On April 22nd, 1951 the 63rd CCA launched a surprise attack consisting of roughly 27,000 Chinese “Volunteers” in the vicinity of Chokson, South Korea. Their task was to destroy the elements of the British 29th Brigade defending just south of the Imjin River (Imjin-Gang), with the purpose of opening a road leading directly to the heart of Seoul.
Defending the key terrain in this sector was the 1st Glosters, of the Gloucester Regiment. They were but one of four infantry battalions in the 29th Brigade, supported by tanks of the 8th Hussars, and 25-Pounders from the 45th Royal Artillery. Two and a half miles to their west was the 1st ROK Infantry Division, two miles to their right was a battalion of the Royal Northcumberland Fusiliers, and to their rear a sizable UN reserve of Filipino light tanks. In all, they numbered just over 770 souls—outnumbered thirty-five to one.
The Glosters arrayed themselves with three rifle companies up front, and one in the rear vicinity of the battalion headquarters—which had a battery of 4.2 inch mortars dug into pits. The most forward prepared position was that of A Company, which occupied “Castle Hill” which was just south of the river, overwatching a critical ford site known as “Gloster Crossing.”
Defensive positions weren’t as well prepared as they could have been. The trenches were relatively shallow, obstacles weren’t well established, and caches were rudimentary. Patrols were being sent out forward of the main defensive line each night, as far as eight or nine miles north of the river. Thus far these patrols had met with no enemy contact, and things were quiet all along the front.
On the 22nd of April, word came down that the Chinese were infiltrating south. As was their practice, they moved at night, on foot, through the hills to avoid being seen by UN air forces and reconnaissance elements. During the day, they would laager-up in hide positions to mitigate the effects of enemy recon, and air attack. They were quite effective at this, and Communist Chinese Forces were able to push all the way to the Imjin without effective air interdiction. However, small elements had been spotted, and the Glosters were alerted.
That night the battalion went to 50% security, and sent out a combat patrol of seventeen men from C Company led by Lieutenant Guido Temple. These men established an ambush position on the cliffs of the Imjin-Gang overwatching “Gloster Crossing,” which was the most likely ford site for Chinese infantry.
In nervous anticipation of battle, the stage was set.
Marcus