The Chinese occupied it. We attacked once, and were repulsed. Our wounded lieutenant, Phil Curtis, was determined to attack again. Lieutenant Curtis was killed but his grenade destroyed the bunker, buying his surviving men valuable time to pull back to the Glosters' main position. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Survivors recall seeing the tanks' hulls dripping with blood.
After three days, in a confused mass, the brigade was permitted to pull back, yard by bloody yard. Except for one unit. On the left flank, positioned on the hilltop at which the memorial now stands, were the surviving Glosters. Their rear overrun, and their flanks exposed, they were surrounded and cut-off. It was mayhem, shouting, firing.