Battle of Kowang-san

The Battle of Kowang-san (Korean: 고왕산 전투), also known as the Battle of Hill 355, was fought during the Korean War between United Nations Command (UN) forces—primarily the Royal 22nd Regiment / the Royal Canadian Regiment—and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) at Kowang-san (Kowang mountain), it was nicknamed "Little Gibraltar" by UN troops because of its prominent size and many defensive positions.

Battle of Kowang-san or Battle of Hill 355
Part of the Korean War
Date 3–4 October 1951 Location Kowang-san, Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea Result United Nations and Canadian victory
Belligerents
United Nations United Kingdom	China
Units involved
King's Own Scottish Borderers King's Shropshire Light Infantry 3 RAR Royal 22nd Regiment 2 PPCLI Royal Canadian Regiment	People's Volunteer Army

Battle of Kowang-san or Battle of Hill 355
Part of the Korean War
Date 22–25 November 1951 Location Kowang-san, Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea Result United Nations and Canadian victory
Belligerents
United Nations Canada	China
Units involved
Royal 22nd Regiment	People's Volunteer Army
Casualties and losses
16 killed

Battle of Kowang-san or Battle of Hill 355
Part of the Korean War
Date 23–24 October 1952 Location Kowang-san, Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea Result United Nations and Canadian victory
Belligerents
United Nations Canada	China
Units involved
Royal Canadian Regiment	People's Volunteer Army
Casualties and losses
18 killed

First battle (3–4 October 1951)

On 3 October 1951, the 1st Commonwealth Division attempted to capture Hill 355 (Kowang-san) and adjoining features from the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) as a part of the Operation Commando carried out by UN forces.

The following day, KOSBs captured Hill 355 (Kowang-san), KSLI captured Hill 277, 3 RAR captured Hill 199, Royal 22nd Regiment captured area of Gangseo-ri, 2 PPCLI captured area of west Bugok-ri, Royal Canadian Regiment captured area of Hill 187.

Second battle (22–25 November 1951)

The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, holding the summit of Hill 355 (Kowang-san), known as "Little Gibraltar", was pushed off the strategic and commanding position by an assault of several divisions of PVA soldiers. Royal 22nd Regiment (Van Doos) was attacked by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA), but held on to the west flank of Hill 355 (Kowang-san). A special operations platoon of 20 men led by Léo Major in an overnight assault captured Hill 227 on the west flank of Hill 355 overlooking the RCR positions.

The following day, the US 3rd Division attempted to recapture Hill 355 summit, in a fierce battle over two days recovered the position.

16 Canadians were killed, 34 wounded, and 3 taken prisoner.

US 3rd Division sustained many casualties in the three-day battle.

Third battle (23–24 October 1952)

The battle started with Royal Canadian Regiment occupying the hilltop. A Chinese artillery assault followed by an infantry attack dislodged many of them. This was followed by an overnight Canadian artillery barrage, which had strong effect against the Chinese troops, who had not had an opportunity to find shelter, then a Canadian infantry counter-attack.

18 Canadians were killed, 35 wounded, and 14 taken prisoner, the second-highest daily Canadian casualty count in the Korean War.

Memorial

Royal Canadian Regiment commemorate this battle on 25 October (Kowang-San Day).

Further reading

• Stanley Arthur Ward, Royal Canadian Regiment (7 July 1932 - 23 October 1952), Korea.