On 20 October 1950, 187 Airborne Regimental Combat Team dropped in advance of the UN spearheads to release a trainload of American prisoners and to cut the enemy retreat route up the west coast of Korea. The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, at this time leading the 1 Corps advance, was ordered to link up with elements of 187 Airborne force moving south from Sukchon.

Two days later, on 22 October at about 9.00 a.m., 3 RAR, which was leading the brigade, came under fire a mile north of Yongyu. A few minutes later the battalion was informed that 187 Airborne force was about a mile further north. The battalion then advanced to locate the Americans; C Company advanced in tanks towards the positions from which the enemy fire was coming. Close to the objective the C Company soldiers leapt out and engaged in a determined bayonet attack. In most instances the North Korean soldiers left their fire positions or pits and fled, suffering heavy casualties along the way. Artillery and mortars were not used as the exact location of the 187th Airborne troops was not known.