03/10/2026
Seventy-five years ago, at Maryang San, Australian soldiers fought one of their most significant battles in Korea.
The Korean War began in June 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. Australia was one of 21 nations that sent forces under the United Nations to defend the South. By the end of 1950, China had entered the war on the North's side.
In October 1951 the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), was given the job of capturing Maryang San - also known as Hill 317 - from a larger Chinese force dug in on the heights.
Led by Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hassett, who drew on tactics that had served Australians well against the Japanese in New Guinea during the Second World War, the battalion fought its way along the ridgelines and seized the summit on 5 October.
Two days later the Australians took a neighbouring height known as 'the Hinge'. They then held their ground under the heaviest Chinese bombardment they had yet faced in the war, until the Chinese withdrew on 8 October.
Twenty Australians were killed and 104 were wounded.
Today we remember the men of 3RAR who fought at Maryang San, the 20 who never came home, the South Korean porters who carried am******on, water and wounded men under fire, and all who served in Korea.
--
On 5 October, the Last Post Ceremony will commemorate the life and service of Lance Corporal William John Yeo, who was killed during the battle. Watch live at 4.30 pm AEST: https://brnw.ch/21x688f
