50 years ago today - 12 Oct 1950

[Ed Evanhoe <ede@oio.net>]

October 12

Some 15 miles north of Kaesong the 5th Cavalry Regiment came up against a 
strong enemy force well dug in on a long ridge with several knobs – Hills 
179, 175 and 174 which dominate a pass.  In an all-day fight the 5th 
Cavalry drove the enemy from Hill 174.  While this battle was going on 
advance troops from the 1st ROK Division arrived and halted to the south of 
the fighting.  It was agreed the 5th Cavalry would have precedence on the 
road until the regiment turned northwest on a lateral road some 5 miles 
north.  At this point the 1st ROK Division would continue its attack north 
to Sibyon-ni where it would veer northwest toward P’yongyang.  Meanwhile, 
the 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, reached its primary objective – 
the railroad and highway bridges and the road junction at Hanp’o-ri, thus 
cutting off North Korean troops remaining in the Kumch’on area.  Meanwhile 
the 8th Cavalry Regiment attacked from the south toward Kumch’on.

8th Army and ROK Army Headquarters open in Seoul.

At Wonsan harbor, minesweeping continued but the day had heavy loses.  The 
minesweeper “Pirate” struck a mine at 12:09 PM.  Six minutes later the 
minesweeper “Pledge” struck another mine.  Both sank within minutes with 
the loss of 13 dead and 33 wounded.

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