75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War poster

Wartime snapshot

Between 1945 and 1948, the Korean peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel into 2 occupation zones. The zone occupied by the United States became the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The Soviet-occupied zone became the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).

On 25 June 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. They planned to capture Seoul and unite the peninsula under a communist regime. This act was the culmination of tensions that had been building since the end of World War II.

The United Nations (UN) reacted quickly, asking its members to help repel the North Korean attack. Australia was one of 21 nations to offer military support.

In 1950, many Australians were serving in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). Some of these personnel were redeployed to South Korea.

Over 3 years, more than 17,000 personnel from Australia’s 3 armed services (Navy, Army, Air Force) served in the Korean War.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was involved from the start. HMAS Shoalhaven and HMAS Bataan were committed just days after the war began. HMAS Sydney arrived in October. The ships' crews provided naval gunfire support, carrier screening and evacuation missions throughout the war. RAN ships were also involved in the landing and evacuation at Inchon and operations at Chinnampo and the Han River estuary.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was involved from the start, too. No 77 Squadron was deployed to South Korea within a week of the invasion. Flying Mustangs and, later, Meteor jets, the squadron provided close air support for UN ground forces. The RAAF also provided crews and aircraft for medical evacuation flights between Korea and Japan.

Three battalions of The Royal Australian Regiment served as part of Commonwealth formations in South Korea.

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), arrived in Pusan in September 1950. It included K-Force volunteers from Australia. 3RAR participated in the advance across the 38th parallel in October 1950 and the retreat in November, when China entered the war. The battalion was also involved in Australia’s best-known land actions, at Kapyong in April 1950 and Maryang San in October 1951.

The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) arrived in South Korea in April 1952. The troops undertook patrols and operations against enemy positions.

In April 1953, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) replaced 1RAR. The unit was also patrolling no-man’s-land, particularly north of UN lines.

The static nature of the war made life monotonous for troops. The climate compounded their frustrations. The soldiers experienced freezing winters, extreme heat, high humidity and heavy rainfall in summer.

During the Korean War, 153 Australian nurses served. They were members of the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS) and the Royal Australian Army Nursing Service (RAANS).

On 19 July 1953, the UN reached an agreement for an armistice with communist forces. Heavy fighting took place in the Samichon Valley in the final days of the war. The US and Commonwealth forces suffered heavy losses. Fighting finally ceased at 10 pm on 27 July 1953 when the armistice was signed. The guns fell silent.

Australian forces remained in South Korea until 1957 as part of peacekeeping efforts. The demilitarised zone created after the withdrawal of fighting forces still exists today.

Australia’s participation in the Korean War was costly. More than 1,200 personnel were wounded, and 340 were killed during their service. Of these, 30 Australians were taken prisoner. One was Private Horace 'Slim' Madden, who was captured by Chinese forces at Kapyong in April 1951. Madden died in captivity. In 1955, he was posthumously awarded the George Cross 'for gallantry in captivity in Korea'.This was the highest decoration gained by an Australian in the Korean War.

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