50 years ago today - 15 Aug 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

August 15, 1950

As dawn broke at Waegwan, riflemen from "G" Company and the supporting 
mortarmen from "H" Company,  5th Cavalry, could see T-34 tanks and infantry 
on the Naktong River road west of their positions and more North Korean 
infantry circling around the eastern base of Hill 303.  By 8 a.m. the hill 
was completely surrounded and the North Koreans begin advancing up the 
hill, overrunning the "H" Company mortar platoon and capturing most of its 
men.  "G" pulls back into a tight defensive position near the crest and 
holds.  Later that day a relief column comprised of "B" Company, 5th 
Cavalry and a platoon of tanks try to reach "G" Company but are driven back.

In the Naktong Bulge, fighting continued in a series of attacks and 
counterattacks.  By the end of the day neither side had gained or lost 
ground.  Casualties were heavy.   It was obvious that both sides were 
exhausted from the continued see-saw battle so at this point 8th Army 
ordered the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade north to the Naktong Bulge with 
orders to attack on August 17.  Meanwhile the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry 
was ordered to the Hill 409 area near Hyongp'ung to help the 21st Infantry 
contain the enemy regiment there.
Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Co-list owner: KOREAN-WAR-L  Web site: http://www.korean-war.com
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