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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 279

A FINE COLLECTION OF AWARDS FOR THE BATTLES OF THE HOOK

The battles for the hill known as "The Bloody Hook" surely rank amongst the most savage and intense fought by the British Army since the end of the Second World War. As the prospect of a ceasefire became more likely, the Chinese Army and the United Nations Army fought a series of fierce battles to capture tactically important positions, which would be valuable if there was a later recommencement of hostilities.

The Hook was one such feature.

It overlooked the Sam-i-Chon Valley and dominated a vital stretch of No Man's Land between the two Armies. On 26 October 1952 the Chinese launched an attack to capture it from the 1st Battalion, 7th United States Marines. On 18 November 1952 they tried again to wrestle it from the 1st Battalion, Black Watch and on 28 May 1953 they again launched a ferocious attack to drive off the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Until 27 July when the ceasefire was concluded heavy Chinese shelling and attacks on The Hook and Hill 355 continued, but they did not succeed.

The Commonwealth Division suffered over 600 casualties killed, wounded and prisoners in these battles, but The Hook remains in United Nations hands today. The 5th Dragoon Guards and 1st Royal Tank Regiment trundled up the Hill to give close support and the Royal Artillery and the New Zealand Artillery Regiments fired more rounds since the crossing of the Rhine. Besides this, the support provided by the Commonwealth logistic units working under fire and in terrible conditions undoubtedly matched the professional skill of their predecessors.

The medallic awards for these battles are often the last named to famous County Regiments and Corps which cease to exist in the modern British Army.

THE BLACK WATCH

On 27 October 1952 The Hook was held by the 3rd Battalion, 7th United States Marines when the Chinese launched a fierce artillery and mortar attack followed by a determined infantry assault attack. The Marines temporarily lost control of the position but with a fierce counter attack typical of the Marines gallantly retook the Hill. On 14 November the 1st Battalion, Black Watch were given the task of relieving the Marines and holding the vital position. It was to be a daunting task. The Commanding Officer of the Marine Battalion, a veteran of Guadalcanal and Saipan told his opposite number, Lieutenant-Colonel D. McN. Rose that their fight for the hill had been more intense than any other he had experienced in the entire Pacific War.

On 18 November they came under attack, with the 133rd Chinese Division charging up the Hill determined to capture it. The scene was reminiscent of days gone by, with furied individual hand-to-hand bayonet and grenade actions supported by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. Next morning the Black Watch still held the Hill but the Chinese remained determined to succeed and on 8 May followed their previous attack, pouring huge numbers on to the feature. They were again thrown off, at a cost to the Black Watch of over 100 men.

The Korea Medal awarded to Private J. Adams, Black Watch, who was wounded in action on 8 May 1953

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (22628747 Pte. J. Adams. B.W.), nearly extremely fine

J. Adams was wounded in action on 8 May 1953.

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