General News
25 April, 2023
The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance
Submitted by Dimboola RSL sub-branch president Brian Bosworth 2023 marks 70 years since the armistice “ending” the Korean War was signed. Australia’s involvement in the Korean War signalled a shift in the way Australia as a Nation sent its...
Submitted by Dimboola RSL sub-branch president Brian Bosworth
2023 marks 70 years since the armistice “ending” the Korean War was signed.
Australia’s involvement in the Korean War signalled a shift in the way Australia as a Nation sent its young men and women to war.
Unlike WWI and WWII which were manned by a full-scale mobilisation, the newly-established Regular Defence Force was committed in support of the fledgling United Nations (UN) for the first time.
The RAAF’s 77 Squadron flying WWII era mustang aircraft were one of the first of the UN forces to make contact with the North Korean forces.
The 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) who had been on Occupation duty in Japan with The British Occupation Forces (BCOF) were also sent in early.
The Navy provided a number of ships, including the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, and the Fleet Air Arm flying Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft.
Another ship of particular note was HMAS Murchison, which was involved with the blockade of the Han River.
The problem for the Regular Defence Force was that they simply were not large enough to maintain the numbers required, so K-Force was created to provide the necessary reinforcements.
This was initially opened to any ex-WWII Infantry soldiers with combat experience, and later changed to simply ex-WWII soldiers.
The troops were told that they were required for 12 months service in Korea and further service as required to ensure they could be trained and discharged after their deployment.
It was made clear that there would be no promotions, and definitely no medals, as this was to be a “Police Action”.
In any case it would all be over by Christmas.
Two major land battles occurred during the Korean War which are still studied today.
The first occurred on April 23-25 1951, and involved 3RAR in defensive operations at a place called Kapyong, just north of Seoul, the South Korean capital.
3RAR, 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and A Coy 72nd Tank (US) were awarded the United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their actions at Kapyong. This award is often considered the equivalent of a unit VC.
It is worth noting that on 18 August 1966 another Australian unit, D Company 6RAR was also awarded the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their actions at Long Tan, Vietnam.
The second major land battle in Korea, also involving 3RAR, was during the period October 2-7 1951 at Maryang San (Hill 317).
This action involved 3RAR in an offensive operation to take a feature which several other units had tried, and failed, to take from the mainly-Chinese forces.
3RAR was in constant contact over the period of six days, during which the Battalion suffered some of the heaviest artillery bombardments of the war.
It has been said that some 55,000 rounds of artillery fire were fired in support of 3RAR, and a greater number came in the other direction.
3RAR succeeded in taking and holding the objective until they were relieved by another commonwealth unit.
Nearly 17,000 Australian Servicemen, across all three services, served in Korea during the active period of the war, with 340 killed and over 1200 wounded.
There are still 43 Australians listed as MIA.
The youngest living Australian Korean Veteran is now in his 90’s - since many had seen service during WWII, there are not that many left to remember.
Korea has often been called “the forgotten war”, as the public at the time were war weary and could not, in the most part, understand why Australia was even there.
3RAR was in Korea for the full three years as a unit, but the men rotated out after their 12 months were up.
This had the effect that when men returned, after service with 3RAR, they did so in small groups and, in the most part, simply returned to their pre-war lives.
1RAR and 2RAR also served in Korea but they were rotated out as a complete unit.
At one point during the crossover of 1RAR and 2RAR, all three Australian Battalions were on the ground in Korea together.
The bodies of fallen Australians were laid to rest in war cemeteries in Korea and Japan and were never returned home, as per the Government policy at the time.
South Korea today is an amazing example of a country which moved from being a recipient of UN Aid to being a major industrial power on the International stage. They have never forgotten the contribution made by Australia.
Technically the Korean War has not ended, and the South Korean people live with the constant threat of an unstable North Korea.
This year also marks 50 years since Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War came to an end.
Both of these anniversaries should serve as a reminder to Australians of just how fragile our peace is. This brings home the meaning of the RSL motto “The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance”