Battle of Chuam - ni The Battle of Chuam - ni was a battle fought between 14 – 17 February 1951 , at Chuam - ni , South Korea , as part of the Chinese and North Korean offensive towards Wonju during the Korean War . The battle was for control of the supply line Route 24 . Background . Due to insufficient strength in troop numbers , a gap of about between the 1st Battalion , 9th Infantry Regiment and the 23rd Regimental Combat Team . The Chinese having become aware of the gap , prepared to exploit the gap in its offensive on Wongju . On 12 February 1st Battalion , 9th Infantry Regiment manning positions upon Hill 444 east of Chip ' yong - ni were attacked by two Chinese battalions and was withdrawn to positions northwest of Wonju . During the morning of the 13 February , air observers noted Chinese troop movements towards the gap toward the 2nd Division ' s 2nd Reconnaissance Company east of Chuam - ni . The 2nd Reconnaissance Company having been sent out to patrol Route 24 in the gap in the defensive line around Wongju , were reinforced with " L Company " , 9th Infantry Regiment at 12 : 00 on 13 February . Amost immediately they were attacked by a Chinese forces from the northeast , which was replused . The Chinese then tried to encircle the two companies bringing about the withdrawal of the companies to a blocking position on Route 24 at Chuam - ni . Battle . On 14 February at 05 : 00 , the Chinese , consisting of a regiment of the 116th Division of the 39th Army , launched an attack against the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and " L Company " , 9th Infantry at Chuam - ni . Suffering large casualties , the two companies withdrew south along Route 24 . Having been surrounded , the companies fought a fighting withdrawal suffering further casualties . The total casualties suffered by the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and " L Company " , 9th Infantry were 114 killed and 98 wounded . Chinese casualties were also heavy . The result of the withdrawal was that the 23rd Regiment had been cut off . The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade , consisting of the 1st Battalion , Middlesex Regiment , the 1st Battalion , Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders , the 3rd Battalion , Royal Australian Regiment , the 2nd Battalion , Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry , the 60th Indian Field Ambulance , and the 16th Field Regiment , Royal New Zealand Artillery , were ordered to open Route 24 to the 23rd Regimental Combat Team and cover the gap in the defenses . Meeting the remnants of the 2nd Reconnaissance Company and " L Company " , 9th Infantry south of Chuam - ni and while pushing north slowly through Chinese blocking the route . Moving slowly north along Route 24 , the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade heading towards Chip ' yong - ni , were initially held up by a battalion sized force on 15 February , however on 16 February , the Chinese had withdrawn and Chuam - ni was occupied on 17 February . Aftermath . With the Chinese and North Korean forces withdrawing , a United Nations offensive was undertaken , known as Operation Killer . It was found that 68 soldiers of " L Company " had been killed by Chinese forces while sleeping and were found still in their sleeping bags .