Report, Joint Daily Situation Report Number 542

1 Washington, D. C. E.O. 12065, See 3 02 13 October 1952 DOD Directive 5100.00, June 18, 1979 317181 JOINT SITREP NO. 542 By NLT- AV NARS, Date (Maps attached) From 0700/9 Oct (EST) to 0700/13 Oct (EST) From 2100/9 Oct (Korea) to 2100/13 Oct (Korea) 1. Weather: Weather throughout the period was good except on the afternoon and early evening on the 10th when a low overcast resulted in nonoperational conditions with heávy rain. (FEAF) (SECRET) 2. Enemy Situation: During the period, the number, size, and intensity of enemy attacks across the front increased sharply, except in the area of HILL 395 (four miles north- northwest of CHORWON, 9th ROK Division sector) where heavy fighting continued throughout the period. HILL 395 changed hands nine times during the four-day period in a series of attacks and counterattacks ranging from company to regi- mental strength. As the period closed, UN forces, in a regimental-strength attack, occupied the eastern portion of the hill mass around HILL 395. In the central and western portions of the hill mass, UN troops established a line 70 meters south of the crest of the hill and continued the attack. Enemy company-strength attacks against outpost "Nick", about 10 miles northwest of YONCHON, (1st ROK Division sector) were repulsed on 9 and 10 October. An estimated enemy company engaged MLR positions of the 2d US Division at ARROWHEAD HILL, just west of HILL 395, for 1 hour and 40 minutes on 9 October. The enemy was repulsed. An enemy battalion attacked an outpost position of the 3d ROK Division about 15 miles south east of KUMSONG in the early morning hours of 7 October. The enemy withdrew after a two-hour fire fight. Elsewhere across the front, scattered, generally minor probes and patrol clashes were reported. Hostile mortar and artillery fire for the period totalled 65, 669 rounds, of which 28, 862 rounds fell in the IX US Corps sector - mostly in the 9th ROK Division sector. Sightings of enemy vehicle traffic totalled 4, 492, of which 3, 202 were southbound. (FECOM) (SECRET) 3. United Nations Situation: ARMY: ROK Army forces continued to be heavily engaged throughout the period in the area of HTL.T 395, north-northwest of CHORWON, They launched a number of attacks of up to regimental strength against strong enemy opposition. Elsewhere across the front UN forces generally maintained their positions, repulsed numerous enemy probes, and continued aggressive patrol operations against scattered oppo- sition. (FECOM) (SECRET)