front line of korean war, july 13, 1950
following invasion of republic of korea (south korea) northern neighbor, democratic people s republic of korea (north korea), united nations committed troops conflict prevent collapse of south korean state. however, number of u.s. forces in far east available support effort had been steadily decreasing since end of world war ii, 5 years earlier. closest u.s. division, 24th infantry division of eighth united states army, headquartered in japan, understrength, , of equipment antiquated due defense cutbacks enacted in first truman administration. nevertheless, 24th infantry division first unit sent korea absorb initial shock of north korean advances , buy time deployment of additional forces, such 7th infantry division, 25th infantry division, 1st cavalry division, 1st provisional marine brigade , other eighth army supporting units.
delaying action
task force smith arrives in south korea
advance elements of 24th infantry division badly defeated in battle of osan on july 5, during first battle between american , north korean forces. force @ battle, task force smith, retreated osan, , u.s. forces again defeated in battle of pyongtaek. on week after defeat of task force smith, 24th infantry division soldiers repeatedly defeated , forced south north korean force s superior numbers , equipment. regiments of 24th infantry division systematically pushed south @ , around chochiwon, chonan, pyongtaek, hadong, , yechon. these american soldiers, of whom had experienced occupation duty in japan , no actual combat, unprepared compared more disciplined north korean units.
on july 12, division s commander, major general william f. dean, ordered division s 19th, 21st, , 34th infantry regiments cross kum river, destroying bridges behind them, , establish defensive positions around taejon. taejon major south korean city 100 miles (160 km) south of seoul , 130 miles (210 km) northwest of pusan, , site of 24th infantry division s headquarters. dean formed line 34th infantry , 19th infantry facing east, , held heavily battered 21st infantry in reserve southeast. kum river wrapped north , west around city, providing defensive line 10 15 miles outskirts of taejon, protected on south sobaek mountains. major railroad lines , roads emanating in directions, taejon stood major transportation hub between seoul , taegu, giving great strategic value both american , north korean forces. taejon had held stop north korean forces converging on unfinished defensive lines around pusan.
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