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Battle of Hill 187
The Battle of Hill 187 was a battle between Canadian and Chinese forces during the Korean War which took place north of the city of Gapyeong.[1][2] The Battle of Hill 187 was one of the last major battles of the Korean War.[3] First attackOn 2 May 1953, Lieutenant Gerard Balfour Meynell of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment was leading a patrol near Hill 187.[4] Chinese forces then attacked Meynell's patrol, killing him and half of the patrol. Remnants of the patrol managed to withdraw to defensive positions on Hill 187. [5] Defense of the HillAfter a heavy artillery barrage, the Chinese launched numerous human wave attacks in an attempt to take the hill.[6][7] One wave blew gaps in the wire, another wave threw grenades and the other wave was the assault group.[8] The 81st Field Regiment, RCA layed down defensive fire in an attempt to keep Chinese forces back.[9] Canadian heavy machine gun, mortar, tank, and artillery fire inflicted heavy casualties on Chinese forces who continued to advance due to their numerical superiority.[10] After reaching the trench line, Chinese soldiers destroyed defensive works and took prisoners and hand to hand fighting ensued.[11][12] In order to prevent a major breakthrough, Lieutenant Edgar Herbet Hollyer ordered artillery to fire on his own position while also ordering his men to retreat into their bunkers.[13][14] Hollyer survived and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions.[15] Evenually, the Chinese withdrew after Canadian forces reoccupied their positions.[16] CasualtiesCanadianThe 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment's casualties were 26 dead, 27 wounded and 7 captured.[16][17][18] Other sources put the 3rd Battalion's casualties at 33 dead, 41 wounded, and 11 missing.[19] The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry casualties were 4 dead (2 gunners and 2 soldiers), and 7 wounded.[16] The 81st Field Regiment, RCA suffered 2 dead.[9] This makes the total number of Canadian casualties during the battle: 32-39 dead, 34-45 wounded, 11 missing and 9 captured. ChineseChinese forces suffered much heavier casualties during the battle. Canadian veteran Donovan Redknap of the 81st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery said that the Chinese had "had no regard for casualties, didn’t matter. They just attacked en masse".[9] Legacy The Battle of Hill 187 was one of the last major battles of the Korean War that Canadian forces participated in before the armistice. Retired United States Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jack Ogelsby said that the Battle of Hill 187 "was a very significant battle. It is because the troops survived that and distinguished themselves there that it became part of the regimental lore.[11] The history of the battle is passed on to new members of the Royal Canadian Regiment.[11] The Hill 187 Competition was named in honor of the battle.[20] References
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