Battle of Chaegunghyon: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| place = [[Yangju]]

| partof = [[Korean War]]

| image =

| caption =

| date = 3–4 January 1951

| result = British victory

| combatant1 = {{flag|United Kingdom}}

| combatant2 = {{flagu|China}}

| units1 = {{flag icon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Ulster Rifles]]

| units2 =

| commander1 = Hank Carson

| commander2 =

| casualties1 = ~200 killed or captured

10 tanks

| casualties2 = Unknown

The '''Battle of Chaegunghyon''' or the '''Battle of Happy Valley''' was an engagement in the [[Korean War]] fought in [[Yangju]] by [[People's Volunteer Army|Chinese People's Volunteer Army]] and the [[British Army]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Unveiling Ceremony of the Information Panel at the site of the Battle of Happy Valley – Department of Foreign Affairs |url=https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/republic-of-korea/news-and-events/news/2015/information-panel-battle-of-happy-valley/#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Happy%20Valley%20took%20place%20on%20the%20night,facilitate%20the%20evacuation%20of%20Seoul. |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=www.dfa.ie}}</ref> The Battle of Chaegunghyon took place on the night of 3–4 January 1951 and held back the advancing [[People's Volunteer Army|Chinese]] and North Korean forces, helping to facilitate the [[Seoul|evacuation of Seoul]].<ref name=":0" />

Chaegunghyon is currretly near [[Yangju|Samha-ri, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju]]<ref>[https://www.kyeonggi.com/article/202107251171630 "양주 삼하리 해피밸리 전투지역... 안보관광지 등으로 활용해야]</ref>

In December 1950, having been swept from North Korea by a shock [[Second Phase Offensive|Chinese offensive]], defeated UN forces stood at bay in the South. On [[New Year's Day]], 1951, the Chinese stormed over the border and South Korean forces disintegrated. As a result, [[29th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|Britain's 29th Infantry Brigade]] was thrust into the line near [[Yangju]] and [[Koyang]], 12 miles northwest of Seoul.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=26 November 2021 |title=The Korean War: Slaughter at Happy Valley {{!}} QRH Museum |url=https://www.qrhmuseum.com/the-korean-war-slaughter-at-happy-valley |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=www.qrhmuseum.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Amid blizzards, the brigade dug a shaky line over the hills. On the left flank, reinforced by ten [[8th King's Royal Irish Hussars|8th Hussars]] [[Cromwell tank|Cromwell tanks]] (Cooper Force), stood the [[Royal Ulster Rifles]] (RUR). By 3 January there was nothing between them and the onrushing Chinese.<ref name=":1" />

Before dawn that day, indistinct figures appeared in front of the RUR trenches. A patrol descended into the valley and men on the hills heard a staccato burst of gunfire - then silence. The patrol had blundered into the main assault force and from nowhere the Chinese broke cover and charged. Two RUR platoons were overrun.<ref name=":1" />

[[Galway]] native and acting battalion commander Major Tony Blake orchestrated the firepower of tanks, artillery and US jets in an immediate riposte. Second Lieutenant Mervyn McCord was part of a patrol that counter-attacked their previous position following a napalm strike.<ref name=":1" />

The men took the ridge without casualties and stood around congratulating themselves until a major arrived, roaring: "This is not a funfair!" Meanwhile, ‘B’ Company prepared to retake the other lost peak.<ref name=":1" />

"We lined them up," said Captain Robin Charley, a Belfast man who had volunteered for Korea. "That attack went in exactly by the book — just like at the [[School of Infantry]]!"<ref name=":1" />

The Ulstermen were ecstatic at having beaten off the previously undefeated Chinese. To their right, the [[Royal Northumberland Fusiliers]] had also fought a bloody, but successful battle. Elsewhere, though, the front had buckled. UN forces were falling back. Seoul was to be abandoned.<ref name=":1" />

The RUR would be the last UN unit to withdraw, the US division on its left flank had already departed.<ref name=":1" />

== Memorial ==

A memorial was subsequently erected on the battlefield to the memory of those who fell at Chaegunghyon. It was later transported back to Ireland in H.M.S. Belfast and re-erected at the Royal Ulster Rifles barracks in Ballymena, Co. Antrim. These barracks were closed in March 2008 and, following a request from the British Korean Veterans' Association, Belfast City Council gave permission for the memorial to be relocated to the grounds of the City Hall, near the cenotaph.<ref>[https://www.spink.com/lot/18001000361 THE ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES AND THE BATTLE OF HAPPY VALLEY]</ref><ref>[https://www.kukinews.com/newsView/kuk201809110090 양기화의 영문학 기행]</ref>

== External links ==

* [https://www.royal-irish.com/stories/battle-of-chaegunghyon-happy-valley Battle of Chaegunghyon (Happy Valley) - Royal Irish]

* [https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0nd5YWY1BjNG9w2Sqcceh9GF1xGc8XQ7H1vC3z7VDtBs2XDSwcLYt9wcFpbJSbDWSl&id=1087446214620464 Battle of Chaegunghyon - The Queen's Royal Hussars Museum]

* [https://m.blog.naver.com/kc6731/221388677458 Battle of Happy Valley]

{{coord missing|South Korea}}

[[Category:Battles of the Korean War]]

[[Category:Battles of the Korean War involving the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Battles of the Korean War involving China]]