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Chinese forces attacked positions held by the British-led 29th Infantry Brigade on the lower Imjin River near Solma-ri from April 22 to April 25, 1951, at the start of the Chinese Fifth Phase Offensive. The brigade included the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the Royal Ulster Rifles, a Belgian battalion, tanks of the 8th Hussars and supporting artillery and mortars. The Glosters made their final stand on Hill 235, which became known as Gloster Hill.

The brigade suffered 1,091 casualties. About 59 Glosters were killed and 522 were taken prisoner, including many wounded men. Thirty-four later died in captivity, and 217 members of the battalion were present by April 27. Period photographs show the Imjin valley, Gloster Hill, a pontoon bridge, British tanks and Belgian troops. The records also include the brigade war diary and the US Presidential Unit Citation awarded for the action. A later photograph shows Glosters veterans at the battle's 60th anniversary.

Also covered here: Photographic Time Line

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On the night of April 22nd, 1951, the greatest offensive of the Korean War was unleashed.

Across the key axis of the Communist advance, on the Imjin River, was deployed Britains 29th Infantry Brigade: the Belgian Battalion, 1st Btn, the Glosters, 1st Btn the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Btn, Royal Ulster Rifles, with C Squadron, 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars, 45 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery and 55 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Ranged against them was Chinas entire 63rd Army: 187th Division, 188th Division and 189th Division. For three desperate nights, the brigade defied 7-1 odds to hold the line. And on Hill 235, in one of the wars greatest tragedies, the Glorious Glosters, were cut off, surrounded, and wiped out.

Nearly 60 years later, Imjin River remains Britains bloodiest post-war action. Here - in the words and images of the men who fought - is the story of a battle that has passed into legend.

Tags: war, battle, British Army, Chinese Army, Korean War, Imjin River, Belgian, Gloster, Fusilier, Ulster, Hussar, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, last stand, offensive, tragedy, veteran, VC, GC

Music:
Main Theme, Elk Hunt and Promontery from the Last of the Mohicans by Trevor Jones and Dougie Maclean.

Text:
Quotes are from To the Last Round: The Epic British Stand on the Imjin River, Korea, 1951, unless otherwise specified.

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Veterans pay respects at Battle of Imjin River memorial

Veterans of the Gloucestershire Regiment have paid their respects at the Gloster Valley Memorial in South Korea.

The Battle of Imjin River saw 866 soldiers hold off 27,000 Chinese soldiers for three days in April 1951.

It remains the bloodiest battle fought by British Forces since World War II.

The official ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary took place at the memorial, at the foot of Gloster Hill near Solma-ri on Saturday.

In the battle, more than 700 members of 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, withstood the advance of 27,000 men of the Chinese 63rd Army.

Their stand gave other United Nations troops time to regroup and block the advance of Chinese and North Korean forces.

Some 1,078 British soldiers were killed during the Korean War.

'Very emotional'
The 1st Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment became known as The Glorious Glosters in recognition of their courage.

Members of the regiment joined other veterans at Saturday's official memorial service.

In an emotional ceremony the Glosters, many of whom were taken prisoner, paid their respects to their fallen colleagues.

Officials and dignitaries from the Korean government thanked the servicemen for helping to free the country from communist rule.

After the ceremony, Lance Bombardier Tom Clough, who was taken prisoner in Korea, said: "It was very emotional. I'm struggling to find words.

"It took me back."

To mark the 60th anniversary, The Rifles Regiment, a successor to The Gloucestershire Regiment, were awarded the freedom of Gloucester on 2 April.

A service of commemoration was held at Gloucester Cathedral

[soonerpimp]

I salute you Brits!