As
the British Korean War Memorial Committee, supported by the
British Embassy, BCCK and Korean British Society
(KBS) initiate a project to raise funds to (1) install memorial
signage at the Gloster Hill Memorial Park in Paju, and (2) to create a
QR-coded virtual tour of the Imjin River battlefield, we
invite you to join a bespoke battlefield
tour on Saturday 4 November of the 1951 killing grounds.
The Battle
In the Imjin Valley,
for three nights of battle, the UK’s 29th Brigade hold
off China’s 63rd Army. Despite the traumas of
close-range, midnight combat against China’s “human wave,” the brigade
held the line from April 22-25. The cost was terrible: To this day,
Imjin remains the bloodiest battle fought by British forces since World
War II.
The Tour
Our day will take in
all key battle locations. The drama of now-legendary events will be
conveyed as we stand on the spots where:
- Sixteen men held off the spearhead of a
12,000 man force for three vital hours;
- A young officer won the VC at the cost of
his life (and hear why he may have acted as he did);
- Artillery, using Napoleonic-era tactics,
fired over open sights at Chinese storming their battery;
- A commanding officer was killed (and hear
why he was at the point of maximum risk, rather than at HQ)
- Centurion tanks charged through massed
enemy in a down-valley death ride;
- The “Glorious Gloster” made their last,
back-to-back stand.
A Rare Opportunity
Our tour guide
is journalist and historian Andrew Salmon, author of the most detailed
book on the battle, “To the Last Round.”
This tour is
usually offered to serving military – including the “Arctic Wolves” (US
Army); the Royal Marine Commandos; the Scots Guards; Special Operations
Command Korea - and senior officers – including the Chief of Staff of
the British Army; the Commander of the US 7th Air Force; and the Deputy
Commander of US Forces Korea.
Please Note
- Some hill walking is required, so please
wear sound footwear.
- Some of the 1951 positions are still
fortified positions of the ROK Army south of the DMZ, so subdued
clothing is advised.
- Due to the graphic nature of the some of
the descriptions, this tour is not suitable for small children.
Details and RSVP
Day: Saturday,
November 4
Timings: Bus leaves UK Embassy at 09:00. Returns to UK
Embassy at 18:00-19:00 (depending on traffic)
Cost: KRW100,000
per person (includes travel and lunch)
Lunch: Korean
BBQ is included
RSVP: kbs.manager1@gmail.com
Availability: If interested, please RSVP ASAP. Due to bus
seatings, can only take the first 35 persons who register.
Payment
Please send your payment for the event using the bank information
below.
- Bank Number:
137-910011-94105
- Bank Name:
Hana Bank
- Bank Account
Owner: 사단법인
한영협회
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