795.00/11–950: Telegram
The Chargé in Korea (Drumright) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received November 9—12:35 p. m.]
353. Re Embtel 3481 on Chinese intervention. Eighth Army reports there considerable decrease late yesterday and last night in number vehicles moving southward across Yalu from Manchuria. Movement on Sakchu-Chongju road was negligible; but movement on Kanggye-Huichon road was in excess of volume noted heretofore—numbering about 200 vehicles.
In Eighth Army sector UN ground forces have not made solid contact with Chinese forces past two days. It appears Chinese forces have withdrawn northward where they may be regrouping in conjunction North Korean remnants. UN forces probing northward yesterday on line from Pakchon to Kaechon found numerous Chinese dead—running into hundreds. Most of these Chinese evidently killed by aerial strafing. Vehicle columns moving south from Manchurian border were hard hit by UN aircraft moreover city of Sinuiju was virtually destroyed by heavy air assault yesterday on at least four occasions yesterday UN and hostile jet aircraft clashed near Sinuiju area with one hostile aircraft reportedly shot down and others damaged.
On basis information currently available, it difficult to determine Sino Communist intentions. It appears, however, Chinese intervention thus far cannot be regarded as of direct, open nature. Neither can it be regarded, on basis current intelligence, as all-out continuous effort on part Sino Reds. Unquestionably Chinese have suffered severe losses in men and materials past few days. Their failure to follow up early successes and their defensive attitude during past two or three days suggest any plans they may have had for all out intervention may have been modified. In any event next few days developments should determine conclusively what Chinese Reds real intentions are.