Thread:
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Imjin River. During which the UK’s 29th Brigade engaged several division of Chinese troops.
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Imjin River. During which the UK’s 29th Brigade engaged several division of Chinese troops.
The brigade held on for several days, enduring bombardment, Chinese human wave assaults and night attacks. Eventually the Brigade was forced to withdraw but the Glosters were cut off. They fought until their ammunition was gone. Many were captured and only 40 escaped.
The Glosters C.O. Col. James Carne VC DSO led his men throughout and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and leadership.
He spent 19 months in solitary confinement, enduring Chinese torture & efforts to brainwash him.
He spent 19 months in solitary confinement, enduring Chinese torture & efforts to brainwash him.
The survivors of the Glosters returned home in Dec 1951 and the men who were captured endured 2 years of captivity, 38 dying while POWs, were released in 1953.
Here's some contemporary newsreels of them returning home:
Here's some contemporary newsreels of them returning home:
https://twitter.com/historicfirearm/status/1385145095645708290?s=19
Very depressing to see little in the way of new TV documentaries on #imjin70
Another aspect of the Battle which is little known is the presence of a Belgian battalion with the 29th Brigade, their story is usual summarised with a few words in the general histories of the #KoreanWar.
@RM_Mili_History has a new video on them
@RM_Mili_History has a new video on them
https://twitter.com/RM_Mili_History/status/1385143837467680770?s=19
I've put together a new video looking at the Battle of the Imjin River through the lens of the only British War movie ever made about the Korean War - 1956's 'A Hill in Korea'
VIDEO:
#KoreanWar #imjin70
VIDEO:
#KoreanWar #imjin70
At the same time #imjin70 was being fought, elsewhere along the UN line the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade made up of units from Canada, Australia, New Zealand & the UK were engaged in bitter fighting at the Battle of Kapyong. #KoreanWar
Here's a good little video on the Canadian experience at Kapyong
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