KAPYONG DAY A TIME TO HONOUR OUR KOREAN WAR VETERANS

The courageous service of Australia’s Korean War veterans will be remembered this weekend as the nation marks Kapyong Day on the 53rd anniversary of one of the landmark battles of the war, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.

"Kapyong Day on 24 April is a special day of remembrance for our veterans of the Korean War, a time to honour the service of more than 17,000 Australians who served in Korea, and to remember the 339 Australians who lost their lives," Mrs Vale said.

The Battle of Kapyong began on 23 April 1951, as Chinese forces launched a major offensive across the 38th Parallel, driving towards the South Korean capital of Seoul.

A Chinese infantry division of about 10,000 men was opposed in the Kapyong Valley by some 2000 men of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade – the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment – supported by the 16th Field Regiment of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and the United States 72nd Tank Battalion.

"On the first night, 3RAR carried the brunt of the Chinese attacks, but held throughout the night and the next day until they could safely withdraw. There were moments of outstanding individual bravery by men who defied the odds to hold vital ground overlooking the Australian positions," Mrs Vale said.

"The New Zealand artillerymen fired with incredible accuracy in support of the Australian withdrawal, helping to keep down Australian casualties. The following night, as the Canadians felt the full weight of the Chinese assault, the New Zealanders again played a crucial role, driving back the enemy forces.

"By Anzac Day the enemy offensive had ground to a halt and the United Nations forces had achieved an astounding victory. 3RAR, the Canadian battalion and Company A of the US 72nd Tank Battalion received United States Presidential Unit Citations for their gallantry."

The Battle of Kapyong was a classic battalion defence battle and is in the textbooks at West Point and Australian's can be very proud of their significant part in this outstanding victory.

Thirty-two Australians died during the Battle of Kapyong. Fifty-nine were wounded and three men became prisoners of war, including Private Horace ‘Slim’ Madden, awarded a posthumous George Cross, the highest honour awarded to any Australian serviceman in the Korean War, for bravery leading up to his death in captivity.

"On this Anzac weekend, Kapyong Day is an opportunity to remember the courage and determination of another generation of Australians and New Zealanders who alongside their allies at Kapyong, and the outstanding service of Australians throughout the Korean War," Mrs Vale said.

MEDIA NOTE:
Holsworthy Barrack, NSW, is holding an Open Day today commencing at 4:30pm followed by a Beating the Retreat Parade at 6:00pm, to commemorate the 53rd Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. All members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Media Contact: Claire Bannon 02 6277 7820 or 0423 781 896