Office of the Historian

795B.5/11–550: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations

secret
urgent
Washington, November 5, 1950—5 p. m.

476. FYI only. Following is text of draft special report from CG United Nations Command to UN now under consideration here. No action of any kind should be taken with regard to this draft report pending further instructions from Dept.

“I herewith submit a special report of the United Nations command operations in Korea which I believe should be brought to the attention of the United Nations.

“Introduction

“The United Nations forces in Korea are continuing their drive to the north and their efforts to destroy further the effectiveness of the enemy as a fighting force are proving successful. However, presently in certain areas of Korea, the United Nations forces are meeting a new foe. It is apparent to our fighting forces, and our intelligence agencies have confirmed the fact, that the United Nations are presently in hostile contact with Chinese Communist military units deployed for action against the forces of the United Command.

“The Fact of Intervention

“Hereafter, in summary form, are confirmed intelligence reports substantiating the fact that forces other than Korean are resisting our efforts to carry out the resolutions of the United Nations:

  • “a. 22 August: Approximately 50 bursts heavy antiaircraft fire from Manchurian side of Yalu River against RB–29 flying at 7,000 feet over Korea in the vicinity of the Sui-Ho reservoir; damage, none; time, 1600K; weather, 10 miles visibility, high broken clouds.
  • “b. 24 August: Approximately 40 bursts heavy antiaircraft fire from Manchurian side of Yalu River against RB–29 flying at 10,000 [Page 1047] feet over Korea in the vicinity of Sinuiju; damage, none; time, 1500K; weather, 20 miles visibility.
  • “c. 15 October: Antiaircraft fire from the Manchurian side of Yalu River against a flight of 4 F–51’s flying near the Sinuiju Airfield on the Korean side of the river; damage, 1 aircraft total loss; time, 1445I; weather, overcast at 8,000 feet; 8 to 10 miles visibility.
  • “d. 16 October: The 370th Regiment of the 124th Division of the Chinese Communist 42nd Army, consisting of approximately 2,500 troops, crossed the Yalu River (Korean border) at Man Po Jin, and proceeded to the area of Chosen and Fusen Dams in North-Korea where they came in contact with UN forces approximately 40 miles north of Ham Hung.
  • “e. 17 October: Approximately 15 bursts heavy antiaircraft fire from Manchurian side of Yalu River against RB–29 flying at 10,000 feet over Korea in the vicinity of Sinuiju; damage, none; time, 1200I; weather, 8 miles visibility, low clouds 2,300 feet.
  • “f. 20 October: A Chinese Communist task force known as the ‘56th’ unit consisting of approximately 5,000 troops crossed the Yalu River (Korean Border) at Antung and deployed to positions in Korea south of the Sui-Ho Dam. A captured Chinese Communist soldier of this task force states that his group was organized out of the regular Chinese Communist 40th Army stationed at Antung, Manchuria.
  • “g. 1 November: A flight of F–51’s was attacked early in the afternoon by 6 to 9 jet aircraft which flew across the Yalu River into Manchuria. No damage was done to UN aircraft. A Red Star was observed on the top of the right wing on one of the jet aircraft.
  • “h. 1 November: Antiaircraft fire from the Manchurian side of the Yalu River directed against a flight of 13 F–80 aircraft was observed in the vicinity of Sinuiju at 1345 hours. This resulted in the total loss of 1 UN aircraft.
  • “i. 30 October: Interrogation of 19 Chinese prisoners of war identified two additional regiments of 124 CCF Division, the 371 and the 372 in the vicinity of Changjin.
  • “j. 2 November: Interrogation of prisoners of war indicates the 54 CCF unit in Korea. This unit is reported to have same organization as 55 and 56 units, but to be drawn from the 112, 113, and 114 Divisions of the 38 CCF Army.
  • “k. 3 November: Further interrogation of Chinese prisoners of war indicates 56 CCF unit organized from elements of 118, 119, and 120 CCF Divisions of the 40 CCF Army.
  • “l. 4 November: As of this date, a total of 35 CCF prisoners had been taken in Korea.

“The continued employment of Chinese Communist forces in Korea and the hostile attitude assumed by such forces, either inside or outside Korea, are matters which it is incumbent upon me to bring at once to the attention of the UN.”

Acheson