Themes

R H Johnson

Article Highlights:

The Korean War

Asia was in a state of turmoil at the end of World War Two. In China the Communist forces under Mao Tse-tung were fighting the Nationalist forces of General Chiang Kai-shek for control of the country. Russia was supplying arms and munitions to the Communists and the United States was doing the same to the Nationalists.

Korea is a peninsular about 550 miles long and 240 miles wide bordering mainland China. In the past the Chinese had exploited the country, followed by Japan in 1894 . Korea became a Japanese protectorate in 1905. It became an independent republic after the United Nations (UN) organised elections in 1948.

North Korea refused to take part in the elections and, backed by Russia, formed the Korean People's Democratic Republic with a Communist government. In 1950 the Communists in the North wanted to unite the country, however the South Koreans, now named the Republic of Korea, did not want a Communist government.

After breakdown in meetings at the UN North Korea's heavily armed forces invaded the South. They crossed the 38th Parallel on 25 June 1950 , making rapid progress against their surprised and lightly armed opponents.

North Korea only had a very small navy, in contrast the UN navies played a big part thanks to a foothold in the South around Pusan where they could build up and supply their land forces.

A UN security meeting passed a resolution condemning the attack. For the first time in its short history the UN had fully supported one combatant against another. In a second resolution the UN requested that its members assist South Korea to repel aggression and restore 'peace and security'.

Royal Navy's 'Colossus' class light fleet carriers became actively involved against North Korean and Communist Chinese forces from the start of the UN's involvement until the armistice of July 1953.