Regimental Journal and History part 1


Korea 1951

K.S.L.I. Narrative.

Phase 1 :   I5th May, 1951 to 27th May, 1951.


The Battalion arrived in Korea on 13th having been delayed from the 1st May by first, the adverse tactical situation which precluded a take over from 1st Middlesex and then, by a typhoon in Hong Kong. The U.S.N. A.P.A. "Montrose" landed us at Inchon, a port due west of the old South Korean capital of Seoul, and 50 miles south of the famous 38th Parallel. The "Montrose" was ordered to practice assault landings, and so the mere normal use of LST's was supplanted by troops, vehicles and stores being brought to three different beach heads in the ship's own lauding craft.


However, by 1400 hrs. all were ashore and the Battalion embused in fifty U.S. Army T.C.V's [troop carrying vehicles] and set off on their new assignment, forty miles away. The first half of the journey made us feel that stories of Korea were unfounded, for the road was good tarmac, the countryside flat and unscarred with battle ; but soon, passing through the devastated city of Seoul, a town the size of, say, Rugby or Warrington, and then onto a dusty track running through lowering mountains, we began to believe what we had been told. It was, nevertheless, some­thing of a shock to debus at a point some three miles behind the front line, and to find that the camp we were to take over from 1st Mx. was laid out in straight and close lines, with little thought of dispersion or camouflage, along the banks of the Han river. In fact, the general layout would have done credit to a 4th* Bn [Battalion]. annual camp at Porthcawl. (Note.—Strong objection to this unwarranted remark is taken by the late CO. 4th K.S.L.I., who is censoring this document). Within 24 hours the scene was to change, and the Bn. moved two miles north to take over the reserve and counter attack roles for 28 Brigade.


The Brigade was occupying almost impregnable positions on hills and slopes, varying from 1200 to 2000 feet, and bounded on three sides by a loop of the Han river, and companies very soon got used to digging in and wiring a position one day and being moved to another the next. The mainten­ance problem was not easy and whilst the Bn. was allocated 150 Korean porters, their central was difficult until we got to know their form ; they had to make long carries up non-jeep able tracks and mountain sides in order to keep companies supplied with their daily needs and build up to four days reserve of everything, from ammunition to water. Lack of suitable transport soon became apparent and whilst American units seemed always to get their 21/2-ton trucks almost halfway up mountain­sides, we seemed to be shifting loads from 3-tonner head to 15-cwt. head, to jeep head, to porter, with consequent loss of time and waste of labour. On the 17th May the tempo of battle quickened, news of enemy attacks and breakthroughs on our right changed to holding defences and even U.N. advances ; 24 American Division, to which the Brigade was attached, commenced daily armoured patrols forward to a depth of 6 to 8 miles.  


  

© KSLI Journal May 1951