50 years ago today - 2 Aug 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

Aug 2, 1950

At 5:30 a.m. the tank/infantry task force assembled at Chungam-ni (19th 
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 1st Battalion, 29th and 1st 
Battalion, 19th 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 1st Battalion, 27th 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 27th lines about midnight.


Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Member: American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
Life Member:  Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Co-list owner: KOREAN-WAR-L   Web site:  http://www.korean-war.com
PGP public key available on request