The Last Stand of the Glorious Glosters
Battle of the Imjim River
Korean War
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Chris Green (The History Chap) uncovers the desperate last stand of the Glorious Glosters during the Korean War in 1951.
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Korean War
3:25 Battle of the Imjim River
7:17 Gloster Hill
10:00 The Last Stand of the Glorious Glosters
13:05 The Glorious Glosters
16:50 Gloster Hill Korea
17:59 The History Chap
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#glosterhillbattle #thegloriousglosters #thekoreanwar #thekoreanwar1950-53
The Korean War 1950-1953, is very often forgotten here in the UK, and probably elsewhere too.
It was a war that cost somewhere between 2-3 million lives and which more British servicemen died than in any conflict since WW2.
And it saw, one of the most heroic last stands ever conducted by the British Army.
This is the story of the Last Stand of the Glorious Glosters at the Battle of the Imjim River in April 1951.
In 1950, the communists in North Korea launched an all-out attack on their southern neighbour, driving South Korean forces all the way back to Busan on the very tip of the peninsular.
South Korea appealed to the United Nations for assistance and 23 countries came to their aid including the British 29th Brigade consisting of 4,500 men which landed in December 1950.
On the 22nd April 1951, the Chinese launched their Spring Offensive.
300,000 Chinese troops attacked on a 40 mile wide front across the Imjim River.
The brunt of the attack fell on British Brigade and in particular, the 800 men of the Gloucestershire Regiment.
Outnumbered something like 25:1 the Glosters under Lt. Colonel Carne, held out on a steep rugged feature - Hill 235 (now known as Gloster Hill) - whilst UN forces were able organise a new defensive Lin e further south.
Finally on the 25th, the Glosters received the order to retreat.
Almost out of food and ammunition he gave the order “Every man for himself” and in small groups they sought to reach UN lines 7 miles away.
Less than 70 made it to safety.
Of the 750 men of the Glosters on the Imjim River, 59 were killed and over 520 were taken prisoner.
The battle of the Imjim River remains the bloodiest single action fought by the British army since WW2, with over 1,000 casualties in 3 days of fighting.
The Glorious Glosters, as they became known, were awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation,.
The Korean War cost the lives of over 3 million people.
162,000 South Korean military
36,000 US military
And 4,500 military from other nations.
It is estimated that 700,000 Chinese and North Korean soldiers died in the 3 year conflict and somewhere between 2-3 million civilians on the Korean Peninsula.
The War, sandwiched between WW2 and Vietnam has been largely forgotten.
Yet, at the end of it all, the UN helped establish the prosperous democracy of South Korea.
Possibly one of the UN’s greatest ever achievements and a sacrifice that Britons should remember with pride.
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or TRshow animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.