THE SAMICHON

On 9 July 1953, 2 RAR relieved the King's Regiment on the left flank of 1 Commonwealth Division. At the time of the battle of The Samichon, D Company held the high feature known as 'The Hook', C Company was on Hill 121 to the south and A Company on high ground to the east of D Company. B Company was in reserve behind C Company. The anti-tank platoon, under command of D Company, occupied the saddle between D and C companies.

On the night of 24/25 July, fighting broke out on the 2 RAR front when Hill 121-held by C Company-was probed by the enemy. At the same time enemy forces attacked the 7th US Marine Regiment on 2 RAR's left. An enemy force of about fifty advanced on D Company occupying 'The Hook', but a forward standing patrol was able to direct tank and artillery fire which dispersed the force.

Enemy artillery and mortar concentrations on 'The Hook', the 2 RAR mortar base- plate and Hill 121 heralded an enemy advance. At 8.50 p.m., enemy soldiers reached the front of C Company's left-hand position and infiltrated between C Company and the US Marines on Hill 111. A fierce firefight ensued and the enemy withdrew. A Company of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) moved up behind B Company and came under command of 2 RAR. At 10.03 p.m. the enemy artillery intensified once more. The position on Hill 111 became confused and at 11.25 p.m. the enemy again tried to take Hill 121. A clash developed involving grenades and small arms, but the