Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
Armed Forces of the World Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: Korea - The Forgotten War
BadNews    3/1/2007 10:48:19 AM
Recent erroneous postings in the Infantry section and the post about the Suez incident really got me thinking about a few things. The Korean war, often called 'The Forgotten War' was an amazing example of cooperation between allies. The sudden, overwhelming attack by the North which saw autrocities often forgotten like the North Koreans marching civilians over mine fields in order not to slow their advance, mass murder you name it, but yet a dedicated coalition that overcame adversity in it's truest sense. The Korean War was almost of WWIII proportions, and thrust the west against a CHicom army of overwhelming strength at a time when most nations were weary of war and in fact still were largely stocked with WW II hardware. Just look at the numbers. TROOP STRENGTHS Peak strength for the UNC was 932,964 on July 27, 1953 -- the day the Armistice Agreement was signed: Republic of Korea 590,911 Columbia 1,068 United States 302,483 Belgium 900 United Kingdom 14,198 South Africa 826 Canada 6,146 The Netherlands 819 Turkey 5,453 Luxembourg 44 Australia 2,282 Philippines 1,496 New Zealand 1,385 Thailand 1,204 Ethiopia 1,271 Greece 1,263 France 1,119 Even Sweden, had a few hundred that set up a field hospital that remained there until 1957 In light of recent events there now, how do you think the world would react if say a nuke was launched at South Korea
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest
Pages: PREV  1 2 3 4   NEXT
stbretnco    Turks in Korea   3/4/2007 6:03:37 PM
Kane,
 
My father is a Korean war vet. During part of the war, his unit was behind a Turkish unit. One of the Turks' favorite ploys was to have part of their unit start a bonfire on top of the hill they were defending, and have a few soldiers from the unit relaxing around the bonfire, making it look like a lightly defended hill with a lax unit in the defense. The Chinese would assault the hill, only to be mowed down by the soldiers who were in hide positions on the face of the hill about 10 feet down from the summit. The Chinese evidently never got the hint, as they kept at it for a week.
 
Dad never had anything but praise for the Turks he encountered during his time in Korea.
 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 7:13:40 PM

Republic of Korea 590,911
Columbia 1,068
United States 302,483
Belgium 900
United Kingdom 14,198
South Africa 826
Canada 6,146
The Netherlands 819
Turkey 5,453
Luxembourg 44
Australia 2,282
Philippines 1,496
New Zealand 1,385
Thailand 1,204
Ethiopia 1,271
Greece 1,263
France 1,119

 

I'm not surprised that France was one of the smallest contributors.

 

Even back then it was reluctant to send troops abroad.


Adam I am afraid that I can't go with you on this one concerning France,

FRENCH FORCES IN THE KOREAN WAR


Additional forces from UN countries arrived during the latter part of November 1950. Among these was the French Battalion. Consisting of 39 officers, 172 non-commissioned officers and more than 800 enlisted personnel, the battalion departed Marseilles on 25 September arriving at Pusan on 30 November. It was not entirely ashore until the fifth of December. Once equipped with US weapons and vehicles, it was attached the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd US Army Division with whom it served until the end of hostilities 27 July 1953. During this period 3,421 French soldiers were involved in Korea. Of these, 287 were killed in action; 1,350 wounded in action; 7 missing in action; and 12 became prisoners of war.

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:24:43 PM

BELGIUM FORCES

 

Belgium’s Korea Volunteer Corps (Corps Volontaires Corea) was comprised of 900 Infantry troops. The 1st Belgium Battalion (1st Bataillon Belge) arrived in December 1950 and was attached to the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division in January 1951. It was replaced by the 2nd Belgium Battalion (2nd Bataillon Belge) in Aug 1951. The 2nd Belgium Battalion remained in Korea until Jun 1955. Additionally, a 44-man, all volunteer infantry platoon from Luxembourg served with the Belgium Battalions throughout the war.

Casualties                         97 KIA                 355 WIA

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:26:16 PM

 Canadians in Korea, 1950-1953

On June 25, 1950 the forces of North Korea crossed the 38th Parallel into the Republic of Korea, attacking at many points and landing sea-borne detachments on the east coast of South Korea. The magnitude of the assault made it clear that this was a full-scale invasion.

World reaction was swift.  At the request of the United States, the Security Council of the United Nations met on the afternoon of June 25 and called for immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of North Korean forces to the 38th Parallel. As it soon became evident that the North Koreans had no intention of complying with this demand, President Truman ordered the United States Navy and Air Force to support the South Koreans by every possible means.

On the same day, a second UN resolution called on the Members to "furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as may be necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area". This was, in effect, a declaration of war on North Korea.

On June 30 President Truman authorized the commitment of American troops. Other UN member nations offered forces and the Security Council recommended that all troops be placed under a single commander. Thus, a United Nations Command was established in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur of the United States.

Meanwhile, the North Koreans were pushing rapidly forward through the valleys and rice paddies of the Korean peninsula. The South Korean capital, Seoul, was occupied on June 28, and by the first week of August the UN forces were confined within the "Pusan Perimeter", a small area in the southeast of the peninsula. They were still being hard pressed when, on September 15, a successful allied amphibious landing was made at Inchon, the port of Seoul. This assault, coupled with a breakout from the Pusan bridgehead, changed the military situation overnight. The North Korean troops were soon in precipitate retreat.

The UN forces moved rapidly northward, recaptured Seoul, crossed the 38th Parallel and advanced towards the border of Manchuria. Then Communist China intervened. At the end of November strong Chinese forces crossed the frontier and launched a massive offensive which drove the UN and South Korean armies back across the 38th Parallel to positions well to the south along the Imjin River.

The Canadian Government, while agreeing in principle with the moves made to halt aggression, did not immediately commit its forces to action in Korea. At the close of the Second World War the Canadian armed forces had been reduced to peacetime strength and were specially trained for the defence of Canada. Furthermore, the Far East had never been an area in which Canada had any special national interest.

The first Canadian aid to the hard-pressed UN forces came from the Royal Canadian Navy. On July 12, 1950 three Canadian destroyers, HMCS Cayuga, HMCS Athabaskan and HMCS Sioux, were dispatched to Korean waters to serve under United Nations Command. These ships supported the assault at Inchon and played an especially important role in the evacuation, which followed the Chinese intervention. In the retreat south, a large body of American troops was cut off in the Chinnampo area. The three Canadian destroyers, together with an Australian and an American destroyer, negotiated the difficult Taedong river to successfully cover the embarkation.

Also in July, a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron was assigned to air transport du-ties with the United Nations. No. 426 Squadron flew regularly scheduled flights between McChord Air Force Base, Washington, and Haneda Airfield, Tokyo throughout the campaign.

On August 7, 1950, as the Korean crisis deepened, the Government authorized the recruitment of the Canadian Army Special Force. It was to be specially trained and equipped to carry out Canada's obligations under the United Nations charter or the North Atlantic Pact. The original components of the Special Force included the second battalions of the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), and Royal 22e Régiment (R22eR); "C" Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians); 2nd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA); 57th Canadian Independent Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE); 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade Signal Squadron; No. 54 Canadian Transport Company, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC); and No. 25 Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC).

On August 8, Brigadier J.M. Rockingham accepted command of the Canadian Infantry Brigade. However, following the Inchon landing

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:28:18 PM

COLOMBIAN FORCES

 

The first of four Colombia Battalions — 1st Batallon Colombia -- to serve in Korea during the war arrived in Jun 1951 and stayed until replaced by the 2nd Batallon Colombia July 1952. The 2nd Batallon Colombia was replaced by the 3rd Batallon Colombia in Nov 1952. It was replaced by the 4th Batallon Colombia in Jun 1953 and stayed in Korea until Oct 1954. Each of these units had a field strength of 1,000 men. The 1st Batallon Colombia was assigned to the U.S. 24th Infantry Division on arrival but transferred to the U.S. 7th Infantry Division Jan. 23, 1952 when the U.S. 24th Division returned to Japan. The 2nd & 3rd Batallon Colombia also fought as part of the U.S. 7th Infantry Division.  It is worth noting the 3rd Batallon was severely mauled in March 1953 when Chinese forces overran "Old Baldy."  In this battle Colombian forces fought well but were overwhelmed when a full Chinese division attacked.  Thus the 3rd Batallon had the dubious distinction of suffering the most casualties of any Colombian unit.

(09/20/99 -- Patches and battle information will posted when received from the Colombian Korean War Veterans Association.)

Casualties                         146 KIA     69 MIA      448 WIA

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:30:26 PM

jutlandia.jpg (33277 bytes)http://www.korean-war.com/images/ships/jutlandia.jpg" width=600>

DANISH HOSPITAL SHIP "JUTLANDIA"

When the Korean War began the Danish government decided to furnish a fully-equipped and staffed hospital ship as its contribution to the U.N. effort so in July 1950 ordered the conversion of the 8,500 ton Motor Vessel JUTLANDIA to fill this requirement.

Conversion of JUTLANDIA, originally built at Nakskov Shipyard in 1934, was completed at the same shipyard in three months. When finished the JUTLANDIA was a modern hospital ship with 300 beds, 3 operating theaters, a dental clinic, X-Ray facilities and staffed by a rapidly assembled, but very competent, medical staff.

The JUTLANDIA sailed from Copenhagen in September 1950, arriving at Pusan in October 1950 where it served basically as an evacuation hospital. (A facility providing treatment and temporary hospitalization until the patient could be moved to where they could receive long-term care.) Upon return to Denmark upon completion of its first tour in Korean waters it had a helicopter deck installed. Upon return to Korea for its second tour (dates of these unknown) it was anchored at Inch'on, close enough to the fighting front that wounded could be evacuated to the ship directly from battalion and regimental aid stations.

The JUTLANDIA returned to Denmark on October 16, 1953, following the end of hostilities.

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:33:11 PM

ETHIOPIAN FORCES

EthiopianMedal.JPG (4629 bytes)http://www.korean-war.com/images/Medals/EthiopianMedal.JPG" width=92>
Distinguished Military Medal of Haili Salessie the First

Ethiopia furnished three 1,200-man battalions to the UN Command, beginning in June 1951 but only one battalion at a time. The first of these battalions — known as Kagnew (Conquerors) Battalions — arrived in May 1951 and was assigned to the U.S. 7th Infantry Division.

1st Kagnew Battalion Jun 51 — Apr 52

2nd Kagnew Battalion Apr 52 — Apr 53

3rd Kagnew Battalion Apr 53 — Apr 54

(09/20/99 — A monograph on these units’ activities and casualties, plus unit crests/patches, will be posted when received from the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Association.)

Casualties                         122 KIA                 566 WIA

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:38:41 PM

ROYAL HELLENIC (GREEK) FORCES

 

840 infantrymen of the Royal Hellenic Battalion arrived in Korea on 9 December 1950. Once equipped and trained, this battalion was assigned to the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division’s 7th Cavalry Regiment. Augmented by a second battalion shortly after the Korean War ended in a cease-fire, these units returned to their country in December 1955.

Casualties                         194 KIA                 459 WIA

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:40:53 PM
INDIA
 
60TH PARACHUTE FIELD AMBULANCE PLATOON

The 60th Parachute Field Ambulance Platoon was much more than the title "platoon" indicates. For all intents it was a mobile army surgical hospital (MASH.) Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A.G. Rangaraj, it joined UN forces at P'yongyang on December 4, 1950, just in time to tape part in 8th Army's withdrawal out of North Korea. On December 14, 1950, it formally became the medical evacuation unit for the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade (later redesignated the 28th British Commonwealth Brigade.) It supported this unit throughout the war.

The 60th quickly gained the respect of Commonwealth troops for its high-quality medical care and the courage of its people when under fire. Nearly all Commonwealth troops evacuated from the front lines passed through the unit before being evacuated to long-term care hospitals.

As a sidebar, some members of the 60th Indian Field Ambulance Platoon jumped with the U.S. 187th Regimental Combat Team at Munsan-ni on March 22, 1951.

 
Quote    Reply

BadNews       3/4/2007 9:43:18 PM

rar-4.jpg (13114 bytes)http://www.korean-war.com/images/patches/countries/australia.jpg" width=180>

AUSTRALIA IN THE KOREAN WAR

KOREAN WAR 1950 - 1953

The crisis in Korea originated in the closing phases of the Second World War, when control of the Korean peninsula, formerly occupied by Japan, was entrusted to the Allies, and the United States and the Soviet Union divided responsibility for the country between them at the 38th parallel. Over the course of the next few years, the Soviet Union fostered a strong communist regime in the north, while the US supported the government in the south; by mid-1950, tensions between the two zones, each under a different regime, had escalated to the point where two hostile armies were building up along the border. On 25 June a North Korean army finally crossed into the southern zone and advanced towards the capital, Seoul. The city fell in less than a week, and North Korean forces continued their southward drive towards the strategically important port of Pusan.

Within two days, the US had offered air and sea support to South Korea, and the United Nations Security Council asked all its members to assist in repelling the North Korean attack. Twenty-one nations responded by providing troops, ships, aircraft and medical teams. Australia’s contribution included 77 Squadron of the RAAF and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), both of which were stationed in Japan at the time as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

When 3 RAR arrived in Pusan on 28 September, the North Korean advance had been halted and their army was in full retreat. The Supreme Commander of the UN forces, General Douglas MacArthur, was given permission to pursue them into North Korea, despite warnings from the Chinese government that it would not countenance any UN troops crossing the border. 3 RAR moved north as part of the invasion force and fought their first major action near the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. As the UN forces continued their advance towards the Yalu river on the border between North Korea and Manchuria, a series of successes led many to believe that the UN forces would soon bring the war to an end.

At the same time, unbeknown to the UN commanders, the Chinese government had made good its threat and moved 18 divisions into North Korea. They struck with overwhelming force against US troops on 1 November and sent them into retreat. By mid-November, despite the continuing Chinese attacks in the harsh winter weather, MacArthur prepared a massive advance to the Yalu River to defeat the North Korean and Chinese forces once and for all. But only one day after the attack commenced the Chinese struck back, inflicting successive defeats on the UN forces and forcing them into retreat towards the 38th parallel.

The Chinese halted their offensive in January 1951, Seoul once again having fallen to the invading forces. At the UN headquarters in New York, efforts were made to conclude a ceasefire with the communist coalition, but negotiations broke down before any progress had been made. By the end of February, Chinese resistance collapsed south of the Han River near Seoul, and the city was recaptured by UN forces in mid-March. UN commanders were then faced with the question of whether to cross the 38th parallel once again. Opinions were divided between those who favoured a cease-fire along the border and those, including MacArthur, who wished to renew the northward advance. On 11 April 1951 MacArthur was dismissed from his command, as it was feared in Washington that his intemperance was likely to escalate the war.

Australian troops participated in two major battles in 1951. On the evening of 22 April, Chinese forces attacked the Kapyong valley and forced South Korean and New Zealand troops into retreat; other UN troops, including Australians, were ordered to halt the attack. After a night of fierce fighting, during which their positions were overrun, the Australians recaptured their postions and stalled the Chinese advance, at a cost of only 32 men killed and 53 wounded. For their contribution to this action, 3 RAR was awarded a US Presidential Citation.

The second major battle for the Australians was Operation Commando, an attack against a Chinese-held salient in a bend of the Imjin, a river running north-south that crosses the 38th parallel just above Seoul. Here the Commonwealth Division, including the Australians, had two key objectives: Hills 355 and 317. The attack began on 3 October, and after five days of heavy fighting the Chinese withdrew. Twenty Australians were killed in the battle and 89 were wounded.

From 1951 on, both sides found thems

 
Quote    Reply
PREV  1 2 3 4   NEXT



 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics