Battle of Maehwa - San The Battle of Maehwa - San was a battle fought for control of the hills and area around Maehwasan mountain between the county of Hoengseong and the city of Wonju , between 7 – 12 March 1951 , during the Korean War . The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade was tasked with eliminating the Chinese and North Korean forces occupying the area . Prelude . The mountain was strategic for the continuing operations in the offensive known as Operation Ripper , and was in height . The objective was known as " Operation Woodbine " . The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade , led by Brigadier Basil Aubrey Coad , consisted of the 1st Battalion , Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment , the 1st Battalion , Middlesex Regiment , the 2nd Battalion , Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry and the 3rd Battalion , Royal Australian Regiment ( 3RAR ) . Battle . Hill 410 . The offensive began on 7 March with 3 RAR being tasked with capturing Hill 410 . " A " Company and " D " Company descended into the valley at 10 : 00 and crossed the open paddy fields under enemy fire across the Asi - Ri – Punsuwon Road and began to climb Hill 410 . " A " Company climbed a third of the way up a spur before coming under heavy machine gun fire and light mortar fire and was pinned down . Calling for artillery and mortar support from 16th Field Regiment , Royal New Zealand Artillery and the United States Army , " B " Company 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion , the fire support provided could not dislodge the entrenched machine gun and rifle pits . " D " Company which was climbing a spur parallel to the right of " A " Company and also found the going difficult . At 15 : 00 , D Company finally crossed the ridgeline . Snowstorms began in the afternoon and hampered the evacuation of the wounded and " A " Company was able to advance . " B " Company then joined the two forward companies to consolidate the position . 3 RAR lost 12 killed and 24 wounded , while the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion suffered two wounded . At 06 : 30 on 8 March , " B " Company secured the rest of Hill 410 without opposition after the enemy withdrew during the night . Hill 532 . The 2nd Battalion , Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry secured Hill 532 and made contact with " B " Company , 3RAR on 8 March . Hill 390 . The 1st Battalion , Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment and the 1st Battalion , Middlesex Regiment began an advance on Hill 390 at 07 : 00 on 9 March and secured Hill 390 and other objectives without opposition . Hills 326 and 432 . On 10 March , 3 RAR moved forward to capture Hill 326 and 432 overlooking the valley at the base of Maehwasan . The mountain consisted of a number of jagged ridges and its peak rose above the valley floor . The hills were occupied without opposition with the Chinese and North Korean forces withdrawing on 8 March to an area 5 kilometres to the north . Hills 703 , 752 and 642 . The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade launched a simultaneous attack against Hill 703 , Hill 752 and Hill 642 . The 1st Battalion , Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment was tasked with the capture of Hill 752 , 3RAR Hill 703 and 2nd Battalion , Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry Hill 642 . At 09 : 00 , the 1st Battalion , Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment secured the foothills that dominated the immediate area of the valley and the 1st Battalion , Middlesex Regiment captured Hill 353 without opposition . While forming up for the attack 3RAR ' s headquarters received light mortar fire from the right flank without suffering any casualties . As " A " Company and " C " Company 3RAR moved towards Hill 435 across the valley floor , " A " Company came under heavy fire from the village of Chisan to the right . The ROK 6th Division had failed to attack as ordered with the result that the right flank of the brigade was exposed . 2 Platoon from " A " Company assaulted the village of Chisan , killing 30 enemy soldiers , before heavy mortar and machine gun fire forced the platoon to withdraw . " A " Company suffered two killed and seven wounded . " C " Company 3RAR had continued towards its objectives , and by 15 : 00 was pinned down just below the ridgeline of Hill 703 and remained in the position throughout the night . The 2nd Battalion , Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry and 1st Battalion , Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment were able to secure Hill 642 and Hill 752 without opposition . With the ROK 6th Division still not having moved forward , " C " Company 1st Battalion , Middlesex Regiment protected 3RAR ' s right flank . On 12 March , " C " Company had moved onto the crest and advanced to Hill 703 at 06 : 30 . " B " Company and " D " Company 3RAR , moved up to consolidate the newly captured Hill 703 , which had been abandoned hurriedly during the night . The United States 7th Marine Regiment moved forward and secured the right flank of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade . Aftermath . From 13 March , the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade was relieved by the 5th Cavalry Regiment and moved to the reserve area at the harbour near Chipyong - ni . The Australians had suffered 14 killed and 39 wounded .