50 years ago today - 1 Sep 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

September 1, 1950

The attack in the 25th Division sector got underway around 12 a.m. with the 
main thrust against the 2nd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment and quickly 
overran their positions on the Chungam-ni—Haman road and the high ground on 
both sides.  By 4 a.m. enemy troops were entering Haman itself, forcing the 
24th Infantry command post to relocate 2 miles to the northeast of 
Haman.  The 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry was ordered to counterattack to 
restore the line but by then most of the unit had fled to high ground 2 
miles east of Haman. The 1st Battalion did mount a small counterattack with 
approximately 60 men but the attack was quickly defeated and the remaining 
men and officers from the 1st Battalion fled to the east.  By 8 a.m. the 
better part of 2 North Korean regiments were pouring through the 3-mile 
wide gap at Haman.

To the north in the 35th Infantry sector, North Korean artillery and 
mortars brought all 35th Infantry positions under fire.  As this barrage 
was falling, North Korean tanks and infantry began crossing the Naktong 
using underwater bridges they had constructed and quickly drove to encircle 
and attack 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry positions on Sibidang 
Mountain.  This attack was stopped and by dawn the enemy had withdrawn out 
of range.  Even thought the 35th Infantry had held, it was in peril since 
approximately 3000 North Koreans were behind its lines.

Across the Naktong to the north in the Naktong Bulge area heavy fighting 
was taking place in the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division area.  During 
the night North Korean attacks overran most 9th Infantry units in the 
Naktong Bulge area and forcing the regiment to take up a new line in the 
low hills just to the west of Yongsan.  Meanwhile another enemy attack 
overran 23rd Infantry positions just to the north of the 9th Infantry- 23rd 
Infantry dividing line and by mid-morning North Korean troops had advanced 
to the Yongsan—Miryang road, thus splitting the division with the 9th 
Infantry and division headquarters to the south of the North Korean 
roadblock and the 23rd and 38th Infantry Regiments, plus most of the 
artillery to the north.  A decision was made to commit the 5th Marines back 
to Naktong Bulge area.  Meanwhile scattered fighting was taking place 
throughout the Naktong Bulge area as enemy troops tried to take positions 
bypassed earlier and which were still holding out.

To the east in the Yongsan area, a scratch force made up the 2nd Combat 
Engineer Battalion, the 2nd Division Reconnaissance Company and the 72nd 
Medium Tank Battalion defended the town against advancing North Koreans.  A 
series of sharp fights took place beginning just after dark.  The defending 
Americans were pulled back a unit at time to the hills north, east and west 
of the town.

Meanwhile, to south in the 35th Infantry, 25th Division area, the regiment 
still held its positions Overlooking where the Nam River joined the Naktong 
but already had significant North Korean forces on the Chirwon to their 
rear.  This is the road which crossed the Naktong at Namji-ri.  However, 
instead of withdrawing, the 35th took up defensive positions across North 
Korean supply routes, in effect forcing enemy troops to their west to live 
and fight with what they had carried with them or what they could capture 
from the Americans.

In the Flying Fish Channel approach island area, Lt. Clark, a small group 
of Royal Marines and National Police land on Yonghung-do, driving the small 
North Korean force from the island.  Yonghung-do was the farthest west 
island held by the North Koreans.

In the P’ohang-dong - Kigye area fighting continues with ROK forces slowly 
losing ground.

In the 1st Cavalry sector the division is ordered to mount spoiling attacks 
northwest of Taegu and decides the 7th  Cavalry Regiment will attack Suam 
Mountain (Hill 518) located 5 miles northeast of Waegwan and 2 miles east 
of the Naktong River and west of 7th Cavalry lines.  Once Hill 518 was 
secured by the 7th Cavalry, it was to continue on and take Hill 314.  There 
was an unknown problem: A major North Korean offensive is about to 
begin.  3 North Korean Divisions are preparing to launch a major attack 
against 7th and 8th Cavalry positions the following day.  At the same time, 
other North Korean divisions were preparing to attack in the 25th Infantry 
Division in the Masan area & 2nd Infantry Division in the Miryang/Naktong 
Bulge area as well mount an all-out attack against ROK divisions on the 
northern front.
Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operation in the Korean War
Member:  American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Web site: http://www.korean-war.com