50 years ago today - 22 Aug 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

August 22, 1950

Just after midnight the North Koreans launched a major attack down the 
Bowling Alley while other North Korean units attacked 1st ROK division 
regiments holding the high ridges on both sides of 27th Infantry 
positions.  The attack down the Bowling Alley was led by 9 T-34 tanks and 
several Su-76 SP guns.  Americans withheld fire until the T-34s ran into an 
antitank mine field about 150 yards in from the forward 27th positions.  At 
this point 90mm from supporting M-26 tanks took out the lead T-34 and 
another T-34 far down the enemy column, trapping the T-34s and Su-76 SP 
guns in between.  Meanwhile air-burst artillery fire and small arms fire 
decimated enemy infantry.  The battle last until dawn with the North 
Koreans losing 7 of the 9 T-34s, 3 Su-76 SP guns plus several trucks and 
personnel carriers.  As this battle was going on, a North Korean regiment 
infiltrated around 27th Infantry and ROK 1st Division troops on the high 
ridges and appeared on ridge above road behind the 27th  and ahead of the 
23rd Infantry guarding the artillery.  The ridge is only 9 miles from Taegu.

In the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry area on Sibidang Ridge the North 
Koreans mount an infiltration attack after dark by slipping up the 1st 
Battalion positions, cutting the wire and moving into close combat range 
before being spotted. A grenade, small arms battle ensues but the enemy 
attack fails.   At this point the North Koreans withdraw back to their 
mountain stronghold on Sobuk Mountain.  To the south, the 1st Battalion, 
5th RCT, attacks and takes Sobuk Mountain for the second time but is 
partially driven off after dark by repeated enemy counterattacks.

Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Member: American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
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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