Battle of the Hook

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Battle of the Hook was a battle of the Korean War that took place between a United Nations force, consisting mostly of British troops, and China.

[edit] The Hook

During the 1951-1953 Korean War, elements of the United Nations Forces were engaged in fierce fighting to prevent People's Volunteer Army forces from gaining ground, prior to a possible cease fire. This was to deny them additional bargaining power, during negotiations.

One such action took place at a feature called 'The Hook', a crescent shaped ridge near Sami Creek, a tributary of the Imjin River near Kaesong. This ridge was a place of tactical importance in the Commonwealth sector: it was a potential attack point which the Chinese needed to take before assaulting Yong Dong.

In 1953, the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (The 'Dukes') were moved from its position on Yong Dong, to relieve the Black Watch, who had been defending The Hook from 12 May to 28 May. During this period, the Black Watch had suffered 12 soldiers killed, 73 wounded and 20 missing. The Dukes had hardly settled into place when the Chinese attacked. During heavy initial Artillery and Mortar fire, the Dukes suffered some fifty-eight casualties.

The Chinese forces charged the forward British positions once the bombardment ceased. The Dukes were outnumbered by 5 to 1. The fighting that ensued was bloody and akin to the battles that the 'Dukes' had fought during World War I. Artillery shells rained down on the Hook, from both the Chinese and UN forces. The Chinese launched a second attack but were cut down by heavy fire from the Commonwealth forces. Further attacks occurred during the day, but all were defeated in heavy fighting.

Successive Chinese assaults on the Hook position on the night of 28-29 May 1953.

Just 30 minutes into 29 May, the Chinese forces launched another attack but, as before, they were beaten back. The 'Dukes' then began advancing up the line of the original trenches to dislodge the remaining Chinese forces in the forward trenches. The 'Dukes' secured the Hook at 3:30 A.M.

Chinese casualties consisted of some 250 killed, with over 800 wounded. The Dukes had 3 officers and 17 other ranks killed, 2 officers and 84 other ranks wounded, with 20 men missing. In addition , there were a further 50 casualties from artillery and mortar attacks between the 10 May and 28 May. For their action, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment was awarded the Battle Honour 'The Hook 1953'. Later, the 1st Battalion's Headquarter Company was renamed 'Hook Company'.