Kap'Yong Memorial

[left plaque/plaque gauche]

CANADIANS AT KAP'YONG
APRIL 22 - 25, 1951

On the night of 22 April 1951, Chinese and North Korean
forces attacked American and Republic of Korea (ROK) troops
north of Seoul. Heavy losses inflicted on the ROK Army and the
withdrawal of the American Corps required the intervention of the
27th Commonwealth Brigade, consisting of the 2nd Battalion.
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) as well as
Austalian and British regiments. Through April 23rd, the battered
6th ROK division withdrew down Kap'Yong River valley,
protected by the Australians on Hill 504 and the Canadians across
the River on Hill 677. Attacked relentlessly, the Australians were
also forced to withdraw. The enemy then ordered an assault on the
Canadian position. The battle, lit only by flares, was fought hand
to hand. Outnumbered and about to be overrun, the Princess Pats
D Company ordered allied mortar and artillery fire on their own
position, routing the enemy. The bombardment forced a Chinese
retreat. Honoured for exceptional bravery, the PPCLI received a
Unit Citation from the President of the United States, the only
Canadian battalion to ever receive this distinction.
This memorial honours those Canadians who fought for
freedom and ensured that those who made the supreme sacrifice at
Kap'Yong will never be forgotten.

[centre plaque/plaque du centre][The balance of the wording is not clear in the photo./Le reste du texte n’est pas clair sur la photo.]them.

[The balance of the wording is not clear in the photo./Le reste du texte n’est pas clair sur la photo.]

[right plaque/plaque de droite][Translation of the plaque on the left (text not clear in photo)./Traduction de la plaque à gauche (le texte n'est pas visible dans la photo).]