In the ranks
The war pitched UN troops into battle with communist forces across territory that was frozen in winter and baked in summer
UN forces from multiple nations clashed with Communist troops over often mountainous terrain
PEOPLE’S VOLUNTEER ARMY (PVA) CHINA
Usually drawn from a rural background, or sometimes a Nationalist soldier incorporated from the recently ended civil war, the Chinese foot soldier was known for his endurance and ferocity.
At least 3 million soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fought in Korea over three years as the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA). To what extent these mostly poor and rural men were genuine volunteers is debatable, but PVA fighters impressed and terrified their enemies.
Often attacking at night in human wave assaults heralded by cries and bugles, they suffered dreadful casualties in the face of superior UN artillery and air power. At least 400,000 Chinese troops died either in combat or from exposure and disease. Among them was Mao Anying, the 28-year-old eldest son of the Chinese leader, who was killed in an air strike in November 1950.
The Chinese foot soldier wore a quilted cotton uniform in olive khaki during the winter months, topped by a fur-lined cap with flaps that were tied under the chin. Equipment usually included a waist belt with two or three stick grenades and bandoliers for ammunition and rice. His summer uniform consisted of a Russian-style tunic, trousers and an olive ‘Mao’ cap. Most early PVA volunteers carried bolt-action rifles or captured US weapons.
EIGHTH ARMY UNITED STATES
The United States entered the Korean War with much of its equipment stocks depleted, to the extent that troops typically fought with World War II era weapons and uniforms. Eighth Army was established within the Pusan Perimeter by General Walton ‘Bulldog’ Walker in July 1950. A typical NCO might have seen action in World War II, followed by a post-war stationing in Japan. He would wear a wartime M1943 uniform of windproof cotton sateen and a peaked field cap together with doublebuckle combat boots. Weaponry included M-1 carbines.
GLOUCESTER REGIMENT UNITED KINGDOM
In August 1950 the Hong Kong-based 27th Brigade was dispatched to Korea, followed by the 29th Brigade in December. An infantry brigade consisted of headquarters, services and three rifle battalions and was 909 men strong. British troops were usually rotated every 12 months. The Gloucesters distinguished themselves on the Imjin River in April 1951, holding back a Chinese push south. Lieutenant Colonel J.P. Carne earned the Victoria Cross there, having commanded 700 troops against 11,000 PVA. He reportedly experienced attempted ‘brainwashing’ sessions while a POW.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT AUSTRALIA
At the outset of the war Liberal Prime Minister Robert Menzies committed Australian troops to Korea. 17,000 served there, and 339 were killed in action. In addition, around 1,000 Australian troops with prior military service were asked to re-enlist for three years of service, including one in Korea. The Third Battalion RAR had its first major engagement near Pyongyang in October 1950 and fought numerous battles along the 38th parallel. The RAR soldier was distinctive for his wide-brimmed ‘Digger’ hat, augmented later on by US flak jackets and field uniforms similar to other Commonwealth troops.
“AT LEAST 3 MILLION SOLDIERS FROM THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY (PLA) FOUGHT IN KOREA OVER THREE YEARS AS THE PEOPLE’S VOLUNTEER ARMY (PVA). TO WHAT EXTENT THESE MOSTLY POOR AND RURAL MEN WERE GENUINE VOLUNTEERS IS DEBATABLE, BUT PVA FIGHTERS IMPRESSED AND TERRIFIED THEIR ENEMIES”