Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 538

Shis 1 3.102 18, Washington, D. C. Sec. June 29 September 1952 1201.00.20, Date Directive E.O. NARS, JOINT SITREP NO. 538 (Maps attached) DOD F rom 0700/25 Sep (EDT) to 0700/29 Sep (EST) F rom 2100/25 Sep (Korea) to 2100/29 Sep (Korea) 1. Weather: Weather for the period 25 through 28 September varied from non-operational to operational. The period began with non-operational conditions with heavy rain over the entire area and a high overcast in the battle area. The next two days became operational with scattered rain, and the period ended with the weather again becoming marginal, with rain. (FEAF) (SECRET) 2. Enemy Situation: Enemy activity, initially light except in the 45th US Division sector (X US Corps), increased as the period progressed, with the heaviest activity occuring during the night 28-29 September and in the early morning of 29 September. Ac- tion in the west sector was highlighted in the 3d US Division sector where attacks up to two-company size were launched against OP positions northwest of Yonchon during the nights 26-27 and 27-28 September. Heavy fighting included hand-to- hand combat over an OP position eight miles northwest of YONCHON during a night-long engagement ending in the early morning of 27 September. In the morning of 28 September, an enemy company in position east of OTAN was forced to withdraw, but four enemy counterattacks up to two-company strength forced UN elements to give up the position. During 27 September, patrols and raiding parties of 2d US Division in the area west of CHORWON were heavily engaged with enemy up to two platoon strength in fights lasting almost two hours. In the central sector, during the night 28-29 September, enemy elements to company- strength attacked FINGER RIDGE and CAPITOL HILL, in the Capitol ROK Divi- sion sector. Fighting was severe, but enemy elements were forced to withdraw in the early morning of 29 September. East of CAPITOL BILL, four enemy attacks of platoon strength and one of company strength (increasing during the action to battalion strength) were launched against UN OP positions. The heaviest of these attacks forced UN elements to withdraw from one position and action is continuing at three other locations. Enemy probing action was moderate to heavy throughout the period against positions of the 45th US Division in the KAJON area. During the night 25-26 September, a total of 14 probing attacks, ranging from squad to company strength were launched against OP and MLR positions in this area. On each of the other three days of the period a mimi- mum of five probes, the largest of reinforced platoon strength, were reported in