British and Commonwealth Ships at Inchon

[astraltrader]

Korean War: September 15th - 28th 1950

Most people have heard of the successful amphibious landings at Inchon where US Marines led by MacArthur secured and captured Inchon and then eventually broke out of the surrounding Busan region, going on to capture Seoul.

Less known is the small yet important part played by ships from the Royal Navy as well as ships from Australia and Canada during these landings.

Amongst the various UN ships making up the Gun Fire Support Group [GFSG], significant help was rendered by the Royal Navy cruisers HMS Jamaica and HMS Kenya.
Jamaica fired 1,300 rounds of 6 inch shells and around 400 4 inch shells. In addition she was feted to have been the first United Nations ship to shoot down an enemy aircraft.
Kenya fired 1,242 6 inch shells as well as 205 4 inch shells.

The first Canadian involvement in the Korean War was provided by the ships HMCS Cayuga, HMCS Athabaskan and HMCS Sioux who bombarded the coast also as part of the CFSG.

1951

The following year saw a reversal of fortune for the UN forces as MacArthurs recklessness brought about or at least accelerated massive Chinese involvement in the War - leading to a successful evacuation from Inchon...
Significant assistance in this was provided again by HMS Kenya as well as from her sister HMS Ceylon, as well as from the Royal Australian Navy destroyers HMAS Warramunga and HMAS Bataan.

I found this particularly interesting Terry. Whilst I know quite a lot of the role of the Commonwealth ground troops, I know nothing of the role of their navies there.

What the Commonwealth did in Korea is usually heavily played down yet it was crucial. And it gave the Australian wool industry a fantastic shot in the arm! Wool sold for a pound a pound and the cockies were rounding up the baa lambs from their Rollers! They were even picking up the scraps and dags caught in the fences.

[astraltrader]

Cheers Herk.
In all honesty this is something that I have only just come across as a footnote in a large tome on the Korean war. I have read 3 or 4 books on the Inchon landings itself in the past and I feel sure there was nothing in them about it. This morning I found a further refence to the participation of these ships in David A. Thomas excellent reference book "A Companion to the Royal Navy". With that verification I felt it important to post.

[TheDigger]

On the 29 June the Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies decided to place HMA Ships SHOALHAVEN and BATAAN at the disposal of United Nations authorities in support of the Republic of Korea. From this time onwards until the cessation of maritime operations on 27 July 1953, RAN units played a major role in support of United Nations operations.

Predominantly RAN destroyers and frigates were involved in conducting blockade, escort and bombardment duties on both sides of the Korean Peninsular.

Escort and blockade duties were generally tedious but none the less essential. The frigate SHOALHAVEN served as on escort duties until relieved by HMAS WARRAMUNGA. On occasion, with ships carrying out coastal blockade duties close to shore, enemy shore batteries would open fire. The first such exchange involving an RAN ship occurred on 1 August 1950 when BATAAN was attacked by shore batteries whilst patrolling the northern approaches to the Seoul R. BATAAN returned fire and silenced four of the enemy guns. The cruiser HMS BELFAST soon joined BATAAN and both ships engaged the enemy. BATAAN was straddled by enemy fire on a number of occasions during the duel.

On 29 August WARRAMUNGA provided escort support for the first non-American troops to arrive in Korea. These British troops were landed at Pusan.

Both WARRAMUNGA and BATAAN were assigned to screening duties for the Allied landings at Inchon on 15 September. At about this time it was also decided to extend the period of RAN ships to a year. This was because the RAN was unable to provide relief ships. Five years after World War Two the RAN had difficulty in sustaining two ships on war service.

BATAAN was relieved by HMAS MURCHISON in June 1951. During her deployment MURCHISON was to gain fame, and good fortune, during engagements with enemy shore batteries off the Han River. In September/October 1951 whilst patrolling near the Han River MURCHISON was engaged by a mixed group of enemy guns ranging from 75 mm to 50 mm and smaller. In the ensuing gun duel MURCHISON returned fire with her main armament and 40 mm Bofors guns. Her intense and accurate fire quickly silenced the enemy guns. The next day, while patrolling the same area MURCHISON was again engaged by enemy shore batteries. In this instant MURCHISON received a number of hits, fortunately there were no fatalities.

By this stage WARRAMUNGA had been relieved by HMAS ANZAC. During her tour of duty ANZAC was engaged in conducting the patrols as well as landing intelligence teams and some train hunting. ANZAC's short deployment came to an end on 30 September 1951 when she escorted HMS GLORY to Australia for a refit. ANZAC was replaced by HMAS TOBRUK.

In addition to the operations of the destroyers and frigates the aircraft carrier HMAS SYDNEY and embarked squadrons were also deployed to the Korean theatre. Her first operations were on 4 October 1951 on the west coast. After transferring to the east coast she commenced operations against enemy troop concentrations and suspected supply dumps. On 21 October SYDNEY's aircraft attack a large concentration of junks preparing to launch an assault on Taehwa Do Island. Other operations included support for the Commonwealth Division and search and rescue patrols.

SYDNEY's aircraft were generally engaged in operations against lines of communication, troop concentrations and industrial infrastructure. Weather conditions were a major influence on operations at this stage. During the middle of her deployment SYDNEY was operating off Korea in the northern winter at time sub-zero temperatures were experienced. Such conditions limited flying operations.

SYDNEY's deployment to the Korean theatre resulted in the general introduction of fluorescent panels to aid rescue aircraft. The system devised by CAPT Harries to aid rescue aircraft in locating downed crews were so successful that it was recommended for general introduction.

After a stay of six months SYDNEY departed for Australia accompanied by TOBRUK. MURCHISON also left the war zone, she had spent a total of 60 days in the Han River region. By this stage WARRAMUNGA and BATAAN had returned to Korea. On 14 February BATAAN was hit by enemy coastal batteries but no major was sustained. In March WARRAMUNGA was also the target of enemy shore based fire but was not hit. Both ships continued to be engaged in patrol and bombardment work throughout this second deployment.

In the second half of 1952 the ANZAC and HMAS CONDAMINE were deployed to the war zone. In September and October CONDAMINE defeated an attempt by Communist forces to capture the Island of Tok Som. Whilst ANZAC, like the ships she relieved, received the unwelcome attention of North Korean shore batteries. By this stage the war on the peninsular had reached a stalemate and serious attempts were being made to resolve the situation. However, it would not be until July 1953 that naval operations would be halted and by that stage two more RAN ships had deployed to Korea. These were HMAS CULGOA and TOBRUK. During her deployment CULGOA aided in the evacuation of Allied troops from Yong Mae do Island. The naval war off Korea ended on the 27 July 1953.

You've filled in a large gap of my knowledge with this excellent and detailed post Digger.

I knew nothing of the role of our navy in Korea. Now I know a lot more.

[romft1945]

Very interesting reading thought I would add these two photos from Korea,
ROM

1 HMS Ocean ships company with the cruiser HMS Ceylon
2 A Sea Fury on the deck of HMS Ocean

[TheDigger]

I must admit I did know of our involement and as noted it is quiet extensive.

HMAS Sydney was deployed as a replacement in September 1951 SYDNEY, under the command of Captain David H. Harries RAN, relieved HMS GLORY as the carrier representative of the British naval forces in the Korean theatre. It was an historic occasion, being the first time that any Dominion carrier had gone into action.

Squadrons embarked at the time were numbers 805 (Sea Furies), 808 (Sea Furies) and 817 (Fireflies). In addition the United States Navy had loaned SYDNEY a helicopter and crew members.

SYDNEY began her first patrol of the Korean War on 4 October in the western theatre, transferring four days later to the east coast for special operations on 10/11 October. On 11 October, operating against troop concentrations and suspected store dumps on the east coast, SYDNEY created a light fleet carrier record by flying 89 sorties, making a total of 147 sorties in two days operations.

On the last patrol on the second day twelve of her Sea Furies caught more than 1,000 troops engaged in 'digging in' on the hills covering beaches and killed or wounded some 200 of them. The high standard of bombardment spotting by SYDNEY during the two day operation gained favourable comment from the United States battleship NEW JERSEY.

Operations were hazardous and several Aircraft were bought down during the course of her second patrol starting from October as described in the following paragraphs.

On 18 October SYDNEY began her second patrol on the west coast (Task Element 95.11) in Tactical Command, west coast Korea.

Trafalgar Day was celebrated by highly successful strikes against junks believed to be concentrating in the Yalu estuary for an invasion of Taehwa Do Island. For the remainder of the patrol, SYDNEY provided close air support for the Commonwealth Division attacking enemy communications with considerable success. On 23 October, in addition to the normal days flying programme, the carrier provided air search for ditched American airmen in the north east of Korea Bay. One Sea Fury pilot detected a survivor and towards dusk a Firefly dropped a dinghy and supplies. Succour eventually reached the man in the shape of a boat from the frigate HMAS MURCHISON.

On 25 October a Sea Fury piloted by Lieutenant C.M. Wheatley RAN was hit by flak off Chinnampo and forced down. He was promptly rescued by helicopter and safely landed at Kimpo. A second Sea Fury, piloted by Lieutenant Commander J.L. Appleby RN, was hit whilst operating over the front line but managed to reach Kimpo field. A Sea Fury crash landed on the south bank of the Han River and in this case the pilot, Sub Lieutenant N.W. Knappstein RAN, was rescued unharmed by a boat from HMS AMETHYST.

Operations against the enemy communications continued throughout 26 October. A flight of five Fireflies made a determined attempt to block a railway tunnel between Chaeryong and Haeju. The primary objective was unfortunately not achieved, but the line was effectively cut.

During the operation intense light flak brought down a plane piloted by Sub Lieutenant N.D. MacMillan RAN. When news of the plane's loss reached SYDNEY, it was apparent that a rescue by the ship's US Navy helicopter in the brief remaining daylight would be an extremely hazardous undertaking. Nevertheless the risk was considered a justifiable one and happily was successfully carried out. Just after the pickup had taken place a North Korean soldier who was menacing the helicopter was shot dead with an Owen gun. A landing at Kimpo field was made at 1830 in fast fading light, escorted by two Sea Furies.

[The Sailor]

Originally Posted by romft1945

Very interesting reading thought I would add these two photos from Korea,
ROM

1 HMS Ocean ships company with the cruiser HMS Ceylon
2 A Sea Fury on the deck of HMS Ocean

I wonder what that Leander Class light cruiser is at the stern in your pic Rom? Anyone know?

[romft1945]

Originally Posted by The Sailor

I wonder what that Leander Class light cruiser is at the stern in your pic Rom? Anyone know?

It is HMS Ceylon as i said comm,
rom

[The Sailor]

So You did Rom old mate.
Here is a site about her

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ceylon_%2830%29
A Crown Colony class light cruiser.

Might do a post later or someone else can if they want.

My goodness, she looked like HMAS Perth at the stern there.
Simular to a Leander class in the pic.

[astraltrader]

Very interesting two posts there, Digger. Although I haven`t researched the Australian involvement on the internet, there is very little about it in the usual reference works about the Korean War. Is the source of your information net related or does it come from a particular book. If the latter I would very much like to get hold of a copy to read about it.

[TheDigger]

The information I gathered was web related and under the Sydney I found most of the details noted above. It was a very interesting time and the involvement from Australia was substantial. We had a fair contingent of Army ground forces in this conflict and the RAAF had a squadron or two of Meteor Jet Fighters rotating through the country as well.

[The Sailor]

The best of support posting Digger. Well done.

[astraltrader]

Appreciated, Digger - will give it a look. Thanks.

I have just discovered that HMAS Shoalhaven had been selected to replace HMS Consort up the Yangtze river and was ready to depart but at the last moment HMS Amethyst turned up and was given the task instead.

We all know what happened to Amethyst!