50 years ago today - 4 Sep 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

September 4, 1950

On Hill 209 in the Naktong Bulge, the small “B”, “D” & “H” Company 
defenders continued to hold against repeated enemy infantry attacks but by 
late afternoon were down 27 men and 2 officers.  Ammunition was down to one 
or two 8-round clips per man so it was decided to abandon the position.  At 
approximately 10 p.m. all survivors who could walk slipped off the hill and 
into the mountains to the east.  Over the next few days 22 men and both 
officers made their way safely to American lines. Meanwhile the 5th Marines 
and 9th Infantry continued their attack westward against almost no 
opposition but in torrential rains.  By nightfall the advance had gained 
another 3 miles.

To the south in the 35th Infantry area, the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry 
turned the recaptured hills back over to “G” Company and continued its 
advance up the supply road toward the 35th Infantry CP, only to learn “G” 
Company, 35th had lost the hills again so it turned around and retook these 
for a second time.  The 2nd Battalion again turned the hills over to “G” 
Company and continued its advance on the supply road, only to find the 
North Koreans had closed it in back of them. Meanwhile, in the 24th 
Infantry area, the 3rd Battalion, 27th Infantry attacks due west and by the 
end of the day hold the high ground overlooking the Komam-ni 
Crossroads.  Because of heavy casualties, “C” Company, 65th Combat Engineer 
Battalion is attached to the battalion.

In the east during the previous evening the ROK I Corps front collapsed and 
by 2.20 a.m. enemy troops were entering An’gang-ni forcing the Capital ROK 
Division CP to withdraw from the town.  By 4 a.m. American tanks in the 
area ceased firing because North Korean and ROK troops had become 
intermingled and they couldn’t tell friend from foe.  At daylight, “G” 
Company, 21st Infantry discovered they were all alone at An’gang-ni and 
nearly surrounded by North Koreans. “G” Company held its positions until 
about 4 p.m. when it withdrew from the town and relocated eastward near the 
bridge over the Hyongsan River.  Meanwhile the rest of the 2nd Battalion 
fought its way southeast toward Kyongju.  After destroying an enemy 
roadblock 3 miles southeast of An’gang-ni, the 2nd battalion commander 
discovered “G” Company wasn’t with the battalion so turned the battalion 
around and fought back to where “G” Company was located near the bridge 
over the Hyongsan River.  Once the battalion was reunited, they fought 
their way south toward Kyongju again.  During this 3 of the newly arrive 
M-46 Patton tanks had treads blown off by enemy fire and were abandoned 
after being set afire with thermite grenades.  As they withdrew to Kyongju, 
enemy units established roadblocks on the Kyongju-An’gang-ni road, the 
closest withing 3 miles of Kyongju.  To block the expected enemy advance in 
this are, the 21st Infantry was placed in position in the hills northwest 
of Kyongju.  However, the attack on Kyongju did not develop.  Instead the 
North Koreans turned east and headed for the air field at Yonil.

In the 7th Cavalry sector the 2nd Battalion attacks and takes Hill 303 just 
north of Waegwan.  They hold despite repeated, heavy counterattacks.  While 
the North Koreans attack Hill 303, more North Korean troops infiltrate 
between the 2nd and 3rd Battalions and occupy Hill 464 to east of the 2nd 
Battalion on Hill 303.  This hill is east of Tabu-dong — Waegwan road, thus 
effectively blocks use of this supply road. While this is happening, “D” 
Company, 8th Combat Engineer battalion attack up Hill 902 (Ka-san) 
beginning their advance at noon.  After several small encounters with North 
Koreans, reached the summit of Hill 755, the south arm of the Hill 902 
crest.  Thirty minutes latter a North Korean battalion attacked “D” Company 
positions.  This attack was repulsed but did cut off a reconnaissance 
patrol from “D” Company. Members of this patrol were captured several days 
later.
Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Web site: http://www.korean-war.com