Themes

Conflict and Change

• Introduction

• In Focus: 1900

• In Focus: World War One

• In Focus: Interwar

• In Focus: World War Two

• In Focus: Post War Conflict

• In Focus: Cold War Climate

  • Submarines

  • Royal Marines

  • Fleet Air Arm

• In Focus: Falklands and Beyond

• Special Exhibition: Falklands 25

Learning

• How To: Understand Propaganda

• Propaganda Image Galleries

• Education Project: Sea With Your Own Eyes

The Korean War

Article highlights

• Forming 41 (Independent) Commando

• Raiding force

• Action in Korea

Action in Korea

By November 1950 UN forces had secured the coasts of South Korea, and therefore 41 (Independent) Commando was no longer required to act in a raiding capacity.

The unit joined elements of the US Marine Corps in Hungnam following the entry of communist China into the conflict in support of the North Koreans.

Due to the harsh winter conditions and the support of the Chinese fighting was difficult and fierce with the Royal Marines earning distinction and the respect of their American counterparts.

In late November the Chinese attacked the 7th Division USMC, splitting the division up. Lieutenant Colonel Drysdale commanded a force of 900 men, including a company of US Marines and a US Army company, to counterattack and restore the unit.

After a bloody fight 'Force Drysdale' managed to break through the Chinese line by forcing its way through in using their support trucks and tanks.

Of the 200 Royal Marines who had set out, 70 were casualties or missing and most of the Commando’s equipment was lost. Force Drysdale lost 50% of its strength and 70 vehicles.

US and British Marines starting down Funchlin Pass from Koto-ri, south to Hungnam, North Korea 10 December 1950. (RMM)

By December 1950 41 (Independent) Commando as part of the UN Force moved from the Chosin Reservoir through ‘Hellfire Valley’ to Koto-ri and then down through Funchlin Pass to Hungam.

Their march out of the mountains, a distance of almost 30 miles with much of it under fire, was under taken no food or sleep for 72 hours.

41 (Independent) Commando lost 13 killed, 39 wounded and 27 missing after these actions and 19 had frostbite or suffering from exposure or pneumonia.

As a result of these close-quarters fighting experiences, however, the Royal Marines forged closer links with the USMC.

By the spring 1951 the commando had re-equipped and raised its strength to about 300. The unit again trained for coastal raids as the North Koreans had regained control of the coastlines.

The unit returned to Britain in early 1952 and were disbanded by February of that year.