Death Underground

Snow-topped Anchor Hill, on Korea's east coast, is the northernmost point of the Eighth Army's 155-mile front. To the east lie the clear blue waters of the Sea of Japan. But" the South Koreans deeply dug in on Anchor's top seldom get a look at the sea or at anything else, for the enemy's artillery is zeroed in on the summit.

Several weeks ago, hearing the scrape of shovels at night, the ROKs became aware that the enemy was tunneling under Anchor's north slope. By filling the tunnel with men, weapons and ammo, the Reds could launch a close-range attack without warning, then slip back to safety.

One evening last week a small force of ROKs turned their parkas inside out, so that the white linings would help to camouflage them against the snow. Then they crept down the slope, flanked by diversionary groups on the left and right. The raiders surprised and killed three tunnel guards, then waited while the enemy packed the 8-by-5-ft. passage with troops. ROK engineers planted 200 Ibs. of TNT at the tunnel's mouth; five minutes later, the explosive went up with a shattering roar. Forty-four Reds perished; the tunnel was ruined.

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