The Korean War, 70 Years Ago, The Press, Pittsburgh PA

Korean War Weekly Front Pages

19 July 1953 – 25 July 1953

The Press, Pittsburgh PA

On the verge.

*****

South Korean infantrymen swept northward 3-1/3 miles in a spectacular advance on the eastern flank of the Allied central front drive Saturday night and wiped out nearly half of the Chinese Kumsong bulge. The advance swung the right arm of the three-division South Korean front to within striking distance of the new Chinese Kumsong River line and represented a total advance of about 5½ miles in three days. The western front of the Allied drive bogged down in a furious battle for key hills, however, as the Chinese poured reinforcements southward through earthshaking American air and artillery bombardment. Midweek, Communist big guns unleashed a tremendous barrage on the western front and Chinese infantry launched moonlight attacks on both western and central fronts. An Eighth Army officer said a “undetermined” number of enemy troops followed the barrage and were attacking Westview Hill between Porkchop Hill and Old Baldy in the west. About 160 Chinese slammed into a hill northeast of Kumhwa on the central front shortly before midnight and South Korean defenders withdrew from three outposts in the area under the mounting enemy pressure. Allied artillery boomed in answer to the night attacks on both fronts.

On Monday Allied and Communist members of the Korean Joint Military Armistice Commission held their first meeting, indicating both sides were heading down the homestretch to peace. Three American officers on the United Nations team arrived unexpectedly and held a one hour and 15-minute conference with Red members of the commission. One of the trio told newsmen that his group “concluded as much as we were prepared to discuss today.” “We discussed suggested arrangements which they will consider and probably come back with their proposal,” he said. The next day the United States sent a new communication to South Korea’s disgruntled president Syngman Rhee in a bid to lift his last-minute threat to balk the signing of a Korean armistice. The missive from the Americans was apparently not enough because the next day President Rhee blew the Korean truce situation wide open by renewing demands the Chinese Communist forces be out of Korea within six months after Armistice Day. He said any promises he may have made to cooperate in a truce were “conditional.” He said that if his conditions were not met “we shall be at liberty to follow our own course of action.” The next day he reversed himself and pledged to not obstruct the signing.

On Friday President Eisenhower asked that $200 million [$2.3 billion in 2023] of defense funds be used to start post-armistice rehabilitation in South Korea. Mr. Eisenhower made the request to Republican congressional leaders at a 90-minute White House breakfast. They said the plan received “very strong approval.” The Acting Senate Republican Leader and the Speaker of the House expressed confidence that a majority of both houses in Congress would approve.

On Saturday Allied and Communist liaison officers held five dramatic meetings to determine the time and place for the Korean armistice signing ceremony, which was believed less than 48 hours away. Their discussions remained a secret, but the most reliable sources said the exchanges must receive final approval from the high command of both sides.

(Photo courtesy newspapers.com, Pittsburgh Press)