Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 539

1 Washington, D. C. 2 October 1952 JOINT SITREP NO. 539 (Maps attached) From 0700/29 Sep (EST) to 0700/2 Oct (EST) From 2100/29 Sep (Korea) to 2100/2 Oct (EST) 1. Weather: During the beginning and end of the period the weather was operational and clear. The second day, however, began with heavy rain and low overcast and non- operational conditions, becoming overcast but operational at the end of the day. (FEAF) (SECRET) 2. Enemy Situation: Enemy activity was highlighted by heavily supported attacks of up to battalion strength in the central (II ROK Corps) sector of the front. On the night of 28-29 September, following a 40-minute barrage of tank fire, an enemy platoon attacked an outpost position of the 6th ROK Division 2 1/2 miles southeast of KUMSONG. The enemy forces were reinforced to two company strength by the morning of 29 September and attacks were also made against a nearby outpost. On 30 September, one outpost was captured but the enemy was forced to withdraw by a UN counter- attack. Four subsequent company-strength enemy attacks on the two outpost positions were repulsed on 30 September and 1 October. Over 31, 000 rounds of mortar and artillery fire fell on the division sector 'during these engagements. In the Capitol ROK Division sector, two enemy platoons seized a foothold on Finger Ridge on 29 September but were driven off by a company-strength counterattack. A company-strength enemy attack on Capitol Hill was repulsed on 29 September. In the 3d ROK Division sector, 12 miles southeast of KUMSONG, during the night of 28-29 September an enemy battalion seized positions on Hill 572 and on 30 September repulsed three UN counterattacks of two-company strength. Action ceased on this date with both forces occupying part of the position. An undetermined number of enemy overran a 3d ROK Division outpost position on Hill 748, 13 miles southeast of KUMSONG on 29 September and repulsed UN company-strength counterattacks on 29 September and on 1 October. A total of 32, 260 rounds of enemy mortar and artillery fire fell on the 3d ROK Division sector on 29 September. Elsewhere across the front generally minor patrol contacts and brief enemy probes were reported. Hostile mortar and artillery fire during the period totalled 93, 585 rounds, of which 77, 740 fell in the II ROK Corps sector. The total of enemy mortar and artillery fire for the week ending 1 October, inclusive, was 118,87 rounds, including a new daily record high of 41, 547 rounds on 29 September. Sightings of enemy vehicles for the period totalled 7, ,312, of which 5220 were southbound. (FECOM) (SECRET) DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 DOD Directive 5100.30, June 13, 1979 By NLT- AU 3/7/81