Operation Blaze
Operation Blaze | |||||||
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Part of the Korean War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
China | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
David Thomson | Unknown | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
1 RAR | Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
One company | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
4 killed 33 wounded | Unknown |
Operation Blaze (2 July 1952) was a United Nations Command (UN) operation near Kangao-ri during the Korean War to capture a prisoner.[1] The raid involved a company-sized attack from the newly arrived 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) on Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) positions on Hill 227. Although the Australians were able to take some of the PVA positions on the hill, they did not achieve all of their objectives and were eventually forced to withdraw after running out of ammunition.
Background
Australia had committed a second battalion to the fighting in Korea in 1952, with the
Battle
A Company 1 RAR, under the command of Major
Preceded by a bombardment from supporting artillery, the attack on Hill 227 started at 09:00. With the assaulting troops wearing American issue
Only two out of six bunkers targeted for capture were subsequently occupied, and the Australians attempted to flush the PVA out into the open. However, the assaulting force was unable to dislodge the remaining PVA defenders, nor were they able to capture a prisoner.[2] A Company remained in possession of Hill 227 stronghold for 90 minutes, before being directed to withdraw due to running out of ammunition.[3]
Aftermath
Although the Australians failed to achieve all their objectives, it was not a complete failure for them. The PVA positions atop Hill 227 were largely destroyed, and the operation provided 1 RAR with vital experience against the PVA.
Regardless, the preceding artillery bombardment by the
Notes
References
- Odgers, George (2000). Remembering Korea: Australians in the War of 1950–53. Sydney: Landsdowne Publishing. OCLC 50315481.
- O'Neill, Robert (1985). Australia in the Korean War 1950–53: Combat Operations. Vol. 2. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. ISBN 0-642-04330-2.
External links