Country

Army &

Marine (A)

Navy

(N)

Air Force

(AF)

Arrival

Belgium

1 inf bn

(A) 31 Jan 1951

Colombia

1 inf bn

1 frigate

(A) 15 Jun 1951

(N)  Apr 1951

Ethiopia

1 inf bn

(A)  7 May 1951

France

1 inf bn

1 gunboat

(A) 29 Nov 1950

(N) 29 Jul 1950

Greece

1 inf bn

1 air-trans

(A)  9 Dec 1950

sqd

(AF)13 Nov 1950

Luxembourg

1 inf co

(A) 31 Jan 1951

Netherlands

1 inf bn

1 destroyer

(A) 23 Nov 1950

(N) Jul 50

Philippines

1 inf bn

(A) 19 Sep 1950

Thailand

1 inf bn

2 corvettes,

1 troop

(A)  7 Nov 1950

1 transport

carrier

(N)  7 Nov 1950

ship

flight

(AF) 23 Jun 1951

Turkey

1 inf brig

(A) 17 Oct 1950

US

7 inf divs,

1 naval fleet;

1 tactical

(A)  2 Jul 1950

1 marine div,

carrier task

air force &

(N) 27 Jun 1950

logistical &

group, &

1 air

(AF) 27 Jun 1950

support forces

escort forces,

combat cargo

various support

command,

units

2 medium

bomber wings

Country

Kinds of Aid

Arrival

Denmark

1 hospital ship & medical team

20 Nov 1952

Italy

1 Red Cross hospital unit

Oct 1951

Norway

1 mobile army surgical hospital

Jul 1951

Sweden

1 field hospital unit

23 Sep 1950

Unit

From

To

3 RAR

3 Aug 1950

9 Nov 1954

Aust Ancilliary Unit Korea

9 Sep 1950

15 Nov 1955

Fd Amb Sec Korea

14 Sep 1950

30 Apr 1951

Maint Area Korea

15 Sep 1950

26 Jun 1951

Visitors Sec Korea

22 Sep 1950

10 Feb 1952

Adv HQ BCOF Korea

19 Dec 1950

7 Oct 1951

AC HQ 1 Comwel Div

23 Jun 1951

19 Apr 1956

AC 16 Inf Wksp (Redesignated

1 Comwel Div Inf Wksp (AC)

15 Dec 1951

19 Apr 1956

1 RAR

3 Mar 1952

6 Apr 1953

1 RAR

20 Mar 1954

5 Apr 1956

119 Tpt Pl RAASC

28 Apr 1952

28 Mar 1953

ACS Britcom Det

28 Apr 1952

4 Feb 1954

Britcom Dent Unit (AC)

28 Apr 1952

31 Jan 1955

1 RHU/1 Aust RHU/1 RHU (HS)

3 Aug 1950

30 Apr 1955

Aust Kit Store

28 Apr 1952

30 Apr 1955

CDS Tokyo

28 Apr 1952

23 Jun 1955

USAS

28 Apr 1952

30 Jun 1955

Britcom Leave Unit Tokyo (AC) (Redesignated Leave Centre Tokyo (AC))

28 Apr 1952

30 Jun 1956

Britcom Base Cypher Tp

28 Apr 1952

1 Oct 1955

Britcom Gvs Regn Unit (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

121 Tpt Pl RAASC

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Base Wksp Stores Sec (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Base Wksp (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom BOD (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Base Ord Office and Stores Distr Centre

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom MCE (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Base Ldy

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Aust Cash Office (Redesignated 101 Aust Cash Office)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Base B'casting Sta (Redesignated Britcom B'casting Unit)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Base Sig Regt

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Gen Hosp (AC) (Redesignated Britcom Medical Reception Sta RAAMC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Amen Unit

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

HQ Britcom Sub Area Tokyo (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

252 Sub Pl RAASC

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

HQ Aust Army Component

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

6 Aust Adv 2 Ech

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Engr Regt (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Tn Sqn (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Postal Unit (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom MC Gp (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom SIS (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Base Pro Coy (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Sal and Disposal Unit

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Lab Unit (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

HQ BCFK (AC)

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

AC HQ 28 Inf Bde

11 Jun 1952

8 Nov 1954

Aust Fd Cash Office Korea (Redesignated 102 Aust Cash Office)

16 Jul 1952

19 Apr 1956

Aust Sec 1 Comwel Div Pro Coy

18 Jul 1952

19 Apr 1956

Wks Sec Britcom Engr Regt (later amalgamated with Britcom Engr Regt (AC))

1 Aug 1952

19 Apr 1956

101 Dent Sec

14 Nov 1952

9 Nov 1954

1 Comwel Div Battle School (AC)

25 Dec 1952

25 Jan 1955

Aust Cash Office Tokyo (Redesignated 103 Aust Cash Office)

1 Feb 1953

19 Apr 1956

4 Mil Hist Fd Team

22 Feb 1953

10 Feb 1955

2 RAR

5 Mar 1953

16 Apr 1954

28 Britcom Inf Bde Def and Emp Pl

18 Mar 1953

3 Feb 1955

1 Comwel Div Rest Centre

17 Jun 1953

15 Feb 1955

102 Dent Sec

7 Jul 1953

19 Apr 1956

Aust Gd Sec Tokchong

7 Jan 1954

31 May 1955

Britcom Base Sup Dep (AC) (Redesignated Britcom Bulk Dep (AC))

7 Apr 1954

19 Apr 1956

104 Aust Cash Office

8 Feb 1955

19 Apr 1956

HQ Britcom Disposals Org (AC)

8 Feb 1955

15 Jul 1955

Britcom Disposals Store Org (AC)

8 Feb 1955

15 Jul 1955

Britcom Rft Base Dep Japan (AC)

30 Apr 1955

19 Apr 1956

Med Centre Tokyo

30 Apr 1955

19 Apr 1956

104 Dent Sec

1 Jul 1955

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Disposals Org Japan

15 Jul 1955

19 Apr 1956

Britcom Disposals Org Korea

15 Jul 1955

19 Apr 1956

Unit

From

To

HMAS Shoalhaven

27 Jun 1950

17 Jul 1954

22 Sep 1950

16 Mar 1955

HMAS Bataan

27 Jun 1950

17 Jan 1952

6 Jun 1951

25 Sep 1952

HMAS Warramunga

14 Aug 1950

17 Jan 1952

29 Aug 1951

8 Aug 1952

HMAS Murchison

9 May 1951

2 Nov 1953

19 Feb 1952

16 Jul 1954

HMAS Anzac

6 Aug 1951

6 Sep 1952

17 Oct 1951

26 Jun 1953

HMAS Sydney

31 Aug 1951

27 Oct 1953

22 Feb 1952

2 Jun 1954

Naval Air Squadrons

No 805 Naval Air Squadron (attached to HMAS Sydney)

31 Aug 1951

27 Oct 1953

22 Feb 1952

2 Jun 1954

No 808 Naval Air Squadron (attached to HMAS Sydney)

31 Aug 1951

22 Feb 1952

No 816 Naval Air Squadron (attached to HMAS Sydney)

27 Oct 1953

2 Jun 1954

No 817 Naval Air Squadron (attached to HMAS Sydney)

31 Aug 1951

22 Feb 1952

No 850 Naval Air Squadron (attached to HMAS Sydney)

27 Oct 1953

2 Jun 1954

Carrier Air Group:  21 CAG Naval Air Squadron (attached to HMAS Sydney)

31 Aug 1951

27 Oct 1953

22 Feb 1952

2 Jun 1954

HMAS Commonwealth (Establishment) [11]NOTE

28 Apr 1952

19 Apr 1956

HMAS Tobruk

31 Aug 1951

3 Jun 1953

22 Feb 1952

12 Feb 1954

HMAS Condamine

3 Jul 1952

26 Feb 1955

11 Apr 1953

2 Nov 1955

HMAS Culgoa

14 Mar 1953

27 Nov 1953

HMAS Arunta

25 Jan 1954

27 Oct 1954

Unit

From

To

Headquarters No 91 (Composite) Wing

27 Jun 1950

30 Apr 1955

No 77 Fighter Squadron

27 Jun 1950

3 Dec 1954

No 30 (Communication) Unit

27 Jun 1950

4 Nov 1951

Became No 3 (Transport) Unit

5 Nov 1951

9 Mar 1953

Became No 36 (Transport) Squadron

10 Mar 1953

17 Mar 1955

No 391 (Base) Squadron

27 Jun 1950

30 Apr 1955

No 491 (Maintenance) Squadron

27 Jun 1950

13 Dec 1954

RAAF Transport Flight Japan

14 Mar 1955

19 Apr 1956

Post of Senior RAAF Officer Japan

30 Apr 1955

19 Apr 1956

Date

Activity

25 Jun 1950

North Korean People's Army (NKPA) crosses the 38th parallel to launch an all-out offensive on the Republic of Korea (ROK).

26 Jun 1950

UN Security Council resolves that the attack by North Korean forces constituted a breach of peace and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of North Korean forces to the 38th parallel.

27 Jun 1950

Security Council passes a further resolution requesting members of the UN to furnish such assistance to the ROK as may be necessary to repel the attack and restore peace and security to the area.  At this meeting Warren Austin, the US Representative, informs the Council that his Government has decided, in accordance with the resolution of 26 Jun, to order air and sea forces to provide cover and support to the South Korean Government troops.  Australian Government announces commitment of RAAF bomber squadron to Malaya.

28 Jun 1950

NKPA captures Seoul.

29 Jun 1950

British Government places the ships of the Royal Navy, then in Japanese waters, at the disposal of the US authorities for use in support of the ROK. Australian Government places naval vessels then present in Far Eastern waters, namely HMA Ships Shoalhaven and Bataan, at the disposal of the Security Council in support of the ROK.

30 Jun 1950

Australian Government informs Lieutenant General Robertson, Commander-in-Chief, British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), that No 77 Squadron, RAAF, is to be committed to combat duties in Korea.  President Truman authorises General MacArthur to use the four infantry divisions of the Eighth US Army, based in Japan, for action in Korea

Date

Activity

2 Jul 1950

No. 77 Squadron, RAAF, flies first combat mission over Korea.

5 Jul 1950

Task Force Smith, first American ground combat unit to arrive in Korea, encounters North Korean troops at Osan.

7 Jul 1950

Security Council recommends that all military assistance provided to the UN should be made available to a Unified Command under US authority.  General MacArthur is appointed Commander-in-Chief, UN Command.

9 Jul 1950

Prime Minister Menzies commences planned visit to London, Washington, Ottawa and Wellington.

14 Jul 1950

Trygve Lie, Secretary-General of the UN, appeals for increased force contributions, particularly ground forces, to support the UN action in Korea.

20 Jul 1950

Taejon abandoned by UN Command forces.

26 Jul 1950

Acting Prime Minister Fadden announces commitment of Australian ground forces for service in Korea.

27 Jul 1950

Menzies fully informed of commitment of ground forces before Queen Mary (in which he sailed from London) docks at New York.

1 Aug 1950

Menzies addresses both Houses of Congress in Washington and speaks of Australia's contributions to Korea.

2 Aug 1950

Acting Prime Minister Fadden announces that only volunteers will be sent to Korea and the recruiting campaign will be accelerated.

4 Aug 1950

Naktong River perimeter (Pusan Perimeter) is established by the UN Command.

6 Aug 1950

Spender departs for New York to represent Australia at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

6-8 Aug 1950

General MacArthur confers in Tokyo with Averell Harriman and Generals Norstad, Almond and Ridgway concerning the Inchon landing.

14-18 Aug 1950

Menzies visits Japan, talks with MacArthur, inspects Australian forces preparing for Korea.

6 Aug 1950

The X US Corps is activated for forthcoming Inchon landing operation .

23 Aug 1950

Menzies returns to Australia.

28 Aug 1950

The British 27th Brigade arrives at Pusan.

31 Aug-1950

6 Sep 1950

Battle of Pusan Perimeter reaches its climax.

5 Sep 1950

The 27th Brigade begins combat operations.

7 Sep 1950

Spender leaves London after discussing Pacific pact with Attlee, Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin and Minister of State Kenneth Younger.

12 Sep 1950

The I and the IX US Corps become operational in Korea.

13 Sep 1950

Spender discusses Pacific pact with Truman in Washington.

15 Sep 1950

The X US Corps makes amphibious landing at Inchon and outflanks the North Korean forces.

17 Sep 1950

Australian Army advance party arrives in Korea.

18 Sep 1950

Kimpo airfield, near Seoul, captured by UN Command forces.

20 Sep 1950

First broadcast by Menzies in 'Defence Call to the Nation' series.

22 Sep 1950

Eighth Army breaks out of Pusan Perimeter.

Second broadcast by Menzies in 'Defence Call to the Nation' series.

25 Sep 1950

Third broadcast by Menzies in 'Defence Call to the Nation' series.

27 Sep 1950

US Joint Chiefs of Staff authorise MacArthur to conduct operations north of 38th parallel.

UN Command forces moving north link with UN Command forces moving south, near Suwon.

28 Sep 1950

UN Command forces recapture Seoul.

The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), brought to full strength by special enlistments from Australia, arrives at Pusan and joins the 27th Brigade.

Date

Activity

1 Oct 1950

The 3rd ROK Division crosses the 38th parallel.

2 Oct 1950

Chou En-lai warns Panikkar, the Indian Ambassador in Peking, that if the Americans cross the 38th parallel China will enter the war.

7 Oct 1950

UNGA resolves to authorise the UN Command forces to pursue the North Koreans across the 38th parallel and to establish the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea (UNCURK).

American forward patrols cross the 38th parallel.

9 Oct 1950

Main advance of Eighth Army begins, driving northwards through Kaesong towards Sariwon and Pyongyang.

11 Oct 1950

The 3rd ROK Division takes Wonsan.

12 Oct 1950

Interim Committee of UNCURK advises MacArthur to assume provisional responsibility for administration of territory occupied by the UN Command forces in North Korea.

14 Oct 1950

Nine Chinese armies, totalling over 300000 men, begin to cross the Yalu River.

19 Oct 1950

The Eighth Army takes Pyongyang, capital of North Korea.

24 Oct 1950

MacArthur removes all restrictions on advance of non-Korean forces to the Yalu River.

26 Oct 1950

The 6th Division, III ROK Corps, reaches the Yalu River at Chosan.

27-31 Oct 1950

Chinese first phase offensive is launched.

29 Oct 1950

Australian battalion reaches Chongju, the most northerly point of its advance.

30 Oct 1950

Spender discusses Pacific security with John Foster Dulles and Dean Rusk in New York before returning to Australia.

31 Oct-2 Nov 1950

Strong Chinese attack on Eighth Army at Unsan forces its withdrawal south of the Chongchon River.

5 Nov 1950

MacArthur orders a heavy air offensive over North Korea, including the Yalu River bridges at Sinuiju.  This direction violates Joint Chiefs of Staff directive which forbade bombing within 8 kilometres of the Yalu River.

Truman lifts prohibition and attacks are made on 8 Nov.

20 Nov 1950

UNCURK holds its first meeting at Tokyo and decides to leave for Seoul on 26 Nov.  James Plimsoll represents Australia.

21 Nov 1950

UNCURK members lunch with MacArthur, who indicates that the war may end in a month.

Spender reports to Cabinet on his visit to the US.

24 Nov 1950

Eighth Army launches its drive to the Yalu River.

25-26 Nov 1950

Chinese second phase offensive is launched.

25 Nov 1950

The II ROK Corps is smashed by Chinese attack in central sector near Tokchon.

26 Nov 1950

Over 200,000 Chinese attack the Eighth US Army north of the Chongchon River and inflict heavy casualties.

27 Nov 1950

The 2nd, the 24th and the 25th US Divisions withdraw south of the Chongchon River.

28 Nov 1950

Spender addresses Australian House of Representatives on Pacific alliance.  MacArthur announces an 'entirely new war'.

30 Nov 1950

Truman refers publicly to possible use of atomic bomb in Korea.

4 Dec 1950

Truman-Attlee talks begin in Washington to consider allied policy towards China.

5 Dec 1950

Pyongyang abandoned by the Eighth Army.

7 Dec 1950

UNCURK reports that between 231,000 and 400,000 Chinese troops were engaged against UN Command forces.

11 Dec 1950

The 1st US Marine Division and the 7th US Division withdraw into defensive perimeter at Hungnam.

12 Dec 1950

Thirteen Arab and Asian nations submit a draft resolution proposing that a committee should investigate the basis for a cease-fire in Korea.

15 Dec 1950

UN Command forces withdraw south of 38th parallel.

18 Dec 1950

US requests Australia to support UN resolution condemning China as an aggressor.

23 Dec 1950

General Walker, Eighth Army commander, killed in a vehicle accident and General Ridgway appointed to succeed him.

24 Dec 1950

The X US Corps completes evacuation of Hungnam beachhead.

North Korea returns to Communist control.

31 Dec-5 Jan 1950

Chinese third phase offensive is launched.

Date

Activity

2 Jan 1951

The UN Cease-fire Group, consisting of Nasrollah Entezam, Lester Pearson and Sir Benegal Rau, report Chinese rejection of their efforts.

3-4 Jan 1951

Seoul evacuated by UN Command forces, which withdraw to general line Pyongtaek-Wonju-Samchok and regroup.

4 Jan 1951

Commonwealth Prime Ministers meet in London.

11 Jan 1951

The Cease-fire Group proposes five principles for an armistice in Korea.

12 Jan 1951

Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference concludes after much debate on Korea.

13 Jan 1951

UNGA First Committee approves the Cease-fire Group's proposals, by a vote of 50-7 with one abstention.

17 Jan 1951

Chinese Government rejects the Cease-fire Group's proposals and calls for a seven-nation conference on Far Eastern problems.

Dulles suggests discussions with Australian Government on Pacific security arrangements and Japanese peace settlement.

25 Jan 1951

General Ridgway launches Operation Thunderbolt, a counter-offensive northwards to the Han River, by the I and the IX US Corps

1 Feb 1951

UNGA accepts US resolution condemning Chinese as aggressors.

5 Feb 1951

Operation Round-up, an advance by the X US Corps, begins.

11-17 Feb 1951

Chinese fourth phase offensive is launched.

14-17 Feb 1951

Dulles visits Canberra for four days of talks with Australian and New Zealand Governments on Japanese Peace Treaty and Pacific security arrangements.  Spender succeeds in securing agreement to a draft security treaty.

19 Feb 1951

Truman asks Australia to provide reinforcements for Korea.

21 Feb 1951

Operation Killer, a general advance by the IX and the X US Corps, begins.

28 Feb 1951

Last Communist resistance south of the Han River collapses.

2 Mar 1951

Menzies announces Spender's appointment as Ambassador to the US and the Three Year Defence Program by which Australia is to prepare for world war by the end of 1953.

7 Mar 1951

Operation Ripper begins in central and eastern sectors with advance across the Han River by the IX and the X US Corps.

14-15 Mar 1951

Seoul retaken by the Eighth Army.

16 Mar 1951

US State Department renews pressure for increased Australian force commitments to Korea.

19 Mar 1951

Governor-General Sir William McKell grants a double dissolution of Parliament.

Date

Activity

5 Apr 1951

Operation Rugged, a general advance to the Kansas Line, north of the 38th parallel, begins.

11 Apr 1951

Truman relieves MacArthur and appoints Ridgway in his place.

14 Apr 1951

General Van Fleet assumes command of the Eighth Army. UN Command forces reach the Kansas Line.

19 Apr 1951

The I and the IX US Corps reach the Utah Line, south of the 'Iron Triangle'.

22-28 Apr 1951

The first stage of the Chinese fifth phase offensive is launched.

23-24 Apr 1951

Battle of Kapyong, for which Australian battalion wins US Presidential Citation.

26 Apr 1951

Casey succeeds Spender as Australian Minister for External Affairs.

28 Apr 1951

Menzies Government returned to office in general election, with control of the Senate.

30 Apr 1951

UN Command forces, after withdrawing to a new defence line, halt Chinese offensive north of Seoul and the Han River.

8 May 1951

North Koreans charge the UN Command with use of germ warfare.

14 May 1951

Menzies informs Truman of Australia's limited defence resources and inability to provide more forces for Korea.

15 May 1951

Tripartite conference (Britain, France and US) held in Singapore to discuss South-East Asian security.

16-23 May 1951

Second stage of the Chinese fifth phase offensive is launched.

18 May 1951

UNGA passes resolution calling for an embargo on provision of strategic goods to China and North Korea by a vote of 47-0 with 8 abstentions.

20 May 1951

Chinese offensive is halted and UN Command forces resume advance.

30 May 1951

Eighth Army regains the Kansas Line.

1 Jun 1951

Operation Piledriver begins:  elements of the I and the IX Corps advance towards the Wyoming Line, some 30 kilometres north.

8 Jun 1951

Spender presents his letters of credence as new Australian Ambassador to the US.

15 Jun 1951

Objectives of Operation Piledriver are reached.

21-26 Jun 1951

Conference of Commonwealth Defence Ministers in London.

23 Jun 1951

Jacob Malik, Soviet Ambassador to the UN, publicly proposes armistice negotiations.

30 Jun 1951

Ridgway proposes negotiations to Communist commanders.

Date

Activity

3 Jul 1951

US Delegation introduces a resolution into the Security Council denying the basis of the germ warfare charge.

10 Jul 1951

Negotiations between UN Command and Communists begin at Kaesong.

20 Jul-22 Aug 1951

Casey and Watt visit East and South-East Asian countries.

28 Jul 1951

The 1st Commonwealth Division is formed.

9 Aug 1951

Britain offers Australia opportunity to purchase aircraft for two fighter squadrons in return for increased commitment to the Middle East.

17 Aug 1951

Communists demand apology for alleged violation of neutral zone at Kaesong.  Request refused.

23 Aug 1951

Communists suspend armistice negotiations.

31 Aug 1951

The 1st US Marine Division opens assault in Punchbowl area of eastern sector.

1 Sep 1951

Signature of ANZUS Treaty at San Francisco.

2 Sep 1951

The 2nd US Division opens attack against Heartbreak and Bloody Ridges.

8 Sep 1951

Signature of Japanese Peace Treaty at San Francisco.

18 Sep 1951

Marines advance to Soyang River, north of Punchbowl.

Date

Activity

5 Oct 1951

Lieutenant General W Bridgeford replaces Lieutenant General Sir Horace Robertson as Commander-in-Chief, BCOF, Japan.

Australian Government announces commitment of a second battalion to Korea.

12 Oct 1951

The IX US Corps advances to the Jamestown Line, north of the Imjin River.

15 Oct 1951

The 2nd US Division takes Heartbreak Ridge.

25 Oct 1951

After two weeks of discussion between liaison officers, truce talks resume at a new site, Panmunjom.

25 Oct 1951

Conservatives defeat Labour in British general election.

26, 27 and 30 Oct 1951

Ministerial appointments in the new British Cabinet announced.  Churchill succeeds Attlee; Eden succeeds Bevin as Foreign Secretary.

12 Nov 1951

Ridgway orders Eighth Army to cease offensive operations and begin active defence, Operation Ratkiller.

28 Nov 1951

NATO Council meeting in Rome.  Eden and Acheson discuss China-warning statement.

18 Dec 1951

Prisoner-of-war lists are exchanged by UN Command and Communists at Panmunjom.

27 Dec 1951

Australian Government accepts revised draft of China-warning statement.

Date

Activity

1 Jan 1952

One-month artillery and air bombardment of Communist positions begins.

2 Jan 1952

UN Command proposes non-forcible repatriation for prisoners of war.

8 Jan 1952

Non-forcible repatriation rejected by Communists.

11-15 Jan

Tripartite meeting of military staffs (Britain, France and US) in Washington to consider South-East Asian security. Australia and New Zealand represented by observers.

Jan - Apr 1952

Riots in UN Command prison camps on Koje Island as screening of prisoners begins.

21 Mar 1952

Organisers of Peking Conference invite Australian Committee for Peace in the Pacific to accept co-sponsorship of, and to send delegates to, preparatory conference in May.

31 Mar 1952

Australian Cabinet approves all action taken on China-warning statement between Dec 51 and Feb 52.

Date

Activity

3 Apr 1952

Second Australian battalion arrives in Korea.

28 Apr 1952

Entry into effect of Japanese Peace Treaty.

After extensive diplomatic negotiations the BCOF becomes the British Commonwealth Forces, Korea (BCFK).

29 Apr 1952

Entry into effect of ANZUS Treaty.

May-Jun 1952

Menzies visits Washington and London.

7 May 1952

Negotiations at Panmunjom deadlocked on prisoner repatriation issue.

8 May 1952

Prisoners at Koje Island camp hold Brigadier General Dodd hostage.

11 May 1952

Dodd released.

12 May 1952

Ridgway departs to succeed Eisenhower in Europe.  General Mark W Clark succeeds Ridgway.

22 May 1952

Clark requests Lieutenant General Bridgeford to provide Commonwealth troops for prison camp duties on Koje Island.

25 May 1952

Rhee declares martial law in Pusan and arrests members of the Korean National Assembly.

27 May-7 Jun 1952

Menzies has discussions with British Government leaders in London on strategic priorities and Australia's commitments.

22 Jun 1952

Acheson notifies Eden of US agreement to a British Deputy Chief of Staff for Clark's headquarters.

23-27 Jun 1952

UN Command bombs major hydroelectric plants at Suiho, Fusen, Chosin and Kyosen.

25 Jun 1952

Clark ordered to prepare a plan for UN Command intervention against Rhee.

Date

Activity

4 Jul 1952

No 78 Fighter Wing, RAAF, departs Australia aboard SS Asturius for Malta.

14 Jul 1952

Commonwealth troops cease prison camp guard duties on Koje Island.

2-10 Aug 1952

First meeting of ANZUS Council, Honolulu.

29 Aug 1952

UN Command bombs Pyongyang.

22-25 Sep 1952

ANZUS military representatives meet at Pearl Harbour.

Date

Activity

6 Oct 1952

Communists launch heavy offensive.

Five Power Conference of military planners meets in Washington to discuss South-East Asian security.  Australia and New Zealand admitted to full membership with Britain, France and the US.

7 Oct 1952

Heavy Chinese bombardment of Eighth Army.

8 Oct 1952

Armistice negotiations suspended.

14 Oct 1952

Seventh Session of UNGA.

16 Oct 1952

Communists cease their ten-day offensive.

17-18 Oct 1952

Polish and Soviet delegates repeat charges of use of germ warfare.

20 Oct 1952

Casey addresses General Assembly and refutes Polish and Soviet germ warfare allegations on the basis of the evidence provided by Sir Macfarlane Burnet.

4 Nov 1952

Eisenhower elected President of the US.

28 Nov-10 Dec 1952

Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference, London.

2 Dec 1952

President-elect Eisenhower begins a three-day visit to Korea.

3 Dec 1952

UNGA adopts Menon proposals for release and repatriation of prisoners of war in Korea.

12 Dec 1952

Churchill discusses British membership of ANZUS with Menzies and Holland in London.

14 Dec 1952

On return from Korea, Eisenhower announces new policy of firmness in dealing with Communists.

18 Dec 1952

Acheson, Eden and Schuman discuss the establishment of a Five Power Staff Agency to plan defence of Pacific and South-East Asian region.

Date

Activity

20 Jan 1953

Eisenhower inaugurated as President of the US.

Jan-Feb 1953

Winter lull in fighting in Korea.

2 Feb 1953

Eisenhower announces that US Seventh Fleet would no longer prevent Chiang Kai-shek's forces from attacking the Chinese mainland.

11 Feb 1953

Lieutenant General Maxwell Taylor succeeds Van Fleet as Eighth Army commander.

22 Feb 1953

UN Command proposes exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war, as a preliminary to full exchange of prisoners.

5 Mar 1953

Stalin dies.

28 Mar 1953

Communists announce acceptance of UN Command proposals for exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war.

Date

Activity

6-9 Apr 1953

Five-power military representatives meet at Pearl Harbour.

20 Apr-3 May 1953

Exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war, Operation Little Switch, at Panmunjom.

26 Apr 1953

Armistice negotiations resume at Panmunjom.

7 May 1953

Communist negotiators at Panmunjom present an eight-point proposal regarding repatriation of prisoners of war, including establishment of Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission.

25 May 1953

UN Command makes final armistice proposal at Panmunjom.

3-10 Jun 1953

Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference, London.

4 Jun 1953

Communists accept most of UN Command proposals.

10 Jun 1953

Churchill, Menzies and Holland meet after the last session of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference to discuss Pacific defence matters.

10-16 Jun 1953

Chinese launch offensive against II ROK Corps near Kumsong.

18 Jun 1953

Rhee releases 25,000 anti-Communist Korean prisoners of war.

Date

Activity

10 Jul 1953

Dulles, Salisbury and Bidault meet in Washington to discuss policy for a wider settlement with the Communist powers.

13 Jul 1953

Final Communist offensive begins.

16 Jul 1953

UN Command counter-offensive begins.

19 Jul 1953

Negotiators at Panmunjom reach final agreement on all aspects of armistice.

27 Jul 1953

Armistice signed (10am) and comes into effect (10pm).

Australia signs China-warning statement.

5 Aug-6 Sep 1953

Exchange of prisoners of war.

7 Aug 1953

Text of China-warning statement announced in Allied Joint Policy Declaration.

8 Aug 1953

Mutual Defence Treaty between the US and the ROK initialled in Seoul.

17 Aug 1953

Special Session of the Seventh UNGA begins to discuss the final peace conference on the Korean war.

28 Aug 1953

UNGA resolves that all belligerent powers should participate in the peace conference.

13 Sep 1953

Chinese reply to UNGA resolution and suggest important amendments, including the addition of five neutral nations to the peace conference participants.

15 Sep 1953

Eighth Session of UNGA begins.

16 Sep 1953

Sixteen nations contributing forces to UN Command meet to concert strategy for the peace conference.

23 Sep 1953

UN Command transfers control of more than 22,000 prisoners refusing repatriation to the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, and the Indian Custodian Force in the demilitarised zone.

1 Oct 1953

Mutual Defence Treaty between US and the ROK signed in Washington by ROK Foreign Minister and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles.

19-22 Oct 1953

Chiefs of Staff Conference, Melbourne, recommends formation of Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve in Malaya.

26 Oct 1953

The first preparatory meeting for the peace conference is convened at Panmunjom but has little result.

3 Nov 1953

UNGA recommends impartial investigation of germ warfare charges against UN Command forces.

3 Dec 1953

UNGA condemns atrocities committed by North Koreans and Chinese against the UN Command prisoners of war in their charge.

Date

Activity

22 Jan 1954

Preparatory negotiations for the peace conference cease in Panmunjom.

Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission's authority to hold prisoners refusing repatriation expires.  Remaining prisoners released by UN Command.

25 Jan-18 Feb 1954

Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, the USSR and the US meet Feb in Berlin and on 18 Feb agree that a peace conference will be held at Geneva, commencing on 26 Apr, to settle the Korean and Indo-China conflicts.

Date

Activity

12 Apr 1954

Casey departs for Geneva via Singapore, Saigon and London.

23 Apr 1954

Soviet Government suspends diplomatic relations with Australia after Petrov incident.

26 Apr 1954

The Geneva conference begins.

29 May 1954

Menzies Government retains office in general election.

15 Jun 1954

The allies announce failure of the Geneva conference to settle the Korean issue.