50 years ago today - 10 Oct 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

October 10

In the 1st Cavalry sector, the 5th Cavalry Regiment crossed into North 
Korea and took the high hills on both sides of the road a few miles north 
of Kaesong but from there the advance slowed to a crawl as point troops had 
to clear North Korean strong points from the hills and mines from the 
road.  At the Yesong River, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry troops were across 
the river by 2 AM and were still assembling when the North Koreans launched 
a heavy counterattack.  The counterattack was beaten off and by daylight 
the 2nd Battalion held the high ground southeast of the bridge.  It seized 
Paekch'on and the high ground northeast of the town by mid-afternoon.

In the central sector, following a bloody battle between a large North 
Korean force and the 16th ROK Regiment, advance elements of the 8th ROK 
Division entered Ch'orwon during the afternoon.

On the east coast both the Capital and 3rd ROK Divisions entered Wonsan at 
6 AM and the city was declared "secured" at 10 AM.   The "secured" 
announcement was premature since heavy street fighting raged throughout the 
day.
At Inch'on the Marines continued to out-load for the upcoming landing at 
Wonsan.

The 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, was relieved of its positions guarding 
Mun'gyong Pass by elements of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division, 
and the battalion left for Pusan to outload.

Meanwhile, minesweeping operations began in the approaches to Wonsan 
harbor.  All available minesweepers were employed for this task, a total of 
19 vessels: 10 American, 8 Japanese and 1 South Korean.

Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Web site:  http://www.korean-war.com