Portal:Military history of Australia/Selected article/15

The Battle of Kapyong, (22–25 April 1951), also known as the Battle of Jiaping, was fought during the Korean War between United Nations Command (UN) forces and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA). Occurring during the Chinese Spring Offensive, the fighting saw the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade establish blocking positions in the Kapyong Valley, on a key route south to the capital, Seoul. The two forward battalions—3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI)—supported by a Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery battery, hastily occupied defensive positions astride the valley. As Republic of Korea Army (ROK) forces withdrew through the valley, the PVA infiltrated the brigade position under the cover of darkness, and assaulted the Australians on Hill 504 during the evening and into the following day, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Heavily outnumbered, the 27th Brigade held their positions into the afternoon before the Australians were withdrawn to the rear. The PVA then attacked the Canadians on Hill 677 during a fierce night battle, but were unable to dislodge them. The next day the PVA withdrew back up the valley, in order to regroup. The fighting blunted the PVA offensive, helping to prevent a breakthrough on the UN central front, and ultimately the capture of Seoul.The battle is regarded as one of the most famous actions fought by the Australian and Canadian armies in Korea.