Australians in the Korean War 1950-1953

Korean War 1950–53

From: http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/korea.htm

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.

Commanding Officer No. 77 Squadron RAAF, Wing Commander Lou Spence straps into the cockpit of P51-D Mustang fighter in Korea
AWM JK1018
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 positions 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.

HMAS Sydney during Typhoon Ruth, 14 October 1951.

Read more at the link.

 

Australian Army war diaries - Korean War for Australian unit War Diaries concerning Korean War

Rod

 

Thanks for posting that Rod.

 

Hi All,

It's great to see a forum for Korea on a WWII website.

It's an area close to my own heart as my Dad flew 201 fighter missions in Korea with 77 Squadron RAAF. (He also served in WWII as a Commando in New Guinea.)

The RAAF in Korea and the Gloster Meteor are two of my fields of interest, so this forum is great to see.

Here's a snap of Dad in a Meteor, Kimpo 1952.

Cheers

Owen

View attachment 966

 

Thanks for the compliment Owen.

Glad to see our ideas for a differing format is being accepted.


Cheers

Geoff

 

Cheers Owen. When did your father join 77 Squadron? Was it during it's initial Mustang period or after they'd converted?

I gather the squadron had a very rough time in air combat, but were excellent in their ground attack role.

Mustangs, Meteors and MiGs

RAAF Mustangs, 77 Squadron
Meteor Operations in Korea
Phillip Zupp, 201 Combat Missions over Korea

And would your father be Phillip Zupp, of 2/10 Australian Commando Squadron?

 

The Australian Korean War Nominal Roll:

Nominal Roll of Australian Veterans of the Korean War

 

I was speaking to a pilot from 77 Sqdn Korean War whose name escapes me for the moment and he lamented quite strongly about losing his Mustang and given a Meteor. He said it was like getting out of a sports car into a truck, he didn't like the Meteor one little bit.

Rod

 

The early jets certainly were seen as less maneuverable in comparison.

Owen, I see you've been busy:

ADF Aircraft Serial Numbers - RAAF A77 Gloster Meteor F8

 

Quite a life your Dad led, Owen, you must be understandably very proud. Do you attend 77 Sqn reunions?

 

Hi All,

Dad was on the Meteors in Korea, though the Mustang remained the favourite of the many aircraft he flew. The Meteor did have a rough time, but was quite a stable platform for ground attack, which is where it made its mark in Korea. (I might start a thread on the Meteor at some point.) A little known fact is the casualties that 77 Squadron suffered in Korea; the strike rate wasn't good. Dad's logbook notates how many holes were in his machine on return and numerous instances of landing with virtually bingo fuel. He also had his canopy blown off and copped shrapnel in the face which constitutes another entry. It's great reading.

Kyt, you've certainly done some homework on Dad. He was with the 2/10 Cavalry Commandos and was actually amongst the first Aussies to land in Hiroshima with the BCOF, travelling there directly from Wewak. He finally made it home from the war in 1947.

I could go on all day about this as I have researched it literally my whole life and have volumes of information and treasured items of memorabilia. Anyway, I'll wind up but I'm happy to discuss this further if there's interest.

Cheers

Owen

View attachment 967
These are his battered goggles from the aforementioned mission. (There's still evidence of his 'claret' down the bottom of the padding.)

 

Please do Owen. I know very little about the Korean War. I've been meaning to read these two books for ages (but unlikely to get to do so for quite some time due to the large pile I've already got waiting for me):

Amazon.co.uk: Furies and Fireflies over Korea: The Story of the Men and Machines of the Fleet Air Arm, RAF and Commonwealth Who Defended South Korea, 1950-1953: Books: Graham Thomas
Amazon.co.uk: With the Yanks in Korea: June 1950 - December 1951 v. 1: Books: Brian Cull,Dennis Newton

So I'd be very interested in any information and stories you wish to share.

 

And I'd also be interested in how your father went from the Commandos to becoming a fighter pilot - now that's certainly quite a leap in direction!

 

Hi again Kyt,

Yes, Dad had a very diverse service career. The road that he followed to get there and the experiences along the way were remarkable. He was 5'5" as tough as nails and rather shy about it all. Despite obviously having the grit to fight, Mum never had to open a car door while he was alive.

To answer Andy, yes I am very proud of him. My Mum too, who served as a radar operator in WWII and re-enlisted post-war as well. I don't go to 77 SQN reunions but I'm still in touch with a number of his mates from those days.

I'll get organised and post some Korean War material in the near future.

Cheers

Owen

 

Post away, Owen, we'll all be happy to learn more, particularly about your Mum and Dad.

 

RAAF Units Korean War - 30 Communications Unit

Courtesy of:


http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_21761korea.asp


30 Communications Unit RAAF

Although 77 Squadron was the best known RAAF unit that served in the Korean War, it was not the only one. 30 Communications Flight, 491 (Maintenance) Squadron, and 391 (Base) Squadron also participatd in the war. In October 1950 all RAAF units attached to the United Nations Command in Korea were regrouped into 91 (Composite) Wing. With the exception of 77 Squadron, which flew combat missions, the wing’s other squadrons were based at Iwakuni in Japan.
30 Communications Flight was subsequently redesignated to 30 Transport Unit and had two C–47 Dakotas and two Auster light aircraft. One of these Dakotas was supplied to Lieutenant General Horace Robertson, the commander of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). 30 Unit’s flight commander was also Robertson’s personal pilot. Due to operational demands the unit received two additional Dakotas from Australia.
The unit played a major role in supporting 77 Squadron in Korea, transporting equipment and supplies to the squadron, as well as material and stores for the army assisting both the Australian and British ground forces. In addition to its transport and resupply role, the unit also evacuated wounded personnel from Korea and carried official visitors for the United Nations Command. In March 1953 30 Unit was succeeded by the newly formed 36 Transport Squadron.
30 Flight conducted a training flight over South Korea just before the outbreak of war. Its successor unit, 36 Squadron, was the last RAAF unit to leave the threatre. The unit, therefore, claims to have been the “first and last” in Korea.
In 1953, after the armistice had been in force long enough to show it would be effective, the size of the Commonwealth forces in Korea were considerably reduced. Most RAAF units returned to Australin in late 1954 and early 1955. 36 Squadron returned to Australia between January and March 1955, leaving behind four Dakotas which became RAAF Transport Flight (Japan). The flight remained in the theatre until 8 July 1956. It was disbanded a few days later, after returning to Australia.
Glossary

30 Transport Unit ; 36 Transport Squadron ; Bunyan, Alexander John ; Hahn, David Victor ; Humphrey, Malcolm Sydenham ; Iwakuni ; Korea ; Murdoch, Rodney Sinclair Equipment

• Auster aircraft
• Douglas Dakota
• North American P51 Mustang

Battle Honours

• nil

Casualties

• nil

For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Korean War Nominal Roll (external website) databases.
Commanding Officers

• Gerber, John Ewen

Decorations

• 13 AFC
• 16 Commendations for Meritorious Service in the Air
• 2 MID

For more information please see Honours and Awards database
References

• AWM64: 6/10 Unit history sheets, 91 Composite Wing RAAF
• O'Neill, Robert J. (Robert John), 1936-, Official History, Korea Vol.II: Australia in the Korean War 1950-53. Volume 2, Combat operations, (Canberra : Australian War Memorial and the Australian Govt. Pub. Service, 1985)
• Stephens, Alan, The Australian centenary history of defence Vol. 2, The Royal Australian Air Force, (Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 2001)

 

77 Squadron RAAF

Courtesy of:

77 Squadron RAAF: Australian War Memorial
77 Squadron RAAF

No. 77 Squadron was first formed on 16 March 1942, during the Second World War. At the end of the war it was based at Labuan, Borneo. It was sent to Japan in February of 1946 as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF). It was stationed in Iwakuni as part of 81 Fighter Wing, RAAF, along with 76 and 82 Squadrons. These two squadrons were withdrawn from Japan in 1948, and 77 Squadron was preparing to return to Australia when the Korean War began in June of 1950.
77 Squadron was the only formed Mustang unit in the Far East Air Force that was ready for operational use. On 25 June it was put on immediate stand-by, although the Australian Government’s formal commitment was not given until 30 June.
77 Squadron flew its first mission on 2 July. Sixteen sorties were flown without incident. The following day it was tasked to attack road and rail traffic between Heitaku and Suwon. Some members of 77 Squadron had doubts that the target was the enemy. The target was reconfirmed and the attack carried out successfully. However, the squadron was later informed that its misgivings had been correct, and they had actually bombed a friendly transport of ground forces from the Republic of Korea and the United States. Although 77 Squadron was absolved of any fault, it was still a horrible experience.
77 Squadron was based in Japan from June to October 1950. Pilots operated out of the US base at Taegu during the day, before returning to Japan when the mission was completed. It was tiring work. During this period, 77 Squadron was mainly employed in attacking enemy tanks, vehicles and troop concentrations. It also targeted buildings or villages suspected of supporting or sheltering the Communist forces. The squadron carried out strike missions in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter during August.
The Squadron relocated to Pohang, near Pusan on the Korean east coast on 11-12 October. It was regrouped into 91 (Composite) Wing with other RAAF units that were attached to the UN. It moved further north on 18 November to an airfield near the town of Hamhung. However, in December they were forced to move to the south of Pusan to the K-9 airfield, commonly called the ‘Dogpatch’ by the Australians. The entry of China on the side of the north had caused a general retreat of all UN Command forces.
In November of 1950 the Chinese Air Force introduced the Soviet MiG-15 into the war. The Mustangs were unable to compete against this far superior aircraft. It was decided to replace the Mustangs with the Gloster Meteor F Mk8. After a period of training, 77 Squadron flew its first jet fighter combat mission on 29 July 1951. It was based in Kimpo. The first skirmish between Meteor and MiG-15 occurred on 29 August.
Initially the Meteors did not perform well against the MiG-15. The operational deployment of the Meteor was consequently restricted. 77 Squadron was not to be used in the area between the Yalu and Chongchon Rivers otherwise known as ‘MiG Alley’. It was taken off aggressive fighter sweep missions, and was primarily employed in combat air-patrol sorties, the protection of light bombers and as ground-attack air craft.
On 2 December the squadron’s role was limited further. It was no longer allowed to fly fighter sweeps or combat air patrols over North Korea. Instead, it took on a role in airfield defence.
The resulting boredom caused a drop in morale. To combat this, the squadron was given ground attack missions from 8 January 1952. For the remainder of the war 77 Squadron was primarily employed in flying these missions. It also undertook fighter sweeps, combat air patrols, bomber escorts, reconnaissance and search and rescue. In the closing days of the war in July, 1953, the squadron took part in large scale raids on reconstructed North Korean airfields.
Following the armistice on 27 July 1953, 77 Squadron remained in Korea preparing for a possible violation of the armistice by the Communist forces. It was stationed at Kimpo until March 1954, before moving to Kunsan. On 12 October it returned to Iwakuni, Japan. The Squadron departed for Australia on 14 November.
Glossary

Iwakuni ; Korea ; 38th Parallel Area ; Mig Alley Equipment

• North American P51 Mustang
• Gloster Meteor

Battle Honours

• Korea 1950-1953

Casualties

• 41 killed
• 6 prisoners
• no wounded information available

For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Korean War Nominal Roll (external website) databases.
Commanding Officers

• Cresswell, Richard C (Dick)
• Hodges, Alan
• Hubble, John Wilkins
• Kinninmont, Jack Royston
• Spence, Louis Thomas
• Steege, Gordon Henry
• Susans, Ronald Thomas

Decorations

• 3 DSO
• 4 MBE
• 53 DFC
• 2 AFC
• 18 DFM
• 1 AFM
• 2 BEM
• 96 MID

For more information please see Honours and Awards database
References

• Out in the cold : Australia's involvement in the Korean War 1950-53., (Canberra : Commemerative Program, Department of Veterans' Affairs, c2000)
• O'Neill, Robert J. (Robert John), 1936-, Official History, Korea Vol.II: Australia in the Korean War 1950-53. Volume 2, Combat operations, (Canberra : Australian War Memorial and the Australian Govt. Pub. Service, 1985)
• Stephens, Alan, The Australian centenary history of defence Vol. 2, The Royal Australian Air Force, (Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 2001)
• Wilson, David, Lion over Korea : 77 Fighter squadron, RAAF, 1950-53, (Belconnen, A.C.T. : Banner Books, 1994)

 

91 Composite Wing RAAF

Courtesy of:

91 Composite Wing RAAF: Australian War Memorial
91 Composite Wing RAAF

Although 77 Squadron was the best known RAAF unit that served in the Korean War, it was not the only one. 30 Communications Flight, 491 (Maintenance) Squadron, and 391 (Base) Squadron also participatd in the war. In October 1950 all RAAF units attached to the United Nations Command in Korea were regrouped into the newly formed 91 (Composite) Wing. With the exception of 77 Sqaudron, which flew combat missions, the wing’s other squadrons were based at Iwakuni in Japan.
The wing was essentially an administrative unit, however one of the important tasks was evacuating sick and wounded Commonwealth personnel from Korea to Japan. From January 1951 to December 1953 the wing evacuated 12,762 medical evacuations. Of these, the wing transported 728 evacuees to Australia and 1530 to the United Kingdom.
In 1953, after the armistice had been in force long enough to show it would be effective, the Australain government began taking the first steps to withdraw its forces from Korea: the 1st Commonwealth Division was reduced to a brigade group; the naval commitment was reduced to four vessels; and the RAAF was virtually completely withdrawn, leaving only a few transport aircarft. The wing’s squadrons and aircraft were consequently returned to Japan. Most RAAF units returned to Australia in late 1954 and early 1955. 91 Wing was disbanded at Iwakuni on 30 April 1955.
Glossary

1 Commonwealth Division ; Iwakuni ; Korea Equipment

• Auster aircraft
• Douglas Dakota
• North American P51 Mustang

Battle Honours

• nil

Casualties

• 1 died

For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Korean War Nominal Roll (external website) databases.
Commanding Officers

• Carr, Anthony George
• Chapman, Dixie Robinson
• Charlton, Arthur Dallas
• Lampe, Wilfred Norman
• Podger, Ivan Stanley

Decorations

• 1 OBE
• 2 Foreign awards

For more information please see Honours and Awards database
References

• AWM64: 6/10 Unit history sheets, 91 Composite Wing RAAF
• Out in the cold : Australia's involvement in the Korean War 1950-53., (Canberra : Commemerative Program, Department of Veterans' Affairs, c2000)
• O'Neill, Robert J. (Robert John), 1936-, Official History, Korea Vol.II: Australia in the Korean War 1950-53. Volume 2, Combat operations, (Canberra : Australian War Memorial and the Australian Govt. Pub. Service, 1985)
• Stephens, Alan, The Australian centenary history of defence Vol. 2, The Royal Australian Air Force, (Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 2001)

 

391 Base Squadron RAAF

Courtesy of:


391 Base Squadron RAAF: Australian War Memorial391 Base Squadron RAAF

Although 77 Squadron was the best known RAAF squadron that served in the Korean War, it was not the only one. 391 (Base) Squadron, 30 Communications Flight, and 491 (Maintenance) Squadron also participated in the war. In October 1950 all RAAF units attached to the United Nations Command in Korea were regrouped into 91 (Composite) Wing. With the exception of 77 Squadron, which flew combat missions, the wing’s other squadrons were based at Iwakuni in Japan.
Working closely with 491 (Maintenance) Squadron, 391 (Base) Squadron maintained, repaired, and, if necessary, replaced RAAF aircraft. 391 and 491 Squadrons played a vital role in supporting 77 Squadron and 30 Unit ground crew by undertaking more complex maintenance operations.
The official historian of Australia’s involvement in the Korean War, Robert O’Neill, considered that the level of technical support achieved by the RAAF in Korea and Japan was “outstanding”. Maintenance crews often worked up to 16 hours per day, achieving close to 100 per cent serviceability for the Mustangs and Meteors which allowed 77 Squadron to have a much great effect than a single US squadron.
391 Squadron was the first RAAF unit in the Korean War to use Japanese civilian technicians for maintenance. These technicians had been highly skilled workers during the Second World War but during the occupation were employed as cleaners or in other unskilled jobs. The Japanese were therefore pleased to again work on aircraft and willingly worked long hours.
In 1953, after the armistice, had been in force long enough to show it would be effective, the size of the Commonwealth forces in Korea were considerably reduced. Most RAAF units returned to Australin in late 1954 and early 1955. 391 Squadron was disbanded at Iwakuni on 30 April 1955.
Glossary

Iwakuni ; Korea Equipment

• Auster aircraft
• Douglas Dakota
• North American P51 Mustang

Battle Honours

• nil

Casualties

• Nil killed

For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Korean War Nominal Roll (external website) databases.
Commanding Officers

• Cross, Ernest Arthur
• Hennock, Keith Selwyn
• Lampe, Wilfred Norman
• St John, Douglas
• Wakeham, Charles Edward

Decorations

• 1 OBE
• 5 MBE
• 2 BEM
• 1 Associate of the Royal Red Cross
• 28 MID

For more information please see Honours and Awards database
References

• AWM64: 6/10 Unit history sheets, 91 Composite Wing RAAF
• O'Neill, Robert J. (Robert John), 1936-, Official History, Korea Vol.II: Australia in the Korean War 1950-53. Volume 2, Combat operations, (Canberra : Australian War Memorial and the Australian Govt. Pub. Service, 1985)
• Stephens, Alan, The Australian centenary history of defence Vol. 2, The Royal Australian Air Force, (Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 2001

 

491 (Maintenance) Squadron RAAF

Courtesy of:
491 (Maintenance) Squadron RAAF: Australian War Memorial

491 (Maintenance) Squadron RAAF

Although 77 Squadron was the best known RAAF unit that served in the Korean War, it was not the only one. Working closely with 391 (Base) Squadron, 491 (Maintenance) Squadron maintained, repaired, and, if necessary, replaced RAAF aircraft. Both 491 and 391 played a vital role in supporting 77 Squadron and 30 Unit ground crew by performing more complex maintenance operations. In October 1950 all RAAF units attached to the United Nations (UN) Command in Korea were regrouped into 91 (Composite) Wing. With the exception of 77 Squadron, which flew combat missions, the wing’s other squadrons were based at Iwakuni, Japan.
The official historian of Australia’s involvement in the Korean War, Robert O’Neill, considered that the level of technical support achieved by the RAAF in Korea and Japan was “outstanding”. Maintenance crews often worked up to 16 hours per day, achieving close to 100 per cent serviceability for the Mustangs and Meteors which allowed 77 Squadron to have a much great effect than a single US squadron.
491 Squadron used Japanese civilian technicians for maintenance. These technicians had been highly skilled workers during the Second World War, but during the occupation were employed as cleaners or in other unskilled jobs. The Japanese were pleased to again work on aircraft and willingly worked long hours.
In 1953, after the armistice had been in force long enough to show it’s effectiveness, the size of the Commonwealth forces in Korea were considerably reduced. Most RAAF units returned to Australin in late 1954 and early 1955. 391 Squadron was disbanded at Iwakuni on 13 December 1954.
Glossary

Iwakuni ; Korea Equipment

• Auster aircraft
• Douglas Dakota
• North American P51 Mustang

Battle Honours

• nil

Casualties

• nil

For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Korean War Nominal Roll (external website) databases.
Commanding Officers

• Butcher, Charles William
• Campey, Arthur Howard
• De Cean, Errol Kingsborough
• Leopold, Carl Joseph

Decorations

• 1 OBE
• 3 MBE
• 27 MID

For more information please see Honours and Awards database
References

• AWM64: 6/10 Unit history sheets, 91 Composite Wing RAAF
• O'Neill, Robert J. (Robert John), 1936-, Official History, Korea Vol.II: Australia in the Korean War 1950-53. Volume 2, Combat operations, (Canberra : Australian War Memorial and the Australian Govt. Pub. Service, 1985)
• Stephens, Alan, The Australian centenary history of defence Vol. 2, The Royal Australian Air Force, (Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 2001)