§ 4.5 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government a Question of which I have given them private notice—namely, whether they have any statement to make on the operations in Korea.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL)My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Marquess for affording me an opportunity of reading to your Lordships a statement on the situation in Korea similar to that read in another place by my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence. The statement is as follows:
"The House will recall that the previous statement covered the course of operations up to November 16. The position on land at that time was that the American 8th Army, including the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, was actively patrolling in the area of Pakchon in the north-west of Korea. The other British formation, the 29th Brigade Group, was concentrating in the south of Korea and had already begun local operations against guerrillas. On November 24, the American 8th Army began their offensive towards the Yalu River. This offensive made steady forward progress until November 28, when it was brought to an abrupt halt by the Chinese Communist offensive. The British Commonwealth 27th Brigade took no part in the advance, having been left in its position north of the Chongchong River.
"The Chinese offensive was launched in overwhelming strength. The Head-quarters of the United Nations Command announced that some 200,000 Chinese were committed with consider-ably larger numbers in support. The full brunt of the attack fell upon the American 8th Army who were forced 830 to fall back. By November 30 a wedge, some fifty miles in width, was driven between the 8th Army in the West and the American 10th Corps which had been operating in the East. The United Nations forces were thus split into two unconnected wings. It is convenient from this point to follow separately the desperate rearguard actions fought by each wing.
"In the East, the only British unit with the American 10th Corps is the 41st Independent Commando, Royal Marines. At the time of the Chinese attack the United States Marine Division was in the Chosin Reservoir area-elements of another United States Division had reached the Manchurian border, while a South Korean Division was approximately 200 miles North-East of Chosin on the coast. As a result of the strong enemy attack in the Chosin area it has become necessary to withdraw the two last-mentioned formations. At the present time the 10th Corps is opposed by at least seven Chinese divisions and the build-up continues. Our latest report is that the Commandos are engaged in very bitter fighting alongside the American Marines in a determined attempt to extricate themselves from the danger of encirclement. Supplies have been dropped and considerable numbers of wounded have been evacuated by air.
"In the West, the British Commonwealth 27th Brigade (which, as the House knows, in addition to the Middle-sex Regiment and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, includes an Australian battalion) has been taking part in the rearguard actions on the right of the American 8th Army. In the early stages of the offensive the Middlesex Regiment was engaged in overcoming strong enemy road blocks south of Kunuri. The British 29th Brigade Group, which comprises the 8th Hussars, the Northumberland Fusiliers, the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Ulster Rifles, was in reserve at the outset of the offensive. It has now been committed to the battle and its first task was to cover the withdrawal of the 8th Army through Pyongyang. This Army is now holding a line south of the town, but the House will appreciate that I cannot on security grounds say more as to its precise location. 831 Both our Brigades have played a full part in these most difficult operations, and all reports pay tribute to the excellence of their morale and fighting qualities. I need not stress to the House the severe strain which is put upon the spirit and discipline of troops by battles of withdrawal in the face of an enemy so vastly superior in strength; and these operations are being conducted in conditions of bitter cold and hardship. The Turkish Brigade has also been heavily engaged. It has fought with great gallantry against heavy odds and has fully upheld the fine fighting tradition of the Turkish soldier.
"The latest estimates we have received from General MacArthur's Headquarters indicate that there are now some 270,000 Chinese in contact with the United Nations forces in Korea. Of this total, nearly 200,000 are on the front of the American 8th Army in the West, and over 70,000 are attacking the American 10th Corps in the East. Be-hind these first-line troops, it is estimated that there are nearly half a million Chinese available to support the operations. The figures show the numerical superiority of the forces against which the United Nations troops are contending.
"Units of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have played their full part in this struggle. By sea, the blockade of the west coast has been maintained, and by air, the Sunderland flying boats have continued their patrol activity over Korean waters. R.A.F. transport air-craft are also now engaged in casualty evacuation from Japan to Singapore and on to the U.K. The Naval and Air Forces of other Commonwealth countries have also been playing their part.
"In bitter fighting in the East on November 29 the Royal Marine Commando lost 8 killed, 26 wounded and 35 missing. No details are yet available of the casualties in the 27th and 29th Brigades in the recent fighting, but reports to date indicate that they have not been heavy. Up to the beginning of the Chinese offensive, the total casualties suffered by our forces had amounted to 52 killed or died of wounds, 174 wounded and 5 missing.
832 "On November 29 the right honourable gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, asked whether I had any figures of U.S. casualties. My latest information, which is based on figures published by the U.S. Defence Department, shows that total U.S. casualties up to the beginning of the Chinese offensive were rather more than 30,000, of whom slightly over 5,000 were killed. I am sure the House would wish to join with me in expressing the deep sympathy we feel for the relatives of these men and the whole American nation.
"The Prime Minister is now discus-sing in Washington the grave situation that confronts us. It is full of peril and difficulty. No one knows what the outcome will be. It would be foolish to underestimate the size or determination of the Chinese intervention. We may have to prepare ourselves for still harder tidings. His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the anxiety which must be felt by the relatives of those serving in Korea, and indeed by the whole country. We share their anxiety. I am sure that the House will want to record its admiration for the gallantry with which our Allies, particularly the United States soldiers, the main bearers of the burden, are fighting this desperate and unequal battle."
§ 4.17 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Viscount, Lord Hall, for the full state-ment which he has made on behalf of the Government. The gravity of its purport will be evident to us all. I have no comment to make at the present stage on the general position; indeed, I feel that we should all wish for rather more information before embarking on any comment. This afternoon I desire only to re-echo what the noble Viscount has said about the gallantry and fine bearing of our own, the United States', and other Allied troops in this deplorable war which has been forced upon us. I should also like to join in the sympathy which he has expressed with the relatives of those, both in our own and in other United Nations Forces, who have lost their lives. I am sure that we have heard with satisfaction the information that up to now the casualties to the Commonwealth troops have not been unduly heavy.
833 There is one question I should like to ask the noble Viscount. Can he tell us whether it is the intention of the Prime Minister to make a statement on his return from the United States? I do not ask to have a date, because that, of course, must depend on the date of his return; but I am sure the Government appreciate that we may well wish to have a discussion, both on the report which the Prime Minister makes to Parliament and on other events in the Far East.
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, of course, I can say little about what will happen when the Prime Minister returns, but I have no doubt that, after consideration has been given to the situation by the Cabinet, he will consider doing what the noble Marquess asks should be done. Then, if a statement is made in another place, an opportunity will be afforded to make a similar statement in your Lord-ships' House.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, will there then be an opportunity for debate? Would it not be better to postpone a de-bate until a day or two later? I under-stand that the Government cannot possibly answer now, until they know when the Prime Minister is likely to return and is able to make a statement, but if the statement is made on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, would it be possible to have a debate in your Lordships' House on Thursday? It appears to me on general grounds to be most advisable that we should not disperse for the Christmas Recess without having an opportunity for a full survey of the international and general situation.
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, I am sure that that is a question which can well be considered. I have no doubt that my noble Leader will take into consideration any representation which is made to him in regard to the matter.