by David Thomson
A letter received by our Secretary from a David Peckham who was referred to us by K. Rossi, asks WERE YOU THERE? In part he writes:- "A cutting from the Japan News dated 10th July 1952 is enclosed. It refers to an action on 2nd July 52, in which A Company of 1 R.A.R. experienced their baptism of fire, shortly after arriving in Korea. It was sent to me by a friend Peter Abbott in the U.K. who was at the operative time himself serving in Korea as a Troop Commander with 5th Field Battery, Royal Artillery which was providing some of the referenced barrage support. During the action Peter was acting, with a couple of R.A. signallers, as the Battery's Forward O.P. in A Company's H.Q. & was with Major Thomson the Company Commander when he (Peter) & one of the signallers, Gunner Bowen were wounded by enemy fire."
There you have it Gentlemen, if you were there, could you contact the writer of this letter, Mr David Peckham,
2 Priscilla Close, Wheelers Hill, 3150. E-mail address: [email protected]
We Were There
It is unfortunate that no one from 1RAR who was there read the article until September 2001, when David Powell, formerly A Coy, was reading through some old RSL journals and found it. He immediately contacted David Peckham and David Thomson.
We had lost touch with Captain Peter Abbott after he was wounded. I was delighted to speak to him by telephone at his home in Kent UK. His voice had not changed in 50 years and he seemed fit and well. We have exchanged E-mails and will keep in touch.
Peter Cook, 2IC of A Coy and a long time friend, (we joined 65 Bn together in Borneo in 1945) has been Editor of 'Duty First' the RAR Regimental Magazine for over 11 years. He has just retired as Editor and suggested that I write an article on Operation Blaze - The Assault on Hill 227. The 'Were You There' article is an encouragement to do so. After 50 years I will, perhaps, miss a number of important points.
The Preparation
Reference. 'Report on 1RAR Op 'Blaze-2 Jul 52' dated 6 Jul 52.
At Annex A is a copy of a 'Trace of Hill 227' which was attached to the above Report.
A Coy was based on a narrow ridge below Hill 227, separated by wire, a minefield and a narrow valley 300 metres wide. The top of Hill 227 was about 300 metres from the other side of the valley. The forward slopes were in full view of A Coy but the Chinese enemy were in deeply dug bunkers below the forward crest. Behind Hill 227 were three occupied enemy hills, codenamed Tom, Dick and Harry.
B Coy 1st Bn The Welch Regiment did a dawn raid on Hill 227 on 23 June 52. They moved out through the A Coy lines before dawn. The Chinese were 'standing to' 30 minutes before and after dawn, just as we did. When dawn came the Welch had a very difficult time and suffered numerous casualties.
1RAR was ordered to mount another raid to try to capture an enemy prisoner and destroy their defences. A Coy with elements of Sp Coy was ordered to do the raid on 2 July 52. We had been watching carefully and had seen no movement or activity on the forward slopes during daylight. To check this out we decided it would be wise to have a brief look in daylight. The CO, Lt Col Ian Hutchison agreed. Together with my CSM, WO2 R O(Matey) McLaughlin and my orderly Pat Sullivan we climbed to the top of Hill 227 unseen by the enemy and saw no enemy movement. They were all asleep, deep in their bunkers, with no sentries. The CO decided we should mount a daylight assault and cross the Start Line at 0900 hours.
A Coy was disposed on the Start Line as follows:
Left - 1 Platoon (Lt Gil Lucas) with under command:
one section of the Assault Pioneer Platoon carrying flame throwers and one
section carrying demolition charges
Right - 2 Platoon (Lt Alan Pearse) with under command:
8 Section of 3 Platoon
one section of the Machine Gun Platoon with flame throwers
Centre - Coy HQ with the CSM, 'Matey'McLaughlin, two radio operators/orderlies and a radio operator from the Signal Platoon. Capt Peter Abbott from 5 Field Bty Royal Artillery, was FOO. He had two signallers. There was also a MFC and signaller. Capt Phil Greville, the OC of the Aslt Pnrs was there to supervise the Pioneer role as they had designed a special explosive device for the operation.