Korea: in from the cold, International Military History Conference, 6- 7 October 2011

The Australian War Memorial in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to announce this year’s international military history conference, which focuses on the Korean War.

 “Some of Australia’s finest military achievements occurred during the Korean war,” says Dr Peter Pedersen, Head of the Research Centre at the Memorial. “Coinciding with the 60^th anniversary year of landmark Australian battles in Korea, at Kapyong in April 1951, and Maryang San in October 1951, this conference will commemorate those achievements and honour Australia’s Korean War veterans in a way that they truly deserve.”

 The conference will be opened by the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Professor Robert O’Neill AO, the Australian Official historian of the Korean War and former Chichele Professor of the History of War from the University of Oxford, will deliver the keynote address. 

Among the experts from Australia, the United States, Britain, China and South Korea who will present their latest research findings are:

• Professor Allan R Millett from the University of New Orleans and Ohio State University
• Dr Xiaobing Li from the University of Central Oklahoma
• Cameron Forbes from the University of Tasmania
• Dr Jongnam Na from the Republic of Korea Military Academy
• Dr Richard P. Hallion, former Chief Historian from the United States Air Force
• Rowan Callick, Asia-Pacific editor of The Australian
• Professor David Horner AM from the Australian National University
• Dr Bob Breen from the Australian National University
• Nigel Steel from the Imperial War Museum, London
• Dr Peter Edwards AM, Australian Official Historian on Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948-75 

The Australian and British veterans of the Korean War who will be presenting their perceptions of the conflict include:

• Sir William Purves CBE DSO, platoon commander, 1^st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 1951
• Brigadier Colin Kahn DSO AM (Retd), platoon commander, 1RAR, 1952
• Brigadier J J Shelton DSO MC (Retd), company commander 3RAR, 1951-1952

You can also watch Dr Peter Pedersen's introduction to the conference on YouTube.