“The Hook” Third Wave

Dukes of Wellington Regiment

The Hook, near Kaesong, was the site previously mentioned in the post:  https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/korean-war-34/

battle of Hook map, end of May 1953

This area was a persistent zone of attack waves by the Chinese and the closer the peace talks came to a close, the more the enemy pushed.  During the night of 12-13 May 1953, the Duke of Wellington Regiment relieved the Scottish Black Watch during a lull of combat activity.  The CCF could be heard returning to the area on the night of 17-18 May and after a small skirmish, a POW warned them of another impending wave.  For 2 weeks after their arrival, the Dukes were under constant sniper, mortar and artillery fire.

Black Watch commander, Lt. Col David Rose (right) w/ Gen. Collins at the Hook

27 May, the CCF started their heavy artillery and mortar fire and the enemy troops attacked in force.  The barrage landed accurate hits on both Green Finger and Warsaw outposts.  On the next day, one of the 2 troops of C Squadron/1st Royal Tanks of Centurions was hit, but they remained in action.  Bunkers began to collapse with men inside and gaps in communication were apparent; wireless communication was maintained with the Americans.

The Chinese began to climb Green Finger and Ronson ridges while the British and Turkish troops returned fire.  When a second attack came up Warsaw, the fighting resulted in fierce hand-to-hand combat.  Another platoon was sent from Hill 121 and those men suffered severe casualties from enemy tank and machine-gun fire.

men of the Dukes

The CCF switched their attention to Hill 146 where 2 companies of Kingsmen awaited their arrival.  The Chinese battalion was wiped out as they formed up in front of Pheasant ridge.  Another attack following never stood a chance as they approached Ronson.

In the early morning hours of the 29th, the Chinese attacked once more, but again, they were forced back.  The Dukes secured the Hook at 0330 hours and an operation began to free the men who had been trapped in the tunnels, bunkers and collapsed dugouts.  At noon, the 1st Battalion/Royal Fusiliers began to relieve the Dukes.

men of the Dukes

The U.S. Army I Corps Artillery, from a rocket battery, had been firing during these battles in assistance.  The Royal Australian Regiment would see action here in July.

Click on images to enlarge.

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Personal note-

A story from the Daily Mail.co.uk, a first hand piece concerning this  event, will be posted during the intermission time between the Korean War and WWII along with other accounts I missed adding as I collect my notes and research for the early starts to WWII.

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WWII Update – 

A wonderful tribute and Farewell Salute has been posted by fellow blogger, Jacqui Murray concerning Nelson Draper (96).  A Navajo Code Talker from Barstow, CA; USMC in the PTO.

Please read:  http://usnaorbust.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/wednesday-hero-ssgt-darrell-shifty-powers/

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Farewell Salutes – 

UN Service Medal

Bill Austin – Midwest City, OK; US Navy, WWII, mine sweeper

Allan Cabot – Springfield, VA; US Navy, Captain (Ret. 30 yrs.), Vietnam

Timothy Canonico – Merrick, NY; US Army, Cavalry Scout

Pearl Dakin (99) – Washington DC; Washington Naval Yard, WWII homefront service, retired

Joseph DePippo – Massapequa, NY; USMC, WWII, Korea, Iraq (2 tours)

Edward “Ted” Edwards – Whangarei, NZ; RNZAF # 412303 & RAF # 59653

Alan T. Proffitt – Wellington, NZ; RNZAF # 43949, WWII

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