THE FEARSOME FRENCH**

Meeting Engagement:* 
French vs. CCF*
Hill 453, Korea*
February 2, 1951*
Turns: 15**

Scenario Size: Medium*
Estimated Play Time: 1 Hour**

Design: Wild Bill Wilder*
bwilder@bellsouth.net**

Player Notes:** 

This battle should be played from the French side. It is suitable for a 2 player game, only if the CCF forces are set to 80 percent in the preferences menu.**

This is a night battle, therefore visibility is limited to six hexes. It is also a set-piece defense. The French don't have much choice except holding the ground and picking targets.**

As is standard military tactics, 2 platoons of the company are on the line. One is in reserve. The reserve platoon and the arrival of 2 M-16 gun carriages do offer some choices as to deployment. That is vital!**

This engagement does not include the French counterattack that came early the next morning, only the tenacious (hopefully!) defense against the Chinese wave of death!**

Historical Background:**

Among other interesting aspects of the Korean War was the fact that it put the determination and unity of the United Nations to the test. Sixteen countries sent active combatants to Korea to fight Communist aggression.**

France did her part in the war. The French Navy sent their frigate RPS La Grendiere to support the Seventh Fleet. On land the French "Battalion de Coree," commanded by Colonel Ralph Montclar, arrived in late 1950 to take part in the action.**

Montclar was a three-star general but reverted to the rank of Lt. Colonel in order to lead the battalion in Korea. He had served in the French Foreign Legion and fought in both World Wars.**

The battalion would be attached to the US Second Infantry Division and proved to be a tough, hard-fighting unit.**

During the time the French served in Korea, they received three United States Presidential citations, at the battle of the Twin Tunnels, Chipyong-ni and later Hongchon.**

Even though locked in a life and death struggle during this period in Indochina, the French were determined to make a clear statement to the Communists in Korea.**

On January 30th, the French along with the US 23rd RCT, supported with tanks and artillery, attacked up the Kumdang Chon Valley. Supporting the left flank of the advance, their objective was to take and hold a key hill (Hill 453) overlooking the ridges to the north. One company would occupy the hill while the rest of the battalion would be situated on other key hills in the area.**

During the night on February 2nd, the 373rd Chinese Regiment made a full scale assault against Hill 453. The French held, then counterattacked with fixed bayonets and drove the enemy back into the valley in full retreat.**

Sources:**
Korean War Almanac, Summers*
At War in Korea, Forty*
Korea: The Unknown War, Blair*
Korea, the First War We Lost, Alexander*
Fire and Ice, Varhola*