THE KOREAN SITUATION

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
December 27, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 27, 2013
Sequence Number: 
7
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
September 6, 1950
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5.pdf225.11 KB
Body: 
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/27: CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5 - SECRET CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 6 September /950 MEMORANDUM Document No. NO CHANGE in Class. 0 SUBJECT: The Korean Situation DECLASSIFIED ass. CM:2=D TO: TS S C DDA Memo, 4 Apr 77 I. Military Situation Auth: DD 7EG. 77/1763 Date: ij 71. By; 0 7i3 Summary The front Ines remained relatively stable all sectors except the caved-in northern front from the YoPagchon area to Pohang oil the east coast. In this area, enemy attacks forced a UN withdrawal from Pohang, and strong enemy unifs.are threatening both Kyongju. and Yongchon, key communication centers on the transportatim'ne.twork. connecting Pohang, Taegu, .and 1...tesan. Bad weather sericrasly curtailed UN air support fo-e gramd units. Reconnaissance flyers contimaed to report large mov.realeats of enemy troops and vehicles southward along the west coast of North Korea, and two large convoys were sighted on. the east coast moving south toward Pohang. South Sector The US 26th Division confirmed to hold its position against diminishing attacks by the enemy 6th a.d In Divisions. A pecIset of 1,00Q enemy troops in the vicinity of:Man was co=letely wiped out. Further to the north in the US 2nd Division sector, US Marines and elements of the 2nd Division pushed the enemy back to the Waktong River southwest of CiFengnyong and occupied del/ease positions along commanding terrain. Center Sector -Units Of the US .1st Cavalry Division withdrew from the ualled ? ' town onitasan mOlintain. about ten miles north of Taer2x1,, bul the . division continued to contain the Giiersay along its eitire freot. ... . E, k..itish.troops in this sector WG'ilt into action for the first time ? - against enemy patrols east of the klattong River. AuclircIA.14 "c?11131 PlIA$t 11,1Iii . oars at Altaku.. $) SEcr-PT 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/27: CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/27: CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5 SEC,MET '4. East Sector ? The enemy remained re/atively inactive on the UN lett .(western) flank in this sector, but the ROK 6th Division attacked to the north to close the gap between the division a_nd the US ist Cavalry Division on its left. There was little enemy activity in . front. of the ROK 8th Division, but further to the east, elements of three enemy divisions were pushing hard to cut the road rilEtling from Pohang through Kyongju to Yongchon. The enemy lost five tanks to combined UN naval, air, and artillery action north of Pohang, but forced the ROK 3rd Division taiit of Pohang. The situa- tion in the area between Yongehon and Kyongjn is obscured, ht an extensive enemy breakthrough in the ROK Capital Division sector is threatening both cities. (Late press reports from Tokyo state that Yongclion has fallen to the enemy.) Reserve elements of the US 24th ivision are moving into the area to reinforce the UN troops in the line. Navy ? US naval rimit$ cooperated. in destroying five enemy tanks north of Pohang, and naval aircraft hit communication lines in northwest Korea. Air Bad weather limited UN air operations to the smallest number of sorties in five weeks. US heavy bombers encountered accurate flak in a raid on marshalling yards at Pyongyang and five planes were damaged. IL General Situation Councellor of Embassy Drumright advises that General Walker on 4: September issued orders for the immediate transfer of the UN military headquarters from Taegu, to Pusan leaving may a skeleton staff in Taegu. General W laffier will remain with the skeleton staff. The move has been dictated by :the serious North Korean encroach- ment in the Kyongju-Yongehon area during the past two days where the South Korean forces have shown little capability to contain the enemy threats. General Walker advised the ROE Prime Minister to move the South 'Korean military headquarters to Pusan and this was scheduled for 5 September. The Prime Minister will shuttle ia'e- tween the two cities while the Home Ministry plans to remain in Taega for the present. - 2 - Sr:,3 CB..ET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/27: CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5