Kapyong. We should remember the name. It’s the place where, in April 1951, a handful of Canadian and Australian troops made a stand against an entire Chinese Communist Division and stopped it cold. In the process, the allied troops blunted the Chinese drive south, saved Seoul from falling for a second time, and permitted the successful launch of the American thrust north. Now journalist Dan Bjarneson has written a fine book recounting the harrowing ordeal of these few hundred members of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. Kapyong is said to be a dusty little crossroads of no importance by itself. But history has made it profoundly important. It’s the place where Canada did its small part in saving the fledgling Republic of (South) Korea. That’s the little country that went on to become a thriving and prosperous democracy. South Korea is the place that put the lie every day to the “peoples paradise” of Mao’s China. And if you ever wonder if it was worth it, think about the quality of life and freedom of people in South Korea today. If the world had done nothing, they would be living like the North Koreans. Kapyong is a name Canadians should remember with pride. We should remember Kapyong with pride
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Kapyong. We should remember the name. It’s the place where, in April 1951, a handful of Canadian and Australian troops made a stand against an entire Chinese Communist Division and stopped it cold. In the process, the allied troops blunted the Chinese drive south, saved Seoul from falling for a second time, and permitted the successful launch of the American thrust north. Now journalist Dan Bjarneson has written a fine book recounting the harrowing ordeal of these few hundred members of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. Kapyong is said to be a dusty little crossroads of no importance by itself. But history has made it profoundly important. It’s the place where Canada did its small part in saving the fledgling Republic of (South) Korea. That’s the little country that went on to become a thriving and prosperous democracy. South Korea is the place that put the lie every day to the “peoples paradise” of Mao’s China. And if you ever wonder if it was worth it, think about the quality of life and freedom of people in South Korea today. If the world had done nothing, they would be living like the North Koreans. Kapyong is a name Canadians should remember with pride. 