A soldier from 2RAR, acting as part of the Chinese advance, approaches a 2RAR gun pit during the battle reinactment. Photo by Pte Jodie Richter, 1JPAU(P)

A Drum Major leads the 3RAR, 5/7RAR and 2RAR Pipes and Drums during 2RAR’s reinactment of the Battle of Samichon. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper

Above: Members of 2RAR during preparations for the evening battle reinactment.

(L-R) Darryl Cooper, Robert Taylor and Ian Atkinson, catch up at the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Samichon in Townsville.

Soldiers from 2RAR stand to in the gun pit, ready to reinact a scaled Battle of Samichon.

Samichon remembered

By Debbie Kalik

AMID the roar of machinegun fire and explosions, hundreds of Townsville families clapped and cheered as soldiers from 2RAR re-enacted one of the Korean War’s most significant battles recently.

About 200 soldiers took part in the re-enactment of the Battle of Samichon, watched by dozens of Korean War veterans, some of whom had travelled from WA for three days of commemorative activities.

Arriving in Korea in March 1953, 2RAR replaced 1RAR. In early July, 2RAR was placed on The Hook – a feature overlooking the Samichon Valley. In the last days of the war, the Chinese Communist Forces made last ditch attempts to recapture ground while the ceasefire was being negotiated. Fighting with tenacity and outstanding steadfastness at the Battle of The Samichon from July 24 – 26, 2RAR earned the RAR the Battle Honour, “The Samichon”

The recent celebrations in Townsville marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Battle of The Samichon, or The Hook, as it is colloquially known in the battalion.

For 90 minutes, Townsville and Thuringowa sat enthralled while soldiers commemorated the occasion with a ceremonial performance, the likes of which had not been seen in Townsville before. The performance comprised a
Beating Retreat parade, a battle re-enactment of The Battle of Samichon with pyrotechnics, machinegun fire and a musical performance by the massed pipes and drums of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th/7th Battalions of RAR supported by the brass band of 1RAR.

Acting CO, 2RAR, Maj Russ Lowes, said by the time the battle was over, 7 Australians had lost their lives and 24 were injured. The UN soldiers fired more than 23,000 rounds of artillery and mortars against the Chinese, whose losses were estimated at almost 3000.

Maj Lowes said commemorating historic battles was a key part of maintaining the morale of defence personnel as they prepare to lend their support to the conflict in the Solomon Islands.

“It is a fortifying aspect, and it’s actually a nice feeling to have the support of the people at home in doing what it is you’ve been sent to do,” he said.

The fight night was victoriously fought by D Coy, which took the Champion Company title, with Pte Ward from 10 Pl D Coy the overall Champion Boxer.

Mobile and static displays of battalion and brigade level assets including guns from 4 Fd Regt and Black Hawks from 5 Avn Regt at Samichon Lines concluded the day time activities for the three day reunion before the annual battalion ball as the final farewell to a well commemorated 50th anniversary of the Battle of Samichon.

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