The Hook

During the 1951-1953 Korean War, elements of the United Nations Forces were engaged in fierce fighting to prevent Chinese forces from gaining ground, prior to a possible cease fire. This was to deny them additional bargaining power, during negotiations. 1951 was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... 1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Korean War (Korean: 한국전쟁/韓國戰爭), from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, was a conflict between North Korea and South Korea. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945 and now made up of 191 states. ...

One such action was a feature called 'The Hook', a crescent shaped ridge, which was of tactical importance in the Commonwealth sector, this was a potential attack point which the Chinese needed to take before assaulting Yong Dong. The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent sovereign states, almost all of which are former colonies once governed by the United Kingdom as part of the British Empire. ...

In 1953, the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (The 'Dukes') were moved from their positions on Yong Dong, to relieve the Black Watch, who had been defending The Hook From the 10 May to 28 May. During this period the Black Watch had suffered 12 soldiers killed, 73 wounded and 20 missing. The Dukes had hardly settled into place when the Chinese attacked. During heavy initial Artillery and Mortar fire the Dukes suffered some fifty eight casualties. 1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Official name The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (West Riding) Colonel-in-Chief Brigadier His Grace Arthur Valerian Wellesley KG LVO OBE MC BA DL, 8th Duke of Wellington Colonel-of-the-Regiment Major-General Sir Evelyn John Webb-Carter KCB Nicknames The Dukes, The Havercake Lads, The Pattern, The... Official name The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Colonel-in-Chief HRH The Prince of Wales Nicknames Motto Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Anniversaries Red Hackle Day (5 January) Marches Quick: All the Blue Bonnets are oer the Border Slow: The Garb of Old Gaul Pipes & Drums Quick: Hielan Laddie... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... Mortar has several meanings: A mortar is a military weapon into which is dropped a mortar shell, which is then fired in a high ballistic trajectory. ...

The Chinese forces charged the forward British positions once the bombardment ceased. The Dukes were outnumbered by 5 to 1. The fighting that ensued was bloody and more akin to the battles that the 'Dukes' had fought during World War I. Artillery shells were now raining down on the Hook, from both the Chinese and UN forces. The Chinese launched a second attack but were cut down by heavy fire from the Commonwealth forces. Further attacks occurred during the day, but all were defeated in heavy fighting. A bombardment is an attack by artillery fire directed against fortifications, troops or towns and buildings. ... World War I was primarily a European conflict with many facets: immense human sacrifice, stalemate trench warfare, and the use of new, devastating weapons - tanks, aircraft, machineguns, and poison gas. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945 and now made up of 191 states. ... // Definition and linguistics The original phrase common wealth or the common weal is a calque translation of the Latin term res publica (public matters), from which the word republic comes, which was itself used as a synonym for the greek politeia as well as for the republican (i. ...

Just 30 minutes into 29 May, the Chinese forces launched another attack but, as before, they were were beaten back. The 'Dukes' then began advancing up the line of the original trenches to dislodge the remaining Chinese forces in the forward trenches. The 'Dukes' secured the Hook at 3:30am. May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ...

Chinese casualties consisted of some 250 killed, with over 800 being wounded. The Dukes had 3 officers and 17 other ranks killed, 2 officers and 84 other ranks wounded, with 20 men missing. In addition to this there were a further 50 casualties from artillery amd mortar attacks between the 10 May and 28 May. For their action, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment was awarded the Battle Honour 'The Hook 1953'. Later, the 1st Battalion's Headquarter Company was renamed 'Hook Company'. May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... Official name The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment (West Riding) Colonel-in-Chief Brigadier His Grace Arthur Valerian Wellesley KG LVO OBE MC BA DL, 8th Duke of Wellington Colonel-of-the-Regiment Major-General Sir Evelyn John Webb-Carter KCB Nicknames The Dukes, The Havercake Lads, The Pattern, The...