"Centurion tanks of 1st Royal Tank Regiment at the Battle of the Hook, May 1953"

by David Rowlands

Image Size 52 x 36 cm

During the static phase of the Korean War, tanks were emplaced in hull-down positions among the entrenched infantry companies on commanding hilltops, from where the accurate, direct fire of their 20-pounder guns dominated the surrounding terrain. They were also armed with co-axial Besa machine-guns. The tanks were protected from shellfire by sandbags and earth-filled ammunition containers. Along with the crew's 'hutchie', ammunition bunkers were dug in beside the tanks.

By night, both sides patrolled aggressively in no-man's-land up to the opposing lines. Massed enemy infantry attacks occurred at night, and the supporting fire of tanks was an important adjunct to Divisional artillery. In May 1953 the Chinese mounted a fierce attack against the position known as the Hook. Throughout the action, the Centurions engaged the enemy and inflicted heavy losses.
In the eerie light of parachute flares, soldiers of 1st Battalion the Duke of Wellington's Regiment manned the trenches. The tanks themselves suffered on average five direct hits each from shells and mortars, without loss.

Over the gun barrel of the Centurion Mk 3 tank is an American searchlight, used to illuminate enemy patrols in no-man's-land at night. Several Centurions in Korea supplemented their firepower with .50cal. M2HB Browning machine-guns, obtained from the Americans or Canadians, on an 'ad hoc' mounting. On the rear hull is hung a spare road-wheel, and the Royal Armoured Corps flash is shown, with the unit serial '41' superimposed.

George Forty and Ian Fletcher at the Tank Museum, Bovington, gave much advice. George was a tank commander at the Hook, and the tank depicted might well be his own. Simon Dunstan, author of several military books, was also very helpful.