This vehicle is released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the ceasefire of the Korean War - July 27th 2003. Donations are being made to the British Korean Veterans Association for all vehicles purchased. The poems and the account below are from the book the Poetry of the Korean War by Reuben Holroyd.

The van is dedicated to all those who lost their lives while serving in British and other Commonwealth forces in the Korean War.

Towards the end of World War II the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) occupied Korea, a former Japanese colony, and advanced down the peninsula to be met by troops of the United States of America moving northwards. They met at the 38th Parallel and agreement was reached to divide the country at this point into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the North and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the South.

This division remained in place until 25th June 1950 when units of the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA), led by Russian built T-34 tanks, crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded the ROK. The post World War II Cold War was now hotting up.

 The ROK appealed to the United Nations Security Council for assistance. A Council Resolution called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of North Korean communist troops to the 38th Parallel and for all members of the United Nations to help in restoring peace.

 Sixteen countries responded by supplying combat forces, namely: the United States of America, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Belgium (incorporating a platoon from Luxembourg), France, Turkey, Greece, Ethiopia, Thailand, Colombia and the Philippines. Plus of course the armed forces of the Republic of Korea.

  Non-combatant support was contributed by units from: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, India and Italy who was not a member of the United Nations.

The Royal Navy was the first into action. With twenty-two ships in the Far East in June 1950, and several in Japanese waters, it was able to give immediate help.

The Fleet consisted of two headquarters ships, six cruisers, seven destroyers, fourteen frigates, seventeen Royal Fleet auxiliary vessels, and one hospital ship.

Four aircraft carriers patrolled the west coast. Eleven squadrons of aircraft flew from the carriers throughout the war. Consisting of one squadron of Seafires, five of Sea Furies and five of Fireflies.

The Royal Marines included 41 Independent Commando.

The Army sent two infantry battalions from the Hong Kong garrison. Followed by another fourteen infantry battalions, four tank regiments, four artillery regiments and many other supporting units from Britain. A large fleet of troopships sailed back and forth between Britain and Korea, talking out reinforcements and bringing home time expired men.

The Royal Air Force had two squadrons of Sunderland flying boats stationed at Iwakuni, Japan. Two RAF Flights 1903 and 1913 of light observation aircraft were attached to the Commonwealth Division. RAF pilots flew fighter planes through attachment to the Australian 77 Fighter Squadron and the American 16 Fighter Interception Squadron of 51 Fighter Interception Wing. The planes were British Meteor jets and American F86 Sabre jets.

The climate of Korea runs to extremes, from bitterly cold winters to hot, humid summers. The terrain was harsh and unforgiving, especially for infantry personnel. Destruction by advancing and retreating armies was commonplace. Scenes of utter devastation of cities, towns and villages was the norm. Death and carnage pervaded the whole country.

The first twelve months was that of a mobile war as armies moved up and down the peninsula. But by the summer of 1951 the war had become a static one. With a fortified trench system, roughly along the 38th Parallel, reminiscent of the First World War fought in Europe. But with one big difference. In both World Wars when troops were out of the line they returned to the comfort of a normal barracks routine, and within reach of the amenities of civilization. Not so in Korea. A tented rest camp out of the range of enemy guns, set among barren hills and discussed paddyfields, was home behind the line. Entertainment was an open air film show, while an occasional visit by a concert party was a major event.

Once settled in most battalions never moved from their brigade area during the twelve months or more of service in Korea. In that period each soldier was allowed one week’s leave in Tokyo, and five days’ leave at Inchon Rest Centre on the coast.

The total casualties have never been accurately determined. The largest losses were suffered by the Republic of Korea and the United States. United Nations’ casualties amounted to more than 14,000 of which the British share was 1,078 dead, 2,674 wounded and 1,060 missing or prisoners. Additionally 53 Britons died while serving in the Australian Army and are included in the Australian casualty figures.

Enemy casualties are harder to quantify. Neither the Chinese or North Koreans ever admitted their losses. The Allied Joint Chiefs of Staff’s summary of 27th July 1953 gives the following estimates. Chinese: 401,401 killed. 486,995 wounded and 21,211 captured. North Koreans: 214,899 killed, 303,685 wounded, and 101,680 missing or captured. It was calculated that between two and a half and three million Korean civilians perished in the war.

The fighting ceased on 27th July 1953, but British troops continued to severe on the Kansas Line for a further four years, the last combat troops leaving Korea in July 1957.

There was no victory, and still today soldiers of the ROK Army and the United States 2nd Indian Head Division still guard the 38th Parallel, a few of them grandchildren of the men who fought there fifty years ago

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