795.00/11–1150: Telegram
The Chargé in Korea (Drumright) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received November 11—8:55 a. m.]
365. Re Embtel 363, November 101 and previous on Sino intervention North Korea, 8th Army states there continued yesterday and last night to be no noteworthy contact with Chinese forces in Eighth Army sector. Altogether four Chinese were captured yesterday, three in 24th Division sector and one in Eighth ROK Division sector. First three stated they came from Sino Communist 40th Army while remaining one stated he member Sino Communist 125th Division which carried as part of Sino Communist 42nd Army. 125th Division and other elements Sino Communist 42nd Army appear to have been engaged almost wholly in Tenth Corps area of northeast Korea.
On basis current information, 8th Army Intelligence carries 54th, 55th, and 56th Chinese Communist “units” in 8th Army sector of northwest Korea. According prisoners testimony, foregoing “units” come from Chinese Communist 38th, 39th and 40th armies, respectively, which said constitutes portion Chinese Communist 4th Field Army deployed in Manchuria. 8th Army Intelligence considers most Sino Communist forces remaining in sector now concentrated mainly north of line running from point south Unsan to point northeast Tokchon. Current reports indicate Sino Communist forces in 8th Army sector continue to assume defensive attitude, digging in and refraining almost entirely from offensive operations.
An army officer with experience in China who questioned numerous Chinese prisoners states they claimed to be surprised to encounter American soldiers. Prisoners asserted they had been told by superiors they being sent North Korea to defend border area from ROK forces and American forces would remain behind so-called “MacArthur line” (which was given much publicity in recent Newsweek article). This [Page 1130] seems hardly credible in face propaganda emanating from Peiping.
Air activity yesterday and last night was restricted owing poor visibility with result north-south vehicular activity unobserved. Navy and 5th AF planes clashed with small groups hostile aircraft on five occasions yesterday. One Mig jet was shot down near mouth Yalu River while one B–29 fell southeast of Chongju. Enemy aircraft were observed to disappear into Manchuria.
All bridges across Yalu River have by now been bombed and damaged although some still appear passable.
- Not printed.↩