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Topic: Kowang-san aka Hill 355 aka Little Gibralter. (Read 349 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Another monumental achievement of our Regimental history... Pro Patria!
Canadians fought hard for Korean hill
The battle for Hill 355 was one of the toughest in the Korean War
JOHN BOILEAU The Daily News
Photo shows the right flank of Hill 355, also known as "Little Gibraltar," in South Korea. During the Korean War, Canadian troops defended it against many assaults.
On June 25, 1950, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea launched a surprise all-out invasion of the Republic of Korea in an attempt to forcibly reunify the Korean peninsula, separated since the end of the Second World War. The peninsula had been arbitrarily divided into two zones along the 38th Parallel, with the Soviets dominating the north and the Americans the south.
In response, 16 countries, led by the United States, contributed combat forces to a United Nations operation to assist South Korea. Only the American and the British contingents exceeded the Canadian one. The Korean War was by far the most important conventional conflict of the Cold War, especially once Communist China quickly came to North Korea's assistance.
In Korea's rugged, mountainous terrain, vast sweeps by mechanized forces were virtually impossible, and the battle soon evolved into an infantryman's war. While seemingly endless peace talks dragged on for two years, it eventually settled down into static warfare, in many ways resembling the Western Front of the First World War.
The 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), part of 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade, took over an important section of the front line from a British unit in August 1952. The RCR occupied Kowang-san or Hill 355 - nicknamed "Little Gibraltar" by the Americans - a key position that controlled several highways leading to the south.
Hill 355 had already been the site of a fierce four-day battle in November 1951. Then, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment - known as the "Van Doos" - under Lt.-Col. Jacques Dextraze (later Chief of Defence Staff 1972-77) defended the area against repeated Chinese assaults.
Simple orders
Before the enemy attack, Dextraze - nicknamed "Jadex" - gave simple orders to his men: "No withdrawal. No platoons overrun. No panic." His soldiers stood firm, even when the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment, which was holding the high ground on the Van Doos' right flank, "bugged out," leaving the French-Canadians alone and vulnerable.
The RCR faced a similar situation to the Van Doos. From the time they occupied Hill 355, Chinese artillery and mortar fire bombarded the Royals, causing casualties on a daily basis. Rain fell intermittently; it leaked into bunkers and flooded trenches and fighting bays. Bitterly cold nights soon followed.
Beginning in early October 1952, daily enemy shelling increased in intensity. In one four-day period, the equivalent of 44 tons of jagged metal and high explosive fell on Hill 355.
By dawn on October 23, B Company's position - the most forward in the battalion - had almost been blasted out of recognition. Trenches were caved in, dugouts destroyed, ammunition buried and telephone lines cut.
Suddenly, at 5:30 p.m. the shelling stopped. By now, the soldiers of B Company were dazed and shaken, their area reduced to a shambles.
In the eerie silence, the men braced for the next shock. It didn't take long for it to come.
At 6:15, an unparalleled bombardment hit B Company and its flanking companies. Soon, wave after wave of Chinese soldiers came pouring over the parapets and into the trenches, flooding through B Company's position.
In the face of such overwhelming numbers, surviving RCR soldiers split into small groups and withdrew to the rear. As soon as they were clear, friendly artillery, mortar and tank fire hit the abandoned position, now swarming with Chinese.
Lt.-Col. Peter Bingham, the RCR commanding officer, ordered his reserve, D Company, to counter-attack and recapture B Company's former location. Additional artillery and mortar fire prevented the Chinese from reinforcing their newly-won position and contributed substantially to softening them up.
Around 1:10 a.m. on October 24, D Company moved forward in a pincer movement from the left and right flanks. By 3:30 a.m. the situation was restored and the RCR was again in possession of Hill 355.
Losses
The Royals had 18 killed, 35 wounded and 14 taken prisoner during the battle. Chinese losses were estimated at more than 600.
On Nov. 1, the RCR handed over responsibility for Hill 355 to an Australian battalion. Both commanding officers signed a piece of paper that stated:
"This is to certify that KOWANG SAN feature 355, otherwise known as LITTLE GIBRALTAR and attached real estate has been handed over complete, slightly worse for wear but otherwise defendable."
johnboileau@eastlink.ca
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3498
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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I wonder what happened to the fourteen lads whom were taken prisoner? I cannot remember which year this brochure was made but I think it was during the 100th.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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A very interesting and educatonal read Mike, thanks for putting it up..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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BJ MacLean
B.J. / Rusty
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Mike
As always well presented. I knew the story but still found it good reading.
Incredable history our regiment had.
May the Royals who gave the greatest sacifice Forever Rest in Peace.
BJ
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B.J. MacLean
35 Yrs
Always a Proud Royal
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Tim McCully
Veteran 200+ Member
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Posts: 246
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Here, Here BJ!! Hello my friend, i have your brother captured at the moment and have transported to my house in Madoc for some fishin and recreation. He is asleep in my chair at the moment but i'm about to kick him and tell him to "stand to". grey day, drizzle but mild and no wind so ponchos required but fishin still a go. talk to ya later big brother.
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1RCR (82-88) B coy 6pl, (84-85) UNFICYP- BBC coy Tpt, C coy 9pl, E coy Mortars, (88-90) CFB Halifax Base Chief's Staff, CFB Trenton Refinisher Tech.(90-92). UNFICYP,CPSM
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BJ MacLean
B.J. / Rusty
Veteran 500+ Member
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Tim
A stand to never hurt any one. H aHa
Have a great time and say hi to my brother and ask him to give me a call
BJ
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B.J. MacLean
35 Yrs
Always a Proud Royal
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