Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 203

The President SEC. 3407 June 18, Date. I Washington, D.C. 23 February 1951 MARS, JOINT DAILY SITREP NO. 203 Signature (maps attached) From 0700/21 (EST) to 0700/23 (EST) 1 DOD ALT. From 2100/21 (Korea) to 2100/23 (Korea) By 1. Weather: The weather in Korea during 22-23 February consisted of over- cast multi-layered clouds down to 800 feet in rain showers, clearing some- what after cold front passage. Visibility was 1-3 miles in rain and snow showers, and 7-10 miles elsewhere. Forecast for 24 February: Low pres- sure center and associated cold front moving in from the northwest. There will be broken to overcast low, middle, and high clouds ahead of the frontal zone, with rapid clearing to scattered clouds after frontal passage. (FEAF) (SECRET) 2. United Nations Situation: GROUND a. U.S. I Corps: Little ground contact was reported. Ice in the Han River is breaking up and the water is rising rapidly, hindering movement. 3d U.S. Infantry Division: Harassing fire was received from enemy groups entrenched on the north bank of the Han River. A 65th U.S. Infantry RCT patrol attempting to cross the river 7 miles north of Kwangju was repulsed. 25th U.S. Infantry Division: Elements of the 24th U.S. In- fantry RCT advanced to the Han north of Kyongan without enemy contact. A 27th U.S. Infantry RCT patrol drove two enemy companies north 9 miles northeast of Kyongan. Air made repeated attacks on 3,000 enemy troops concentrated slightly north of the confluence of the Han and Pukhan Rivers, inflicting approximately 1, 000 casualties. The Turkish Brigade relieved the 27th U.S. Infantry RCT along a line from 6 miles northeast of Kyongan to 3 miles to the east; the 27th RCT assembled near Kyongan. (FECOM) (SECRET) b. U.S. IX Corps: 24th U.S. Infantry Division: Patrols from the Yangpyong area contacted the enemy 5 miles west of Yangpyong, two enemy companies 1 mile north of Yangpyong, and smaller enemy groups scattered along the division front; an enemy battalion was reported 4 miles northeast of Yangpyong. 1st U.S. Cavalry Division: The heaviest resis- tance along the entire front was encountered in the division sector. The 8th U.S. Cavalry RCT is in blocking positions 3 miles north of Chipyong after meeting heavy resistance from an enemy battalion one mile to the north. An enemy battalion withdrew to the north 5 miles northwest of Chipyong under friendly artillery fire. The 1st and 2d Battalions, 5th U.S. Cavalry 23