THE KOREAN SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• 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
• Publication Date: September 6, 1950
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/27: CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5
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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 ?
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against enemy patrols east of the klattong River.
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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.
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Sr:,3 CB..ET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/27: CIA-RDP78-01617A005300010007-5