Following the July 1953 ceasefire, Australian forces remained in Korea during a tense post-armistice period. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships patrolled coastal waters until 1955, while Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons conducted medical evacuations, training and transport flights into 1956. Australian Army units fortified defensive lines and patrolled the demilitarized zone before progressively returning home. During this period, 16 Australian servicemen lost their lives through service-related accidents and non-combat incidents. The final Army signallers departed South Korea in August 1957.
The ceasefire of 27 July 1953 brought about no immediate reduction of Australian forces in Korea …
The situation remained tense after the armistice. The war seemed likely to break out again, with ceasefire violations.
In October 1953, a communist raid on United Nations (UN) forces resulted in the deaths of 4 South Koreans and 2 Americans. Twice in 1954, aircraft were shot down in air-to-air combat.
By September 1954, UN forces in South Korea decided to reduce their commitment. Except for the United States (US), which still maintained a force there, all foreign troops had left South Korea by 1957.
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) maintained 2 ships in Korean waters until 1955.
Their main task was to patrol the west coast and prevent North Korean infiltration to islands held by South Korea. Occasional North Korean aircraft and ships created tension, but there were no serious incidents.
Two RAN personnel serving on HMAS Sydney died due to accidents in South Korea. Sub-Lieutenant Michael J Beardsall was killed on 29 December 1953 when his Hawker Sea Fury fighter crashed directly into the sea about 15 km ahead of the aircraft carrier. A few weeks later, on 15 January 1954, Sub-Lieutenant John H McClinton died after walking into a spinning aircraft propeller on the flight deck.
The RAN's formal commitment to Korea ended when HMAS Condamine departed on 9 October 1955.
Australian Army
After the ceasefire, the 2nd and 3rd battalions, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR and 3RAR), withdrew from the Hook, where they had repelled a Chinese assault days earlier. The troops maintained fighting efficiency, digging and improving fortifications on the new Kansas Line.
On 2 April 1954, the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) replaced 2RAR.
2RAR returned home after a year in Korea.
In November 1954, as the British Commonwealth Division was reduced to brigade strength, 3RAR sailed for Australia. The battalion had spent 4 years in Korea.
South Korean troops then replaced 1RAR on the front line. For 1RAR's remaining 17 months in Korea, the troops lived at Gallipoli Camp, where they trained and patrolled the demilitarised zone.
When the Commonwealth base at Kure was closed, the last Australians to leave the theatre, 80 Army signallers, returned to Australia in August 1957.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) remained in South Korea for the first year after the ceasefire.
Pilot Officer Henry Dudley Andrews of No 77 Squadron RAAF was killed in a mid-air collision during a training flight over Korea on 31 May 1954.
77 Squadron ceased operations in October 1954 and returned to Australia via Japan. The Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Vengeance transported the squadron's aircraft and personnel.
For No 36 Squadron RAAF, the flying of sick and wounded Commonwealth troops from Korea to Japan continued for a few months after the war ended. The squadron returned to Australia in 1955.
No 91 Composite Wing disbanded in Japan in 1954, and No 491 Maintenance Squadron in 1955.
A transport flight of 4 RAAF aircraft continued operations until July 1956.
Name | Service Number | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Andrews, Henry Dudley | O5464 | No 77 Squadron |
Bevis, Ian Percy | 6997 | 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) |
Carter, James Arthur | 6681 | Reinforcement Holding Unit |
Coatsworth, James Edgar | 311122 | Reinforcement Holding Unit |
Davis, William John | 45064 | HMAS Murchison |
Hawken, Alan Spencer | 31283 | HMAS Sydney |
Haymes, Albert William | 3401092 | 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) |
Innes, George James Stanley | 27646 | Reinforcement Holding Unit |
Jarman, Garth George | 3484 | 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) |
Kane, John Rhoden | 210792 | 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) |
Kollias, John Edward | 2444 | Headquarters British Commonwealth Forces Korea |
Leigh, Ronald James | 311228 | 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) |
McArthur, Clive Joseph | 33776 | British Commonwealth Base Signals Regiment |
Nelson, Kenneth William | A29310 | HMAS Sydney |
Nowell, John | 59099 | Commonwealth Contingent Signal Squadron |
Waller, Brian Charles | 52144 | 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) |