The
Korean War started with alarming suddenness when on 25th June 1950
Communist North Korean troops, solidly supported by Soviet equipment
crossed the 38th parallel dividing the north from the south.
Australia
which still had troops stationed in occupied Japan as part of the
BCOF was one of the first countries to join the United States in going
to South Korea's assistance. HMA Ships Bataan and Shoalhaven were
still on duty in Japan as was the RAAF's No. 77 Squadron, equipped
with mustang fighters at Iwakuni. These units were immediately placed
on alert. HMAS Shoalhaven being the first Australian unit to begin
operations. In July she escorted a USN Ammunition ship to Pusan. A
few days later Bataan began ops followed in September by Warramunga
replacing Shoalhaven who was due for refit. Bataan carried out coastal
bombardments in support of troop landings in June and July. Warramunga
supported the landings at Inchon on 15th September and two weeks later
in October assisted with coastal bombardments for Allied landings
on the South East Coast and in bombardments of Chongiin to the North.
With
the Allied reverses following the Chinese intervention into the war
Seoul again fell to the communists and it became necessary to evacuate
the Port of Chinnanpo, South West of Pyongyang. Early in December
Warramunga and Bataan, together with other allied ships were sent
to the area to act as 'watchdogs' for the evacuation and Bataan assisted
in blowing up the oil storages.
Bataan
was relieved in 1951 by Murchison which took part in shore bombardments
on the west coast during July. On the 28th September in the Han River
estuary Murchison was hit by fire from the shore batteries and three
of her crew were wounded.
It
became obvious that the war becoming protracted and the Australian
Government agreed to commit more forces.
HMAS
SYDNEY - Flying Ops, Korea
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