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{{Infobox military conflict |
{{Infobox military conflict |
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| conflict = Battle of Chaegunghyon |
| conflict = Battle of Chaegunghyon |
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| place = |
| place = [[Yangju]] |
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| partof = [[Korean War]] |
| partof = [[Korean War]] |
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| image = |
| image = |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| date = 1951 |
| date = 3–4 January 1951 |
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| result = |
| result = British victory |
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| combatant1 = {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
| combatant1 = {{flag|United Kingdom}} |
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| combatant2 = {{flagu|China}} |
| combatant2 = {{flagu|China}} |
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| units1 = [[Royal Ulster Rifles]] |
| units1 = {{flag icon|United Kingdom}} [[Royal Ulster Rifles]] |
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| units2 = |
| units2 = |
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| commander1 = Hank Carson |
| commander1 = Hank Carson |
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| commander2 = |
| commander2 = |
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| casualties1 = |
| casualties1 = ~200 killed or captured |
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10 tanks |
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| casualties2 = |
| casualties2 = Unknown |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Battle of Chaegunghyon''' or the '''Battle of Happy Valley''' was |
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" /> |
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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> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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In December 1950, having been swept from North Korea by a shock 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. [[29th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|Britain's |
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> |
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⚫ | 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" /> |
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⚫ | 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" /> |
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⚫ |
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 tanks]] (Cooper Force), stood the [[Royal Ulster Rifles]] (RUR). By 3 |
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⚫ | [[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" /> |
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⚫ |
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 |
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⚫ | 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" /> |
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⚫ |
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 |
||
⚫ | "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" /> |
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⚫ |
The men took the ridge without casualties and stood around congratulating themselves until a major arrived, roaring: |
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⚫ | 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" /> |
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⚫ |
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⚫ | The RUR would be the last UN unit to withdraw, the US division on its left flank had already departed.<ref name=":1" /> |
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⚫ | 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" /> |
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== Memorial == |
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⚫ | The RUR would be the last UN unit to withdraw, the US division on its left had already departed.<ref name=":1" /> |
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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> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Battle of Chaegunghyon | |||||||
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Part of Korean War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United Kingdom | China | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Hank Carson | |||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Royal Ulster Rifles | |||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
~200 killed or captured 10 tanks | Unknown |
The Battle of Chaegunghyon or the Battle of Happy Valley was an engagement in the Korean War fought in YangjubyChinese People's Volunteer Army and the British Army[1] The Battle of Chaegunghyon took place on the night of 3–4 January 1951 and held back the advancing Chinese and North Korean forces, helping to facilitate the evacuation of Seoul.[1]
Chaegunghyon is currretly near Samha-ri, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju[2]
In December 1950, having been swept from North Korea by a shock 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, Britain's 29th Infantry Brigade was thrust into the line near Yangju and Koyang, 12 miles northwest of Seoul.[3]
Amid blizzards, the brigade dug a shaky line over the hills. On the left flank, reinforced by ten 8th Hussars Cromwell tanks (Cooper Force), stood the Royal Ulster Rifles (RUR). By 3 January there was nothing between them and the onrushing Chinese.[3]
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.[3]
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.[3]
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.[3]
"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!"[3]
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.[3]
The RUR would be the last UN unit to withdraw, the US division on its left flank had already departed.[3]
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.[4][5]