 Throughout the morning a US LT @-@ 6G Mosquito light observation aircraft had continued to monitor growing concentrations of Chinese in hills to the rear of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade , with reports indicating their strength at approximately one division . Determining that the Chinese would move to cut the road during the night and believing it dangerous to remain any further forward than required , Coad requested approval for a limited withdrawal . He decided to pull his forward units back across the Taeryong River , before moving south towards the Chongchon River , near Anju . The brigade counter @-@ attacked the Chinese forces occupying the nearby ridgelines in order to clear the route south . The plan envisioned the Argylls holding the road open , while 3 RAR recaptured the high ground previously held by A Company , 1 ASHR . The Middlesex would then pass through to clear and occupy the hills east of Maengjung @-@ dong , while the Argylls — as the brigade rearguard — would follow to occupy the right of the new defensive position . The brigade would then adopt a tight defensive perimeter on the hills overlooking the north bank , so as to maintain the bridgehead over the river . Meanwhile , still in position west of Pakchon , the Australians prepared to cross the Taeryong River to regain the lost position , 7 @.@ 5 kilometres ( 4 @.@ 7 mi ) to their south . 3 RAR faced a difficult approach after moving beyond the river , with the battalion 's route paralleling the disputed ridge which overlooked it 800 metres ( 870 yd ) to the east . 
