Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 537

Washington, D. C. 1 DECLASSIFIED 3-402 1979 25 September 1952 Directive E.O. 12065, 5100.30, Sec. June Date 18, 3/7/81 JOINT SITREP NO. 537 (Maps attached) DOD NLT. From 0700/22 Sep (EDT) to 0700/25 Sep (EDT) By From 2100/22 Sep (Korea) to 2100/25 Sep (Korea) 1. Weather: Weather for the period 22 through 24 September began marginal with rain, became better on the 23rd, and during the 24th became marginal and nonopera- tional with heavy rain. (FEAF) (SECRET) 2. Enemy Situation: Enemy activity during the period was highlighted by a series of probing attacks of up to battalion strength against positions of the 8th ROK Division (X US Corps) north of KAJON. Enemy elements seized MLR positions on Hill 854 (five miles north-northeast of KAJON) during the night 22-23 September but later were forced to withdraw. Probing activity continues in this sector, with enemy groups of up to platoon strength being engaged. Southwest of Hill 854, an attack of reinforced company strength resulted in a four-hour engagement on 23 Septem- ber. Four miles south of KOSONG, during the night 23-24 September, two enemy battalions attacked 5th ROK Division positions on a 1, 000 meter front. The attack was supported by 2, 500 rounds of mortar and artillery fire. Enemy elements occupied portions of the UN positions but were forced to withdraw after six hours of heavy fighting. Enemy forces on KELLY HILL (3d US Division sector) stubborn= ly defended their positions on 24 September, employing heavy concentrations of mortar and artillery fire to repel a UN attack. Elsewhere across the front, sporadic, generally small probing attacks were reported and the usual scattered patrol clashes involving generally small groups of enemy in brief engagements. The total of hostile mortar and artillery fire for the period was 30, 908 rounds, of which 14, 277 rounds fell on 22 September. During the period, X US Corps re- ceived 14, 130 rounds, of which 10, 409 rounds fell on 22 September, over 9, 000 rounds of it in connection with the action in the 8th ROK Division sector. Hostile mortar and artillery fire for the week ending 24 September, inclusive, totalled 80, 072 rounds of which 25, 478 fell in the I US Corps sector and 24, 798 in the II ROK Corps sector. Sightings of enemy vehicle traffic for the period totalled 7,347, of which 4, 939 were southbound. (FECOM) (SECRET) 3. United Nations Situation: ARMY: ROK Army forces in the east-central sector repulsed numerous enemy probing attacks in the KAJON area but were forced to withdraw from positions