Today, we remember those who fought in the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War.
On 23 April 1951, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, including the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), took up and held positions in the Kapyong Valley to stop Chinese forces that had broken through United Nations defences and opened the road to Seoul.
During a freezing night of intense attacks and through the long daylight hours of 24 April, the Australians and a Canadian battalion fought off repeated attacks on their positions. Supported by American tanks, a New Zealand artillery regiment, and South Korean troops, 3RAR managed to halt the Chinese push toward Seoul, though the stand cost many lives and left many more wounded.
Private Robert Parker, 3RAR, was captured at the Battle of Kapyong.
As a despatch rider, Parker found himself alone, riding his Harley Davidson on a muddy track, when a sudden burst of small arms fire struck him and he crashed. He later claimed to be 'the only person who was shot off a Harley’. After an exchange of fire with the Chinese infantry who had shot him, he buried his weapon and surrendered.
Wounded, Parker, able to walk and was taken to a prison camp in far northern Korea. Food was sporadic, the weather freezing and the treatment inhumane. Parker escaped several times but was always recaptured.
‘The thing that kept me going was thinking about getting home one day.' Parker was listed as missing in action after Kapyong and it was 7 months before his family learned that he was alive and a prisoner of war.
Parker was released as part of Operation Big Switch, the exchange of over 100,000 prisoners at the end of the Korean War.
The Battle of Kapyong was costly for Australians, with the loss of 32 lives, more than 50 wounded and 3 taken prisoner. Following the battle, 3RAR, along with Canadian and US forces, was awarded the United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for its part in the battle. The battle also contributed to 3RAR gaining the nickname ‘Old Faithful’, as the battalion could always be counted on to carry out its task.
Now, 75 years on, we pause to honour those who served in the Battle of Kapyong, and all those who served in the Korean War, including those who lost their lives.
Visit the Anzac Portal to learn more about the Battle of Kapyong.
Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), stand at attention during the presentation of the Presidential Citation in recognition of the unit's action at the Battle of Kapyong. Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.