Between October 1951 and January 1952, Australia deployed the light fleet carrier HMAS Sydney to Korea to conduct naval air operations. Operating Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft, Sydney carried out intensive ground-attack, reconnaissance, and gunnery-spotting missions against enemy troops and transport infrastructure. Heavy anti-aircraft fire hit 99 aircraft and killed 3 aircrew. Despite the attacks and extreme winter weather, the carrier delivered vital air support and performed daring helicopter rescues before returning home.
HMAS Sydney was one of a class of relatively small and uncomplicated light fleet carriers which in Korea operated 24 Hawker Sea Fury and 14 Fairey Firefly fighter bombers …
The Australian Government was concerned about committing Australia's main fleet unit in a deteriorating world situation. After initial reluctance, it agreed to deploy the carrier briefly to allow the Royal Navy to refit its carrier, HMS Glory.
Sydney was well prepared for the deployment and received priority for men and stores, but other commitments to Korea strained the RAN's limited resources.
The United States (US) lent HMAS Sydney a Sikorsky helicopter for pilot rescue duties.
Sydney commenced operations on 5 October 1951 under command of Captain David Henry Harries.
On 11 October, the aircraft carrier launched a record 89 sorties, an effort bringing praise from American and British authorities. USS New Jersey stated that Sydney's gunnery spotting was 'the best she has yet had'.
On 25 and 26 October, 3 aircraft were lost. The last involved a dangerous pickup of shot-down aircrew by the ship's helicopter. Enemy infantry attempting to capture the aircrew were suppressed by fire from other Sydney aircraft.
Normal daily operations aimed at 54 sorties, although this was often difficult to achieve on an axial deck carrier requiring a constant movement of aircraft around the deck, often in foul weather, especially as a freezing winter set in.
In October, Typhoon Ruth damaged the carrier and caused aircraft losses.
While no match for Chinese jets, Sydney's piston-engine aircraft were invaluable for ground-attack duties.
Normally, the Fireflies carried bombs, and the Sea Furies carried rockets. Both types mounted 4 20 mm cannons. Targets attacked included troops, gun positions and transport infrastructure.
Sydney's aircraft were credited with causing about 3,000 communist casualties and destroying 66 bridges, 7 tunnels, 38 railway sections, 7 sidings, 5 water towers, 3 locomotives, 59 wagons, 2,060 houses, 495 junks and sampans and 15 guns.
The aircraft also carried out target spotting and reconnaissance, for which the 2-seat Firefly was particularly well suited, as well as combat air and anti-submarine patrols around the aircraft carrier and its escorts.
Enemy anti-aircraft fire was the main danger. Sydney had 99 aircraft hit, and 9 were shot down. Casualties were 3 aircrew killed and 6 wounded.
After 7 intense 9-day operational periods, Sydney departed for Australia on 29 January 1952.
Ray Honisett, HMAS Sydney in Korean water, 1951-52 [1973-1975, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 182.9 cm, AWM ART28077]