50 years ago today - 11 Aug 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

August 11, 1950

In the Naktong Bulge the North Koreans had constructed several underwater 
bridges and used these to bring artillery, Su-76 self-propelled artillery 
and several tanks into the Bulge area as well as most of  4th North Korean 
Infantry Division troops so when the U.S. 19th, 34th and 9th Infantry 
regiments attacked, they ran into strong enemy positions with interlocking 
fire and artillery support.  All American attacks failed.  Meanwhile North 
Korean troops were circling south of the main fighting and cut the main 
Yongsan-Masan road at the Naktong River.  Snipers began firing at traffic 
on the Yongsan-Naktong River road.  To halt this enemy encirclement the 
27th Infantry Regiment was pulled out of reserve at Masan and sent to 
retake the bride over the Naktong and reduce the roadblock there..  A few 
miles north of Masan while the 27th Infantry advanced toward the Naktong 
River and the roadblock at the bridge at Namji-ri on a road packed with 
refugee traffic.  At one point the point company was pushing through a 
crowd of refugees when an oxcart turned over exposing 15 rifles and bags of 
ammunition. 12 North Korean soldiers, dressed as refugees ran from the 
scene, 8 of whom were killed by American riflemen.  A short time later the 
27th engaged approximately 200 North Korean soldiers near Iryong-ni, 
located a few miles south of the bride over the Naktong at 
Namji-ni..  After a short a fight surviving enemy fled north.  That night 
the 27th retook the bridge and established a bridgehead on the north side.

In the 25th Division sector, just before noon, the 3rd (leading) Battalion, 
5th Marines, neared the town of Kosong when their artillery support flushed 
out a camouflaged motorized North Korean unit.  The North Koreans tried to 
escape west down the road but were caught by Marine Corsairs and UN F-51s. 
These aircraft destroyed 31 trucks, 24 jeeps and 45 motorcycles plus large 
amounts of ammunition and supplies.  By evening the 5th Marines were in 
position 4 miles west of Kosong.

Meanwhile at Pongam-ni, in early afternoon the 2nd Battalion, 5th RCT, 
attacked the North Koreans defending the west side and north end of the 
northern ridge.  The attack succeeded in driving enemy forces from that 
area.  That evening the 2nd Battalion and one battery of artillery were 
through the pass and effectively out of radio communication with the 5th 
RCT Headquarters.
At around 9 p.m. the remainder of the 555th Artillery and other 5th RCT 
troops were formed up on the road ready to move over the pass when orders 
arrived from division to hold the movement until dawn the next morning.

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