Ahead of Anzac Day tomorrow, Australians are being reminded of the nation's role in a fierce battle 70 years ago that helped turn history's 'forgotten war'.
In April 1951, Australian military forces were part of a United Nations force that had been deployed to South Korea after it was attacked by North Korea and its ally China.
Late that month, the Chinese army launched a lightning offensive in the Kapyong Valley with the aim to recapture the strategically vital city of Seoul and win the Korean War.
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After quickly over-running South Korean forces who were defending the valley, they encountered Commonwealth troops - including soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR).
Australian soldiers helped repel a major offensive by Chinese soldiers during the Battle of Kapyong.
The battle began for the Diggers on April 23, 1951, and was fought in cold conditions over difficult terrain.
The Australian infantrymen were repeatedly attacked through the night and into the next day and they were forced to withdraw after having slowed the momentum of the Chinese advance.
During the next two days, the Chinese attacks shifted to the positions held by Canadian troops, but with the help of New Zealand artillery and US tank units, they were able to halt the enemy advance.
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At Kapyong, the Australians, and other UN forces had won a decisive victory. Seoul was saved from falling once again into communist hands, and would not be threatened again for the remainder of the war.
But the battle came at great cost for the defenders: The Australians had 32 men killed, 59 wounded and three taken prisoner; the Canadians suffered 10 fatalities and 23 wounded; the New Zealanders lost two men and three Americans were also killed.
The Australian and Canadian battalions were each awarded a United States Presidential Unit Citation for their part in the battle.
Overshadowed by longer, more costly battles waged in Vietnam and the Middle East since the 1950s - Korea is often regarded as the 'forgotten war'.
In all, 339 Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen fought and died in the conflict, with another 1216 wounded.
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But South Korea continues to honour the sacrifice of the 18,000 Australians and other UN military personnel who served.
"Following the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War last year, it is important to commemorate the sacrifice of Australian troops," Sangwoo Hong, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in Sydney said.
"The courage of Australian soldiers fighting in a foreign land to safeguard freedom is worthy of remembrance. Their sacrifice is something present and future generations of Koreans and Australians should not forget, for it is an important part of our shared history."
The Battle of Kapyong is being commemorated in photography exhibition '1951: the critical year of the Korean War', held at the The Korean Cultural Centre Australia Gallery in Sydney.
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Curator Bradley Manera, of Sydney's Anzac Memorial, says the exhibition aims to highlight the special link between Australia and South Korea.
"Over the decades, the Korean War has slipped from public consciousness. This exhibition will be a timely reflection on its significance and how it forged an unbreakable link between Australia and Korea," he said.
"Ahead of Anzac Day, lest we forget the Australian soldiers' innumerable honours and legacy."
The exhibition runs until July 2, 2021.
