18-04-05, 18:41
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Re: Kapyong 1951
Quote:
Originally posted by Tony Smith
On the night of 23-24 April 1951, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment fought an action at Kapyong, Korea alongside the 2nd Battallion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry against overwhelming North Korean and Chinese forces.
On April 23, 3RAR and PPCLI occupied prominent hills on either side of a 3 1/2 mile wide valley, the Australians on Hill 504 on the east and the Canadians on the western feature Hill 677. Early in the evening, retreating South Koreans broke and ran from the Communist onslaught and tanks from the US 1st Marine Division were overrun. Throughout the evening and night, the Communists repeatedly pressed the thinly spread Australians, attacking in human waves over their dead and wounded. A Coy, 3RAR launched a dawn counter-attack that breached the Chinese lines and was followed up by B Coy fighting hand to hand in trenches and bunkers, clearing the Communists from Hill 504. The position could not be held by the small number of Australians, and reinforcements could not be supplied by the US 1st Marine Division who had fallen back thinking the Australian position had been wiped out in the night. The Australians withdrew to prepared positions further back, supported by Artillery fire from the New Zealand 16 Field Regt. This led to the Communists being able to put intense pressure on the PPCLI position who fought a similar battle on the night of 24-25 April before themselves being relieved on 25 April under NZ artillery cover. 3RAR suffered 32 dead and 53 wounded and 2PPCLI 10 dead and 23 wounded. It was estimated the Communists suffered approx 1200 casualties from an attacking force of 7000. For this action, 3RAR, 2PPCLI and 16 Fd Regt NZRA were awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation.
What I'd like to know, are there any books or references that deal with the Canadian experiences of this battle?
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TONY,
I hope you'll forgive me for going off-track on your thread. Blame it on Mark instigating this 
Karmen
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