Activities at the Front

ACCIDENTAL ATTACK ON BRITISH
U.S. MINISTERS MESSAGE


A War Office spokesman said last night that casualties among the men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who were mistakenly attacked on Saturday by American aircraft are believed to be fewer than was originally estimated,he said The Next of kin of the killed and wounded might be informed today,

The following message was sent to the Prime Minister at 10,Downing Street on Saturday night by the United States Minister in Charge of Alfairs in London:- .

"I have been informed of reports that casualties have been suffered by Unted Kingdom forces in Korea as the result of a mistake in identity by their United States air support. Although we know that such cruel accidents are not always avoidable in the heat of battle, I want to express to you and the British people the
deep sense of sorrow of the United States Government and people over this tragedy. All America joins me in the deepest sympathy for the bereaved families of your gallant soldiers" The Times, 25' September 1950
"PILOTS NOT HELD AT FAULT"

TAEGU, September 25 - The pilots of the American Mustang who caused the accidental attack on Bntish troops are not being held at fault. They bombed troops on the position after ground controllers were said to have stated over the radio that there were no British troops west of the Songju road at this pomt. In fact, the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders were there, having dislodged the Communists from the hill during the morning, observation aircraft got the green light for attack from American ground control in the British sector. There was also confusion about the colour of the identification panels.
The attack was launched, but the airborne controller stopped it when it became doubtful whether the troops being attacked were North Koreans. Reuter
The Times, 25' Segernber 1950

ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF HIGHLANDERS

MR ATTLEE'S REPLY TO U.S. MESSAGE
Mr Attlee replied to the mesdsdage of sympathy by Mr Julius C. Holmes, the United States Minister in charge of affairs in London after the bombing by mistake of two companies of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders by American aircraft in Korea.
In a letter to Mr Hohnes, the Prime Minister stated: "I write to thank you for your letter of September 23 about the casualties inflicted by accident on the United Kingdom forces in Korea. I have been myself on active service and I know that mistakes occur. They are tragic for those concerned but it is part, I fear, of the inevitable consequence of such operations which we must face. I am sure that your prompt and ready sympathy will he deeply appreciated by those who have suffered in this accident of war.


It was learned at the War Office yesterday that the names of the caualualties have not ye
t been received. They will be notified to the next of kin as early as [possible.
The Times, 26th. September 1950

KOREA CASULTIES
Killed - Major K. Muir, A&SH: 2nd. Lieut. M.D.W. Buchanan, A&SH: 2ND. LIEUT. G.A. White, R.A.O.C. att. Middlesex.

WOUNDED - Capt. J. Penman,MC., A&SH; 2nd, Lieut. Edington, A&SH; 2nd. Lieut. P.M.K. Mackella, A&SH; 2nd. Lieut. J. Stirling, A&SH.

MISSING - 2nd. Lieut. J.C. Bucknell, Middlesex:

OTHER RANKS
ROYAL: ARTILLERY - WOUNDED - Gunner R. Mitchell.

ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS - KILLED - Corporal C.W.F. Bearne.

THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT - KILLED - Private R.J.
Bristow, Pte F. Hayfield; Private D.C. Russell; Private K Tredget; Private E.D. West;
WOUNDED - Sergeant H. Parker. Sergeant C. Walsh., Corporal G. Brown; Corporal P.J. Cheeseman, Corporal J. Field, Corporal J.W. Pentony, Corporal W. Smith: L/Corporal T. Amos; L/Corporal N. Richardson; Pte L. Cook;
Private A. Cooper, South Stafords att. Middlesex; Private B. Fradley, South Staffords att. Middlesex; Private L.J. Friend;
Private H. Lowndes. South Staffords att Middlesex; Private G.Thomas; Pte J. Pailitt South Staffords att. Middlesex.

THE ARGYLE AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS -
KILLED - Private M. Dempsey: Private A.H.F. Holmes, K.O.S.B. att A&SH; Private C. Howcroft.

WOUNDED - Segeant J. Harrison: Sergeant J O'Sullivan M.M.; Cpl N, MeNaughton; Corporal R.R. Sweency: L/Corporal H. Bird, L/Corporal J.L. Fairhurst; L/Corporal G. McEwarr,
L/Corporal R. Newton; L/Corporal H. Saunders
L/Corporal H. Ward; Private A.L Anderson; Private D.Beardmore, K.O,S.B, att. A&SH;
Private J. Bell, K.O.S.B. att. A&SH; Private L Bradshaw, Royal Leicesters att. A&SH; Private C. Campbell, K.O.S.B. att A&SH; Private L Coles, Royal Leicestas att A&SH; Pnvate H. Clark; Private G.E. Davis, Royal Leicesters att A&SH; Private J. Esson; Private R. Franks, Royal Leicesters att A&SH; Private D. Frize; Private A.C.Girvin; Private C. Hodgkinson Private D. Horsburgh., Private R. Irving K.O.S.B. att A&SH;
Private A. Johanesen; Private E.W. Kelly., Private G. Kennedy, Private A.Mackie; Private D. Male; Private P. Martin; Private I. McKerrow; Private J. Nell Private W.Pattison;
Private A. Proll K.O.S,B. att A&SH; Private P. Quinn; Private I. Reid; Private A Roy; Private P. Savage, Royal Liecesters att. A&SH; Private D. Sidey; Private D. Simpson Private W. Smith, Royal Liecesters att A&SH; Private P.H. Woodbum, Royal Leicesters A&SH.
The Times 30' September 1950

The men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who were mistakenly attacked on Saturday by American aircraft are believed to be fewer than was originally estimate& Next of kin of the killed and wounded might be informed today, he said .