Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 177

THE PRESIDENT SBC. 3.402 june D-18: 18, all7 Washington, D.C. KING I 17 January 1951 1 JOINT DAILY SITREP NO. 177 (maps attached) E.O. From 0700/16 (EST) to 0700/17 (EST) 889 From 2100/16 (Korea) to 2100/17 (Korea) 1. Situation in Brief: By The attack of the U.S. I Corps reached a depth of approximately 20 miles, as elements of the 27th U.S. RCT drove into the outskirts of Suwon after dislodging an enemy battalion defending the southern approaches; and as elements of the 3d U.S. Infantry Division launched a surprise counterat- tack against Kumnyangjang after having been forced back by an enemy force occupying high ground north of the town. In mid-afternoon on 16 January, these reconnaissance units initiated a withdrawal to positions 5 miles north of Defense Line D. In the Yongwol area, an enemy force of 400 troops was ambushed by elements of the 7th ROK Division, resulting in 50 enemy killed in action. An attack by 2 hostille companies was repulsed by ROK elements, 8 miles east of Yongwol. Three miles further east, a large enemy force severed the Uirimgil-Nokchon highway and repulsed several friendly at- tempts to dislodge them. Considerable enemy activity continued in the rear of the U.S. X Corps' forward units. Task Force 77 planes flew 167 sorties and THESEUS planes flew 60 sorties. U.N. aircraft under FEAF control flew 806 sorties. (FECOM)(SECRET) 2. Weather: Clear throughout north Korea, overcast to broken clouds in south Korea clearing by 1700/17 (KT)). Visibility was generally good. Forecast for 1800/17 (KT) to 1800/18 (KT): clear becoming overcast by 1800/18 (KT). Visibility good, except in early morning haze and snow showers. (FEAF) (SECRET) 3. United Nations Situation: GROUND a. U.S. Eighth Army: The 1st Regiment of the 1st U.S. Marine Division continued securing the Andong-Yongchon main supply route. The 5th U.S. Marine Regiment remained in an assembly area in the vicinity of Pohang. Other elements of the Division were enroute to the Yongchon-Pohang< Kyongju area. The 10th Philippine BCT continued securing the Kumchon- Taejon main supply route, The Canadian Infantry Battalion continued train- ing in the vicinity of Miryang, as elements conducted sweeping operations southeast of Miryang to destroy reported guerrilla groups. (FECOM) (SECRET) b. U.S. I Corps; The 3d and 25th U.S. Infantry Divisions and the 1:st ROK Division were ordered to withdraw the reconnaissance forces operat- ing north of Defense Line D to a general east-west line along the Chinwi