50 years ago today - 25 Sep 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

September 25

At dawn the Marines resumed their attacks on the remaining hills blocking 
their entry into Seoul. Shortly after dawn the Marines were joined by two 
tank platoons from the 1st Tank battalion, including a flame throwing 
tank.  Resistance on Hill 105 was heavy until the flame-tank got close 
enough to flame enemy trenches.  At this point the enemy broke with over 
300 surrendering as the Marines took this position.  Hill 88 fell shortly 
afterward and the Marines entered the western edge of the city.  Marine 
casualties were sever while the North Koreans lost over 1750 men killed and 
an unknown number more wounded.

Meanwhile, beginning at 6 AM,  the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, 
crossed the Han River three miles southeast of downtown Seoul.  The 32nd 
was followed across the Han by the ROK 17th Infantry Regiment.  During the 
day these units took South Mountain, while others took Hill 120.   The 
units on South Mountain and Hill 120 dug in for the night and awaited the 
expected counterattack.  To the east, the 17th ROK advanced toward Hills 
348 and 292.

Shortly after dusk, two large enemy columns were spotted trying to flee 
north.  B-29's dropped flares through out the night as Marine night 
fighters strafed and bombed the fleeing enemy while artillery pounded them.

In the 25th Division sector  the 35th Infantry attacks across the Nam 
River, taking Chinju.

In the 2nd Division sector, the 38th Infantry started northwest from 
Hyopch'on toward Koch'ang. Their advance was slowed because the road had to 
be cleared of abandoned enemy vehicles and equipment.  According to 
prisoners, the North Korean 2nd Division had abandoned all their vehicles, 
heavy weapons and equipment as they scattered into surrounding hills.  The 
38th Infantry advanced 38 miles during the day, stopping a few miles short 
of Koch'ang.  Meanwhile the 23rd Infantry fought its way toward Koch'ang on 
parallel road to the north of the 38th.

In the 24th Division area, the enemy stubbornly held their positions 3 
miles southwest of the town on the main highway so during the early morning 
hours the 5th RCT circled south and attacked the city from that 
direction.  They entered Kumch'on, now reduced to burning rubble, about noon.

By late evening the entire 1st Cavalry Division was concentrated in and 
around Sangju.  Shortly before midnight, the division command, General Gay, 
received permission from I Corps to advance and link up with X Corps units 
in the vicinity of Suwon.  Meanwhile, the 1st ROK Division had crossed the 
Naktong and moved up to the Hamch'ong-Poum area northeast of Sangju, thus 
protecting the 1st Cavalry Divisions right flank.

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
Web site:  http://www.korean-war.com