British Tombstones in Paju

It was approaching "Poppy Day" in 2012 so out of respect for the great soldiers who risk their lives making sure we are safe, I paid my respects and visited the tombstones in Paju for the British soldiers who lost they lives during the Korean War 1950-1953. The British Army Tombstone in Paju was my next destination while visiting Korea. I had no idea that the British were involved in the fighting so it was remarkably interesting and a unique learning experience 

Injin River where the British fought the Chinese in the Korea War 1951 

In June 1950, just five years after the end of the Second World War, war erupted in Korea. United Nations forces, led by the USA, intervened on the side of South Korea, while the (then) USSR and (later) China supported North Korea.

Although British forces only made up a small proportion of the troops involved in this conflict, they were involved in heaviest fighting. British forces fought at the battle of Imjin River in April 1951.

1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment 

During the summer of 1950, North Korean forces almost pushed the UN forces off the Korean Peninsula. In September, however, the USA launched a successful counter-attack and on the 1st October 1950, the North Koreans were pushed back over the 38th parallel (the boarder before the war and the boarder today).

How the battle was fought

UN and ROK forces then advanced into North Korean territory in an attempt to reunite the two countries. 

Mao Tse Tung, the Chinese leader, fearing that UN and ROK forces would enter Chinese territory, launched a massive and successful attack in support of North Korea. Would the American's and UN have entered China, I hardly think so because this was not the object and another World War would have started just 5 years after the last one.

Paying respects to the brave soldiers 

In January 1951, the Chinese pushed the UN and ROK forces back 60 miles south of the 38th parallel. . As usual the British forces were on the very front line and 1100 men died.

I visited the site where the British forgot in the Korean War in the Battle of Imjin River in 1951, Seoul was under defended and the Chinese and North Koreans would have attacked and won if it was not for the British.

British troops made up of 5000 and fought against the Chinese who had 50,000 men, the brave British were outnumbered 10.1. and still achieved the objectives and defended the position until the American reinforcements could come and regroup in Seoul. The Brave British lost 1100 men and the Chinese a third of their soldiers.

If the British had not held off the Chinese at Imjin River in 1951 dispute been out numbed 10-1 it is quite conceivable that the North Korean's  would have captured Seoul and history could have been different.  Many people including me did not know we forgot in this war.

Imjin looks a scary place and with the river here you could just imagine how hard it was for the British troops in Korea. Still this battle and victory was important because it stopped the Chinese advancing and therefore the Americans could defend Seoul.

One could also visit the Paju Bird Sanctuary which looks after the injured Black Vultures and provides the  veterinary care they require. 

Lee Milner