The Apple Orchard

A little over a week after arriving in Pusan in the Republic of Korea, 3RAR was in the vanguard of the US-led advance across the 38th parallel into North Korea.

North Korea’s capital Pyongyang was captured by the US 24th Infantry Division on 20 October. The same day, the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (187th RCT) known as the Rakkasans made a parachute jump north of the enemy capital near the towns of Sukchon and Sunchon. Aiming to cut off retreating North Korean forces and rescue US prisoners of war being transported by train from Pyongyang to the north, the Rakkasans began moving south and soon encountered the North Korean 239th Infantry Regiment, which had been left behind as a blocking force. Situated on the high ground around the town of Yongju, the North Koreans soon had US paratroopers on the back foot. Faced with the prospect of being cut off, the paratroopers radioed for assistance.

With the 24th Division securing Pyongyang and surrounds, the 27 British Commonwealth Brigade (made up of the 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment, 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and 3RAR) was the only formation able to assist. Led by the 1st Battalion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the brigade passed through the enemy capital during the morning of the 21st of October.

By the evening of 21 October, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had encountered the North Korean 239th Regiment, cleared several hills to the south of Yongju, and halted for the night. The following morning they cleared Yongju and the 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment, known as the Diehards, took up defensive positions to the north of the town.

3RAR was given the task of linking up with the Rakkasans. Lead by C Company on Sherman tanks of the US 89th Medium Tank Battalion, the battalion moved off at 7 am, taking the road through Yongju and heading north-west towards Sukchon. Two kilometres out of Yongju 3RAR came upon an apple orchard on the right side of the road. As the tanks drove past they came under fire from North Korean troops in the orchard.

The tanks swung into the area and the men of 7 and 8 platoons, led by Lieutenants Robin Morison and Colin Townsend respectively, disembarked and with bayonets fixed charged into the orchard towards the enemy on the high ground. 9 Platoon, led by Lieutenant David Butler, remained with the tanks; their turn would come soon enough.

As the Australian platoons began their attack, North Korean troops began leaving their bunkers. While they had hoped to get a better shot at their attackers, they exposed themselves to fire from the attacking platoons, as well as the tanks and 9 Platoon on the road. The North Koreans took heavy casualties, and the survivors broke and ran.

With 7 and 8 Platoons on their objective, 9 Platoon, supported by tanks, advanced along the road towards where the US paratroopers were believed to be. After an intense fire fight, the surviving North Koreans tried to break through a small gap between Australian and US positions, but suffered further heavy casualties in the attempt. Though a number of North Koreans made good their escape, the 239th Infantry Regiment was destroyed.

Shortly after midday Butler and 9 Platoon encountered US paratroopers. Tired and exhausted, the Americans initially thought the Australians were Russians due to their slouch hats and different uniforms. A small group even tried to surrender to their rescuers, but were politely rebuffed.

After a break for lunch, 9 Platoon began clearing the paddy fields along their line of advance. Brigadier Aubrey Coad witnessed 9 Platoon’s clearing action and later commented:

I saw a marvellous sight. An Australian platoon lined up in a paddy field and walked through it as though they were driving snipe. The soldiers when they saw a pile of straw kicked it and out would bolt a North Korean. Up with a rifle, down with a North Korean, and the Australians thoroughly enjoyed it.

The link up with the Rakkasans was completed around 3 pm when the Diehards moved through 3RAR, while the Argylls consolidated positions to the rear of the Australians. The battle of the Apple Orchard was over. It was a resounding success for 3RAR, who suffered seven men wounded while routing a large enemy force. They had killed some 150 of the enemy and taken 239 prisoners of war.

The Apple Orchard was the first major battle fought by 3RAR in Korea. It was also the first occasion that a battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment had been in action. The battalion was a mix of young, recently recruited men and experienced veterans of the Second World War, who all acquitted themselves well.

For an in depth account of the battle read “The Apple Orchard” by Michael Kelly here.