Baptism Under Fire

Baptism Under Fire - Hill 532 continued from page two...

At 1400 hrs, D Company commences their final attack, and takes the first ridge, but the enemy hold a further ridge 100 meters on. The going is tough, the snow is up to six inches deep, the ascent is very steep and the ground under the snow is wet and slippery. "The Chinese are throwing grenades at our forward elements and we are under quite a bit of fire.” ⁴ The grenades thrown by the Chinese at this time are stun grenades, releasing highly concussive explosions, which can severely disorient an individual. Levy: "I came across six or seven men, wounded or killed, lying fairly close together. I stopped to pick up a rifle. I was holding it in front of my chest, checking the ammunition in the magazine. Either a bullet or a grenade fragment hit the rifle slamming it into my chest with a terrific force, and knocking me out. I evidently careened down the hill for some distance." ¹⁰ When Levy went down and disappeared Corporal Roy Rushton took command of 10 Platoon ordering the men to go to ground because of increasing casualties. Many of the men of 12 Platoon appear to fall in with Ruston 's order. Private Henry, seeing Levy was in trouble went to his aid. Henry, the oldest man of the platoon was an interesting character. During WWII, he served as a Flight Lieutenant, navigator, RCAF Bomber Command. During a flight over Germany the pilot was killed and the co‑pilot badly wounded. Henry took the controls and with instructions from the co‑pilot successfully guided the plane back to England , barely making it over the Dover cliffs to a safe landing. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. It was unusual to see a private infantry soldier displaying the DFC.

Rushton: "As I neared the top of the first incline a chap comes towards me, he is wounded and falls down, he gets up but falls again, his eyes are glassy and there he dies. Captain Turnbull is standing at the bottom of the incline with Company Sergeant‑Major (CSM) Larson MC. This is suicidal to keep going; we do not have enough men, covering fire or smoke. Turnbull yelling at me from some distance below, asks how does it look? I tell him it is useless to proceed without more men. CSM Larson jumped up and ordered the men to follow him, there was a limited response, privates Barton and Pearson did; Barton was wounded and Pearson was killed advancing through the Chinese trench. Captain Turnbull remained in his position well down the hill.” ⁶

A Canadian Press article by Bill Boss, quotes Larson ... "It was impossible to estimate the enemy wounded or killed, you don't stop to talk or look." The article continues, "The Patricias were fighting against interlocking enemy automatic fire and literally torrents of grenades" Said CSM Swede Larson, "Grenades, the Chinese favourite weapon, they must have had a million of them." Middleton confirms that at this time the Chinese primarily used Stun Grenades.

Middleton: "Larson, along with Lance Corporal Roy Putnam and Private Elgin Brown, came forward with a supply of grenades, which are distributed amongst two of my sections. I reach the front trench connecting with the other enemy bunkers on the crest. Larson threw a grenade, but is hit in the shoulder by a bullet in the midst of his launch; Sergeant Holligan is 15 feet away and miraculously catches the missile to send it on its way, and is wounded by shrapnel. Sergeant McGhee of my platoon is wounded. I continued my advance against the enemy, and come across Private Wylie twice‑wounded in the chest, I dress his wound and apply morphine, he dies on the hill. Farther along in the trench I kill one enemy. I turn to call for supporting fire from my platoon, but I find myself alone." Middleton in his youthful enthusiasm and desire to set an example to his men made the mistake of leading from the front; the support he sought is nonexistent. Soldiers who have gone to ground when under intense fire in battle know how difficult it can be to have them rise again, to charge into the face of their enemy. "The clouds are low and the light is fast fading. Where the hell is the rest of the company? I examine the top of the hill through my binoculars, and witness the most astounding sight, one I shall never forget. Chinese soldiers, about 400 marching as though on a parade square, in line abreast across the top of the ridge, pulling out, led by one proudly flying the red banner high above his head, only a rearguard remains. We have been severely outnumbered."

Rushton: "I don't know where he came from but late in the battle Company Quartermaster Sergeant Renwick, of Support Company, appeared at Turnbull's HQ, and he looked extremely relieved to have Fenwick join with him." ⁵

Middleton: "Movement 50 meters to my left reveals another Patricia, carrying a Bren light machine gun, he has about 8 to 10 rounds in his magazine. We began to leapfrog down the hill, taking turns firing at our unseen enemy. Rejoining the company we are informed the attack had been called off at 1600hrs, it is now 1630hrs. Soldiers look at me in amazement, they thought we had been killed; it is most satisfying to be resurrected from the "dead." My souvenir from all of this was an exploding grenade cutting my face and knocking apart a tooth, and I am evacuated to the Indian Field Ambulance and then to an American MASH unit. I was shocked for just outside the door is a huge pile of amputated arms and legs. Thank God I was not that badly injured.” ⁴ Larson: "There are bloody bayonets in Dog Company tonight.” ⁷

Levy: "Two soldiers come to my aid, picking me up off the ground. In my disoriented state I don't know who they are. I rolled down hill to the left of company HQ. The battle is over and the company is pulling out."

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