Lt-Col Ben O’Dowd (rtd) affixes the Kapyong Streamer to 3RAR’s Regimental Colours. Photo by Bill Cunneen

3RAR parades to recall Kapyong

By Pte John Wellfare
3RAR’s Kapyong Day commemoration on April 24 was held with the battalion’s customary grandeur as a traditional parade combined with an exhibition of the unit’s history and demonstration of the parachute capability.

The annual parade is held in tribute to the Battle of Kapyong, in which 3RAR, along with a Canadian infantry battalion and a company of US tanks, maintained defensive positions against a massive onslaught by the Chinese Army.

Lt-Col Ben O’Dowd (Ret.), OC A Company during the battle, described the action in his book ‘In Valiant Company’, based on 3RAR’s involvement in the Korean War from 1950-51.

“These blocking actions stopped the enemy’s momentum and bought time, at great cost in Australian and Canadian lives,” he said.

“This gave the United Nations Command the opportunity to reorganise and to position a force in the path of the Chinese Army and Seoul was saved.”

In recognition of their actions, the units involved were awarded the US Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation, a decoration still worn by members of 3RAR.

This year’s commemoration was attended by a number of former battalion members present at the battle of Kapyong, including Lt-Col O’Dowd, who has played a major role in the parade for a number of years.

Land Commander Maj-Gen David Hurley inspected the parade and addressed the troops, describing 3RAR’s notable involvement in the Battle of Kapyong and offering insights into it’s relevance to present day members of the unit.

Maj-Gen Hurley said the actions of 3RAR at Kapyong presented an important legacy for Australians, the Army and serving members of the battalion.

“For present-day members of 3RAR, who’ve recently returned from their second operational tour of East Timor and charged with providing Australia’s Parachute Battalion Group, [the soldiers who fought at Kapyong] provide an inspirational example of courage and military professionalism,” he said.

“This parade is an important memorial to the sacrifice of those who survived and those who did not come home.”

Also present at the parade was the Colonel Commandant of the RAR Maj-Gen J. Connolly, Commander 3 Bde Brig D. Morrison and Regimental Colonel Brig C. G. Appleton.

Highlights of the day included a parade of vehicles and soldiers, dressed and equipped to demonstrate the battalion’s development over its more than 50-year history, the firing of volleys and a parachute display.

Celebrations lasted well into the night and continued through Anzac Day, with many past and present battalion members declining sleep over the two-day period.

This year marks the Korean War’s 50th anniversary of the signing of the armistice on July 27, 1953.

3RAR was the first Australian infantry battalion to deploy to Korea in September 1950 and was still serving when the armistice was signed.

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