{"html":"  \u003cdiv class=\"timeline-details-images\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"timeline-details-image js-timeline-anchor timeline-anchor \"\n        style=\"background-image: url(https://digitize-vwma.s3.amazonaws.com/I/images/484639/photo/zoom_Battle_of_the_Broken_Bridge_aftermath.jpg)\"\u003e\n      \u003c/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"timeline-details-image js-timeline-anchor timeline-anchor hidden\"\n        style=\"background-image: url(https://digitize-vwma.s3.amazonaws.com/I/images/484705/photo/zoom_The_Broken_Bridge_Kujin_near_Pakchong.jpg)\"\u003e\n      \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"timeline-details-description with-image\"\u003e\n  \u003ch4 class=\"js-timeline-anchor timeline-anchor\"\u003eThe Battle of the Broken Bridge, Kujin, Korea\u003c/h4\u003e\n  \u003ch4 class=\"tiny-mce-heading-color\"\u003eThe Battle of the Broken Bridge, Kujin, Korea 23/26 October 1950\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR)  was the first and major Australian ground force element committed to the Korean campaign, as part of the Commonwealth Brigade. When it joined the Brigade it brought nearly 1,000 men to join the other two Battalions each of which had about 600 men.  3RAR thus boosted the Brigade by a significant margin.  Consequently 3RAR participated in the advance north following the relief of Pusan and the landing at Inchon.  It distinguished itself at the Battle of Broken Bridge.  \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe battle was fought between 3 RAR and elements of the 17th Tank Brigade of the Korean People's Army over a key bridge across the Taeryong River near Kujin, North Korea on 25/6 October 1950.  \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe bridge had been demolished by North Korean engineers as they withdrew north.  The Australians managed to cross the gap and get elements on the far side of the river.  The Koreans attacked with tanks and artillery and later intense small arms fire.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter clearing nearby Pakchon, 3 RAR succeded in getting two companies onto the far bank where they established a defensive perimeter. Using mortars  to deflect enemy attempts to dislodge them, they were subsequently further reinforced.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Korean counter attacks caused Australian casualties which later had to be evacuated across the fast flowing river, at night.  During the course of the evacuation some casualties were tipped into the river as their boats came under accurate small arms fire. 3 RAR drum-major (the battalion band acted as stretcher bearers in combat) Sgt Tom Murray dived into the freezing water and rescued the men, for which he was subsequently awarded the George Medal.  \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Australians on the far bank then ambushed a North Korean column advancing towards them inflicting heavy losses with only some tanks managing to escape.  By 12.00 the North Koreans had withdrawn, leaving the bridge in Australian hands.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA more detailed description can be accessed here:\u003ca href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kujin\"\u003e http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kujin\u003cspan class=\"link-domain\"\u003e (en.wikipedia.org)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fighting here was a portent of the nature of warfare in Korea. 3 RAR ins particular fought a very conventinal warfare scenarion, in all phases of war;  Advance, Attack, Defence, Withdrawal, 'in all season weather and terrain, by day and night'  as part of a conventional structure.  Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps.  Multi layered support including artillery and air support atall levels.  The 1,000 man Battalion that 3RAR had taken to Korea, including 'K Force' troops, was arguaby the most experienced best trained force Australia has ever put in the field.  It bolstered the Commonwealth Brigade by doubling its fighting infantry strength, and it made a sustained and pwoerful contribution to the Allied effort. \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSteve Larkins 2016\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSteve was a Platoon Commander with 3 RAR 1977-79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n"}