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October, 1950

A Marine sprays a jet of hell into a dugout cleverly concealed by scrub pine. A Leatherneck completes a similar job with a bazooka. Mopping-up is always deadly for it involves meeting an individual on his own terms, and slugging it out with him.

The United Nations forces' most challenging problem during early October 1950 was to maximize exploitation of strategic opportunities sequent to the spectacular collapse of the Communist invasion force in South Korea. More than half of the enemy's combat forces were entrapped in the south, and were no longer available to him. Thousands more were lost in their desperate flight north to the 38th Parallel. Since October I, in addition to thousands of prisoners, large stocks of enemy equipment had been captured. All territory formerly comprising the Republic of Korea, except for the small Ongjin and Yonan peninsular areas, was now restored to that government.

An outstanding achievement was accomplished by the Republic of Korea I Corps with the 3rd and Capital ROK Divisions. From September 30 to October 10 this force, spearheaded by the ROK 3rd Division, moved up the east coast of Korea from below the 38th Parallel to capture the North Korean port city of Wonsan. This movement was continually resisted by what the North Koreans could muster from elements of the North Korean Fifth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth Divisions, and from North Korean garrison units. The ROK forces advanced 15 miles a day. Their attacks were so rapid and relentless that the enemy was never able to organize co-ordinated resistance. The enemy was forced to commit units piecemeal. The ROK attack, superbly supported by the Air Force and by the floating artillery of the United Nations Naval East Coast Patrol, rapidly overran everything placed in front of it.

The ROK II Corps, with the 6th, 7th and 8th Divisions, attacked north through the central part of Korea with equal drive and determinaion. Their advance was somewhat slower due to difficult terrain. One more ROK division was activated.

The United Nations Eighth Army with British, Australian, Philippine, and U.S. units, moved up the west coast and central sectors, relieved the X Corps on the Seoul-Inchon area on October 7, and continued its attack to the north. On the vital Seoul-Pyongyang axis, enemy resistance was stronger and better organized than elsewhere along the 38th Parallel. Having cleared the Uijonbu area north of Seoul, the Eighth Army, led by the Ist U. S. Cavalry Division drove across the 38th Parallel in that sector on October 9. By October 12 our forces had penetrated more than 15 miles into North Korea toward the enemy capital of Pyongyang, and had taken Paekchon, 5 miles west of the Yesong River. Though the Communist defenses athwart the Seoul-Pyongyang axis retained a semblance of organization, United Nations forces continued to break through, and to by-pass enemy units.

In the south, isolated remnants of 6 enemy divisions vainly sought to break out of the United Nations cordon. United Nations forces had progressively reduced these enemy bands, (now totalling approximately 10,000 men) to more and more restricted areas, and were proceeding toward their ultimate elimination. By the middle of the month, the northern boundary of the occupied area of North Korea was generally indicated by a line running south and west from Wonsan to Hyon-ni, thence to Ichon, Pyongsan and Paekchon.

During the first two weeks of October United Nations naval forces, comprising warships from 8 nations, continued to apply unremitting pressure on the enemy which characterized their operations throughout the Korean campaign. Constant patrol operations by surface craft prevented the enemy from moving desperately needed supplies by sea. On the other hand, an indispensable factor in the success of United Nations operation in Korea was the uninterrupted flow of reinforcements and supplies from home bases to our troops in Korea. More than 300 cargo and transport vessels were now being employed in this service. Thanks to the presence of United Nations naval escort vessels, the enemy had not been able to interfere, in the slightest degree, with the movement of this vast armada of shipping.

Carrier-based aircraft continued to range over central and northern Korea, searching out and striking at worthwhile military targets wherever they could be found. As a result of these operations, heavy damage was inflicted on enemy fortifications, military installations, and land transport facilities. Carrier-based and landbased Marine aircraft continued to provide close air support to ground forces.

United Nations naval forces also continued to provide naval gunfire support to ground troops in the Inchon area and at numerous points along the southern and east coasts of Korea. Generally, the fire of these heavy mobile guns was directed from the air or by control personnel stationed on shore. Many enemy prisoners of war volunteered the information that naval gunfire was especially feared and hated by enemy ground troops.

Minor amphibious landings were carried out along the Korean coast, notably at Mokpo, which was liberated by Republic of Korea Marines with the support of United Nations naval units. Moreover, a series of well executed raiding operations against enemy communication lines along the east coast of North Korea were conducted by United Nations naval forces with excellent results.

Enemy mines made their appearance in growing numbers in Korean coastal waters. There was strong evidence that the enemy had embarked on a program of indiscriminate mining without regard to international law or the safety of non-combatants at sea. It is a well-established principle of international law that live mines must be moored or otherwise fixed in place. It must have been of growing concern to law abiding peoples everywhere to know that more than 25 freshly planted, contact mines had been found by United Nations forces drifting in the open sea off the coast of Korea, and that a large proportion of these had proven to be not harmless but live. United Nations forces lost 3 small vessels, due to mines, and 4 additional vessels were damaged. Although enemy mines constituted a threat to future operations, thanks to the persistent, daring, and thorough work of the minesweeping flotillas, movement of shipping proceeded on schedule.

The brunt of the air offensive now fell almost entirely upon Communist areas as United Nations ground forces continued their spirited drive north of the 38th Parallel. Completing its I IOth consecutive day of combat, the U.S. Far East Air Force, in conjunction with aircraft of the U.S. Navy and Marines, the Royal Australian Air Force, the British Navy and the Republic of Korea, ranged across all of North Korea, attacking every identifiable military target. Advance elements of a South African Air Force unit engaged in the preparations preliminary to operations in response to the United Nations call for universal efforts to repel the aggressor.

Unceasing air attacks contributed to the lightning move of Republic of Korea forces on the east coast to Wonsan, and to the elimination of enemy pockets of resistance remaining in South Korea. While close air support of ground forces was provided on the entire front, suitable targets in the immediate battle area were few. United Nations aircraft losses from hostile anti-aircraft fire, though not severe, increased as the air operations intensified over the more sensitive military installations in the enemy's homeland. Enemy air activity was limited to but two abortive raids although airfield sweeps revealed new revetments and facilities appearing on his airfields in apparent anticipation of air operations.

A few minor attacks were made upon the remnants of certain military industrial targets. Of these, a raid on Kanni Arsenal, north of Pyongyang, resulted in secondary explosions and fires indicating renewed efforts to utilize this facility. Cargo and passenger airlift, averaging well over 800 tons daily, was providing critical supplies to all forces. Air evacuation of wounded personnel from the battlefield to general hospitals in Japan, and in certain cases to the U.S., vastly increased the probability of recovery from severe wounds incurred in the fight for decency.

Prisoners of war captured by the United Nations forces now totaled more than 66,600. An average of approximately 3,000 North Koreans had been captured daily since the end of September. To ensure full coverage of all areas of Korea which were now in the hands of the United Nations forces, a second delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Jacques De Reynier, had been approved and was now in Korea.

Violations of the Laws of War continued to be reported by United Nations forces in Korea. The following incidents typify the manner in which the armed forces of North Korea violated accepted standards for humanitarian conduct of war. On or about September 21, an American officer, who was a prisoner of a North Korean unit, was tied to a tree upon the approach of our troops, and deliberately shot 4 times. This officer was recovered by friendly troops and, although critically wounded, eventually recovered. Upon evacuating Taejon, on or about September 27, the enemy deliberately executed 40 American prisoners of war, as well as approximately 400 South Koreans. The bodies of the 40 American prisoners of war were recovered from the place of burial in a police station courtyard. One American prisoner of war, although badly wounded, survived this massacre and was recovered by U.S. forces. Official photographs of the bodies recovered, both American and South Korean, were taken. These incidents, as well as all others, were investigated by the field forces.

A number of personnel recruited by the United Nations to render technical advice and assistance in the fields of public health and welfare arrived and materially assisted the authorities of the Republic of Korea at national, provincial, and local levels in effectuating essential relief measures. The main railroad line from the south bank of the Han River to Pusan was put back into operation on October 7.

It was estimated that for Korea, south of the 38th Parallel, 1,800,000 persons had suffered to some degree by the, total or partial loss of their homes or personal property. Housing units destroyed were estimated at 150,000. It was heartening to note the enthusiasm and efficiency of the civil officials of the Republic of Korea in the reestablishment of governmental functions in areas of the Republic recovered by United Nations forces. In Taejon, Seoul, and many other areas, Korean officials were functioning within hours after liberation.

Official messages offering the North Korean forces an opportunity to bring hostilities to an end were transmitted by radio and leaflets throughout Korea on October I, and again on October 9. Both the complete text, and a summary of the resolution of Korea adopted by the General Assembly on October 8, were disseminated in the same manner. Eighty-five million leaflets were air-dropped over Korea by United Nations forces. One million, five hundred thousand special leaflets were dropped with a large reproduction of the United Nations flag and a short statement of United Nations efforts toward establishment of a free, unified, and democratic Korea. Radio Seoul had been restored to operation and was now being used for United Nations and Republic of Korea broadcasts.

Enemy resistance to United Nations forces advances became sporadic and weak but began to stiffen towards the end of October. Despite the Communist defenders' advantage of extremely rugged and mountainous terrain, their defensive effort failed to prevent continued advances, which averaged more than 10 miles per day. Defending briefly at most points of contact, generally with battalion size units, the Communist North Korean forces yielded 150 miles of territory over the whole front. The wholesale retreat before unrelenting United Nations pressure was extremely expensive to the enemy in both men and materiel. Enemy prisoners of war reached an approximate figure of 135,000. Captured materiel was in proportion.

On October 20 the U. S. 187th Regimental Combat Team executed a parachute drop at Sukchon and Sunchon. The area was about 30 miles north of Pyongyang, and the drop was accomplished at the time U.S., British, and Republic of Korea Army units were attacking to secure Pyongyang. This efficiently executed airborne operation materially reduced the enemy resistance to the south, and contributed to the rapid advance of the United Nations units on the west coast.

At no time since the September collapse of the North Korean line around Pusan had the enemy been able to organize a solid coordinated front. However, wi $ our approach to the Yalu River, the ener,ry became somewhat more aggressive and resisted much more strongly along a line some 50 miles south of the border. In the west coast sector, elements of the North Korea 17th Armored, and the 32nd and 45th Infantry Divisions, had built up the semblance of a front extending northeast about 50 miles from Chonju to Onjong, which temporarily slowed our rate of advance. At Onjong, on the eastern leg of this sector, an estimated 2 regiments of the North Korea 45th Division vigorously counter-attacked our advanced units, forcing one unit to make a slight withdrawal. United Nations Forces also met increasing resistance in their advance on the east coast sector.

On October 26, amphibious elements of the United Nations naval forces began an administrative landing of the U.S. Ist Marine Division and other units of the Marine Corps over the beaches in the Wonsan area. These units had been moved by water from Inchon around the peninsula to Wonsan. The next day the U.S. 7th Infantry Division, with Republic of Korea Army units, landed on the beaches at Iwon, which lies 178 road miles north of Wonsan. The 7th Infantry Regiment of the 6th Republic of Korea Division advanced to the northern border of Korea on the Yalu River, at one point near Chosan.

For the first time in the Korean war, Chinese soldiers of the Chinese Communist forces were captured in combat in Korea. They wore North Korean uniforms, and may have been volunteers. There was no positive evidence that Chinese Communist units, as such, had entered Korea, although incomplete interrogation of these prisoners of war indicated that possibility.

Guerrilla operations conducted by enemy bands of from 50 to 2,000 became relatively intense. Such bands carried out frequent raids on defenseless towns and villages, and harassed small military convoys and units. United Nations forces in affected areas destroyed or dispersed these bands when they showed themslves, but the process of eliminating this menace was necessarily a slow one, since the mountainous terrain and complex nets of hill trails facilitated their escape.

The First Turkish Armed Forces Command arrived in Korea on October 17 and was attached to the Eighth Army. This force consisted of infantry, artillery, and supporting services normal to combat in the field. The Turkish force was a valuable and welcome addition to the United Nations columns. In addition, two more Republic of Korea infantry divisions were activated.

United Nations naval forces continued effectively to deny the enemy the use of Korean coastal waters. Naval air support and gunfire activity was reduced, reflecting the decreased intensity of enemy resistance on the ground. Attacks of our carrier-based aircraft were concentrated mainly on moving transport, and on roads and rail lines on the Korean east coast north of Wonsan, and against the off-lying islands near Wonsan harbor. Military targets in the vicinity of Songjin were bombarded by warships on October 17.

The only serious problem confronting United Nations naval forces at this time was that of enemy mines. A number of Korean ports liberated by United Nations forces were mined by the enemy. In most cases, the number of mines involved were not large. However, the enemy laid a very massive minefield in the approaches to the harbor of Wonsan. To clear a channel through this minefield required the constant employment of a substantial number of United Nations minesweepers throughout a period of more than 2 weeks. A planned program for clearing principal North Korean ports of enemy laid mines was instituted.

Evidence continued to accumulate that the design of the enemy mines did not provide for their being rendered harmless as soon as they had broken loose from their moorings, as required by international law. More than 40 drifting mines had been found and destroyed by United Nations naval forces of which a large proportion proved to be live.

On October 20, in a technically perfect performance, 110 Far East Air Force cargo aircraft dropped more than 2,800 paratroops of the U.S. 187th Airborne Regiment, with more than 300 tons of combat equipment well behind enemy lines at Sunchon and Sukchon. Succeeding drops brought the total of personnel dropped to about' 4,000, the total equipment to more than 600 tons. Hostile air activi*y consisted of a few nuisance raids by light aircraft at night. No damage resulted.

The continuing disintegration of the North Korean Army as a fighting force was exemplified by the fact that approximately 135,000 prisoners of war were now in the hands of United Nations forces. Of these, about 60,000 were located in five prisoner of war camps in the vicinity of Pusan; 33,000 were detained at a prisoner of war camp in Inchon; 11,000 at Pyongyang, and the remainder were detained in transit enclosures pending transfer to permanent camps. United Nations field forces continued to report atrocities and other violations by the enemy of the laws and customs of war.

It became increasingly evident that, in the interests of justice, steps must be taken to try before appropriate tribunals of the United Nations Command those prisoners of war and others taken into custody and who, prior to capture or detention, had committed atrocities and other offenses violative of the laws and customs of war. I, therefore, caused to be prepared in my headquarters, and I promulgated to the United Nations Command, a set of rules and regulations for the conduct of United Nations military commissions which would be convened, whenever needed, for the trials of such persons under the common law of war. Jurisdiction is limited under the rules of conventional war crimes. The so-called international crimes of waging aggressive warfare and crimes against humanity, such as genocide, are not included.

Problems of relief and welfare in North Korea were made more difficult and complex by the absence of local government officials, utilities, transportation, and relief and welfare agencies. Nevertheless, supplies to prevent disease, starvation, and unrest were being distributed as expeditiously as the military situation permitted. The situation in South Korea became more stabilized with most of the refugees returning to their homes. Local governments were reestablished in most areas. Economic conditions improved and donations from Member Nations of the United Nations began to arrive. However, critical needs existed for food, clothing, fuel, and medical supplies.

Detailed surveys and estimates indicated that the Masan-Taegu perimeter had sustained much heavier damage than originally estimated. The original estimate was that there were 30,000 homes destroyed, whereas the actual destruction was nearer 120,000. Detailed surveys were conducted on a house-by-house, family-by-family basis. Throughout the destroyed areas people built temporary huts on former house sites. Progress on reconstruction was good in the smaller towns and rural areas; however, rebuilding was slower in the cities due to lack of raw materials.

In spite of the destroyed medical facilities and almost total lack of medical supplies, the general health of the people appeared to be good. In some areas less than one-third of the local doctors could be found, either because they were war casualties or had become refugees and failed to return to their former homes. Medical supplies for those who desired to resume practice were provided from United Nations sources to assist in the relief, welfare, and prevention of disease throughout Korea. A vaccination program was undertaken in the city of Seoul, with more than 700,000 individuals immunized against cholera, typhoid, and smallpox, and more than 300,000 immunized against typhus. Similar programs were under way in Inchon and other large towns in the northern areas of Korea.

Indicative of the feeling of the populace in some areas north of the 38th Parallel, was a United Nations Day celebration in the city of Wonsan which was attended by an estimated 12,000 with appropriate flags, banners, and speeches. This event was organized by the local populace without the guidance or influence of United Nations officials or military forces.

The transportation systems of Korea were in such poor condition that extensive rehabilitation was required. The rail line from Pusan to Seoul was opened as a single track line on October 21, 1950 by means of a shoo-fly bridge across the Han River. This route had an average daily movement of 3,975 short tons and 688 passengers. Another single track line was in operation from Pusan to Tanyang, and would be opened to Seoul after rehabilitation of six major bridges and three tunnels. The single track line from Yosu to Kunsen to Taejon was in operation. The Seoul-Wonsan line was open to Tongduchonni. The United Nations forces rehabilitated and operated 1,295 miles of railroad in Korea and had in operation 245 locomotives and 4,400 freight cars of all types. Extensive rehabilitation activities were in progress on the rail lines.

The highways from Pusan to Pyongyang were open, but in poor condition, and through highway movement was the exception rather than the rule. The main effort on highway rehabilitation was directed toward restoring damaged bridges with minor repairs to the roads in heavy traffic areas.

As the major means of supplying both the military and civil requirements was by water, the ports of Korea were rehabilitated materially. However, there still remained much construction to be done before they would be at their pre-war standards. The major ports of discharge were Pusan and Inchon. The discharge rate at Inchon was increased from I,000-to 5,000 short tons daily by the end of October, 1950. Many of the smaller ports were in operational condition and were used for the relief program in order to reduce the internal distribution problem. The ports of Wonsan and Chinnampo were in the process of being cleared of mines. During the period of October 15-31, the ports of Korea discharged 366,507 measurement tons of military carqo, 45,000 metric tons of relief cargo, and outloaded 19,308 measurement tons of cargo.

United Nations leaflets disseminated in Korea for the total period of the war passed the I,000,000,000 mark. In areas of military operations, ground and airborne loud-speaker systems were extensively used to inform enemy soldiers of the military situation, and to impress upon them the futility of resistance. Radio Pyongyang was restored to operation on a temporary basis, and was expected to resume scheduled broadcasts shortly.

Despite heavy pressure to the contrary, no military censorship had been instituted by the United Nations Command throughout the Korean campaign. Reliance for security against the premature publication of information helpful to the enemy rested upon voluntary censorship by editors and correspondents. This policy resulted in the most complete and prompt public dissemination of information on the course of operations of any military campaign in history, without, as far as was known, a single security breach of a nature to assist the enemy.

Veterans of Foreign Wars. Invasion Collapses: North Koreans Beaten By General Douglas MacArthur. : 1950-1953 Macarthur Reports. Veterans' Historical Book Service Inc, USA. 1951.

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