10 April 2007

Peter King, DSO, MC and Derek Rixon, DCM

In November 1951, Hill 335 in Korea was defended by the King’s Own Scottish Borderers with the artillery of 16 Field Regiment in support. The forward artillery observation post for the New Zealand guns was manned by Captain Peter King and Gunner Derek Rixon. A massive Chinese attack was mounted on Hill 335 and the observation post party called in gunfire which broke up the first assault. Further attacks swarmed up the hill and the barrage destroyed GNR Rixon’s radios and cut the telephone lines. With communication lost with the guns, the enemy managed to penetrate the position. Both soldiers therefore charged through heavy fire to the danger point in the position, to engage the enemy at close quarters, and initially succeeded in holding them off with grenades and small arms fire. They returned several times to company headquarters for a re-supply of grenades and ammunition and each time returned to the battle in spite of the intense bombardment, heavy fire, and overwhelming numbers of enemy. While hurling grenades from exposed positions, GNR Rixon was wounded once and CAPT King three times. In spite of their complete determination to defend the position, after two hours, sheer weight of enemy numbers and high casualties forced the company commander to order a withdrawal. GNR Rixon then carried CAPT King out of action through heavy shelling and was wounded again.

CAPT King showed a great example of tenacity, commitment and courage and was made a member of the Distinguished Service Order. GNR Rixon demonstrated a fine example of courage, commitment and comradeship while fighting alongside his officer and finally carrying him out of action. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Before joining the New Zealand Army, Peter King provided one of the most unusual stories to arise from World War II. He was a dental sergeant in the British Army when, with another dental assistant, he pilfered grenades and weapons, commandeered a fishing boat and mounted his own personal commando raid on the German-held French coast. After doing some damage to German communications they sailed back to England; although when their boat ran out of fuel they drifted for days before being picked up. Both Sergeant King and his friend were court-martialled and reduced to the ranks, before King left dentistry and was posted to a proper commando unit. The story of his personal commando raid is told in the 2002 movie Two Men went to War, although it includes some inaccuracies. The movie depicts SGT King as too old to get into combat when in fact he was only 26 when he mounted his personal invasion of occupied Europe.

King was later awarded the Military Cross for actions in Holland in 1944, before immigrating to New Zealand after the war and joining the New Zealand Army for service in Korea. He retired from the Army in 1960. Unfortunately, after becoming Chief Park Ranger in Westland National Park, Peter King died in a car accident in 1962.

Image Gallery - Issue 374