Canada's Army in Korea

Canada's Army in Korea Preface The First Canadians in Korea Background of the Conflict Formation of the CASF The Fighting in 1950 Canadian Troops in Action Political Aspects The Patricias at Kapyong Training at Fort Lewis The 25th Brigade Goes In Early RCN Operations The 25th Brigade in Action, 1951 The 2nd RCR at Chail-li Political Developments During June 1951 Canadian Operations During June and July Formation of the 1st Commonwealth Division Across the Imjin The "Rotation" of Canadian Troops Enemy Attacks During November The Political Front, July-December 1951 Holding the Line, 1951-1953 The First General Rotation Patrols Against the Boot and Hill 113 Canadian Troops on Koje Island The RCR on Hill 355 The Patricias' Second Rotation Winter on the Hook Korean Personnel with the Canadian Forces The Second General Rotation The End of the Fighting The Attack on the 3rd RCR Political Developments, 1952-53 Administration Behind the Canadian Brigade, Juny 1951-July 1953 Supporting Arms Air Support and Supply The RCN in Korean Waters, May 1951-July 1953 The Toll of the War Conclusion Main Provisions of the Armistice Agreement The Canadians After the Armistice Canadian Troops Withdraw Korea in Retrospect Books and Articles for Further Reading Abbreviations

[edit] Korean Personnel with the Canadian Forces

In their very early operations, the reader may recall, the 2nd Patricias had employed Korean labour to carry supplies over the rugged and almost roadless terrain. This custom, which practically all the U.N. forces had adopted in order to conserve their own resources of manpower, remained in effect throughout hostilities. In Japan, as well, extensive use was made of "indigenous" labour. How gloomy and austere would any camp there have seemed without its Japanese waitresses and housegirls! Most drivers in the base also were Japanese, and these men were found to be extremely efficient and conscientious.

In the course of the campaign the Korean Service Corps, similar to a pioneer corps, was formed as a part of the ROK Army. The 120th Regiment KSC was attached to the 1st Commonwealth Division, one company being allotted to each infantry battalion and other companies to the engineers. Although their duties were of a non-combatant nature, it must not be overlooked that in carrying them out KSC details were frequently exposed to shellfire. Light domestic services were provided by Korean boys, many of whom were homeless war orphans. These little fellows soon developed a warm feeling towards the units which employed them, and wore their badges. In view of the numbers of attached Koreans it was necessary to engage still others as interpreters. Dealings between its own forces and those of other nationalities led the ROK Army to furnish additional interpreters and also English-speaking liaison officers. One such LO became, in effect, one of the longest-serving officers of the 25th Brigade - Lieut. Yung Jo Kim, whose association with Canadian units dated as far back as March 1951.

Shortly before its return to the line, in the spring of 1953, the Commonwealth Division was reinforced by 1000 Korean soldiers known as "Katcoms" (Korean Augmentation to Commonwealth). To help meet the special administrative problems posed by such an arrangement, the ROK Army attached a liaison mission to t Divisional Headquarters. The reinforcements were allotted-approximately 100 to each infantry battalion and 30 to the divisional signals-for all purposes except pay; thus, about the end of March, the Canadian Brigade received 300 Katcoms. Since these soldiers had been trained exclusively on American weapons it was necessary for their new units to give them a short course on Commonwealth small arms. They were then assigned to rifle companies, two or three to a section, and each was paired off with a Commonwealth soldier with whom he lived and carried out all duties. Despite language difficulties the scheme proved successful; for the Korean makes a good soldier, especially in night operations.