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TIME LINES 3RAR KOREA KOREA Sariwon, Yongju, Chongju, Pakchon, Uijongbu, Chuam-ni, Maehwa San, Kapyong, Kowang San, Maryang San. 1 TIME LINES KOREA 3 RAR THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT IN KOREA 1951-53 The Korean War has been branded the 'Forgotten War', a lonely, thankless, unromantic conflict fought in a remote corner of the globe. It was so soon after World War 2 that some saw it as a sad little echo – but it was a bigger war that cost the Regiment 1,584 Australian casualties including 303 KIA incl 29 MIA, 1210 WIA and 23 POW, yet its memory has been allowed to slumber. Land Battles Korea, is a compilation of events and casts some light on that sadly remembered conflict, documenting the heroism of the Australian solders in mobile warfare from the Yalu to Pusan and back, the gallant stand at Kapyong, the brilliant offensive at Kowang San and Maryang San and the grim determination and costly fighting patrols of the fixed defences along the Samichon which finalised with the desperate defence of the Hook. 2 FOREWORD TIME LINES is a compilation of selected extracts from many sources, principal of which must be our official War Historian Bob O’Neill, Historian Bob Breen, the compilations Korea Remembered and Battlefield Korea. There are others who contributed in some way. Grateful acknowledgement is made to these and the authors. The following summaries and comments are in chronological order supported by a time line for ease of assimilation and understanding. This edition was inspired by the magnificence of the Royal Australian Regiment in Battle in Korea 1950-53 followed by the inspiration of their operational peacekeeping service overseas in which they have again distinguished themselves. Solomon Islands, East Timor, Iraq 2003, Iraq 2008, Afghanistan 2012 In retrospect I have many proud memories of Korea, the principal one being the magnificence of the men of 3 RAR Old Faithful with whom I served. I was not their equal. To my everlasting regret I have seen little of them since that time. I wonder how the veterans who deserved so much have fared. Regrettably, on return to their Homeland the general Australian public conveniently forgot their sacrifices. Their Nation did not award them the honour or rewards they deserved. The Officers and senior NCO’s were trained and qualified to absorb the emotional blows of battle, to find a vocation in Civvy Street and to set their new lives in order. Not so for many of the front line K Force diggers and RAR soldiers. They had absorbed the many scars of battle, pumped up by victory and defeat and supported by comradeship and an understanding Army system. They then returned under a cloud, with anonymity to the peacetime world, stunned by the changes they must accept and often without adequate recognition of their sacrifice. The blow to personal esteem was devastating. Not everyone handled it. They returned home as forgotten heroes, to lick their wounds and put their lives together again. This is the real tragedy of War. It is not only death, wounds or tactical defeat, but also the damage to the spirit of those who participate and the inability to adjust to the future. It tore the heart out of many. The story of the Regiment in Korea will long endure in history. Age and sickness may dim the lives of those who participated but nothing can take away the pride of their achievements on those eventful days. Many of us drew life long inspiration from the sacrifices of our colleagues. “The breakout from Pusan”, “Approach to the Yalu”, “Kapyong”, “Maryang San”, “Samichon Fixed Defences and Patrols”, and “The Hook”, were the first and the last conventional Divisional battles fought by Australian infantry since 1939-45. As such they are classics of battalion tactics. THEY REST PROUDLY ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOURS. Maurie Pears 2014 ……. 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND FURTHER READING Australia in the Korean War 1950-53. Bob O’Neill ISBN The Battle of Kapyong: Bob Breen ISBN The Battle of Maryang San: Bob Breen. ISBN Korea Remembered: Pears and Kirkland Battlefield Korea: Maurie Pears The Australian War Memorial The Australian Army History Unit. Directorate of Infantry, Battle Honours of the RAR The Korean War: Korean Institute of Military History. ISBN. The Last Call of the Bugle by Jack Galloway: In Valiant Company: by Ben O’Dowd The Fight Leaders: by Butler, Argent, and Shelton. Remembering Korea: by George Odgers. Out in the Cold: by Ben Evans DVA. The Diggers Own Stories Vols 1 & 2: by Pat Cannard and Margaret Sheppard. A Potted History of the RAR in the Korean War 1950-53: by Fred Fairhead The Kapyong Battalion: by James J Atkinson Duty First: by David Horner and Jean Bou. The Occupation of Japan: by George Davies. With the Australians in Korea: Edited by Norman Bartlett. Sometimes Forgotten: by Fred Kirkland. Scorched Earth and Black Snow: by Andrew Salmon Korea – The undeclared War: by Stephen Lewis. The Spirit of the Digger: by Patrick Lindsay. The Korean War: by Michael Hickey. The Korean War: by Cameron Forbes. Only One River to Cross: by AM Harris. The Edge of the Sword: by A Farrer-Hockley. The three day promise – A Korean Soldiers Memoire: by Donald K Chung. Formidable Enemies: by Kevin Mahoney. Enter the Dragon: by Russell Spurr. And various publications of the Australian United Services Institute 4 Breaking the Ground Cascade Gardens 3 RAR Maryang San Vets Veterans All 5 3 RAR Kapyong Veterans The Kapyong Triptychs Korean War Artist Joe Vezgoff on presentation of Triptych to 3RAR 2014 6 INTRODUCTION LAND BATTLES KOREA – TIME LINES is a compilation of events, records and comments, which recalls the amazing courage, dedication and military skill of the Royal Australian Regiment in battle under the banner of the United Nations, during the war in Korea Their full story is told in the many references above which form the basis of this compilation. A NEW TIME LINE IS INCLUDED IN ALL CHAPTERS TO FACILITATE UNDERSTANDING OF EVENTS AS THEY PROGRESSED. THE KOREAN WAR It was on 25 June 1950, on a sultry summer’s day in another century, that the North Korean troops swept across the 38th parallel—without warning or declaration—against a peaceful South Korean community. Within three days the capital, Seoul, had fallen. This was an immediate threat to the sovereignty of the South Korean nation and to the stability of the world. The next day, 26 June, the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, ordered American forces in Japan to repel any invasion attempt by the Chinese Communist forces. On the afternoon of 27 June, the United Nations Security Council in New York resolved that its members should assist South Korea to restore peace. The first Australian participation in the Korean War was airborne: RAAF operations commenced on 2 July 1950. The Naval contribution quickly followed when HMAS Shoalhaven set sail on 7 July 1950. The Army component deployed on 27 September 1950 when the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), left the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), Japan, and embarked on the Aiken Victory heading for the southern Korean port of Pusan. Ultimately twenty- one other countries came to the aid of the South Koreans. It was the first real test of the United Nations’ resolve. These were perilous times for the world in the midst of a bitter international Cold War. The United States, USSR, United Kingdom and the Chinese Republic were poised for battle—apparently on the brink of a third world war. The threat of nuclear warfare was real. Elsewhere throughout the world former colonies were seeking independence. It was a perilous time for Nations East and West. Fortunately, due to the timely action of the United Nations and the courageous efforts of the allied and Australian troops within Korea, this conflict was to be isolated. A bitter localised battle raged throughout the Korean peninsula for some three years. The effects of the war in Korea were both global and local. Globally, the war spelt a moderation to the political stalemate between USA, Russia and China and marked a return to conciliation within the United Nations in the quest for world peace. For the citizens of Korea it meant a bitter civil war—family against family, friend against friend—resulting in the deaths of some three million men, women and children. South Korea was saved from occupation and developed into a vital and prosperous new democratic nation. Whilst direct combat operations ceased on 27 July 1953, a state of war between the North and the South continues to this day. For Australia it meant the deployment of over 17,500 troops—sailors, soldiers, airmen and women, significant and meaningful commitment for so small a population. With that deployment came also international recognition of Australia as an active member of the United Nations and a participant in world affairs. It was not the first time that Australia had come to protect its national interests outside its own borders. The cost to Australia was immense. The Australian tri service forces suffered 1,585 casualties: 340 killed in action; 1,216 wounded; and 29 taken prisoner. For others the cost was equally great: 7 Allies: 33,667 Americans and 3960 Allies (UK 1,078) died. Republic of Korea Armed Forces: 47,000 killed; 183,000 wounded; 70,000 missing. British Commonwealth: 7,268 casualties United States of America: 32,629 killed, 105,785 wounded North Korea: 520,000 armed casualties (estimated). Chinese Communist forces: 900,000 casualties (estimated). The civil casualties were numerous up to 2 million (estimated) For our young regular army and our K Force diggers, it was a difficult and costly battle, not only against a numerically superior enemy, but in an extremely hostile climate and terrain.

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