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History |
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Wars & Campaigns |
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►Boer
War
►First
World War
►►Western
Front
►►►Trench
Warfare: 1914-1916
►►►Allied
Offensive: 1916
►►►Allied
Offensives: 1917
►►►German
Offensive: 1918
►►►Advance
to Victory: 1918
►►Siberia
►Second
World War
►►War
Against Japan
►►North
Africa
►►Italian
Campaign
►►►Sicily
►►►Southern
Italy
►►►The
Sangro and Moro
►►►Battles
of the FSSF
►►►Cassino
►►►Liri
Valley
►►►Advance
to Florence
►►►Gothic
Line
►►►Winter
Lines
►►North-West
Europe
►►►Normandy
►►►Southern
France
►►►Channel
Ports
►►►Scheldt
►►►Nijmegen
Salient
►►►Rhineland
►►►Final
Phase
►Korean
War
►Cold
War
►Gulf
War |
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Operations |
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Battle Honours |
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Boer War
First World War
Western Front
Trench Warfare: 1914-1916
Allied Offensive: 1916
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►Somme, 1916 |
1
Jul-18 Nov 16 |
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►Albert |
.1-13
Jul 16 |
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►Bazentin |
.14-17
Jul 16 |
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►Pozieres |
.23
Jul-3 Sep 16 |
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►Guillemont |
.3-6
Sep 16 |
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►Ginchy |
.9
Sep 16 |
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►Flers-Courcelette |
15-22
Sep 16 |
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►Thiepval |
26-29
Sep 16 |
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►Le Transloy |
.
1-18 Oct 16 |
Allied
Offensives: 1917
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►Arras 1917 |
8
Apr-4 May 17 |
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►Vimy, 1917 |
.9-14
Apr 17 |
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►Arleux |
28-29 Apr 17 |
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►Scarpe, 1917 |
.3-4
May17 |
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►Hill 70 |
.15-25
Aug 17 |
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►Messines, 1917 |
.7-14
Jun 17 |
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►Ypres, 1917 |
..31
Jul-10 Nov 17 |
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►Pilckem |
31
Jul-2 Aug 17 |
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►Langemarck, 1917 |
.16-18
Aug 17 |
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►Menin Road |
.20-25
Sep 17 |
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►Polygon Wood |
26
Sep-3 Oct 17 |
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►Broodseinde |
.4
Oct 17 |
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►Poelcapelle |
.9
Oct 17 |
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►Passchendaele |
.12
Oct 17 |
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►Cambrai, 1917 |
20
Nov-3 Dec 17 |
German Offensive: 1918
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►Somme, 1918 |
.21
Mar-5 Apr 18 |
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►St. Quentin |
.21-23
Mar 18 |
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►Bapaume, 1918 |
.24-25
Mar 18 |
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►Rosieres |
.26-27
Mar 18 |
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►Avre |
.4
Apr 18 |
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►Lys |
.9-29
Apr 18 |
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►Estaires |
.9-11
Apr 18 |
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►Messines, 1918 |
.10-11
Apr 18 |
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►Bailleul |
.13-15
Apr 18 |
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►Kemmel |
.17-19
Apr 18 |
Advance to Victory: 1918
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►Arras, 1918 |
.26
Aug-3 Sep 18 |
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►Scarpe, 1918 |
26-30 Aug 18. |
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►Drocourt-Queant |
.2-3
Sep 18 |
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►Hindenburg Line |
.12
Sep-9 Oct 18 |
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►Canal du Nord |
.27
Sep-2 Oct 18 |
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►St. Quentin Canal |
.29
Sep-2 Oct 18 |
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►Epehy |
3-5
Oct 18 |
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►Cambrai, 1918 |
.8-9
Oct 18 |
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►Valenciennes |
.1-2
Nov 18 |
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►Sambre |
.4
Nov 18 |
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►Pursuit to Mons |
.28 Sep-11Nov |
Second World War
War Against Japan
South-East Asia
Italian Campaign
Battle of Sicily
Southern
Italy
The Sangro and Moro
Battles of the FSSF
|
►Anzio |
22
Jan-22 May 44 |
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►Rome |
.22
May-4 Jun 44 |
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►Advance
|
.22
May-22 Jun 44 |
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to the Tiber |
. |
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►Monte Arrestino |
25
May 44 |
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►Rocca Massima |
27
May 44 |
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►Colle Ferro |
2
Jun 44 |
Cassino
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►Cassino II |
11-18
May 44 |
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►Gustav Line |
11-18
May 44 |
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►Sant' Angelo in
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13
May 44 |
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Teodice |
. |
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►Pignataro |
14-15 May 44 |
Liri Valley
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►Hitler Line |
18-24 May 44 |
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►Melfa Crossing |
24-25 May 44 |
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►Torrice Crossroads |
30
May 44 |
Advance to Florence
Gothic Line
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►Gothic Line |
25 Aug-22 Sep 44 |
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►Monteciccardo |
27-28 Aug 44 |
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►Point 204 (Pozzo Alto) |
31 Aug 44 |
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►Borgo Santa Maria |
1 Sep 44 |
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►Tomba di Pesaro |
1-2 Sep 44 |
Winter Lines
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►Rimini Line |
14-21 Sep 44 |
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►San Martino- |
14-18 Sep 44 |
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San Lorenzo |
. |
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►San Fortunato |
18-20 Sep 44 |
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►Sant' Angelo |
11-15 Sep 44 |
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in Salute |
. |
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►Bulgaria Village |
13-14 Sep 44 |
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►Pisciatello |
16-19 Sep 44 |
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►Savio Bridgehead |
20-23
Sep 44 |
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►Monte La Pieve |
13-19
Oct 44 |
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►Monte Spaduro |
19-24 Oct 44 |
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►Monte San Bartolo |
11-14
Nov 44 |
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►Lamone Crossing |
2-13
Dec 44 |
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►Capture of Ravenna |
3-4
Dec 44 |
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►Naviglio Canal |
12-15 Dec 44 |
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►Fosso Vecchio |
16-18 Dec 44 |
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►Fosso Munio |
19-21 Dec 44 |
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►Conventello- |
2-6 Jan 45 |
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Comacchio |
. |
Northwest Europe
Battle of Normandy
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►Quesnay Road |
10-11 Aug 44 |
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►St. Lambert-sur- |
19-22 Aug 44 |
Southern France
Channel Ports
The Scheldt
Nijmegen Salient
Rhineland
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►The
Reichswald |
8-13 Feb 45 |
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►Waal
Flats |
8-15 Feb 45 |
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►Moyland
Wood |
14-21 Feb 45 |
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►Goch-Calcar
Road |
19-21 Feb 45 |
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►The
Hochwald |
26
Feb- |
| . |
4
Mar 45 |
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►Veen |
6-10 Mar 45 |
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►Xanten |
8-9
Mar 45 |
Final Phase
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►The
Rhine |
23
Mar-1 Apr 45 |
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►Emmerich-Hoch
|
28
Mar-1 Apr 45 |
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Elten |
. |
Korean War
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Domestic Missions |
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►FLQ
Crisis |
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International
Missions |
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►ICCS
Vietnam 1973
►MFO
Sinai 1986- |
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Peacekeeping |
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►UNTEA |
W. N. Guinea 1963-1964 |
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►ONUCA |
C. America
1989-1992 |
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►UNTAC |
Cambodia
1992-1993 |
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►UNMOP |
Prevlaka
1996-2001 |
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|
Exercises |
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Kapyong
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Kapyong was a Battle
Honour awarded for actions fought during the Korean War from 22 April to
25 April 1951.
Background
A Chinese spring offensive began on the evening of 22 April 1951, aimed
at recapturing the South Korean capital of Seoul. United Nations
positions were initially overrun by the People's 118th Brigade of the
People's Volunteer Army, which attacking with overwhelming numerical
superiority on a wide front. A defence mounted by the 27th Commonwealth
Brigade ultimately halted the advance and prevented the capture of
Seoul. The brigade included Canada's initial contribution to the UN
effort in Korea, the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light
Infantry, which had arrived in Korea in December 1950.
Defences
The 6th Republic of Korea Division collapsed in the face of mounting
pressure and a large number of South Koreans and Americans were forced
to withdraw in disorder through positions partially held by Australian
troops. The 27th Commonwealth Brigade was ordered to block two
approaches to Kapyong, and prepared defensive positions. |
Holding at Kapyong, by
Edward Fenwick ("Ted") Zuber. This painting depicts resupply of
Canadian troops during the Battle of Kap'yong, 24-25 April 1951.
CWM Holding CN 90041. |
An attack by the 118th Chinese People's Volunteer Division engaged the
two forward battalions of the Brigade on the evening of 23 April. Early
on, the 1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment and the 16th Field
Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery were in danger of being encircled
and cut off. Forward positions held by 2nd Battalion, Princess
Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) and 3rd Battalion, The Royal
Australian Regiment, enabled the Middlesex and RNZA forces to withdraw.
The New Zealand gunners went back into action, providing close fire
support for those troops still engaged. The 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion of
the United States Army also provided fire support.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jim Stone, commanding 2nd
Battalion PPCLI, inspects his unit shortly after arrival in Korea. Man
in civilian clothes is James Plimsell, Australian representative in
Korea. Canadian Press Photo via Windsor Star, 22 Feb 1951
A Chinese attack also struck 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian
Regiment, causing them to withdraw from positions on Hill 504, followed
by massed attacks on the PPCLI throughout the night of 22-23 April.
Captain Mills, Officer Commanding "D" Company, was forced to call down
artillery fire on his own position on Hill 677 several times during the
night to avoid being overrun. Lieutenant Mike Levy commanded "D"
Company's No. 10 Platoon, which was isolated during the battle. He
personally directed the fire onto his own positions. It was the first
battle of the Korean War for Canadian forces.
It was a terrifying night of
positions lost and retaken, hand-to-hand fighting in the
dark, with bayonets, grenades, rifle butts, and shovels.
At one point, the Chinese attacked battalion headquarters
from the rear. If HQ fell, the Canadians would be driven off
the hill and the road to Seoul would be open. It did not
fall, in part thanks to (Lieutenant) Hub Gray.
He was in charge of a small
mortar-machine gun unit. Coming at them: about 500
battle-hardened Chinese. With the enemy almost on top of
them, Gray’s men opened fire, the Chinese attack stalled,
and then fell apart, described by one Canadian as “like
kicking the top off an ant hill.” The Canadians were down to
their last bullets when the Chinese advance finally broke.
Hub’s machine guns had saved HQ. And so Kapyong did not
fall. Nor did Seoul.
Hub Gray was a real-life hero whose courage and initiative
made the difference. Five men in other units were (rightly)
decorated for bravery that night. Hub Gray was not among
them. In later years he wrote his own account of Kapyong
(”Beyond the Danger Close”) with a vivid account of the
fighting, but made no mention at all of his own vital role.
You’d scarcely know he was there.1
|
Lieutenant Hub Gray, photographed in
1950. Gray passed away in November 2018 at the age of ninety.2 |
The Chinese had infiltrated the brigade position by the morning of the
23rd, surrounding the PPCLI who had to be resupplied by air. By the
evening of April 23, both the Commonwealth 27th and 29th Brigades were
strongly pressed by the Chinese 118th Division. Throughout April 24 many
close-range actions were fought, and the Australians were ordered to
withdraw to new defensive positions late in the day.
The Canadians defended their position until eventually the Chinese
assault collapsed. By the afternoon of 25 April the road through to the
Canadians was cleared of enemy troops and US units were able to relieve
them.
Lieutenant Mike Levy of the 2nd
Battalion, PPCLI. Allegedly denied a valour decoration for
Kapyong because he was Jewish, Levy had served in the Second
World War with the British SOE in southern Asia, served as
investigator for the War Crimes Tribunal in Hong Kong and
Singapore, retired from service in 1948 and returned to the
colours in 1950 for Korea. He stayed in PPCLI after his time in
Korea and served in Calgary, Germany, Edmonton and Esquimalt.
Promoted major in 1960, he served with the
International Commission for Supervision and Control in
Vietnam, and later was deputy commander of the Canadian
contingent of
UNFICYP
(United Nations Forces in Cypus). He retired from the CF in
1974. Postmedia Photo
It was felt that the actions by the Australian and Canadian forces
prevented a massive breakthrough that would certainly have resulted in
the fall of Seoul.
The Chinese, despite overwhelming numerical superiority, had been found
to be poorly trained and used ineffective tactics including massed
infantry charges. Some troops had been poorly armed. Australian losses
were 31 killed, 59 wounded and 3 captured; Canadian losses were 10
killed and 23 wounded; New Zealanders had 2 killed and 5 wounded. The
Chinese losses are estimated at over 1,000 killed and an unknown number
of wounded.
The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and 3rd
Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment were both awarded the United States
Distinguished Unit Citation for their actions during the Battle of
Kapyong.
Battle Honours
The following Canadian units were awarded the Battle Honour "Kapyong"
for participation in these actions:
In addition to the Battle
Honour Kapyong, the 2nd Battalion, PPCLI was granted permission to add a
US battle streamer to its Regimental Colour, and became the only
Canadian unit awarded the United States
Distinguished Unit Citation
(renamed in 1966 to become the Presidential Unit Citation), until the
war in Afghanistan and the award of a Presidential unit Citation to
Joint Task Force 2.
Notes
-
Bjarnason, Dan and Bernie
M. Fisher "A Canadian war hero you've never heard of, but should have",
National Post, 30 Nov 2018 accessed online at
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/a-canadian-war-hero-youve-never-heard-of-but-should-have
-
Ibid. The article
mentions Lieutenant Mike Levy, a platoon commander, who called down
artillery fire on his isolated platoon. Gray's book on Kapyong alleges
that Stone refused to recommend Levy for a medal because he was Jewish.
Levy had fought in the Second World War as a member of the Special
Operations Executive, an organization using the cover name Force 136. He
was commissioned and fought behind the lines in Southeast Asia, for
which he was awarded a Mention in Despatches. Gray advocated for
recognition for Levy, and in April 2004 Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson awarded him a Grant of Arms, flag and badge, with personal coat
of arms bearing the motto I HAVE PREVAILED. Levy passed away in June,
2007. (See "The Spirit of a Soldier", Espirit de Corps Magazine, 9 May
2016 accessed online at
http://espritdecorps.ca/battle-of-kapyong/2016/5/9/the-spirit-of-a-solider
)
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