Australia's Role in the Korean War
How It Started:
The crisis in Korea began in the closing phases of WWII, when the allies took control of the Korean peninsula from the Japanese. The Soviet Union and the United States divided responsibility between the country at the 38th parallel, by mid-1950 tensions between the two zones continually escalated. On the 25 June a North Korean Army advanced into the South Korea towards the capital, Seoul. In less than a week the city fell and the North Korean Army continued south toward the port of Pusan.
The US offered the support of air and naval forces within two days. 21 nations responded to the United Nations Security Council's ask for assistance in repelling North Korean forces, Australia pledged 77 Squadron of the RAAF and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Army regiment (3 RAR). General MacArthur, the UN forces commander was given permission to pursue the North Korean Army back into North Korea after the 3RAR arrived in Pusan and halted the North's advance.
The 3 RAR and the rest of the invasion force fought in their first major action near the North Korean capital; Pyongyang.
Why did Australia join? :
The Australian Prime Minister at the time, Robert Menzies pledged 17,000 troops in respond to the UN requesting assistance.
There were 3 main battles that Australians were involved in: the Battle of Yongju, the Battle of Kapyong and the Battle of Maryang San (Operation Commando).
The Result of the War:
Toward the 'end' of the war both sides had realised it had become a complete stalemate reminiscent of the Western Front. At this point it became apparent the only solution was a negotiated truce. The UN and North Korean leaders signed an agreement on 27 July 1953. This treaty technically brought the war to an end but a state of suspended hostilities still exists between the North and the South of Korea.
What was the affect on Modern Australia as a result of this war?
As a result of this war Australia gained political and security benefits. The most important of these was the signing of the ANZUS Treaty with the United States and New Zealand.
The crisis in Korea began in the closing phases of WWII, when the allies took control of the Korean peninsula from the Japanese. The Soviet Union and the United States divided responsibility between the country at the 38th parallel, by mid-1950 tensions between the two zones continually escalated. On the 25 June a North Korean Army advanced into the South Korea towards the capital, Seoul. In less than a week the city fell and the North Korean Army continued south toward the port of Pusan.
The US offered the support of air and naval forces within two days. 21 nations responded to the United Nations Security Council's ask for assistance in repelling North Korean forces, Australia pledged 77 Squadron of the RAAF and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Army regiment (3 RAR). General MacArthur, the UN forces commander was given permission to pursue the North Korean Army back into North Korea after the 3RAR arrived in Pusan and halted the North's advance.
The 3 RAR and the rest of the invasion force fought in their first major action near the North Korean capital; Pyongyang.
Why did Australia join? :
The Australian Prime Minister at the time, Robert Menzies pledged 17,000 troops in respond to the UN requesting assistance.
There were 3 main battles that Australians were involved in: the Battle of Yongju, the Battle of Kapyong and the Battle of Maryang San (Operation Commando).
The Result of the War:
Toward the 'end' of the war both sides had realised it had become a complete stalemate reminiscent of the Western Front. At this point it became apparent the only solution was a negotiated truce. The UN and North Korean leaders signed an agreement on 27 July 1953. This treaty technically brought the war to an end but a state of suspended hostilities still exists between the North and the South of Korea.
What was the affect on Modern Australia as a result of this war?
As a result of this war Australia gained political and security benefits. The most important of these was the signing of the ANZUS Treaty with the United States and New Zealand.