On March 15, 1951, United Nations forces recaptured Seoul (for the second and last time) and pushed northward to establish a defensive line protecting the capital. The UN army was stretched thin and relied on holding hills to prevent a Chinese breakthrough. In April, the British 29th Infantry Brigade was holding a 12-mile front – a distance that would have needed an entire division. On April 22, the Chinese began their Spring Offensive to try to take Seoul. It took the United Nations commanders by surprise. The 700-man 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was hit by over 25,000 Chinese. The Chinese swarmed like ants coming out of a hill. The Glosters held on as best they could, but they were forced to concentrate their defense on Hill 235. When the commander of the 29th Brigade was asked how things were going, he told his American superior that “things are a bit sticky” which the American assumed meant things were under control and he did not send reinforcements. They say Americans and British are separated by their language and that was the case here. What the British general was trying to say was he was in big trouble. Bugles announced new Chinese assaults. There were numerous attacks the night of April 23/24. The Chinese used machine guns and mortars on the surrounded soldiers. The situation was so desperate that the Brits called in artillery on their own position. On April 25, the surviving members of the regiment were ordered to try to make it back to friendly lines in small groups. Only 39 men escaped. 460 were taken prisoner. 59 men had been killed. But they had helped blunt the Chinese offensive and saved Seoul. They were lionized in Great Britain where the press referred to them as the Glorious Glosters. The hill is still called Gloster Hill. The battle is known as the Battle of the Imjin River or the Battle of Gloster Hill. The commander of the battalion Lt. Col. James Carne was awarded the Victoria Cross and the unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation by Pres. Truman.
https://coffeeordie.com/glorious-glosters/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Imjin_River
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-imjin
0 Comments