Imjin 70 information sheet
April 2021 is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River in which the Glosters (Gloucestershire regiment) played a key part.
We have produced an information sheet to tell people what relevant resources we hold at Gloucestershire Archives.
It also signposts significant resources and information held elsewhere.
Visit Gloucestershire Archives to read the fact sheet.
Statues of soldiers from the Gloucestershire Regiment – Taken from koreanwarmemorials.com
The battle of Imjin River was fought between the 22 – 25th of April 1951. The battle was part of a Chinese counter-offensive, after United Nations forces had recaptured Seoul in March 1951 The assault on ‘Gloster Hill’ was led by General Peng Dehuai who commanded a force of 300,000 troops attacking over a 40-mile sector.
In the three-day battle, the Gloucestershire Regiment took the heaviest fire on 24th April 1951. In the early hours of the day, the ‘Glosters’ were forced to regroup and defend hill 235, now known as ‘Gloster Hill.’ That day an attempt was made to reinforce the Gloster’ position, but the Chinese military had now surrounded their position, and attempts to reinforce them were impossible.
On the 25th of April, the Glosters were given permission to withdraw. They were the only regiment that remained, and were now completely surrounded by the Chinese army. At 10:30, they made their escape. Sadly only 39 men from the Gloucestershire Regiment made it back to UN/ROK (Republic of Korea) lines.
Click the link above to read more about why the battle is important in the Korean War.