§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (Mr. Nigel Birch)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I should like to make a short statement on the military operations in Korea. Since my statement in October last there has been little change in the situation and there is not much of interest to report.
The House will recall that at the time of the last statement the enemy had fallen back on the defensive after delivering a series of bitter attacks; in some of them they had committed whole regiments; and the attacks were supported by an unprecedented volume of enemy artillery and mortar fire.
Since the autumn, small enemy attacks have continued, but they have never been developed beyond battalion strength. Most of them are platoon and company attacks. They have been mainly directed against hilltop positions in advance of our front line. But they have gained no territorial success whatever. At the same time, the volume of enemy artillery and mortar fire has declined sharply after the exceptionally heavy firing in the autumn—for example, some 150,000 rounds were fired in February as against about 650,000 in October.
The enemy's most persistent endeavours have continued to be directed against the central section of the front. The determined defence of the positions in this area reflects high credit on the South Korean divisions which have held firm against this unremitting pressure. On our side, 399 active patrolling continues and occasional local probing attacks. Each night many patrols from our side go out right across the front.
The lull in activity has not been altogether unexpected after the intensity of the local attacks in the autumn. The lower rate of firing means that the enemy have probably been able to build up reserves of ammunition. Thus it is quite possible that they will resume their powerful attacks against limited objectives before long. There is no sign that any major offensive is impending, but, as I have said before, it is always possible for the enemy to launch one with little warning. Nevertheless, we have every confidence that the United Nations Forces would be able to prevent a major breakthrough.
The enemy strength is about the same as it was in October. His ground forces remain at something over one million men, although these troops can, of course, be reinforced with further divisions from China. Communist armour and artillery have not increased significantly since October, but the enemy have been busy preparing duplicate gun sites to permit the rapid re-grouping of artillery.
Our United Nations Forces have been strengthened by the formation of two more South Korean divisions and many more South Koreans are being trained so that further divisions can be formed when the equipment is made available. In fact, about two-thirds of the front line is now held by South Korean troops.
Although enemy pressure was less persistent in the western sector of the front, a number of sharp actions have been fought there and in several of these our Commonwealth Division was engaged. In the middle of November, a series of three attacks was launched against the position known as The Hook, held by our 29th Brigade. The largest of the three attacks was delivered at, two-company strength and temporarily occupied our positions until driven out by a determined counter-attack an hour or so later.
The United Nations Command continue to make the fullest possible use of their air strength to weaken the enemy and, in good weather, the land based 400 aircraft, including our own and Commonwealth squadrons, fly roughly 1,000 sorties a day.
The major achievements of our air forces are that they have driven the enemy air force from the airfields of North Korea into his Manchurian sanctuary, and continue to hold him out; their interdiction effort is such that the enemy supply rate is restricted to a level which, though adequate for static and limited objective operations, we believe to be inadequate to maintain the momentum of a sustained large-scale offensive.
The enemy air strength in Manchuria remains about the same. A number of twin-jet light bombers called the IL 28 have made their appearance; but they have not been used operationally.
The carrier-borne air forces operating off the east and west coasts continue their day-to-day interdiction programme. Early in November, the aircraft carrier H.M.S. "Ocean" was relieved by H.M.S. "Glory," the latter's third operational tour.
The United Nations casualties since the war began, including those of the South Koreans, now amount to 380,000. About 60,000 men have been killed. Since the last statement, total casualties have been roughly 30,000 of which some 8,000 have been killed. United Kingdom casualties since October have been about 80 killed and over 300 wounded and missing. Other Commonwealth casualties have been about 200.
Unfortunately, the present attitude of the Communists offers little immediate hope of putting a stop to these continuing casualties, but Her Majesty's Government will continue to do everything in their power to bring about a settlement on fair terms.
§ Mr. ShinwellI feel sure that the House will be grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the information contained in the statement he has just made. To begin with, may I ask him two short questions? One arises from that part of his statement which deals with a lull in activities in Korea. Is it not remarkable—and can he possibly explain it—that in spite of a lull in activities and less fighting in the line casualties have reached a total of 30,000, including 8,000 killed, since his last statement, which was made 401 a few months ago? Does that denote a lull in activities? Does it not require some explanation?
Secondly, can he explain why it is that there is difficulty with regard to the formation of additional South Korean divisions, which General Eisenhower said were very desirable in order to relieve the other United Nations troops to some extent? The hon. Gentleman said—and I noted it—that the equipment was not available. Is it not somewhat alarming that the equipment should not be available for the purpose of creating these formations?
§ Mr. BirchMay I first answer the second part of the question? As I said, two-thirds of the front is at present held by the South Koreans. That represents a very rapid build up of their strength indeed, and that build up means that arms are coming in all the time and that training continues. At the moment two divisions are being formed which are not yet completely armed, but there is every reason to suppose that they will be armed in the not very distant future. The right hon. Gentleman referred to the continuation of casualties. Of course, although firing has decreased, it is still heavy, and if a pitcher is taken to the well too often, sooner or later it breaks. This long steady war cannot be carried on without casualties occurring.
§ Mr. ShinwellI must say that I do not regard those explanations as very satisfactory, but we cannot debate the matter now. There will be another occasion when we can debate it. May 1 ask the hon. Gentleman about the. concluding part of his statement, when he seemed to indicate that, while the Communists had been obstructive and had not been prepared to consider the possibility of bringing this unhappy affair to a conclusion, nevertheless Her Majesty's Government would lose no opportunity of adopting measures, other than those which have been adopted already, to bring it to an end? Can he say what the Government have in mind, apart from the prisoner-of-war issue?
§ Mr. BirchWhat I said was that we would do everything in our power which would bring hostilities to an end. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we have supported the Indian Resolution, which 402 now holds the field, and we shall continue to take any opportunity which offers to end the hostilities by negotiation.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan my hon. Friend say to what Governments the enemy forces have responsibilities?
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCan the Minister tell us how many of these casualties were men or boys of 19; how many of them were called up in February and sent to the Far East in July; and what is the percentage of our soldiers in Korea who are National Service men shoved into the Army by means of forced labour and who would come home tomorrow if they had an opportunity?
§ Dr. StrossMay I ask the hon. Gentleman a question about the light bombers to which he referred, which have made their appearance but have not been involved in operations? Is there any evidence so far that the enemy have used bombers at all to drop bombs?
§ Mr. BirchIt is a difficult position for them because we hold the mastery of the air in Korea. They bombed some islands, and when their bombers went out they were all shot down. They have not been able to operate so far. That is really the point. They have bombers.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesOn a point of order. In view of the——
§ Mr. J. Hudson rose——
§ Mr. HughesDoes my hon. Friend wish to ask a question?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) has raised a point of order. I must ask him to state it.
§ Mr. HughesMr. Speaker, I understood you to say that you had called another hon. Member.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for South Ayrshire raised a point of order. He must state his point of order when it arises.
§ Mr. HughesMy point of order is this, I have asked a very definite question about the number of Scottish soldiers of 19 who have been sent to Korea. In view of the fact that we have had no attempt at an answer at all to a question which affects the people of this country very gravely, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. J. Hudson rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerNotice has been given that the matter will he raised on the Adjournment.