Battle of Maryang San

The Battle of Maryang San when is chiefly known as Australia's greatest accomplishment in the Korean War.Fact|date=June 2008 The battle occurred when the US General George Fleet called for forces to capture some positions just prior to the signing of the truce at Panmanjan.Fact|date=June 2008

The Commonwealth forces, fighting as part of the United Nations, consisted of a number of British, Australian an New Zealand units. These included three Battalions of the 28th British Commonwealth Brigade, the 1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) and 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Brigadier George Taylor (United Kingdom) was the Brigade Commander. The British Commonwealth Division consisted of the 25th, 28th and 29th Brigades under the command of Lieutenant General James "Gentleman Jim" Cassels (later Field Marshal Sir James) and was part of 1 Corps. These units was arrayed against the Chinese Communist forces.3 Battalion RAR was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel 'Frank' Francis Hassett. Commonwealth forces main aims were to take a number of hill positions, eventually culminating in taking the main objective, Maryang San.Fact|date=June 2008

Initial attacks saw the Australian A and B company of 3 RAR take Hill 199, and the 1st Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry take Hill 208. The The Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) had moved to take Hill 399 but were pinned down on its slopes by nightfall.

The Australians attacked at dawn, moving against the Chinese held Hill 200. Chinese infantry were driven from their trenches, and they fled, leaving behind some prisoners of war. The first gun emplacement was taken, and then the second, with the Chinese troops retreating down the slope of Hill 200.

A, B and D Companies attacked the Chinese units, and drew them away from Maryan San, the main objective. Following United Nations forces artillery and mortar fire, Chinese Troops withdrew from Maryan San, and the Australian troops moved to take the position.Fact|date=June 2008

Australian troops moved against an area that was used by the Chinese for artillery bombardments, known as the Hinge. After taking the Hinge, they were subjected to constant attacks, which eventually became sporadic and died off.Fact|date=June 2008 At about 8 pm, the Chinese launched an attack in huge numbers. The Australian units were well dug in, using the Chinese own trench positions, and responded to the waves of Chinese troops with machine gun fire. Chinese troops fell in their hundreds. South Korean porters moved forward constantly, bringing supplies and taking away wounded.

By 5 November, after the Australians were withdrawn to recuperate, Maryang San had been recaptured by the Chinese. It was a terrible blow to morale for those who had fought long and hard to capture it. The tactically important ground of Maryang San remained in the hands of Chinese forces for the rest of the war.Fact|date=June 2008

References

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* http://www.kmike.com/oz/kr/chapter8.htm Charlie Company - Maryan San
* http://www.kmike.com/oz/kr/chapter8.htm Charlie Company - Maryan San
* http://www.kmike.com/oz/kr/chapter8.htm Charlie Company - Maryan San
* http://www.warandidentity.com.au/ADCCweb/history/korea/op_commando.html
* http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1038/story02.htm
* http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/korea/maryang_san.asp