Yangtze Incident Memorial - The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 52° 43.797 W 001° 43.890
30U E 585657 N 5842985
A memorial to the Yangtze Incident in The National Memorial Arboretum.
Waymark Code: WM92RT
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/19/2010
Views: 5
This small garden area contains 46 Euonymous plants in a circle to commemorate the dead. The Yangtze Incident story is detailed on a blue plaque in the plot and we have summarised it below:
During 1949 the Yangtze Incident occurred on the Yangtze River in China. China was locked in a Civil War and HMS Consort was stationed at Nanking protecting the British Embassy. HMS Amethyst went to relieve her but came under heavy fire from the Communists. HMS Consort went to her rescue but also came under heavy fire. Many lives were lost and both ships needed medical assistance.
HMS Black Swan and HMS London went to HMS Amethyst's aid displaying white ensigns but they too came under heavy fire. They had to abandon their mission and return through further heavy fire incurring more casualities. RAF Sunderland, a flying boat, brought a doctor to HMS Amethyst but the ship remained prisoner for 100 days unable to leave the Yangtze River.
Eventually HMS Amethyst escaped with the aid of Lt. Cdr. Kerans leading her through the gauntlet with her only sustaining one more hit. Then she met HMS Concord at the mouth of the river and sent her famous signal 'Have rejoined the Fleet south of Woosung, no damage or casualties, God Save the King'.
46 died and 68 were injured amongst the four ships involved in the incident. A black, polished granite memorial to the four ships lies within the circle of plants in the garden. Trees are dedicated including one to RAF Sunderland.
Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
Every day apart from Christmas Day 9am to 5pm or dusk in Winter.
Entrance fees (if it applies): Free to enter but £2.00 Car Parking Fee
Type of memorial: Garden
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