Feint

The Turks in Korea are ingenious as well as indomitable.

When the U.S. 25th Division crossed the Han last week, the Turkish brigade attached to the division was ordered to make a diversionary feint two miles upstream. A company of infantry reinforced by engineers went to the designated spot, made a loud splashing in the water. Then they retired, noisily chopped some wood, returned to the river and pushed out from shore several log rafts and a boat loaded with dummies in old Turkish uniforms. An artillery and mortar barrage provided "cover" for the phantom force.

The actual Turks on shore made a great racket sawing wood, banging with hammers and clunking empty oil drums together. In their enthusiasm, several Turks fell into the river. Although they failed to draw enemy fire from the opposite bank, the Turks, who take soldiering seriously, refused to admit that the byplay had been sport. Said their commander, Captain Nihw Evren: "The men understood that what they did was as important as the actual crossing. They were as agitated as if it had been."

Two miles downstream, the 25th Division made its crossing without much trouble, ground slowly northward.

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