The Korean War
25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953
Before the War
Japan had made Korea its protectorate in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War before annexing Korea in 1910. Korea stayed under Japanese rule until the 10 August when Washington planned the divide of the Korean Peninsula into the Soviet Union (USSR) and United States of America (US) occupation zones along the 38th Parallel. The US doubted whether the USSR would agree to this but the Soviets maintained the wartime policy of co-operation. On 16 August, the Red Army halted at the 38th Parallel for three weeks to await the arrival of US forces in the south.
As a result of the split, the US established a pro-Democratic/Capitalist South Korean government with a national political constitution on 17 July 1948, who formally created The Republic of Korea (South) on 15 August 1948. In the north, the USSR established a Communist/Totalitarian government led by Kim Il-sung. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North) was established in the North on 9 September 1948.
The USSR withdrew from Korea in 1948, and US troops withdrew in 1949 as part of the agreement between the two nations.
Build up to the War
The Chinese Civil War was fought between the Nationalists and Communists, who were supported by the North Korean government with material and manpower in Manchuria. The People's Republic of China (PRC), as a token of gratitude, sent between 50,000 and 70,000 Korean veterans back with their weapons, with the promise that they would support the North Koreans in the event of a war against South Korea.
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After the formation of the PRC, they named the US-led Western nations as the biggest threat to its national security. By 1949, South Korean forces had reduced the active number of communist guerrillas in the South from 5,000 to 1,000. The pro-US South Korea was seen as a security risk and with communist guerrilla fighters in the South, the North saw a chance to secure the whole of Korea. Serious border clashes between South and North occurred on 4 August 1949.
In April 1950, the USSR gave the North permission to invade the South under the condition that Mao would agree to send reinforcements if needed. While preparations were made in the North, there were frequent clashes along the 38th Parallel. The South was being trained by the US Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG). The KMAG underestimated North Korean forces believing the South could easily hold back whatever could come.
The War Begins
On 25 June 1950, the North launched an all-out offensive against the South. In response, the United Nations (UN) Security Council called upon its members to support the South and US, these Allies soon mobilised to repel the Northern Forces. At first, the North made rapid progress, taking the South Korean capital of Seoul and driving UN forces back to the southern port of Pusan. The UN forces were able to resupply and dig into their position with a defensive perimeter around the port. The first British troops landed at Pusan soon with other UN forces and reinforced, they counter-attacked.
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After the breakthrough, the UN forces were able to push the North Koreans back over the 38th Parallel and it was then decided that the UN forces would continue to push into the North. By 19 October 1950, the UN forces had captured the North Koreans capital of Pyongyang and soon they were within 40 miles (64 km) of the Chinese border. Due to how close the North was to collapse it was decided that China would intervene with the PRC declaring war in November 1950.
The Retreat and Stalemate
During the winter where temperatures hit as low as -40C, UN Forces retreated before the fresh and well equipped Chinese Forces. At this time the British amongst the UN forces acted as a rearguard until a defensive line was established and a counter-attack was organised. The North and Chinese forces captured Seoul in early January so the aim of the counter-attack was to recapture the city and create a buffer zone. In April 1951, the Chinese countered again but this time the UN forces held with most of the British holding an area on the Imjin River. This lead to the bloodiest engagement fought by the British Army since the Second World War, the Battle of the Imjin, which was fought between 22-25 April. The UN forces were able to stop the pro-North forces before retreating to a stronger position that was still north of Seoul.
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As the Stalemate embarked, the UN began bombing of North Korea and a naval blockade on the country. In June, the USSR indicated they were willing to seek a settlement, pressuring China and the North into armistice negotiations beginning in 1951.
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Two years of static fighting followed, where British forces held several areas but the most active area was 'the Hook'. In October 1951, Operation Commando, a limited offensive aimed to disrupt the Chinese attacks began. This operation wasn't very successful as in November 1952 The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) repelled a Chinese attack there along with The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment who again successfully defended it in May 1953.
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The End to the Conflict
On 27 July 1953, an Armistice was finally signed but Korea remained a divided nation and to date, the Korean War has not officially ended with skirmishes happening along the demilitarised zone between North and South.
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British forces began to withdraw once the armistice was signed with a brigade strength force staying past 1954 before the full withdrawal in 1957.
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Around 60,000 members of the British armed forces served in Korea, many were National Servicemen (conscripted) while over 1,100 were killed and 2,600 wounded. Over a thousand were captured during the conflict with 82 never returning.
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The war is usually considered a Forgotten War, being one of many hot wars that accrued as part of the Cold War. Remembrance in South Korea remains massive with British Veterans being regularly flown to the country and shown the countries appreciation. Britain, on the other hand, has widely forgotten, despite the thousands of men sent to fight due to it being far from Britain itself, as well as it being considered a UN war and not a British conflict.
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For further information please visit the National Army Museum's website by selecting the button below on the left. To return to the Home page select the centre-left button while the left button will lead to episode one of the podcast.