War on land: the Australian Army in Korea - Page 1
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Members of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), at night during a battle in August 1952.
Bren gunner Private S. Henry, of King Island, Tasmania.
Wearing a sweat rag cap and an armoured vest, Private Len Murdoch has his face blackened by his mate, Private Fred Goodare, in preparation for a night patrol.
Carrying weapons and trenching tools, members of 3 RAR move along the edge of a paddy field, November 1950.
An Australian soldier models the equipment issued to 3 RAR troops in Korea. It includes an armoured vest, basic pouches, and rubber patrol boots with canvas lace-up tops.
Film of the conditions faced by the Australian Army in
Korea. |
War on land: the Australian Army in Korea“The Korean War was overwhelmingly a land war, in terms of numbers of participants, casualties and material costs. It was fought across rugged terrain through which ran only rough, narrow roads and tracks. Operations were further complicated by extreme conditions of heat and cold, rain and snow for long periods.” Robert O'Neill, Official Historian of Australia in the Korean War Australian Army units in the Korean War
By August 1950, the North Korean invasion into South Korea had pushed the Allied forces into a small corner of the peninsula around Pusan (map). In September, the war changed direction: General Douglas MacArthur, the United Nations Supreme Commander, launched an amphibious assault, which landed UN troops at Inchon near Seoul, outflanking the North Korean forces and cutting off their supply routes. UN forces were authorised to cross the 38th parallel into North Korea and begin a long advance north. At this time, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), under the command of Lt Col Charlie Green, DSO, joined the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade at Pusan, commanded by Brigadier Basil Aubrey Coad. Advancing into North Korea, the Australian army fought its first battle on 22 October, near Yongju. As 3 RAR and the rest of the 27th Brigade continued north, large numbers of North Korean soldiers surrendered. 30 October saw 3 RAR fight a successful action at Chongju. The UN forces rapidly advanced through North Korea and were soon closing on the border with China. Chinese forces launched a massive offensive across the border, forcing a UN retreat during November. Throughout 1950-51, Australian ground troops were involved in many actions, particularly at Kapyong and Maryang San. The UN forces continued to retreat until April 1951, when the war entered a long period of stalemate, until the final armistice, on 27 July 27 1953. Australian ground forces in the Korean War displayed the same courage and adaptability in their operations as they had during the Second World War. Despite difficulties of climate, geography and a determined enemy, Australian troops in Korea fought well, and were praised by the forces of many other nations. Page 1 2 |
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