5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards - Post-WW II

Post-WW II

In December 1951, the regiment arrived in Korea to take part in the Korean War—a war that had been raging ever since North Korea had launched a surprise attack against South Korea—as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division. The Chinese launched a massive attack on 'The Hook', a tactically important position held by the British, on 18 November 1952, commencing the second battle for 'The Hook'. The Black Watch, having stoutly defended their positions, were forced back by the overwhelming Chinese attack. Subsequently, the British launched a counter-attack that supported the Black Watch as they began the methodical effort to dislodge the Chinese from 'The Hook'; B Squadron of the regiment, which was armed with the powerful Centurion main battle tank, was part of this attack. Fighting raged on into the early hours of 19 November but, as dawn broke, the Chinese retreated, unable to consolidate their position on 'The Hook'. The 5th Inniskillings left Korea the following month, arriving in the Suez Canal Zone just prior to its handover to the Egyptians. It returned home to the UK the following year.

In 1964, the regiment had squadrons in the three British territories of Aden, Bahrain and Hong Kong; the following year, the regiment was posted to the British military bases in Libya. In 1966, A Squadron deployed to Cyprus to act in the reconnaissance role for the United Nations (UN) forces, which were there to prevent conflict from breaking out between the opposing Greek and Turkish Cypriots. In 1968, the regiment returned home and shortly afterwards deployed to Herford, West Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine. In October 1973, the regiment joined the UN forces in Cyprus; returning to its base in May 1974.

In April 1981, the regiment deployed to Northern Ireland on a 4-month tour before returning to Osnabrück. In 1984, the Inniskillings returned to the UK, to Tidworth. A Squadron was detached to serve as the armoured component of the United Kingdom Mobile Force, tasked with reinforcing the Baltic approaches in time of war. D Squadron was based in Warminster as the armoured support squadron to the school of infantry. The regiment returned to Germany (Barker Barracks, Paderborn) just two years later as part of 11 Armd Bde, 4 Armd Div. Another 4-month Northern Ireland tour began in September 1989.

In 1992, as a consequence of the Options for Change defence cuts, the regiment was amalgamated with the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards to form the Royal Dragoon Guards. Its traditions are carried on by the new regiment.