Remembering the Battle of Kapyong in the Korean War
On 24 April we paused to acknowledge Kapyong Day, an annual day of remembrance which honours those who served in the Battle of Kapyong, and all those who fought during the Korean War.
War between North and South Korea had broken out in June 1950. Soon after, Australia committed personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force to fight as part of a United Nations force in defence of South Korea.
In April 1951, United Nations personnel were deployed to the Kapyong Valley to defend the South Korean capital city Seoul against advancing Chinese and North Korean communist forces.
On the night of 23 April, members of the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) were subjected to repeated attacks by the advancing Chinese forces. On the morning of 24 April, 3RAR were forced to withdraw and re-join the remainder of the Commonwealth Brigade.
The next day, the Chinese advanced on positions held by Canadian forces. With assistance from the New Zealand artillery batteries, the Chinese advance was halted. For the remainder of the war, Seoul was not subjected to any further ground attacks.
The battle had been costly for Australia, with 32 men killed, 59 wounded, and three taken prisoner. 3RAR, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and the United States 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion, were each awarded the United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their part in the battle.
Image: General J Van Fleet, General Officer Commanding, 8th US Army (far left) inspects unidentified members of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.