When North Korea invaded South Korea the RAN had two destroyers, Bataan and Warramunga attached to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan...
First deployment
On 24 June 1950, as North Korean forces neared South Korea’s capital, Seoul, the UN Security Council declared that the invasion constituted a breach of the peace. It called for UN members to ‘furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as may be necessary’.
Two days later, following pledges from the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK), Australian prime minister Robert Menzies announced the commitment of the frigate HMAS Shoalhaven and the destroyer HMAS Bataan.
On 1 July, Shoalhaven began escorting ships carrying troops and supplies from Japan to South Korea with Commonwealth forces under Rear Admiral Andrewes RN. They first engaged the enemy when Bataan bombarded a shore battery northwest of Inchon on 1 August.
War and postwar service
Over the next 3 years, and into the tense post-armistice period, the RAN maintained 2 ships on station and deployed an aircraft carrier. Of some 4,500 RAN personnel who served in Korea, 5 were killed and 6 wounded.
Australian warships operated right around the Korean coast. There were no traditional naval battles. UN forces firmly controlled the seas and exploited that control.
The RAN destroyers and frigates blockaded the coast, landed and supported raiding parties, supplied isolated UN forces, bombarded coastal targets and escorted larger ships. There was a constant threat from North Korean sea mines, especially during the evacuations of Hungnam and Wonsan in December 1950.
The destroyers Warramunga and Bataan took part in the Inchon landing and later returned there to harass advancing Chinese forces after their intervention in the war. On 5 February 1951, Warramunga ambushed a North Korean force that, by deception, attempted to lure her inshore.
In September 1951, the frigate HMAS Murchison operated in the restricted, fast-flowing tidal waters of the Han River. The frigate engaged enemy batteries at close range and took several hits.
The RAN's operational highlight was undoubtedly the deployment of the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, which replaced HMS Glory in October 1951. By January 1952, Sydney had carried out 7 patrols, each lasting 9 flying days, punctuated by replenishment periods. It operated on both east and west coasts, alternating with US carriers.
Sydney's air group of 22 Sea Fury and 12 Firefly fighter-bombers flew 2,366 sorties. They attacked enemy road and rail communications and conducted armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting and army cooperation missions. Combat air patrols were uneventful. Sydney achieved a record on 11 October 1951 when it launched 89 sorties.
Rough weather and snow often made for poor flying conditions. During Typhoon Ruth, on 14 to 15 October, Sydney was damaged, one aircraft was lost overboard and 7 others were written off.
Postwar, the RAN continued armistice patrols until 1955, including a second tour by Sydney.
RAN ships
The RAN deployed 9 individual warships during the Korean War, with 2 serving at any one time, as well as an aircraft carrier.
Ship | Type | Dates | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|
HMAS Sydney | Aircraft carrier | 31 August 1951 to 22 February 1952 | Capt D. H. Harries |
HMAS ANZAC | Destroyer | 06 August 1951 to 17 October 1951 | Cmdr J. Plunkett-Cole |
HMAS Bataan | Destroyer | 10 June 1950 to 06 June 1951 | Cmdr W. B. M. Marks |
HMAS Tobruk | Destroyer | 31 August 1951 to 23 February 1952 | Cmdr R. I. Peek |
HMAS Warramunga | Destroyer | 14 August 1950 to 29 August 1951 | Cmdr O. H. Becher |
HMAS Culgoa | Frigate | 14 March 1953 to 26 June 1953 | Lcdr R. Clarke |
HMAS Condamine | Frigate | 04 July 1952 to 10 April 1953 | Lcdr R. C. Savage |
HMAS Murchison | Frigate | 09 May 1951 to 17 February 1952 | Lcdr A. N. Dollard |
HMAS Shoalhaven | Frigate | 27 June 1950 to 22 September 1950 | Cmdr I. H. McDonald |
RAN squadrons
Carrier Air Group 20 aboard HMAS Sydney launched over 2,000 combat and patrol missions against North Korean forces during the war. The group had 3 squadrons:
- No 805 Squadron operated Hawker Sea Fury fighter aircraft on ground-attack and combat air patrol missions
- No 808 Squadron operated Hawker Sea Fury fighter aircraft alongside 805 Squadron to provide offensive strikes and fleet protection
- No 817 Squadron operated the Fairey Firefly fighter and anti-submarine aircraft for patrol and strike duties, anti-submarine patrols, spotting and tactical bombing strikes.
Sydney also embarked a United States Navy Dragonfly helicopter for sea rescue duties.
Carrier Air Group 20 flew 2,0366 operational sorties, with 11 aircraft lost and 77 damaged.