Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 158

SEC. HARS, 3407 June Date, 18, 1 Washington, D.C. 19 December 1950 DOD JOINT DAILY SITREP NO. 158 (maps attached) From 0700/18 (EST) to 0700/19 (EST) From 2100/18 (Korea) to 2100/19 (Korea) 1. Situation in Brief: The enemy continued to build up his strength around the Hungnam perimeter and increased the size and intensity of attacks during the night of 18-19 December. The 1st Battalion, 15th U.S. Infantry RCT repulsed an attack by an estimated enemy battalion on the west flank, then executed a planned withdrawal to rejoin the remainder of the regiment. A heavy attack on the east flank by an estimated two enemy battalions caused the withdrawal of the 32d U.S. Infantry RCT; the attack was later contained, but strong enemy pressure was continuing at last report. Two outposts of the 17th U.S. Infantry RCT were isolated by a hostile company on the north flank. Naval gunfire and artillery support, plus air strikes, were highly effective in repulsing enemy attacks around the perimeter. The 3d U.S. Infantry Division has begun the relief of the 7th U.S. Infantry Division. The 32d U.S. Infantry RCT and the 17th U.S. Infantry RCT (-) made preparations for outloading upon relief by elements of the 65th and 7th U.S. Infantry RCTs. Elements of the 17th RCT have arrived in Pusan and are enroute to the assembly area in the vicinity of Yongchon. ROK I Corps and the Capitol ROK Division began unloading slightly north of Samchok and passed to operational control of the U.S. Eighth Army. There was only light patrol contact with the enemy along the Eighth Army front except in the ROK III Corps sector, where two regiments of the 5th ROK Divi- sion encountered light to moderate resistance during a limited attack north of Chunchon. The 6th ROK Division reported three enemy battalions opposite their flank positions. Air reports a further build-up of enemy forces in the center of the peninsula opposite ROK forces; a considerable supply of stock- piles was observed in the Hwachon area. Significant numbers of Chinese Communist troops, estimated to be at least one division, are reported to be in the Pyonggang-Kumhwa-Chorwor areas, and at least another divisionn in the Koksan-Singye-Sinmak areas. Communist troops in unknown strength are in the Sariwon area. ST PAUL, ROCHESTER, MASSEY and ZELLARS fired harassing, call fire and illumination missions at Hungnam. Planes from TF 77 and TG 96.8 struck enemy targets in the vicinity of Hungnam. Naval carrier planes flew a total of 212 sorties on 19 December and U.N @ aircraft under FEAF control flew 520 sorties including 166 transport, 17 reconnaissance, 311 combat, and 26 fighter control. (FECOM) (SECRET)