. The rapid advance by Task Force 777 cut off the North Korean 105 Armored Division in the Ansong and P'yongt'aek area plus miscellaneous units in the Taejon area.

In the 25^th Division area, all regiments advanced, with 3^rd Battalion, 24^th Infantry reaching Hadong around 5:30 PM. There they learned a group of captured Americans were only being herded northward toward Kurye. At Komdu, 10 miles north of Kurye, advance elements liberated 11 Americans, most from the 3^rd Battalion, 29^th Infantry Regiment.

At Anui, disaster struck the 3^rd Battalion, 23^rd Infantry, 2^nd Division, when an enemy mortar/artillery barrage hit the town. As this bombardment opened, a round struck the 3^rd Battalion command post killing the battalion executive officer, the S-2, the assistant S-3, the motor officer, the artillery liaison officer and an antiaircraft officer. The battalion commander was serious wounded as were 25 EM. Later that afternoon, the 9^th Infantry Regiment entered Hyongp'ung-ni, the last hold out in the old Naktong Bulge area.

At Okch'on, the 24^th Division was fought to a standstill as the North Koreans threw everything they had into the battle so the rest of their forces could escape from Taejon.

September 28

Just south of Osan on the main highway an all-day battle developed between the 31^st Infantry, 7^th Infantry Division and North Korean troops trying to escape northeastward. This battle was fought mainly by artillery units and with air strikes. By dark, the North Koreans had either been killed or fled. Not a single American soldier was killed in this battle.

In the 25^th Division area and just short of Namwon, several vehicles from the 25^th Reconnaissance Company, leading the advance, became stuck in the river crossing south of the town. One tank, commanded by Sgt. Raymond N. Reifers, was already across when this occurred so he continued on alone, entering the town about noon, finding it full of enemy. The tank's appearance apparently surprised the North Koreans, who fled in all directions, scurrying across roof tops and jumping fences to get away. As he was trying to withdraw his tank from this precarious situation, Sgt. Reifers suddenly heard voices yelling from a wall-enclosed building, "GI's in here.. Don't shoot." Reifers radioed for help saying, "Somebody get up here quick. I'm all alone in the town. It's full of enemy and there are American prisoners here." At this point, stuck vehicles were pushed into deep water alongside the ford and tanks loaded with infantry made a dash for the town. 86 Americans were liberated. That afternoon, after clearing Namwon of enemy troops, advance units from the 25^th Infantry Division moved toward Chonju meeting scattered, but light, resistance.

That afternoon, the 2^nd Division started the 38^th Infantry moving toward Chonju, on the west coastal plain some 73 miles away and over a mountain range. Meeting only light and scattered resistance the 2^nd Battalion, 38^th Infantry arrived at Chonju at 1:15 PM where it ran into more organized resistance. In the ensuing firefight the regiment killed more than a hundred North Koreans and captured another 170.

At 7 AM an airstike hit North Korean positions west of Okch'on. This was followed by an attack by 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Infantry who found the enemy had withdrawn during the night. Scouts from the 19^th Infantry entered Taejon at 4:30 PM. Meanwhile, the Air Force was having field day hitting North Korean forces fleeing toward Choch'iwon.

September 29

The 2^nd Battalion, 17^th Infantry Regiment, 7^th Infantry Division, fought its first battle of the Korean War on the southeast side of Seoul when the North Koreans attacked their positions. In this battle the 2^nd Battalion suffered 79 casualties. The North Koreans suffered more than 400 killed in this battle.

In the 25^th Division sector, division units took the town of Iri while Kunsan, the port city on the Kum River, fell to the 1^st Battalion, 24^th Infantry Regiment. Meanwhile the 35^th Infantry moved around the east and north sides of the Chiri Mountain area, a750 square mile area of 6,000-7,000 foot high forested mountain fastness with Chinju, Hadong, Namwon and Hamyang as its four corners. Several thousand North Koreans had withdrawn into this area intending to continue the fighting as guerrillas.

In the southwest corner of Korea at Yosu, ROK Marines landed and liberated the city.

On the east coast and central corridor, ROK forces made rapid advances and were approaching the 38^th Parallel in both sectors.

Meanwhile, General Douglas MacArthur received permission to cross into North Korea.

September 30

The 1^st Marine Division assumed responsibility for Seoul and the 32^nd Infantry began moving south to rejoin the 7^th Division in the Suwon-Osan area. Scattered fighting continued throughout the day as the Marines cleared the few remaining small pockets of enemy.

Except for mopping up, South Korea was back under its government's control.

* * *

ADVANCE INTO NORTH KOREA

October 1 to November 22, 1950

General MacArthur issues a surrender demand that North Korea surrender. China's Cho En-lai warns "The Chinese people will not tolerate foreign aggression and will not stand aside should the imperialists wantonly invade territory of their neighbor."

The ROK 3rd Division on Korea's east coast pursues communist troops across the 38th Parallel with no resistance. An American Army observation plane dropped orders to them allowing entry into North Korea. The 3rd Division had pursued the enemy since they began retreating following the U.S. Inchon invasion. The Capital Division follows soon after. Red China Premier Chou En Lai says that his government "will not stand aside" if "the imperialists wantonly invade" North Korea.

October 2

India warns the UN that China told them it will enter the war if U.N. forces cross the 38^th Parallel.  

General MacArthur issues "United Nations Command Operations Order 2" which is the plan to order for U.N. forces to cross into North Korea. ROKA troops are already 20 to 30 miles north of the 38^th Parallel on the east coast at this time.

U.S. Army forces in Taejon report finding the bodies of 1,100 South Koreans and 30 Americans killed by the North Koreans Sept. 27-28 as they were retreating from the city.

The 27^th British Commonwealth Brigade is airlifted to Kimpo Air Base. It becomes part of U.S. I-Corps.

October 3

Eighth Army issues its attack order across the 38^th Parallel calling for U.S. I-Corps to seize a line west of the Imjin River. I-Corps would then conduct operations northward, the main effort being spearheaded by the 1^st Cavalry Division. The U.S. 24^th Division and ROK 1^st Division are to protect the Corps' flanks and form a reserve.

Allied air forces began a three-day bombing campaign against Wonsan in North Korea and roads between Antung and Pyongyang. Aircrews claim they knocked out a 100-mile long convoy moving heavy guns and other military supplies coming from Manchuria

October 4

U.S. Marines capture Uijongbu just 10 miles south of the 38th Parallel and receive orders to redeploy to Inch'on for a projected landing at Wonsan on the east coast. Meanwhile the 7^th Infantry Division receives orders to redeploy to Pusan to load out for the same projected landing. This entails a road march of 360 miles.

The ROK government charges North Korea with the murder of at least 10,000 South Korean civilians in Seoul.

October 5

Gen. MacArthur's headquarters in Tokyo estimates that since June 25 North Korean losses are close to 200,000 with about 40,000 taken prisoner. Spokesmen estimate the communists still have between 100,000 and 200,000 new soldiers, but most of them are untrained recruits.

The Republic of Korea 3rd and Capital Divisions run into light resistance as they drive toward Changjon, 55 miles above the 38th Parallel. To the west, ROK 6th and 8th Divisions stop at the 38th Parallel to wait for resupply before crossing into North Korea.

Red China Radio says the Korean War "has just begun" and that it will be "a drawn-out war of attrition perilous for foreign aggressors." Mao Tse Tung has already decided that China will enter the war.

October 6

The ROK 6th and 8th Divisions begin crossing the 38th Parallel in the central part of the country and began advancing toward the Ch'orwon area (known as "The Iron Triangle.")

The 1^st, 5^th and 11^th Marines virtually complete their move to Inch'on.

October 7

The U.S. First Cavalry Division's 16^th Reconnaissance Company becomes the first American force to enter North Korea by crossing the 38th Parallel near Kaesong. It begins attacking north toward Pyongyang while bypassing Kumch'on, where there is a large communist force. The next day, the ROK 6th Division joins the American fighting in the area The 7^th Marines begin their move to Inch'on.

Following a debate on the future of Korea after the communists are defeated, the UN General Assembly votes to "reunify and rehabilitate" Korea. Part of the resolution gives UN forces permission to go into North Korea. The United States and Great Britain promise to leave the country when the fighting ends

October 8

By evening the 7^th and 8^th Cavalry Regiments have secured I-Corps' assembly area north of Kaesong. The 8^th Cavalry Regiment begin their attack up the Kaesong-Kumch'on road. The 7^th Cavalry Regiment began attacking toward Hanp'ori, a small town where the main P'yongyang-Seoul highway crossed the Yesong River. It was to establish a roadblock there, hopefully to trap NK forces being driven north by the 5^th & 8^th Cavalry Regiments.

ROKA activates its reconstituted 5^th Division. It also activated the 1^st Guerrilla Group consisting of 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th & 6^th Guerrilla Battalions.

October 9

The ROK 3^rd and Capital Divisions are on the outskirts of Wonsan, 110 air miles north of the 38^th Parallel.

As the 7^th Division made its road march to Pusan, its headquarters convoy was ambushed at Mun'gyong Pass, suffering 6 KIA plus several vehicles destroyed. The 1^st Battalion, 17^th Infantry cleared the pass of enemy within a few hours and movement south continued.

October 10

The 8^th Cavalry advance is slowed by heavily mined roads and roadblocks.

ROK 3rd and Capital Divisions complete a 10-day, 110-mile drive north of the 38th Parallel by entering the east coast port of Wonsan. They found that allied warplanes had destroyed 30 percent of the city.

President Truman announces that he will meet with Gen. MacArthur somewhere in the Pacific within the next few days. The purpose of the meeting was to talk about "the final phase of UN action in Korea." He also said America has "absolutely no interest in obtaining any special position [or] bases or other military installation in [Korea]."

The Army announces that it is reforming Ranger units and one will eventually be assigned to each division.

October 11

The ROK 8^th Division and the 7^th Regiment, 6^th Division converge on P'yonggang, the west end of the Iron Triangle.

The ROK 3^rd Division drive through Wonsan and secure the city.

The 27^th British Commonwealth Brigade, along with B Company, 6^th Medium Tank Battalion, crossed the Imjin River and followed the 5^th Cavalry northeast our of Kaesong. However, they had been given the wrong route so soon were bogged down when the road turned into an oxcart trail. Meanwhile the 7^th Cavalry, having reached the Yesong River the previous evening, crossed, thus closing the western escape route for the North Koreans. And in an unusual supply move, 500 tons of fuel, food and ammunition arrived at the crossing via 15 LCV's sent up the Han River to the Yesong River and then up the Yesong to the 7^th Cavalry crossing point.

Planes from British carriers hit the west coast port of Chinnamp'o near Pyongyang. The air strike causes nervous North Koreans to gear up for ground attacks against the communist capital.

October 12

Halfway to Kumch'on, the 8^th Cavalry run into a strong roadblock that halts its advance. To its west, the 5^th Cavalry also runs into a strong point but is able to clear it after heavy fighting.

President Truman flies to the Pacific to meet with Gen. Douglas MacArthur on Wake Island.

October 13

With their escape route from Kumch'on blocked by the 7^th Cavalry, the North Korean 27^th & 19^th Division fought desperately to hold the 5^th & 8^th Cavalry at bay while trying to dislodge the 7^th Cavalry at the Yesong River crossing. The North Koreans were able to do neither so their pocket continued to shrink.

Retreating North Koreans leave behind the bodies of 530 anti-communist political prisoners in Wonsan in North Korea

October 14

The battle of Kumch'on continues as the North Koreans fight to hold back the 5^th & 8^th Cavalry while the main body tries to escape via the Yesong crossing. However, once there the 7^th Cavalry, aided by close air support, not only holds the crossing but kills over 500 enemy soldiers and destroys most their vehicles and tanks. Late in the day Kumch'on falls to the 1^st Cavalry Division and elements of the 8^th Cavalry link up with the 7^th Cavalry while elements of the 5^th Cavalry link up 8^th Cavalry elements southeast of Kumch'on.

Part of the estimated 50,000 North Korean troops still in the south capture Samch'ok on the eastern coast and begin to menace other towns and villages in the area.

October 15

President Truman meets with Gen. MacArthur on Wake Island,

ROK troops find 500 bodies of captured South Korean soldiers when they enter Yonghung north of Wonsan.

October 16

The 1^st ROK Division advances up the Mu-dong - Suan - P'yongyang highway and enters Suan during the afternoon.

A small X-Corps advance staff, under command of Lt.Col. William J. McCaffery, Deputy Chief of Staff, landed by air at Wonsan and set up. At the same time, Amphibious Group One and the LST's of the amphibious tractor group sailed from Inch'on for Wonsan.

At the Foreign Missions Conference Oct. 16 in New York it is estimated that at least 30 Korean Christian leaders were killed while the communists held Seoul

ROKA activates ROK III Corps, consisting of the ROK 5^th & 11^th Divisions with the mission of destroying cut off North Korean troops in the area south of the Seoul-Ch'unch'on-Inje-Yangyang axis

October 17

The 1^st ROK Division continues its advance toward P'yongyang, reaching a point about 20 miles southeast of North Korea's capital in the late afternoon. Meanwhile the 1^st Cavalry Division advances up Kaesong-P'yongyang highway reaching Sariwon and Hwangju, about 20 miles south of P'yongyang. The 24^th Infantry Division advances up the Haeju-Chaeryong-Chinnamp'o highway, reaching Chaeryong.

The main body of 1^st Marine Division departed Inch'on for Wonsan.

The ROK Capital Division captures Hamhung and its port, Hungnam.

October 18

The U.S. 1^st Cavalry Division and the ROK 1^st Division, supported by U.S. tanks for the first time, continue their push toward P'yongyang.

South Korean soldiers entering Hamhung find 700 more anticommunists killed by North Korean troops.

October 19

To the south of Pyongyang, the U.S. 24th Infantry Division and British units close on Chinnamp'o. The Republic of Korea 6th, 7th and 8th Divisions drive from the east to join the fight around Pyongyang. 1^st Cavalry Division troops enter P'yongyang from the south while ROK 1^st Division troops enter from the east and north.

North Korean soldiers gun down 68 Americans after they were taken off a train north of Pyongyang in what came to be known as The Twin Tunnels Massacre. Twenty-one Americans survived.

October 20

Before going to Pyongyang, MacArthur observes the parachute assault of 4,100 men of the 187th Airborne Regiment into the Sinch'on-Sunch'on area of North Korea with the mission of cutting off fleeing North Koreans and, hopefully, liberating American and allied POW's being moved north by the North Koreans.

The Red Chinese secretly move four 30,000-man field armies across the Yalu River into North Korea. Three of the armies are in western North Korea to face the Americans and South Korean soldiers streaming up from Pyongyang. The fourth is in the east. Preparations are underway to move two more armies into North Korea in October.

Three survivors of a "death march" from Seoul to Pyongyang tell Pyongyang liberators most of the 283 Americans captured by the North Koreans died in the march.

October 21

1,800 more soldiers from the 187^th RCT (Airborne) parachute into the area. Jeeps, howitzers and other equipment are also dropped. Before they can assemble, they miss North Korean leaders scurrying north out of Pyongyang, as well as U.N. prisoners being moved north. While the main force takes high ground around the dropzones, I and F Companies moves south toward Yongyu on the main highway/rail line. They meet heavy resistence and I Company is forced to withdraw with heavy casualties.

October 22

The 27^th British Commonwealth Brigade was close enough to hear the heavy fighting taking place to their north so began advancing before dawn toward the battle and attacked. The battle was over by noon with surviving North Koreans fleeing to the hills. Many did not make it.

Meanwhile C Company, 6^th Medium Tank Battalion, designated "Task Force Elephant," started from P'yongyang by way of Sunch'on for Ku-Jang-Dong to block the railroad there. It arrived at 2200 and then turned west to Kunu-ri, twenty miles downstream in the Ch'ongch'on Valley. The ROK 1^st Division followed the task force.

October 23

At dawn the ROK 1^st Division advanced down the Ch'ongch'on Valley to Anju, just inland from the Yellow Sea. More than 40 American POWs who had escaped were found by the ROK's and shipped immediately to P'yongyang. American engineer units arrived at Anju shortly after the ROK 1^st Division did and immediately began repairing the bridge across the Ch'ongch'on River.

Spokesmen at U.N. headquarters in Tokyo said Oct. 23 that by Oct. 20 they have confirmed information the North Koreans had killed 300 captured Americans and 23,000 South Koreans as of October 20^th.

October 24

By 0900 U.S. engineers had repaired the bridge over the Ch'ongch'on River so wheeled traffic, including 2-1/2 ton GMC trucks could use it. Meanwhile a tank ford was found 3 miles east of the bridge and the U.S. 6^th Medium Tank Battalion crossed the river via the ford. By evening the entire 1^st ROK Division was on the north side of the river and began advancing Northeast toward Unsan. At the same time the 27^th British Commonwealth Brigade was crossing at Sinanju, west of Anju using assault boats. Meanwhile the U.S. 24^th Infantry Division was moving toward Anju-Sinanju from just north of P'yongyang.

To the east of Anju two ROK divisions, the 6^th and the 8^th, took up the advance out of Kunu-ri. The ROK 6^th Division turned northeast and advanced up the Ch'ongch'on River on the road that led through Huich'on to Kanggye. East of the ROK 6^th Division, the ROK 8^th Division reached Tokch'on where it turned north toward the Ch'ongch'on River at Kujang-dong. It arrived two days later.

The ROK government announce that in the first 125 trials of South Koreans for collaborating with the communists, 62 people received death sentences, 55 were given prison sentences, two were sent to POW camps to be treated as members of North Korean forces and six were freed.

The advance party for Netherlands Battalion and the British 29^th Brigade arrive in Korea.

October 25

Units from the ROK I Corps, which is part of the U.S. X Corps, capture Chinese soldiers near the Chosin Reservoir. The communist soldiers tell their captors there are many Communist China Forces (CCF) in the area.

The ROK 6^th Division reaches Kojang, a town 18 miles south of Ch'osan on the Yalu River.

The 3^rd Battalion, 2^nd Regiment, ROK 6^th Division, started northwest from the little crossroads village of Onjong, 10 air miles northwest of Unsan, heading for Pukchin. Eight miles west of Onjong the battalion came under enemy fire. Thinking this was small delaying action, the battalion dismounted from its vehicles, only to find it was a Chinese trop. In the battle that followed the battalion was decimated, losing approximately 350 or its 750 man strength, plus its American advisor, Lt. Glen C. Jones, who was captured, only to die later in a POW camp.

As soon as word filtered back to the ROK 2^nd Battalion, 2^nd Regiment their 3^rd Battalion was heavily engaged the battalion moved to support their sister battalion while the 1^st Battalion and regimental headquarters moved up to Onjong.. On the way to help the 3^rd Battalion, 2^nd Battalion saw enemy on the hills above the road so sent patrols out. One patrol came back with a Chinese prisoner who told them Chinese forces had been waiting in the mountains around Pukchin since October 17^th. A little later, CCF troops cut off the 2^nd Battalion but it managed to evade the trap and retreated to Onjong where it rejoined the 1^st Battalion and regimental headquarters.

To the west in the Unsan area the Elements of D Company, U.S. 6^th Medium Tank Battalion and the ROK 15^th Infantry Regiment advanced north of town where it ran into stiff resistence from Chinese troops blocking the road. Meanwhile the ROK 1^st Division's 12^th Regiment turned west at Unsan but just outside of town found their way blocked by Chinese troops. The division's 11^th Regiment, bringing up the rear of the column stopped on the road several miles south of Unsan.

October 26

At 0300 the Chinese attack Onjong in force. ROK troops break but are stopped by their officers and NCO/s at the edge of town. But at 0600 the Chinese attack the new positions forcing the two battalions and regimental headquarters to withdraw eastward only to find a strong Chinese roadblock 3 miles east of Onjong. At this point the regiment broke and everyone headed for the hills, including the three KMAG advisors, two of whom made it to safety but the third, Capt. Paul V.S. Liles, was captured.

To the north of Unsan, the ROK 15^th Infantry Regiment is forced to fall back toward Unsan because of heavy Chinese attacks. The CO of the U.S. 6^th Medium Tank Battalion, fearing his tanks are about to be cut off and overrun, withdraws his tanks to the high ground southeast of Unsan. The 11^th Regiment advanced to Unsan to support the 12^th Regiment fighting west of town but had to be turned around to face Chinese troops who had cut the road south of the town. During the day these Chinese troops forced the 11^th Regiment to withdraw north to the edge of Unsan.

At dawn Major Harry Fleming, KMAG advisor to the ROK 7^th Regiment, accompanies the regiment's reconnaissance platoon to Ch'osan. They find North Korean troops crossing into China via a floating footbridge. Major Fleming returned to the ROK 7^th Regiment that afternoon, leaving the reconnaissance platoon to hold Ch'osan. This was the only 8^th Army (as opposed to X-Corps far to the east) to reach the Yalu.

The First Marine Division Lands at Wonsan on North Korea's east coast. The Marines had been scheduled to attack the city in a landing similar to Inchon, but after South Korean troops took the city by land, the assault didn't have to be made.

After several days of speculation about whether American forces would take up positions along the Yalu, President Truman says at a news conference that South Koreans will man border posts. American, British and Australian forces will hold down the western area, while ROK units will control the central and eastern part of North Korea.

October 27

When the 2^nd Regiment broke, the ROK 6^th Division's 19^th Regiment (less on battalion) was in Huich'on. So was the 10^th Regiment, ROK 8^th Division. ROK II Corps ordered these troops to advance on Onjong and recover lost vehicles, artillery and supplies.

An airdrop by 10 C-119s improves the ROK 1^st Division's position at Unsan. Fresh ammunition supplies allow the 11^th & 12^th Regiments to counterattack and regain lost ground.

Seven LST's carrying the 17^th Infantry Regiment, 7^th Division, depart Pusan for Iwon, a port town 150 miles northeast of Wonsan.

Communist China enters the war. About 20,000 Chinese and that many North Koreans attack South Korean and American forces in the region stretching from Unsan to Huichon about 55 miles below the Yalu. The ROK 6th Division is forced to withdraw from positions they established a day earlier on the Yalu. They and the 7th and 8th Divisions are on the defensive. A regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division is trapped near Unsan. The Reds have many new Russian tanks and .81mm rockets. More troops and equipment are being brought in from China.

India expresses "surprise and regret" that China has joined in the war. China immediately replies saying it is "entirely the domestic problem of China," which tolerates no "foreign interference." It is also reveals that it invaded Tibet with nearly 50,000 troops Oct. 19, and those troops were advancing on the capital, Lhasa.

October 28

Fighting in the Unsan are remained fairly quiet throughout the day but General Walker was sufficiently concerned about the area to order the 1^st Cavalry Division for movement to the Unsan area with the 8^th Cavalry to be division point.

The ROK 2^nd & 19^th Regiments reached a point overlooking Onjong but this was as far as they got. In a matter of hours they too had been cut off by Chinese forces and defeated, losing their own vehicles and artillery as survivors fled for their lives via mountain trails. Needless to say the events in the Onjong area cut of the 7^th Regiment on the Yalu River at Ch'osan. The 7^th Regiment was ordered to withdraw but they informed headquarters they couldn't unless they were resupplied with fuel and ammunition. An airdrop was arranged.

In the X-Corps area in far northeast Korea, a"flying column" from the ROK Capital Division captures Songjin, 105 air miles northeast of Hungnam. Meanwhile the Capital Division's 1^st Regiment approached P'ungsan, a town inland approximately half way between the coast and Korea-China border on Iwon-Cinch'ong-ni-Hyesanjin road.

October 29

The 8^th Cavalry Regiment begins its move to Unsan.

Far to the west the 24^th Infantry Division and the British 27^th Commonwealth Brigade enter Ch'ongju on the Anju-Sinuiju highway. Ch'ongju is approximately 40 miles from the Yalu River.

In the X-Corps area in far northeast Korea the U.S. 17^th Infantry Regiment, 7^th Division lands unopposed at Iwon. Once ashore, the 1^st Battalion, 49^th Field Artillery Battalion and A Company, 13^th Engineer Battalion advance northwest 50 miles to the town of Cho-ri on the Iwon-Hyesanjin road. From Cho-ri the 7^th Division was to advance the 70 air miles to the China border at Hyesanjin.

The ROK 7^th Regiment began moving south at dawn but ran into a Chinese roadblock approximately 20 miles south of Kojang, An all-day battle began. With the help of TAC air controllers, the ROK troops were able to hold off repeated Chinese attacks but when dark fell and TAC air was no longer available, the regiment was overrun. Major Fleming was the only American to survive this battle but was captured around dawn the next morning..

October 30

The 1^st Battalion, 8^th Cavalry Regiment arrives at Unsan. At the time the ROK line was approximately 8000 yards north of Unsan but being pushed back.

Following the collapse of ROK II Corps, the ROK 8^th Division was ordered to withdraw to the Ch'ongch'on River and form a defense line from Yongbyon eastward to the River at Kujang-dong and for the ROK 7^th Division to form a defense line from Kujang-dong southward toward Tokch'on.

X Corps orders the First Marines to relieve the ROK I Corps around the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir. They begin to move overland to assemble at Hamhung.

In X-Corps area the ROK Capital Division's 18^th Regiment reaches the south end of the Pujon Reservoir (about 60 miles due north of Hamhung.)

October 31

In far northeast Korea the U.S. 17^th Infantry Regiment's headquarters and 1^st Battalion move from Cho-ri to P'ungsan (approximately half way between Iwon and Hyesanjin.) They meet no resistance since the 1^st Regiment, ROK Capital Division had already cleared the road to that point.

The 2^nd & 3^rd Battalions, 8^th Cavalry Regiment arrive at Unsan and relieve the ROK 12^th Regiment.

Chinese forces press hard against the newly formed ROK II Corps defense line north and east of Kunu-ri. CCF broke through the ROK 16 Regiment (8^th Division) near its boundary with the ROK 1^st Division to its west.

Five Russian men and three women, apparently connected with Russian biological warfare in North Korea, are taken into protective custody by the Army after they said they did not want to return to Russia.

November 1

The situation at Unsan was, to say the least critical. Chinese troops has set up a roadblock four miles south of the town and were attacking Unsan from the north and west. At the roadblock two companies from the 1^st Battalion attacked to break the block and were engaged with large enemy forces. By afternoon the Chinese attack north of Unsan against the ROK 15^th Regiment had gained strength and gradually had extended west into the 8^th Cavalry zone. The first probing attacks by the CCF came at 1700 against the 1^st Battalion on the right flank. The situation worsened when the Chinese mounted a general attack against the 1^st Battalion at 1930. Heavy fighting continued but at approximately 2100 the Chinese found a weak point in 1^st Battalion lines and began pushing troops through the opening. About the same time it became clear the ROK 15^th Regiment had ceased to exist as a fighting unit, leaving the battalion's southeast flank open. Tanks guarding the bridge reported large groups of men across the river to the east were moving south All 1^st Battalion non-combat vehicles were ordered to move southeast to the ford across the Kuryong River (in the ROK 1st Division zone) and head for Ipsok. About the same time the 2^nd Battalion commander ordered his vehicles to do the same. These vehicles made it safely to Ipsok.

At 2300, with much sounding of bugles, the Chinese extended their attacks westward to the 2^nd Battalion area and in a short time had penetrated the Battalion's right flank and encircled its left flank. By midnight both battalions had enemy roaming rear positions and both were almost out of ammunition. About the same time Gen. Gay, 1^st Cavalry Division Commander, ordered the withdrawal of the 8^th Cavalry Regiment from Unsan but by then it was too late for many 1^st and 2^nd battalion men as the withdrawal turned into a route with small units cut off from one another and tried to escape across the Kuryong River. Most of the support troops made it out since they were the first to leave. Those who came later did so in small groups. For all intents, the 8^th Cavalry Regiment had ceased to be combat effective.

On the south side of the Ch'ongch'on River, Chinese forces had pushed the ROK 7^th Division back to the vicinity of Won-ni. This resulted in a gap between its left flank and Eight Army. Thus threatening Eighth Army's center at Unsan. The U.S. 2^nd Division was hurriedly assembled in the vicinity of Sunch'on and ordered north to Kunu-ri to plug the gap to the east of there.

Far to the northwest near the Yalu River, the 24^th Infantry Division and British 27^th Commonwealth Brigade are, not knowing what is happening in the ROK II Corps and the Unsan area, are stunned to receive orders to withdraw back to the Ch'ongch'on River.

In far northeast Korea, the U.S. 17^th Infantry Regiment and the ROK 1^st Regiment repulsed a strong North Korean attack two miles north of P'ungsan.

November 2

The 7th Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, relieved the Republic of Korea I Corps west of Chosin Reservoir, and immediately ran into the Chinese 14th Division, To the Marine's northeast the battle two miles north of P'ungsan continued.

The First Cavalry Division's 8th Cavalry Regiment ends two days of fighting with the Chinese 19th Division around Unsan in western North Korea. The Chinese withdraw into the hills around the village

The commander of Australian troops in Korea wounded three days earlier, Lt. Col. Charles H. Green, 31, dies from combat wounds.

Completing its withdrawal from the Ch'ongju area, the 24^th Infantry Division takes up defensive positions north of the Ch'ongch'on River in the Anju-Pakch'on areas.

November 3

After leaving Taech'on the evening the British 27^th Commonwealth Brigade takes up defensive positions in the low hills around Pakch'on -- a the northeast corner of the bridgehead. Chinese troops enter Taech'on less than an hour after the British leave. The 19^th Infantry Regiment, 24^th Division take up positions just north of the Ch'ongch'on and northeast of Anju. Once in position, the ROK 1^st Division begins withdrawing through the regiment. The 5^th Regimental Combat Team, 24^th Division take up defensive positions at Kunu-ri backing up ROK II Corps which has been squeezed into a small area at Won-ni, four miles northeast of Kunu-ri.

In far northeast Korea, the ROK Capital Division's "flying column," attacking up the coast road leading to the Soviet Union, capture Kilchu, then continue attacking up the coast road toward Ch'ongjin. Other ROK units turn northwest at Kilchu and begin advancing toward Hyesanjin on the China border. Meanwhile the U.S. 17^th Infantry's battle two miles north of P'ungsan had abated.

The 65^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd U.S. Infantry Division lands at Wonsan. Even before the 65th's arrival at Wonsan the 7^th Marine Regiment had moved to Hamhung and then on to the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir area and was already engaged in its first battle with Chinese troops 3 miles below Changjin Power Plant #3. A six-day battle ensued as the Marines slowly took one terrain feature after another.

November 4

The ROK 1^st Division completes its withdrawal to the south side of the Ch'ongch'on River by noon. Meanwhile the Chinese make a push to capture Kunu-ri and Hill 622, a large mountain cresting 3 miles northeast of Kunu-ri that dominates the Ch'ongch'on River Valley. In the ensuing battle the Hill 622 changes hands several times during the day but in the end ROK forces are able to hold on. Simultaneously Chinese forces infiltrate around 1^st Battalion, 19^th Infantry positions while other forces attack from the front. The battalion folds losing all its heavy equipment and vehicles but most troops are able to evade capture and cross the Ch'ongch'on River to friendly territory. As soon as this situation develops, the 3^rd Battalion, 19^th tries to retake 1^st Battalion positions but stiff enemy resistence stops the attack.

The enemy struck with equal force in attacks against 8^th Army flank at Kunu-ri and against the commonwealth brigade at the western end of the bridgehead. These attacks were turned.

The U.S. 7^th Division's 31^st Infantry Regiment began landing at Iwon. Once ashore it was move northwest and protect the 17^th Infantry's west flank.

November 5

The 21^st Infantry Regiment is sent north across the Ch'ongch'on River to retake lost 19^th Regiment positions. In heavy fighting the 21^st retakes the positions. However, that night the Chinese mount a coordinated attack against all bridgehead defensive positions. At Hill 123 the attack achieved surprise against E & G Companies, 2^nd Battalion, 19^th Infantry with the enemy infiltrating around their positions and following commo wire to their positions. The attack caught many in their sleeping bags. These men died in their sleeping bags. Others were shot execution style in the back of the head. The enemy attack overran all positions on Hill 123. What was left of the battalion withdrew approximately 1000 yards.

A major attack developed against Commonwealth Brigade positions at Pakch'on on the Taeryong River. It was beaten back after the Chinese closed to within hand-to-hand combat range in some places.

Based on information from Soviet defectors who had been working on the project and now in American protective custody, the U.S. Army finds a germ warfare laboratory in Pyongyang where experiments had been done on rats.

November 6

At daylight the reequipped 1^st Battalion, 19^th Infantry counterattacked, closing the gap between the 2^nd Battalion and the rest of the Regiment. Meanwhile the rest of the regiment began retaking its original positions against light opposition Later in the day reports came in from all along the defense line of Chinese troops withdrawing north.

Gen. MacArthur reports to the United Nations that "U.N. forces are ... presently engaged in contact with Chinese Communist military units deployed for action against (them)." He says there were 12 incidents involving parts of seven Chinese divisions and airplanes. His report is factual without personal comment, but in a statement released afterwards he claims Chinese intervention is "one of the most offensive acts of international lawlessness of historic record." He says the North Korean army had been decimated with 335,000 losses, 135,000 of them prisoners. (*)

November 7

In the Anju-Kunu-ri bridgehead area, Chinese forces have vanished, apparently withdrawing north. This move ended the 1^st Phase Chinese Offensive.

An advance party of the first Canadian troops, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment, lands in Pusan Nov. 7. Also the Thailand Battalion arrives in Korea.

Acting in the hopes that China will withdraw its troops from North Korea if assured it's power dams and targets in the province of Manchuria will not be attacked, the Interim Committee of the U.N. Korean Commission votes to exclude the Yalu River and Manchuria as part of the combat zone.

November 8

Lead elements of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, which was in reserve in Japan, land at Wonsan in North Korea. To their northeast the U.S. 31^st Infantry Regiment, moving up roads on the east side of the Pujon Reservoir (not to be confused with the Chosin Reservoir located some 15 air miles to the west of the Pujon Reservoir) encounter Chinese troops on Paek-San, a 7,700 foot high mountain 12 air miles east of the southern end of the reservoir. After a several hour battle Chinese forces withdraw. Later in the day a patrol from the 31^st Infantry meet up with a Marine patrol about half way between the Pujon and Chosin Reservoirs.

The first jet-versus-jet fighter duel takes place over North Korea when F-80 fighters from the 51^st Fighter Group and MiG-15 fighters from the 151^st Guards Fighter Aviation Division clash. Lt. Russell Brown claims the first kill, but this is later shown to not have happened as all Soviet aircraft returned safely.

November 9

On the 7th Division's right flank it's 7^th Reconnaissance Company moves to Sillyong, east of P'ungsan, to protect a power installation located there.

Navy LT William Amen, flying an F9F Panther from VF-51, becomes the first US pilot to score a jet victory when he shoots down Soviet Major Grachev from the 139^th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, who is killed when he fails to get out of his aircraft.

November 10

The 7^th Marines take the Chosin Reservoir and Kot'o-ri Plateau, then run into their first real taste of North Korean winter when temperatures drop to 8 degrees below zero and winds of 35 to 40 miles an hour bring the wind chill down to 30 to 40 plus degrees below zero.

U.S. 3^rd Division advance headquarters is established at Wonsan with the mission of relieving all Marine units in the Wonsan area of their anti-guerrilla mission.

November 11

The 15^th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 3^rd Division lands at Wonsan.

November 12

The ROK 18^th Regiment runs into a strong tank-supported North Korean force at Orang-ch'on, thirty miles northeast of Kilchu. A two day battle ensues and the enemy prevented from breaking through with the help of naval gunfire and close air support.

The 7^th Division received orders to advance to the China border. The 17^th Infantry received orders to size Kapsan; the 31^st Infantry was to advance on the 17th's left (west) flank; and the 32^nd Infantry was to seize the southeast shore of the Pujon Reservoir.

A sudden sub-zero cold wave in North Korea catches soldiers and Marines without winter clothing. They wear summer uniforms over winter underwear and huddle by bonfires to keep from freezing. Over the next few days, hundreds of cases of frozen feet are reported.

An Army spokesman in Washington said sufficient winter gear had been shipped to Korea but transportation difficulties must have kept it from being issued to troops.

MacArthur's U.N. headquarters says that the First Marine Division and the Army 7th Infantry Division in extreme northeast Korea have winter clothes. The statement is only partially correct.

November 13

U.S. 7^th Infantry Division regiments prepare for the advance.

November 14

At dawn the battle in the Orang-ch'on area resumes with strong North Korean units, supported by brand new T-34/85 tanks, attacking the ROK 18^th Regiment. The attack made limited gains during the day but weakened the 18^th.

In accordance to orders, the 2^nd Battalion, 17^th Infantry attacks across the Ungi River, crossing using a floating footbridge. Upstream a few miles the 3^rd Battalion starts to cross via a shallow ford but the North Korean's open the floodgates on a dam causing the water to rise to waist deep forcing a halt to the crossing at this point so the 3^rd Battalion crossed using the floating footbridge.

November 15

In the Orang-ch'on area, an even stronger attack by North Korean troops and new T-34/85 tanks forces the ROK 18^th and 1^st Regiments to withdraw southwest down the coast road.

The 1^st Battalion, 17^th Infantry crosses the Ungi River behind the 2^nd Battalion. Both units advance buy make only small gains during the day. To their west the 31^st Infantry reached the eastern shore of the Pujon Reservoir.

The ROK Capital Division moves to within 35 miles of Manchuria after marching over snow-covered mountains in northeast North Korea. Then it pushes on up the coast to Myongch'on.

Russian MiG-15s are about 100 miles an hour faster than their F-80 Shooting Stars, according to USAF pilots. An Air Force spokesman in Washington said the reason MiGs have greater speed is that they have less armor protecting the pilots. He also pointed out that the kill ratio is 2-0 in favor of Americans flying F-80s. After the war this is found to not be the case, as the MiGs - both more heavily armed and armored than most US aircraft - are faster due to their modern design based on German wartime research. Also, at this point in time the Soviets had lost two MiGs in combat - but to Navy F9F pilots, not USAF F-80 pilots.

Russians bring a Chinese complaint to the United Nations charging that U.N. aircrews entered Manchuria 84 times from Oct. 27-Nov. 10. Some industries in Manchuria have been moved further from the Yalu River for fear they would be attacked in retaliation for China entering the war, the complaint says.

About 10,000 troops of a special Canadian brigade will train at Fort Lewis, Wash., according to a U.S. Army announcement. They will train for duty in Europe, but could also be sent to Korea.

November 16

Four days of fighting and repeated aerial attacks have finally turned the North Korean attack in the Orang-ch'on area so the ROK 18^th Regiment can begin retaking lost ground.

The 17^th Infantry advance 8 miles toward Kapsan during the day.

The Defense Ministry announces that British losses in Korea are 51 killed, 158 wounded and five missing.

November 17

The 7^th Regimental Combat Team, U.S. 3^rd Infantry Division lands at Wonsan. The division did not engage in any large scale battles during November although it did engage in several small battles with North Korean guerrilla units.

Chinese prisoners of war say most of the communist artillery is American-made captured from Nationalist Chinese forces that were driven off the mainland and being used because the artillery can use captured American ammunition.

November 18

Leaving strong units to defend passes in the 7^th Division rear areas, the 31^st and 32^nd regiments move up to the P'ungsan-Kapsan area behind the 17^th Infantry. These units were to advance northwest through Samsu to Sin'galp'ajin on the Yalu River. However, a few miles a few miles west of Hyesanjin 17^th Infantry patrols encountered stubborn resistance that slowed the advance. This set the tone for all 7^th Division units for the next few days so it wasn't until November 28^th that 7^th Division troops reached Sin'galp'ajin.

November 19

In a short, but sharp fight, the 17^th Infantry captures Kapsan, then advances 8 more miles during the day and only 23 road miles from Hyesanjin and the China border.

Turkish soldiers begin guarding U.N. supply lines against guerillas between Seoul and P'yongyang. The ROK government estimates at least 40,000 guerillas are spread out over South Korea. ROK soldiers kill 247 guerillas near Namwon close to the south coast.

November 20

The 17^th Infantry, in a column of battalions, advances 19 miles on foot to a point only a few miles from Hyesanjin.

U.N. headquarters in Tokyo says 150 Chinese soldiers captured in central front fighting report there are no "volunteers" in the communist units. Additionally, the firepower and air attacks of U.N. forces were far greater than they expected. After being given hardly any rations for three days of fighting, the troops began retreating.

November 21

The U.S. 17^th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division, takes Hyesanjin on the Yalu River in northeast Korea.. As a sidebar: The Yalu River at Hyesanjin is not the mighty river it becomes downstream At Hyesanjin the river is normally shallow and approximately 50 to 75 yards wide.

November 22

Chinese Communist Forces in North Korea say "Chinese do not want to fight Americans" when they turned 27 wounded U.S. prisoners over to U.N. forces near Yongbon on the central front. U.S. Army intelligence is trying to figure out China's real intentions behind the release.

* * *

WITHDRAWAL FROM NORTH KOREA

November 23 to December 31, 1950

Following their breaking contact with U.N. forces on November 7^th, the CCF withdrew into mountains to the north but left screening forces in place to slow the advance by U.N. forces. As of November 23, the CCF XII Army Group's six armies were positioned 10 to 15 miles north of U.N. front lines - waiting to strike.

The Netherlands Battalion arrived in Korea.

November 24

In the belief the initial CCF attack had been a 'spoiling" attack to give time for remaining North Korean troops to withdraw into China, and that only limited CCF forces remained in North Korea, Eighth Army and X-Corps started a general attack north expecting only minor resistance.

In the west I Corps assault forces consisted of 24^th Division, ROK 1^st Division and British 27^th Commonwealth Brigade. In IX Corps in the center assault forces consisted of 25^th Infantry Division, 2^nd Infantry Division and the brigade-sized 1^st Turkish Armed Forces Command. ROK II Corps in the east would attack with ROK 6^th, 7^th & 8^th Divisions. The 1^st Cavalry Division and the newly arrived British 29^th Independent Infantry Brigade were 8^th Army reserves. Units with no combat assignments in the attack were the 187^th Airborne Regimental Combat Team and the Philippine 10^th Battalion Combat Team, who were providing security in the P'yonggang-Chinamp'o area. Far to the south the newly formed ROK III Corps, consisting of the ROK 2^nd, 5^th, 9^th & 11^th Divisions, were operating against guerrillas in central and southern Korea. And the Thai Battalion was moving north toward P'yongyang.

The two I Corps divisions, the U.S. 24^th and ROK 1^st Division jumped off at dawn, attacking toward Chongju and T'aech'on respectively. Both advance against light resistance, ending the day with the 24^th near Chongju and the ROK 1^st Division four miles away from T'aech'on.

IX Corps kept the Turkish Brigade in reserve at Kunu-ri while the 25^th Division attacked toward Unsan and the 2^nd Division toward Huich'on. The 35^th Infantry Regiment, 25^th Division, advanced up west side of the Kuryong River, made a four mile gain for the day while the 24^th Infantry on the east side of the Kuryong River gained 7 miles. During this advance the 24^th came across 30 American POW's, all wounded and frostbitten, left behind by the Chinese.

In the east ROK II Corps started two divisions north along mountainous secondary roads to pace Eighth Army's advance. These divisions made slow advances against stiff Chinese resistance.

November 25

Chongju, against expectations this would be a main point or resistance, was empty when 21^st Infantry troops entered the city. Meanwhile the 19^th Infantry moved to Napch'oongjong eight miles behind the 21^st Infantry. In the T'aech'on area the ROK 1^st Division ran into heavy resistance as they tried to capture the town. A fierce CCF counterattack drove them back two miles so they ended the day still 3 miles short of the town.

In IX Corps area, the 2^nd Division gained about two miles during the day ending the day stretched along a 15-mile front centered in the Ch'ongch'on Valley about 20 miles north of Kunu-ri: The 9^th Infantry on the division left, the 38^th Infantry on the division right along the Paengnyong River stretching from the Ch'ongch'on to ROK II Corps positions to the east. The 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Infantry occupied the half-mile gap in the center between the 9^th and 38^th. The remainder of the 23^rd remained at Kunu-ri along with the divisions artillery battalions, who were firing support for the front line units. Meanwhile the 25^th Division ends the day within easy striking distance of Unsan, spread in an arc from Kujang-dong on the Ch'ongch'on River to mountains on the west side of the Kuryong River just south of Unsan.

Between dark and midnight all hell broke loose in the 2 ID area. Two CCF regiments attacked the 9^th Infantry, 2 ID, in the Ch'ongch'on Valley from the north while a third attacked the center of 38^th Infantry, 2 ID, positions on the Paengnyong River. At the same time another CCF regiment attacked 9^th Infantry positions from the northeast.

November 26

By shortly after midnight a confused battle was taking place all three 2 ID regiments were engaged but had been fragmented into company and part battalion sized units by infiltrating Chinese and were attacking units from all directions. Another CCF regiment infiltrated across the Ch'ongch'on River north of Kunu-ri and attacked the two reserve battalion 23^rd and the three artillery battalions. This attack was turned but the Chinese withdrew to a mountain known as "Chinaman's Hat", located northeast of the 23^rd but south of the rearmost positions of the 9^th. Fighting tapered off at dawn but by noon word arrived that ROK II Corps 7th & 8^th Divisions had been overrun and ROK II Corps was retreating in mass, thus making the 2 ID not only the flank unit for IX corps but also for Eighth Army. The route of ROK II Corps allowed the Chinese to infiltrate several regiments and turn them toward the mountains overlooking the road between Kunu-ri and Sunch'on, the 2 ID & Turkish Brigades withdrawal route. It also allowed the Chinese to attack down the road toward Kunu-ri. To counter these incursions, the 1^st Cavalry Division moved to take up positions at Sunch'on and the road leading east from there. The Turkish Brigade received orders to move from Kunu-ri eastward to Tokch'on and clear the town.

Far to the west in I Corps area the 24^th ID was ordered to halt its advance and be prepared to withdraw back to the Ch'ongch'on. The same order went out to the ROK 1^st Division.

During the night the 25 ID had been hit by sharp but limited CCF attacks so managed to hold their positions.

November 27

The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division and ROK 6th Division stop the Chinese at Sinchang, about 30 miles northeast of Pyongyang.

On the west coast, the U.S. 24th ID, ROK 1st Division, and British 27^th Commonwealth Brigade withdraw to below the Ch'ongch'on River near Anju. The 25^th ID withdraws across the Ch'ongch'on River, crossing at Anju. To the east the Turkish Brigade and 2 ID hold north and east of Kunu-ri.

Meanwhile in the far northeast part of Korea the 7th ID's Task Force MacLean and 1st Marine Division are ordered to attack north of their positions east and west of the Chosin Reservoir in what later was called "the most ill-advised and unfortunate operation of the Korean War."

It was hoped the attack would relieve pressure on allied units to the west. Task Force MacLean's 3,200 soldiers, including 700 ROK troops and the Marines run into the 120,000-man Chinese Ninth Army Group. The Army unit becomes Task Force Faith when Col. Allan D. MacLean is wounded and captured and Lt. Col. Don C. Faith takes command.

November 28

All 2 ID units north of the Ch'ongch'on are ordered to retreat south of the river. Meanwhile I Corps is organizing a defense line on the south bank of the river while IX Corps it trying to hold the CCF east of Kunu-ri. Later in the day the 2^nd ID, now with the Turkish Brigade attached, is ordered withdraw to Wawon, about 4 miles northeast of Kunu-ri. The 38^th is ordered to withdraw and reassemble about a mile south of Kunu-ri, which it does. During this time the Turkish Brigade began withdrawing, without orders, from Wawon to Sinmin-ni.

The 1st Marine Division is surrounded at the reservoir and begins to fight its way south. Fighting is done across frozen rivers and in temperatures down to 35 degrees below zero.

MacArthur says the U.N. forces are in "an entirely new war" with China after destroying the North Korean army. He says "over 200,000" Chinese regular troops shatter the myth fostered by communist propaganda that only "volunteers" were fighting with their Korean brethren. Far larger Chinese forces are gathered in "the privileged sanctuary north of the international boundary" in Manchuria.

The same day, a British spokesman admits they had voted against a MacArthur request to the United Nations to bomb targets in Manchuria. They were still hoping to convince China not to enter the Korean War, and feel MacArthur's offensive is to blame for drawing China into the war.

MacArthur defends the Nov. 24 initiative, saying it had disrupted Chinese plans to build up their forces in Korea to more than 400,000 troops before they attacked U.N. forces. He calls his senior commanders to Tokyo to discuss the situation.

The general also tells an NBC radio reporter that his "home by Christmas" pledge four days earlier was made "in a jocular vein" and news people had "greatly exaggerated" the remark. "At no time have I ever attempted to predict the course or termination of this or any other military campaign." Great Britain and other European countries have derided those same remarks.

A Chinese spokesman echoes the "volunteers" propaganda, but tells the U.N. Security Council that China will make certain U.N. troops are driven out of Korea.

November 29

At dawn the CCF 40^th Army attacked in force against the Turks. It soon became clear the Ch'ongch'on defense line could not be held so a general withdrawal of all units back to the Sunch'on line was ordered. For the Turks and the 2^nd ID the order came late because several CCF regiments had already infiltrated south of Kunu-ri and taken up positions on the high ground overlooking the only road the division could use to withdraw. To their west I Corps began withdrawing down the Anju-Sunch'on-P'yongyang highway without opposition.

An Army spokesman in Washington admits that intelligence underestimated the strength of Chinese forces in Korea. Congressmen and newspaper columnists call for Truman to use the A-bomb against China. Lt. Gen. Walton H. Walker, Eighth Army commander, agrees with MacArthur, saying the Nov. 24 campaign "probably saved our forces from a trap which might well have destroyed them." Had they not attacked "the 200,000 Chinese troops thrown against my lines would have increased within a short time to double that strength."

Turkish forces, in bayonet fighting, stop the Chinese advance near Kunu-ri. American, South Korean, United Kingdom and Turkish troops on the west coast fight desperately to keep from being surrounded and cut off by the Chinese central thrust.

November 30

The 2nd Infantry Division, which has been rear guard for the withdrawal of other Eighth U.S. Army units in northwestern Korean, withdraws from Kunu-ri and begins a two day nightmare as the division has to fight through roadblock after roadblock on the narrow road leading south, which became known as "The Gauntlet."

The 1st Marine Division begins its famous fighting withdrawal from Chosin Reservoir. The Fifth and Seventh Marine Regiments begin fighting their way to the First Marine Division command post at Hagari. They finally make it Dec. 4 after fighting their way in subfreezing temperatures.

They airlift more than 4,300 casualties out of Hagari, and receive 537 replacements by air. Most of their casualties are frostbite victims.

December 1

The British Commonwealth Brigade, which attacked north from Sunch'on to link up with 2nd ID to help it withdraw, is stopped on the same mountain roads by Chinese forces.

The 2nd ID's 23rd Regimental Combat Team, which is the 23rd Infantry Regiment and the 15th Field Artillery, acts as the rear guard for the division's withdrawal.

The Chinese virtually wipe out the 9th and 38th Infantry Regiments on the retreat route. The 23rd RCT then withdraws to the east to escape the slaughter.

By the time the remnants of the 2nd ID reach the British lines, nearly a third of its strength is gone, about 4,940 soldiers.

Keiser is relieved of command and replaced by Maj. Gen. Robert B. McClure.

To the east, X Corps orders the Army Third and Seventh Divisions to withdraw south to Hungnam.

Task Force Faith, part of the Seventh Division and named for its commander, Lt. Col. Don Faith, begins to fight its way from the east bank of the Chosin Reservoir to Hegari at the south end of the reservoir to join up with the 1st Marine Division.

Fighting in temperatures at 35 degrees below zero and carrying 500 wounded, Faith is told by the hard-pressed Marines to look out for itself. By then the task force has 100 more casualties. Faith has the wounded loaded on trucks and begins to move south again. It is hit by Chinese mortars and small arms, and has to fight through enemy roadblocks.

U.S. Air Force fighters, mistaking them for an enemy column, also drop napalm on the front of the column. Faith is wounded by a Chinese grenade.

The task force reaches Hadong, only to find that the expected regimental tank company had already retreated to Hagari. It is then hit by an all-out Chinese attack. Faith is killed along with most of the other wounded. Only 385 of the original 3,200-man task force make it to U.N. lines. Faith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

December 2

Elements of the Eighth U.S. Army on the Korean west coast establish a defensive perimeter at Pyongyang but they are ordered to abandon it the next day. As the troops fall back to Chinamp'o, they burn all the supply facilities in the city.

The Air Force says its crews flew 827 sorties supporting allied troops, a one-day record for the war. More communist jet fighters are also reported over North Korea.

December 3

Task Force 90 Amphibious Force begins evacuating U.N. soldiers from Chinamp'o and Wonsan on the west coast. On the east coast, the task force evacuates 1,800 American soldiers and sailors and 5,900 ROK soldiers from Wonsan. More than 3,800 U.N. fighters, 7,009 Korean civilian refugees, 1,146 vehicles and 10,013 tons of cargo are safely removed.

December 4

Chinese troops enter Pyongyang without a fight as U.N. units withdraw. Civilians began leaving the North Korean capital before the last of the allies depart. Thousands wade icy streams as they swarm south toward Seoul. The refugees interfere with the retreat of U.N. troops, as American planes slow the Chinese advance.

In one of the saddest incidents of the war, the F4U Corsair of Navy LT Jesse L. Brown is shot down by Chinese small arms fire near the Chosin Reservoir. His wingman, LT Tom Hulder, crashes his own aircraft to try and rescue Brown, but even when a rescue helicopter shows up, neither he nor the helicopter pilot can free Brown from the wreckage. After Hulder and the helicopter are forced to leave, Brown dies during the night from his wounds and the cold. Jesse Brown was the first African-American Naval aviator. (Hulder later receives the Medal of Honor for his attempt to save his friend.)

December 5

Part of Task Force 90 evacuates over 2,000 U.S. Army and Navy personnel and 6,000 plus ROK soldiers from Chinamp'o.

December 6

Marines begin the 11-mile trip from Hagari to the First Marine Regiment's position at Koto-ri. It takes 38 hours and more than 600 casualties for about 10,000 Marines to move 1,000 vehicles that distance. The Marines get strong air support from Air Force, Navy and Marine fliers.

December 7

Elements of Task Force 90 begin evacuating Inchon. By Jan. 5 they will have taken out more than 68,000 military personnel, 1,400 vehicles and almost 55,000 tons of supplies. The next day MacArthur gives his "profound gratitude" to the veterans groups.

The First Marine Division continues to battle its way south from the Chosin Reservoir past Koto-ri to Chinhung. They are stopped halfway to Chinhung by a blown bridge at Funchilin Pass.

December 8

Eighth Army units continue to withdraw to positions below the 38^th Parallel.

December 9

A treadway bridge is airdropped to the Marines and they are able to cross the gap at Funchilin Pass..

December 10

The 1^st Marine Division continues to fight its way south.

December 11

In the early afternoon on Dec. 11, the last part of the 1^st Marine Division crosses the Army perimeter at Hungnam.

The Marines had fought 50 miles from the Chosin Reservoir, an action called the longest withdrawal in Marine Corps history, but was not considered a retreat. During the fighting, the word retreat was mentioned to Maj. Gen. Oliver P. Smith, division commander. His reply was, "Retreat, hell. We're just attacking in a different direction."

Marine, Air Force and Navy aircraft helped cover the retreat. The Marines also bring several hundred Chinese prisoners with them, many who had surrendered without a fight.

Since October the Marines lost 604 killed in action, 114 who later died from wounds, 192 missing, 3,508 wounded in action and frostbite accounted for most of the 7,313 casualties. It is believed the First Marines killed 1,500 Chinese and wounded 7,500. Marine air is credited with killing 10,000 and wounding 5,000. It is also claimed that Marine actions hurt the Red Chinese Ninth Army Group so seriously that it could not participate in the continuing communist offensive.

Lt. Gen. Walton H. Walker, Eighth U.S. Army commander, promises Republic of Korea President Syngman Rhee that Seoul will be defended. An Eighth Army defensive line has been established north of Seoul, just below the 38th Parallel. The city has been under martial law since Dec. 7.

December 12

Most 8^th Army and ROK troops are now south of the 38^th Parallel.

December 13

F-84 Thunderjets, the fastest tactical fighter in the U.S. Air Force, attacks an enemy convoy near Sariwon, inflicting heavy casualties. The new planes arrived in Korea Dec. 6 and went into action four days later. The F-84 is meant to replace the World War II vintage P-51 Mustang and slower F-80 Shooting Star jet, which are no match for enemy MiG-15s. However, Air Force pilots will still fly those planes in combat until 1953.

December 14

Remnants of U.N. forces that escaped the Chinese offensive in northeast Korea have gathered in the port city of Hungnam. Among them are the First Marine Division; the Army's 3rd and 7th Infantry Divisions; British Commandos, which includes the Puerto Rican 65th Regimental Combat Team; and the Republic of Korea 3rd and Capital Divisions. Ships began to load men and supplies. Chinese patrols test the perimeter defenses with light, probing attacks.

December 15

The First Marine Division completes loading men and equipment onto ships at Hungnam and sets sail for Pusan.

The Army orders the National Guard's 31st Infantry Division from Alabama and Mississippi and the 47th Infantry Division from Minnesota and North Dakota to active duty by Jan. 16. The 31st ID is the best manned of the nation's 27 Guard divisions with 12,000 soldiers. The 47th has 9,000 soldiers. It is a move to bring the number of active divisions from the current 15, four of which are Guard units, to 18 in early 1951.

December 16

The remaining forces of X Corps in the inland town of Hamhung withdraw to Hungnam. About 12 Chinese and North Korean divisions attack Hungnam, but are held off with the help of heavy naval shelling and carrier-based aircraft..

December 17

South Korean I Corps ships out of Hungnam bound for Pusan.

In the first of what would become clashes between champions, Lt. Col. Bruce Hinton, commander of the 336^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, shoots down Soviet Captain Ya. N. Yefromenko of the 50^th Fighter Aviation Division, who bails out and lands safely. This is the first victory by an American F-86 Saber over the Soviet MiG-15.

December 18

The battleship USS Missouri and its 16-inch guns join the bombardment

December 19

MacArthur's headquarters in Tokyo announces that 30,000-40,000 casualties have been inflicted on the enemy during the withdrawal to Hungnam.

December 20

The U.N. Command imposes censorship on all news media covering the war in Korea. The decision was made after the New York Times revealed Dec. 18 that F-86 Saber jets, the fastest planes in the Air Force at 670 miles per hour in straight flight, had gone into action Dec. 17, downing a MIG-15 over North Korea. The Air Force said it had asked all news outlets not to reveal the F-86's entry into the war.

December 21

Chinese attacks against the port of Hungnam have stopped and the 7th Infantry Division sails for Pusan. Evacuation of the city continues.

December 22

A quiet day all along the front.

December 23

Gen. Walton H. Walker, commander of Eighth Army, is killed in a vehicle accident. The jeep the general was riding in smashed into a ROKA truck that pulled out of a side road while the General's jeep was trying pass a northbound convoy. . Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway, Army deputy chief of staff, is named to take over Eighth Army. He has been the point man on Korea for Army Chief of Staff Gen. J. Lawton Collins, and has been involved in mobilizing the Army for Korea.. During World War II, Ridgway commanded the 82nd Infantry Division, jumping with his soldiers into North Africa and Normandy on D-Day.

December 24

3d Infantry Division sails for Pusan from Hungnam, completing the evacuation of the port city. In all, ships evacuated 105,000 Americans and South Korean soldiers, 91,000 civilian refugees, 17,500 vehicles and about 350,000 tons of cargo. Aircraft have flown out about 3,600 men, along with 196 vehicles and 1,300 tons of supplies.

X Corps, which has been an independent command in Korea, is assigned to Eighth Army.

December 25

A relatively quiet day as GIs in Korea and along the 38th Parallel have Christmas turkey dinners and decorate trees with hastily-made ornaments. The day is marred by armed CCF patrols scouting U.N. defensive positions

December 26

MacArthur reports "redeployment" of U.N. forces following the withdrawal from North Korea. He also defends the Nov. 24 offensive as "fortunate" rather than disastrous because it stopped the Chinese buildup that would have given the enemy "the power capable of destroying our forces with one mighty extended stroke."

Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway takes command of Eighth Army. He has served under MacArthur before, as an instructor at West Point when MacArthur was the superintendent. At the change of command ceremony, he asks MacArthur, "If I find the situation to my liking, would you have any objection to my attacking?" MacArthur replied, "The Eighth Army is yours, Matt. Do what you think best."

Eighth Army is far from having the ability to attack with the 2nd Infantry Division nearly wiped out and the 1st Cavalry Division badly hurt in the Communist Chinese offensive. Eighth Army has established full censorship over correspondents covering its units in Korea. The reason is that Maj. Gen. Walton H. Walker's death was in the news before the Army had a chance to notify his wife.

Peking Radio says that if the United States does not pull out of Korea and Formosa , Chinese forces "will drive them back by our might." The broadcast praises "Chinese volunteer units" for having "gained big war results." Sources in the Yugoslavia communist party speculate that China wants to replace Russia as the major communist power in the Far East.

December 27

MacArthur's Tokyo headquarters releases a revised estimate of communist forces in North Korea -- more than 276,000 Chinese and 167,000 North Koreans and guerillas. The spokesman says there are also 650,000 Chinese soldiers in Manchuria and another 256,000 en route to North Korea. That's a total of more than 1.3 million soldiers against U.N. forces that range between 200,000 and 250,000. Of that number approximately 150,000 are non-Koreans, including seven American divisions.

December 28

Australia's government announced it would not send additional troops to Korea, only replacements for those already there.

About 100,000 of the refugees flooding Pusan were taken to islands, according to U.N. Civil Assistance spokesmen. Seoul citizens were leaving at a daily rate of 80,000 and by Dec. 28 half of the city's one million residents had headed south.

The U.N. Command tightened news censorship, forbidding reporters to identify units smaller than Eighth Army.

December 29

Another quiet day.

December 30

In a swirling dogfight, USAF F-86 Sabers clash with MiG-15s over northwest Korea, soon to become known to the Americans as "MiG Alley" and "The Sausage" to the Soviets. While US pilots claim at least one MiG shot down and two damaged, the actual results are nil to nil. At this point the USAF has 7 actual kills versus 17 claims; the US Navy has a total of 2, and the VVS(Soviets) has 5 actual kills versus 64 claims.

December 31

1950 ends quietly as both sides prepare for upcoming combat.

* * *

Compiled by Ed Evanhoe, November 2002