War at sea: the Royal Australian Navy in Korea - Page 2

“Generally speaking, the war in Korea demanded more competence, courage, and skill from the naval aviator than did World War II. The flying hours were longer, the days on the firing line more, the anti-aircraft hazards greater, the weather worse. There was less tangible evidence of results for a pilot to see.”

Commander M. U. Beebe, USS Essex

Naval airpower
Air squadrons flying from HMAS Sydney

• 805 Squadron
• 808 Squadron
• 817 Squadron

UN naval forces also served a vital function in providing added support to ground forces through the use of naval airpower. HMAS Sydney, an Australian light aircraft carrier, joined the war at sea in late 1951.

Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the recently formed Australian Fleet Air Arm, flown off Sydney, supported hard-pressed ground forces with rockets, bombs and cannon fire. They also flew combat air patrols to protect Sydney from enemy air attack.

“The Korean tour of duty had been costly, with eighty aircraft hit by flak and ten lost. Sadly, three Sea Fury pilots lost their lives and one was wounded … There were no casualties aboard, although there could have been when returning aircraft landed, sometimes still carrying 60-pound rocket projectiles that had failed to fire. As the aircraft hit the flight deck … the rockets launched themselves, speeding along the deck and then disappearing over the bow into the sea.”

Alan Zammit, civilian contractor, HMAS Sydney

Living Conditions
Australian Naval personnel in Korea endured severe hardships. Not only were the waters mined, but operations had to continue in appalling weather.

“At night lying in the hammock, listening to the floes scraping along the side for all the world like a great tin opener, made one thankful to the naval architect who had specified 3/8" plating for the construction. No doubt, the occupants of the lower seamen's and stokers' mess had very similar thoughts.”

Lieutenant Vince Fazio, HMAS Condamine

In winter, snow and ice covered the ships' decks, and sailors lived in cramped and often freezing quarters. Large naval guns were operated every ten minutes to ensure they did not freeze up.

In summer and autumn, typhoons brought rough seas and winds of up to 160 kilometres per hour.

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