British Gloucestershire Regt. Captured Chinese Cap From Hill 235 Battle

[Shenkursk]

Just noticed this new sub-forum (good idea, by the way!), and thought I would make a small contribution.

This is my favorite of the few cool souvenir pieces that we have had over the years:







A key element in the Imjin River battle, the Glosters held Hill 235 against overwhelming odds; cut off from all support and low on supplies and ammunition. They managed to hold back the Chinese 187th Division back for 24 hours, then those few remaining who were able made a break for Allied lines. The hill was afterward renamed "Gloster Hill" in honor of their defiant stand which purchased enough time from the enemy to allow the left flank of I Corps to withdraw safely.

[hucks216]

That is a very interesting piece indeed.

Gloster Hill related book...
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=437690

[Patrick Dempsey]

That is a very interesting item, the notes with it evoke something of a mood of sadness with regards to fund-raising for those that by any criteria should have been regarded as heroes. A similar situation exists today with the Regimental Museum asking for donations to maintain and promote a display on this very conflict.

Such is the nature of this forgotten war.

The Regiment as named no longer exists due to the reorganisation of the British Army which meant many old, distinguished Regiments were amalgamated into newer forms, but the Regimental museum holds an archive of documents and artifacts from the battle and can be viewed here.

The Regiment was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and deserves to be mentioned here again.

HEADQUARTERSEIGHTH UNITED STATES ARMY KOREA (EUSAK)Office of the Commanding GeneralKPO 301GENERAL ORDERSNUMBER 2868 May 1951BATTLE HONOURS – CITATION OF UNITSBATTLE HONOURS – By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9396(Sec 1, WD Bul. 22.1943), superseding Executive Order 9075 (Sec.III, WD Bul.II, 1942) and pursuant in authority in AR 260-15, the following units are cited as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction.

The citation reads as follows:-The 1ST BATTALION GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT, BRITISH ARMY and TROOP C, 170TH INDEPENDENT MORTAR BATTERY, ROYAL ARTILLERY, attached, are cited for exceptionally outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary heroism in action against the armed enemy near Solma-ri, Korea on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of April, 1951.

The 1st BATTALION and TROOP C were defending a very critical sector of the battle front during a determined attack by the enemy. The defending units were overwhelmingly outnumbered. The 83rd Chinese Communist Army drove the full force of its savage assault at the positions held by the 1st BATTALION, GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and attached unit. The route of supply ran Southeast from the battalion between two hills. The hills dominated the surrounding terrain northwest to the Imjin River. Enemy pressure built up on the battalion front during the day 23 April. On 24 April the weight of the attack had driven the right flank of the battalion back.

The pressure grew heavier and heavier and the battalion and attached unit were forced into a perimeter defence on Hill 235. During the night, heavy enemy forces had by-passed the staunch defenders and closed all avenues of escape. The courageous soldiers of the battalion and attached unit were holding the critical route selected by the enemy for one column of the general offensive designed to encircle and destroy 1st Corps.

These gallant soldiers would not retreat. As they were compressed tighter and tighter in their perimeter defence, they called for close-in air strikes to assist in holding firm. Completely surrounded by tremendous numbers, these indomitable, resolute, and tenacious soldiers fought back with unsurpassed fortitude and courage. As ammunition ran low and the advancing hordes moved closer and closer, these splendid soldiers fought back viciously to prevent the enemy from overrunning the position and moving rapidly to the south. Their heroic stand provided the critically needed time to regroup other 1st Corps units and block the southern advance of the enemy.

Time and again efforts were made to reach the battalion, but the enemy strength blocked each effort. Without thought of defeat or surrender, this heroic force demonstrated superb battlefield courage and discipline. Every yard of ground they surrendered was covered with enemy dead until the last gallant soldier of the fighting battalion was over-powered by the final surge of the enemy masses. The 1st BATTALION, GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and TROOP C, 170th INDEPENDENT MORTAR BATTERY displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing their mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set them apart and above other units participating in the same battle.

Their sustained brilliance in battle, their resoluteness, and extraordinary heroism are in keeping with the finest traditions of the renowned military forces of the British Commonwealth, and reflect unsurpassed credit on these courageous soldiers and their homeland.

BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL VAN FLEET.OFFICIALLEVEN C ALLENMajor General US Army.Chief of Staff.L. W. STANLEY.Colonel AGC.Adjutant General.

[VALERY226]

Thank you to share with us this very incredible piece of history!
I really appreciate...
Cheers

Valery

[combat-helmets]

Fantastic thread and I love the Chinese hat.
You just don't see much communist militaria from the KW!

[ROBB]

Wow pretty impressive piece . Rob

[Mr-X]

Awesome item, thanks for showing us