795.00/4–2451
Memorandum of Conversation, by Robert E. Barbour of the Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs
Subject: Briefing of Ambassadors on Korea
| Participants: | Australia | —Mr. McNichol, Second Secretary |
| Belgium | —Ambassador Silvercruys and Mr. Rothschild, Counselor | |
| Canada | —Ambassador Wrong | |
| France | —Ambassador Bonnet and Mr. Millet, Counselor | |
| Great Britain | —Mr. Tomlinson, Counselor | |
| Greece | —Ambassador Politis | |
| Luxembourg | —Minister Le Gallais | |
| Netherlands | —Mr. de Beus, Minister P. | |
| New Zealand | —Mr. Laking, Counselor | |
| Philippines | —Mr. de Castro, First Secretary | |
| Thailand | —Ambassador Wan | |
| Turkey | —Mr. Esenbel, Counselor | |
| Union of South Africa | —Mr. Jarvie, Counselor | |
| United States | —UNA—Mr. Hickerson | |
| FE—Mr. Merchant | ||
| UNP—Mr. Wainhouse | ||
| UNP—Mr. Henkin | ||
| EUR—Mr. Allen | ||
| FE—Mr. Heidemann | ||
| FE—Mr. Barbour | ||
| Army—Lt. Col. Gilchrist | ||
| Army—Captain Fischgrund |
Captain Fischgrund reported that at 1800 hours, April 23, Korean time, the enemy launched a coordinated ground offensive in strength, [Page 379] which was preceded by the heaviest Communist artillery fire of the war, and succeeded in making penetrations of varying depths in all UN corps areas. The greatest threats to UN security were believed to be in the western sector along the Imjin River and in the central area where enemy troops had pushed to within one mile of Kapyong. There were no significant engagements on the east coast. Lt. Colonel Gilchrist said that the main weight of the enemy attack had been directed against ROK units forcing them to withdraw to prepared defensive positions.
The Army officers summarized a report just received from General Ridgway stating that the enemy attack, which was believed to involve some 15 Chinese Communist armies, was continuing as of the time of the report in increasing strength. The two principal objectives were believed to be Seoul in the west and Chunchon in the center. At the time of the report, the full enemy strength had not yet been committed, but General Ridgway believed that the Communist offensive would involve all enemy forces presently available in Korea. He reported that the overall conduct of UN troops had been excellent except for the one ROK unit which had lost considerable equipment. General Ridgway estimated that as of 1800, April 24, approximately 25,000 casualties had been inflicted on the enemy while UN losses, minus the casualties suffered by the ROK units, totalled only 874. The attack was believed to be a further development of the enemy’s plan to drive UN forces into the sea or to destroy them. It was the strongest enemy attack we had yet sustained, but we had been anticipating it for some time, and our logistic position was satisfactory.
No other questions were discussed in detail.