§ 3.36 p.m.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH)My Lords, with your permission, I should like to interpolate here a statement on the course of operations in Korea similar to that being made to-day by the Minister of Defence in another place. The House will recall that in my last statement on March 21 I was able to report a military situation in Korea favourable to the United Nations. This situation continued during the last days of March and the first three weeks in April, during which period the line of the Eighth Army was steadily advanced until the main Chinese supply bases in the centre of the peninsula, about twelve to fifteen miles north of the 38th Parallel, were being threatened. United Nations patrols ranged freely ahead of our main positions, with little enemy interference, but during April evidence was accumulating that the Chinese were assembling strong reserve forces behind the lines with the object of taking the offensive.
This offensive was launched on the night of April 22 in overwhelming strength and with a complete disregard for losses. The two main thrusts were in the centre, along the valley road leading 636 south-west to Seoul, and in the west, southwards towards Seoul from the Imjin River. In the centre, the partial collapse of a South Korean division left a hole through which the Chinese began to penetrate, until they were checked by the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade. The resolute defence put up by this fine brigade, in which the Canadian and Australian battalions were prominent, saved the situation in the central sector, and enabled the remaining units in that area to conduct an orderly withdrawal.
In the west, the British 29th Brigade were given the task of holding a most vital area on the Imjin River, covering the left flank of the corps responsible for this sector. This corps was subsequently forced to withdraw, but the 29th Brigade faced the full flood of the Chinese advance south of the Imjin River. We have not yet had the full story, but all the troops concerned, including the Northumberland Fusiliers, the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Ulster Rifles, greatly distinguished themselves. General Robertson is at pre-sent in Korea and I am hoping that we shall soon receive from him a complete report. It is known, however, that the 1st Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment held their position in isolation, and greatly outnumbered, for three days and nights. This magnificent action played a vital part in the operations in the west, since an enemy penetration at this point would have jeopardised the safety of the whole line.
The House will wish to hear such details of the Gloucesters' action as are in my possession. The attack against the Gloucester Battalion began at 1.20 a.m. on April 24 in the Choksong area two or three miles south of the Imjin River. By daylight the same day, contact by the Gloucesters with adjacent units had been lost, and the battalion withdrew into a perimeter defence. On April 24 the 10th Battalion of the Philippines Combat Team, supported by the Tank Company of the American Fifteenth Infantry, attempted to break through to relieve them, but were forced to withdraw. On April 25 another attempt to reach the isolated Gloucesters was made by one squadron of the 8th Hussars with their Centurion tanks supported by infantry. Unfortunately, this attempt also failed. Eventually a party of four officers and thirty-six men of the Gloucester Battalion fought their way back to our lines through the South 637 Korean First Division on the left flank of the United States First Corps. From these returned members it was learned that the battalion commander split the battalion up into three groups with instructions that each group was to infiltrate back to friendly positions. Approximately 200 wounded, two medical officers, and the battalion commander remained in the area of the initial engagement. The four officers and thirty-six men who had re-turned to our lines constitute one of the three groups mentioned above. It may be some little time before full details of this remarkable action become known to us. But it is already clear that it will rank as one of the most glorious in which this famous regiment has taken part.
The present position of the land battle is, therefore, that the United Nations forces are again back on a line covering Seoul in the west and extending from there in a slightly north-easterly direction to the east coast. The withdrawal to this line was, in the main, carried out unhurriedly and in an orderly manner, and the morale of the troops remains high. The 29th British Brigade is re-forming south of the Han River. Once again, in addition to United States troops, French, Belgium, Dutch, Greek and Turkish units have been in the battle. It is with deep regret that I have to inform the House that our casualties in the land battle have been heavy, but it is hoped that a high pro-portion of the men at present missing will eventually make their way back to friendly territory. The following casualties in the recent land operations have so far been officially reported up to twelve noon to-day: killed, officers, 10, other ranks, 38; wounded, officers, 17, other ranks, 206; missing, officers, 37, other ranks, 766. In the Royal Navy during the period under review one officer and one rating have been killed and one officer wounded. Thirteen Royal Marines other ranks are now known to be prisoners of war. There have been no casualties in the Royal Air Force. I am sure the House would wish to record its sympathy with the relatives of these men in their loss or anxiety.
It is difficult in the circumstances to arrive at an accurate estimate of enemy losses. He has certainly suffered very heavily. Lieutenant-General Van Fleet, who recently took over command of the Armies in the field, announced that in his estimation some 300,000 Chinese had been committed in the current offensive, and 638 that the enemy had suffered about 70,000 casualties. The latest information is that enemy pressure has slackened, but massive troop concentrations are still being moved towards the front. These concentrations are under very heavy air attack.
During the period since March 21 the strength of British and other Commonwealth naval forces in Korean waters has been maintained. The light Fleet carrier "Theseus," operating on the west coast alternately with the United States carrier "Bataan," has continued her high aircraft sortie rate, and her "Sea Fury" aircraft have attacked enemy communications and supply facilities up and down the west coast. From April 8 to 15, "Theseus" and "Bataan" operated together on the east coast, flying about 100 sorties daily between them. The work by "Theseus" has been described by the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet as "outstanding and a fine example to all." This has involved arduous work for long periods for the maintenance parties on board, and much of the credit for the excellent work done by "Theseus'" aircraft is due to them. H.M.S. "Glory" has now relieved "Theseus" in Korean waters. Between October 8, when "Theseus" started operating, and April 19, her aircraft have flown 3,446 sorties on eighty-six operating days; an achievement to be proud of under the bad weather conditions and intense cold experienced during the winter months. The cruisers "Kenya" and "Belfast" similarly have been fully employed, and one of them, accompanied by destroyers and frigates, has been continuously on blockade patrol off the west coast. During the last fortnight British Commonwealth destroyers and frigates have been with the American naval force on the east coast bombarding Wonsan. The Royal Air Force continues to maintain blockade and maritime patrol over Korean waters with "Sunderlands," and aircraft of transport command are engaged on reinforcement flights and evacuating wounded members of United Nations forces. During the month of March sixty-one operational sorties were flown, and 119 passengers carried.
The overall situation, therefore, is that the campaign has entered a new and possibly critical phase. A heavy battle has now been joined. It is still perhaps only in its early stages. Our forces have suffered loss, but their line is intact, and 639 they have inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy. Certainly we have no cause so far to be discouraged by the outcome. I am sure that the thoughts of all in this House will be with our men in the field in the days ahead.