Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 7
The President Washington, D. C. SEC. 3.4.02 june Date 18, 2131121 15 March 1951 JOINT DAILY SITREP NO. 217 (maps attached) E.O. Direction From 0700/14 (EST) to 0700/15 (EST) From 2100/14 (Korea) to 2100/15 (Korea) DOD 1 NLT. 1. Weather: By Broken to occasional overcast middle and high clouds gradually cleared by 1800/15 (KT). Visibility was 8-10 miles. Battle area temperature ranged from 29-46 degrees F. Forecast: A weak stationary front in North Korea will move slowly southward. North of the battle area the visibility will be unrestricted. Battle area temperatures will range from 26-40 degrees F (FEAF) (SECRET) 2. Enemy Situation: The enemy offered little or no resistance to advancing Eighth Army troops. ROK patrols report approximately 2 enemy divisions located 8 miles northwest of Hajinbu. Observations of sizable enemy groups moving north- ward out of the battle areas suggest that the enemy has accelerated his retrograde movement from a delaying action to one of withdrawal to battle positions behind the present line of contact. It is possible that the enemy may not stop short of the 38th parallel for political, psychological, and tactical reasons. Enemy reserve forces have been located close to the 38th parallel for some time. If such at defense line is contemplated, there has been sufficient time to prepare strong defensive positions as well as improve defense positions occupied by the North Koreans before the campaign began. (FECOM) (SECRET) 3. United Nations Situation: GROUND a. General: 1st ROK Division patrols advanced well into the city of Seoul without opposition and raised the Republic of Korea flag over the Capitol Building. The entire Eighth Army front, with the exception of I ROK Corps, continued to advance with gains up to 6 miles. Elements of the 5th US Cavalry Regiment crossed the Hongchon River 3 miles north- west of Hongchon. (FECOM) (SECRET) b. I US Corps: 1st ROK Division patrols attempting to cross the Han River in the vicinity of Yangchon encountered determined enemy small arms, mortar and artillery fire. Other 1st ROK Division patrols entered Seoul without opposition and raised the Republic of Korea flag over the Capitol