The Samichon region differed in places but at its widest the lines were as much as 2000yards from each other. There were features such as hill 75 which sat inthe valley and were occupied by the Chinese, there was no point in Commdiv trying to take it as it was covered on two sides by the main Chinesefeatures up close and connected by tunnels.

Deadly boredom in deadly lairs

Roughly 2000 yards wide for much of its length, and with theSamichon river running along the Chinese side, the Samichon valley proved to be a fertileplayground for learning the art of patrolling. Being so long and wide itwas covered by two battalions on our side, as best I can recall. Thus weand the Chinese put out large numbers of all types of patrols, to keepeach other away; ambush, fighters and reconaissance.

Both sides raided the other, and the Chinese tried a few serious attacksat us but were frustrated. We on the other hand tried numerous ways ofgetting a prisoner but never did as far as I know. Lost a lot of mentrying which in hind sight seems foolish.

Artillery and large size mortars were the main weapons and used quite often, forboth sides. Sometimes for the most trivial reasons. For example there mayhave been a patrol clash of sorts as there were often, and the losers wouldthen take revenge and shell the heck out of the others which in turnbrought the expected reply. This frequently cost men their life forabsolutely no reason of any value, tactical or otherwise. Since the base positions were relatively fixed, it was imperative to construct strong bunkers.

There were amusing sides to patroling this area, early in 52 the valleystill supported an abundence of wild life ranging from Siberian Tigersdown to a multitude of pheasants and cranes. One occasion saw a lad fromour lot half asleep when on an ambush job, being disturbed and poking hishead quietly over the paddy-field bund. To his shock there was a tigerdoing the same from the other side, he screamed and let fly with a burstfrom his Owen gun up into the air. The tiger likewise was somewhatstartled and screamed in reply before dashing off into the night. Thatfinished that ambush in a hurry.

Yours truly had a 3 man recce one night, the same time as Charlie chose toput in a fair size attack. So there we are trying our best to avoid themseeing us, and escape at the same time. What should I do but almost steponto a pheasant lurking in the rice stalks. Now these beautiful birds laydoggo until the very last second, before taking flight from an intruder.When they take off it is with a whirr of wings the likes off which arehard to describe. So after having a heart attack, I had to decide ifCharlie had spotted us or no; and deciding he must have we went to groundin a muddy field.

Charlie did send some men to investigate, so we three were flat on ourbacks with just our noses out of the water and mud. They were impatientluckily and did only a brief search before rejoining their unit, it seemedlike an eternity to us though.

Interesting times in an interesting place.

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