50 years ago today - 5 Aug 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

August 5, 1950

The 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, arrives at Pusan.

At 8th Army Headquarters, intelligence indicated a build-up of North Korean 
forces northwest of Taegu in the 1st Cavalry Division and 1st ROK Division 
areas and a lesser build-up in the area west of the 25th Division.  8th 
Army staff decided a spoiling attack by the 25th would blunt the build-up 
west of the 25th Division and also force the North Koreans to divert troops 
from the build-up in the area northwest of Taegu so alerted the 25th 
Division to prepare to attack.

In between these two build-ups a third, and unnoticed, build-up was taking 
place across the Naktong from 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry, 24th Division, 
positions which were located in an terrain feature known as "The Naktong 
Bulge."  This is where the Naktong River made a "U" shaped jog to the west 
from its general north-south path.  This U-shaped bulge began approximately 
7 miles north of where the Nam River entered the Naktong and is 
approximately 4 miles east to west and 5 miles north to south and is west 
of the town of Yongsan.  This meant the 3rd Battalion had roughly a 15,000 
yard front to defend (as compared to the 10,000 yard front which was 
considered normal at the time for a U.S. infantry division to 
defend.)  Since it obviously impossible for a single battalion to defend 
the entire line, the battalion's three infantry companies set up in a rough 
triangle with "K" Company on high ground at the southern end of the bulge 
overlooking a ferry crossing, "I" Company at the northern end on high 
ground north of the Ohang ferry crossing and "L" Company at the far western 
end on high ground overlooking another ferry crossing.  There were wide 
gaps in between the three companies.

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
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