New Zealand in the Korean War

25 pounder guns

of the New Zealand Field Battery, Korea 1951

The involvement of New Zealand in the Korean War began in 1950 as a response to the United Nations Security Council's call for combat assistance in the erupting Korean War. New Zealand was one of the first (of a total of sixteen) nations to respond with support.

Naval forces

On 29 June 1950, just four days after 135,000

Loch class frigates of the Royal New Zealand Navy – Tutira and Pukaki – to prepare to make for Korean waters, and for the whole of the war, at least two NZ vessels would be on station in the theatre.^[1]

On 3 July, these two first ships left

US Navy screening force during the Battle of Inchon, performing shore raids and inland bombardment. Further RNZN Loch class frigates joined these later – Rotoiti, Hawea, Taupo and Kaniere

, as well as a number of smaller craft. Only one RNZN sailor, Able Seaman R.E. Marchioni, was killed throughout the conflict; during a raid on Sogon-ni on 26 August 1951 with HMNZS Rotoiti.

Ground forces

After some debate, on 26 July 1950, the

Pusan on New Year's Eve and on 21 January joined the British 27th Infantry Brigade. The New Zealanders immediately saw combat and spent the next two and a half years taking part in the operations (most notably the Battle of Kapyong and the First Battle of Maryang-san) which led the United Nations forces back to and over the 38th Parallel (with the NZ naval vessels being especially active in the inner Han River estuary),^[1] later recapturing Seoul

in the process.

Although overshadowed by 16 Field Regiment RNZA's contribution to the 1950–54 Korean War, New Zealand also contributed 10 Company, RNZASC as part of Kayforce. They totalled 408 personnel of all ranks and would serve with distinction in Korea from 1951 until 1956 as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division.^[3]

Following the

P'yongyang

, and was repatriated at around the same time.

Air forces

No

B-29 Superfortress missions on USAF attachment. One New Zealander flying in Korea as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy from HMS Ocean, Cedric Macpherson, was killed on 11 February 1953 when his Hawker Sea Fury was shot down by ground fire. Five New Zealanders took part in Royal Australian Navy missions over Korea from the Australian carrier HMAS Sydney. Some of these pilots were former RNZAF members, others joining directly the British and Australian forces.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b Korean Scholarships – Navy Today, Defence Public Relations Unit, Issue 133, 8 June, pp. 14–15
^ Coalition Air Warfare in the Korean War, 1950–1953: Proceedings, Air Force Historical Foundation Symposium, Andrews AFB, Maryland, May 7–8, 2002, 142 onwards
^ Morris, Grant John (2012). Wagons of War: A history of 10 transport Company 1951-2011. Massey University. pp. 7–19.
^ Interred at UNMCK^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Newton, Dennis, "Kiwis over Korea" article, Fly Past magazine, February 2006, pp. 61–5

External links

New Zealand in the Korean War – NZ History Online

"New Zealand war veteran in Korea, 2007 with two Korean veterans". Wikipedia. 2007.

[KOR-1] Korean Scholarships – Navy Today, Defence Public Relations Unit, Issue 133, 8 June, pp. 14–15

[2] Coalition Air Warfare in the Korean War, 1950–1953: Proceedings, Air Force Historical Foundation Symposium, Andrews AFB, Maryland, May 7–8, 2002, 142 onwards

[3] Morris, Grant John (2012). Wagons of War: A history of 10 transport Company 1951-2011. Massey University. pp. 7–19.

[4] Interred at UNMCK^{[permanent dead link]}

[5] Newton, Dennis, "Kiwis over Korea" article, Fly Past magazine, February 2006, pp. 61–5

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