MARYANG SAN

The second phase of the brigade attack commenced on 5 October. The final objective was to have been Hill 317 (Maryang San), which lay approximately 2,500 metres north of Hill 355. The 3 RAR attack would come from the east and the RNF would attack from the south-west. However, the RNF met very determined opposition on an intermediate objective, Hill 217, and was unable to move forward. At 4.45 a.m., B and D companies moved further north across another valley. The anti-tank platoon crossed the Imjin and took up a position still further north to protect the right flank of the attacking companies whose advance from then on was to be towards the west through a series of enemy-held objectives with a final assault on Hill 317.

In the initial stages of the advance, B Company, which led the attack on the first objective, drifted to the right of the line of advance having lost direction in the heavy morning mist and thick timber. D Company continued forward and when the mist finally lifted found itself within grenade range of the enemy. With tank and artillery fire support D Company cleared the first objective and continued to press the attack