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In June 1950, just five years after the end of the Second World War, war erupted in Korea. United Nations forces, led by the USA, intervened on the side of South Korea, while the (then) USSR and (later) China supported North Korea. Although British forces only made up a small proportion of the troops involved in this conflict, they were involved in heavy fighting. This gallery focuses on the Battle of Imjin River in April 1951.
This extract from a memorandum presented to the British Cabinet reports the crossing of the 38th parallel by North Korean forces.
Seoul in flames: A soldier watches Seoul, the capital of South Korea, burning. Seoul was captured and recaptured by both sides several times during the war.
The Korean conflict would involve huge numbers of troops on both sides. Figures for North Korean and, later, Chinese forces vary, but in November 1950 it is estimated that some 150,000 North Korean and around 200,000 Chinese forces had been fielded. (By July 1953, combined Chinese and North Korean forces would be estimated at 1,200,000.) The UN contingent included troops, not only from the USA and Britain, but also from Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Colombia, Turkey, the Philippines, France and many others. The USA made the largest contribution of troops and equipment; Britain the second. By Spring 1951, Britain's contribution to the UN forces was 12,000 strong. In 1950, ROK forces numbered between 80,000 and 100,000, increasing, according to some estimates, to 240,000 by Spring 1951. (UN and ROK forces combined would number 932,000 by July 1953.)
Refugees crossing the Imjin River:This photograph shows refugees from North Korea being helped across the Imjin River by soldiers of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
Map showing the Spring offensive: This map, taken from a UN military intelligence section report about the first year of fighting in Korea, shows the positions of the opposing armies both on 22 April 1951 at the start of the Chinese offensive and the new front line just outside Seoul on 30 April. The 63rd Army and Uijongbu are highlighted.
Tactics
P'eng's tactics were to probe the UN and ROK front line for weaknesses using numerous 'feeler' patrols of two or three men. He then sent in huge numbers of less experienced troops in order to overwhelm the enemy, after which he followed through with his best men.
Gloster Hill
After a lull in the fighting, during which the Chinese 187th Division reorganised, the action against the Glosters in particular became more concentrated. In the early hours of 24 April, in the face of heavy fire, the Glosters had to withdraw from their position and re-form on Hill 235 (which became known as Gloster Hill) above the hamlet of Solma-ri. The Glosters were now completely surrounded and low on water, ammunition and battery power. An attempt to break through to them failed. The Glosters managed to fight off Chinese forces for over 24 hours. By early morning on 25 April, however, it was thought that Chinese movement southward threatened to cut off the whole of the 29th Independent Brigade and the Brigade was ordered to withdraw. At 10:30, the Glosters attempted to break out of their besieged position and reach UN and ROK lines. Only 39 succeeded and many were taken prisoner. The battle had been lost, but the Glosters' holding action had enabled the left flank of 1st Corps to withdraw safely.
These photographs were taken some five weeks after the Battle of Imjin River. This first photograph shows Hill 235 itself.
This second photograph (of a Gloster pointing to the main supply route through the valley) shows the ridge on the left along which Chinese forces attacked the Glosters' "D" Company during the battle. About 25% of the 29th Independent Brigade as a whole had been killed over three days of fighting; the Chinese 63rd Army had lost about 40% of its men.
Lieutenant-Colonel James Power Carne, commander of 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment at the Battle of Imjin River.
This Foreign Office report quotes both Rhee's alleged criticisms of British and other governments as well as later, more positive, comments.
This is the statement made by Carne to Foreign Office officials in Tokyo about Chinese attempts to brainwash him.
Policing the 38th parallel:A member of the Royal Military Police beside a sign indicating the position of the 38th parallel, effectively the border between North and South Korea.
The dead
The Korean conflict had been devastating for both sides. The civilian populations of both the ROK and North Korea had suffered massive social and economic dislocation; according to UN estimates, three million Koreans (soldiers and civilians on both sides) had been killed. Chinese deaths were estimated by the UN at 900,000; the USA reported 33,629 of its own dead. The UN also recorded the deaths of 686 British troops with a further 1,102 missing in action or prisoners-of-war.
These photographs illustrate the cost of war. The first photograph shows a Korean woman carrying a child past a dead ROK soldier.
An uneasy peace
Theoretically the two Koreas have remained at war ever since the uneasy armistice of July 1953; it was not until 1991 that a non-aggression pact was signed between them. In June 2000, the South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung, met with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, for a three day summit on reconciliation which discussed not only greater economic co-operation and the opening of cross-border links but also the possible reunification of the peninsular in the future. It was also agreed to reunite some of the families that had been separated since the 1950s. The South Korean president described the meeting as 'the biggest event of our historyto us a new day is beginning'. This 'sunshine policy' was broadly supported by the USA, which maintains a strong military presence in South Korea, and shortly afterwards, security talks resumed between the Americans and North Korea with particular emphasis on the latter's nuclear programme.
In 2001, however, with a change in the American administration and the resultant hardening of American policy, talks between the two Koreas broke down. Tensions in the peninsula were exacerbated by the 11 September terrorist attacks on the USA (which led, amongst other things, to an increased state of military alert in South Korea) and by the American president George W. Bush's subsequent naming of North Korea as part of 'an axis of evil.' In April 2002, however, the two Koreas met again and the USA and North Korea subsequently agreed to renew security talks.