50 years ago today - 3 Sep 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

September 3, 1950

On Hill 209 in the Naktong Bulge area, the dwindling “B”, “D” & “H” 
Company, 9th Infantry defenders continued to repulse repeated North Korean 
attacks although by now the number of effective, including lightly wounded, 
was down approximately 44 men and three officers.  Meanwhile at Yongsan the 
5th Marines began attack against the hills west of Yongsan along the 
Yongsan—Naktong River road  while the 9th Infantry began a coordinated 
attack through the hills on the Marine’s northern flank.  The Marines 
advanced approximately 2 miles west during the day before digging in for 
the night.  Farther to the north in the 38th Infantry sector, an enemy 
battalion had crossed the Naktong and infiltrated into the hills 
overlooking the regimental command post.  This North Korean battalion 
attacked the CP at dawn but was repulsed although the fight in the hills 
around the CP lasted for two more days.

After an all-night fight towards “G” Company, 35th Infantry, the 2nd 
Battalion, 27th Infantry continued its advance toward “G” Company positions 
reaching the surrounded company at approximately 4 p.m. and, in the 
process, killing 275 enemy soldiers. It then continued on and retook the 
positions lost by “G” Company’s 3rd Platoon.  Meanwhile the 3rd Battalion, 
27th Infantry launches an attack in Sibidang Mountain area.  The attack 
makes good progress at first but is stopped by an enemy counterattack.  The 
enemy attack is turned and by dusk the 3rd Battalion holds the high ground 
overlooking a curve in the Masan highway called the “Horseshoe.”

Early in the morning, North Korean forces launch a well-coordinated attack 
against Capital ROK division forces in the Kigye area.  The attack forces 
the Capital ROK Division to fall back and by dawn the North Koreans have 
penetrated to the vital east-west corridor road 3 miles east of 
An’gang-ni.  To meet this new threat the 21st Infantry was withdrawn from 
the P’ohang-dong area and relocated in positions north of Kyongju.  This 
left the 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry, the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 
“D” Battery, 865th AAA Battalion and “A” Battery, 933rd AAA Battalion to 
defend Yonil Air Field south of P’ohang-dong.

At 2 a.m. in the 8th Cavalry sector a North Korean Battalion, supported by 
2 T-34 tanks attack the 3rd Battalion at Tabu-dong.  The attack is turned 
back south of the town but the North Koreans now have the town.  Later in 
the day, other North Korean troops drive defending South Korean National 
Police and I&R Platoon, 8th Cavalry, from their positions in the Walled 
City on Ka-san (Hill 902.)  Because Ka-san gave the enemy an excellent view 
all the way to Taegu, the 1st wanted it back so, lacking infantry, sent “D” 
Company, 8th Combat Engineer Battalion to retake the mountain.  The 2 
engineer companies moved to the bottom of Hill 902 that evening.  While 
this is taking place, in the 7th Cavalry sector, its 2nd Battalion attacked 
Hill 518 but the attack failed.  Meanwhile large numbers of North Koreans 
are infiltrating, via large gaps between units, and taking up positions 
behind the 7th and 5th Cavalry Regiments.
Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Web site: http://www.korean-war.com