Danger of another war looms

THE Korean War began with a bang on June 25, 1950, plunging the world into another international crisis.

The reasons for war were complex, though inevitable following Japan’s surrender in 1945. Japan had occupied Korea for 34 years, one of many lingering effects of Japanese eastAsian imperial territorialism.

Following the 1904-1905 RussoJapanese War, in which Japan delivered a humiliating military defeat to Russia, various territories were ceded to Japanese control under the Treaty of Portsmouth.

Russia’s regional military capabilities were severely curtailed, even during World War II.

Following Japan’s surrender, control of the Korean picture was divided between Russian-sponsored Kim Il-sung in the North and USbacked Syngman Rhee in the South.

As Stalin urged communist states in Europe and elsewhere to counter Western democracies, nowhere was this more manifest than in a build-up of opposing ideologies across Korea’s 38th parallel.

Mao Zedong’s Chinese communists were also entrenching their influence throughout Asia, setting the scene for the Korean War which followed.

It was the first conflict in which the fledgling United Nations committed combat forces, supporting Korea’s interests under the command of US general Douglas Macarthur.

It was a hard-fought war not just against the North, but against Korea’s bitter winters.

Australian personnel serving with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan were rushed to join the Allied effort, including RAAF fighters and RAN ships.

3RAR were the first Australian infantry soldiers sent to fight in Korea, though ultimately all now Townsvillebased RAR battalions, 1, 2 and 3 would receive their baptisms of fire in Korea.

For the first time Australia had raised a standing, regular army postWWII, bolstered soon by specially recruited troops of K Force.

Chinese troops were soon playing a more prominent role than Russians, showing the CCP was determined to be a major regional force.

A formal armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, though Australians remained in Korea “peacekeeping” until 1957.

The fighting ended with a whimper. More than 17,000 Australians served in Korea, of whom 340 were killed, 43 remain listed as missing,

1260 were wounded and 30 were taken as prisoners of war.

With current Chinese posturing, we may yet see war there again.