Royal Signals Museum - Postal Covers - The Rear Link Wireless

The Battle of the Imjin River 1951 - The Rear Link Wireless

After nine months of ebb and flow in the Korean War, the Communist Chinese and North Korean Forces mounted a major offensive in late April, 1951 , to break through and destroy the United Nations Command in the area of the capital, Seoul. The initial thrust line embraced the British 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group under Brigadier Tom Brodie, whose forces held the middle reaches of the Imjin River. Two divisions of the Chinese 63rd Army attacked the formation in overwhelming strength on the morning of the 22nd. During the next two days, Brigadier Brodie was obliged to maintain his right flank astride the river to cover the adjacent American flank. This absorbed the major part of his brigade's strength. On the left, the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment. under Lieutenant Colonel J P Carne, became isolated, its companies concentrated on Hill 235 to hold the entrance to a pass through the mountains. By the time the main body of 29 Brigade was able to withdraw, the Gloucesters were encircled. They fought on until ordered to break out, but most, including many wounded, were captured. In this epic stand, Colonel Carne and Lieutenant P K E Curtis were awarded the Victoria Cross. An account of the battle by the Adjutant, at that time, Captain (later, General), Anthony Farrar-Hockley, is contained in his book, The Edge of the Sword, (Alan Sutton). With the others taken from the brigade, he was to spend 28 months in captivity, during which he escaped six times, and endured many months in solitary confinement.

The cover illustration depicts Lance-Corporal (later, Captain) Henry Jennings, Royal Signals, operating the battalion rear link with a comrade, using a WS 62 carried up to the heights of the Gloucester's position. The Rear Link detachment shared the perils of the battle and the subsequent captivity. They were subsequently among those in the battalion group granted the United States Presidential citation for distinguished conduct. Lance-Corporal Jennings was also mentioned in despatches for the action.

The cover design shows the 29 Brigade formation sign. The date stamp is based on the 'back badge', unique to the Gloucesters, authorised by Royal Warrant to be worn at the back of the cap from 1801. The aircraft shown attacking the Chinese columns are F8O 'Shooting Stars' of the United States Air Force.