[Hyack]

A veteran recalls the Battle of Kap'yong

Of the Princess Patricias' many battle honours, the Battle of Kap'yong represents a Canadian first. Beginning around 10 p.m. on Apr. 24, 1951 and lasting into the early hours of Apr. 25, the Princess Patricias withstand a fierce assault by Chinese and North Korean soldiers on the unit's position atop a hill called 677. Veteran Don Hibbs recalls the heroic stand that made the Princess Patricias the only Canadian battalion in history to win a U.S. Presidential Unit Citation for valour.

The battle for Hill 677 cost the Princess Patricias 10 lives and 23 wounded. For their courage, Pte. Wayne Robert Mitchell received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Pte. Kenneth Francis Barwise received the Military Medal. Capt. J. G. W. "Wally" Mills earned the Military Cross. Pte. Mitchell was one of eight Canadians to win the Distinguished Conduct Medal in Korea, the award for gallantry second only to the Victoria Cross.

Kapyong



The 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, kitted out with winter gear and a plethora of weaponry moved 50 miles north to Miryang in order to undergo rigorous training until the 15th of February when they would join the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade at Changhowan-ni. Operations would begin with earnest and throughout March and early April the Patricia's would conduct several attacks on Chinese-held features. Hills 419 and 532 fell to the Patricia's in March and the advance continued against sporadic enemy resistance on 900 and 1200 meter features until the Brigade went into reserve near the village of Kapyong on the 18th of April.

The enemy had finally managed to stop the advancing UN forces and, on the night of 22 April, let loose the Spring Offensive to recapture Seoul. Under heavy resistance at the front, the 6th Republic of Korea Division broke and 27 British Commonwealth Brigade was called upon to block the advancing Chinese troops. The 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry quickly and efficiently moved their forces onto Hill 677 where they occupied a defensive position. As this was occurring, at the same time, the Australians occupied a defensive position to the east on Hill 504.

The Patricia's and Australians bedded in and awaited the inevitable battle that would commence on the night of the 23rd. The Australians fended off the Chinese attacks for the full day until they were forced to withdraw on the afternoon of the 24th in order to establish a new defensive line. Once the Aussies had fallen back it was left on the shoulders of the 2 PPCLI troops to bear the brunt of the Chinese attacks. The Chinese were obviously no match for the skilled and highly trained Canadian troops attacking non-stop for two days with no success. 2 PPCLI was surrounded and low on ammunition, water, and rations but was able fight off the attackers, at one time even bringing artillery fire down on their own positions.

The Chinese plans to attack and recapture Seoul had failed due to the well-trained Canadian and Australian infantry soldiers who never gave up although they were heavily outnumbered. As a result, their efforts were recognized with the award of the United States Presidential Unit Citation, which is proudly worn to this day by the warriors of the 2nd Battalion.

The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry, has a unique distinction. This battalion received the Distinguished Unit Citation from the President of the United States to recognize its stand near Kapyong, Korea, in April 1951. Equating to a battle honour, the Citation is represented by a streamer four feet in length and two and three-quarter inches in width, bearing the name of the action, attached to the pike of the regimental Colour. The use of this streamer in accordance with American practice was authorized by King George VI. In addition to the streamer, the Presidential Citation is also worn on the uniform. It is a small royal blue bar with gold trim. Although battle honours are awarded on a regimental basis, and the whole of the PPCLI carries Kapyong on its colours, the distinction of bearing this streamer belongs to 2 PPCLI alone, and is carried on the battalions regimental colour. The badge is also unique to 2 PPCLI.

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[2Cdo]

As a retired member of the PPCLI who served in 2 PPCLI for a number of years it was my pleasure a few years ago to actually meet and talk with a Kapyong vet.

BTW I think that 2 PPCLI is no longer the only unit with a Presidential citation. I think JTF2 was awarded it for their work in Afghanistan.