§ 4.4 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the following Question of which I have given 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 obliged to the noble Viscount for giving me the opportunity of making in this House a Statement on the operations in Korea identical with that which is being made in another place this after-noon by my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence. It is as follows:
On June 28 my right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced that British naval forces would be placed at the disposal of the United States authorities to operate on behalf of the United Nations. Following on this announcement those of His Majesty's ships which were cruising in Japanese waters were placed at the disposal of General MacArthur. Australian ships attached to the occupation forces in Japan were similarly made available by the Australian Government, while New Zealand and Canadian naval vessels sailed for Korea on the 3rd and 5th July respectively. During the five months of the campaign there have generally been a carrier, two or three cruisers and some eight destroyers and frigates of the Royal Navy in the area.
The first contact with the enemy was made at dawn on July 2, when an Anglo-U.S. force, including H.M. ships "Jamaica" and "Black Swan," sank all but one of a force of six North Korean motor torpedo boats. The next day British naval aircraft went into action for the first time. Subsequently, the duties of our naval forces have consisted of attacks on land 358 targets, such as airfields and communications, blockade of the Korean coasts, provision of escorts for the supply lines between Japanese ports and Korea, and cover for the landings which took place at Pohang, Inchon and Wonsan. The naval operations to which I have referred have been supported since early in July by two squadrons of R.A.F Sunderland flying boats. These squadrons, operating from Japan, have maintained constant patrols, in search of submarines, shipping and mines.
I now turn to the course of land operations. The South Korean capital Seoul fell on June 30, and the situation in the South grew increasingly serious every day. In view of the deteriorating situation, I announced to the House on July 26 that His Majesty's Government had decided that a self-contained British land force should be prepared and despatched from the United Kingdom as soon as possible to reinforce the United Nations forces. The preparation of the British force, the 29th Brigade, involved the recall of reservists, and time was required for their equipment and training. The force sailed at the beginning of October, and the leading elements of it have now arrived in Korea. It is concentrating in South Korea and will be moving northwards shortly to take part in the main operations. One battalion is already actively engaged against guerrillas.
By August 3 almost all the territory West of the Naktong River had been abandoned and a critical stage in the campaign had been reached. Despite the arrival of reinforcements from America, the United Nations land force was heavily outnumbered and throughout August it was subjected to incessant attacks launched by the North Koreans across the Naktong River and against Pohang in the North. These assaults were beaten back but the position of the bridgehead remained serious. In the light of this situation and in response to a request from the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Forces in Korea, His Majesty's Government announced on August 20 a decision to send an infantry force from Hong Kong to Korea immediately, in advance of the force being prepared in the United Kingdom. This force, the 359 27th Brigade, comprised two battalions —the 1st Middlesex Regiment and the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders —with supporting services. It arrived at Pusan after a journey of some 1,300 miles on August 29, nine days after the decision to send it had been announced. This force thus became the first ground contingent to join South Korean and United States troops in Korea.
On September 3 General Walker, commanding the United Nations ground forces in Korea, decided to put one of the battalions in the line, and two days later the Brigade was ordered to take over a sector of the Naktong River line approximately eight miles South West of Taegu. General Walker showed every consideration in enabling the Brigade to become gradually acclimatised to battle conditions in Korea at a time when American forces were very hard pressed. About a fortnight later, during the breakout battles from the Pusan bridgehead, which followed the Inchon landing on September 14, the 27th Brigade provided flank protection to the main American thrust towards Seoul. An Australian battalion arrived in Korea from Japan on September 28 and a few days later joined the 27th Brigade, which was then engaged in mopping up operations South of Seoul. By the end of September the whole of Korea south of the 38th Parallel was virtually under United Nations control. General MacArthur's surrender terms were not accepted, however, and the advance continued. The 27th Brigade played a prominent part in the battles which culminated in the capture of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. After the capture of Pyongyang the British Commonwealth Brigade led the advance along the West Coast road. After a series of difficult river crossings it advanced towards Sinuiju, on the Manchurian border, the temporary seat of the North Korean Government. During the past three weeks resistance has stiffened and it was decided that the United States and Commonwealth forces should take up a position along the Chongchon River. At the present time the British Commonwealth Brigade is holding a bridgehead across 360 the river, and is actively patrolling beyond it.
In all these operations our total casualties to date have been about 51 killed (including died of wounds), 158 wounded, and 5 missing. I should like to take this opportunity of paying my tribute to those who lost their lives and to express to their families the deep sympathy of His Majesty's Government, and, I am sure, of the whole House. All reports speak in glowing terms of the high morale, splendid bearing and battle efficiency of the Commonwealth Forces. General Mac-Arthur has expressed his appreciation of their achievements on more than one occasion. Furthermore, the relations which have been established between all ranks of our own Forces and the Americans have been particularly cordial.
Our task is now to bring hostilities to an end as soon as possible and to promote the establishment of a unified and democratic Korea, and we shall continue to do all we can to attain this object. As is well known, however, the Unified Command has recently reported the presence of Chinese troops in Korea in strength. These reports, which raise issues of international importance, are now before the Security Council. This is the appropriate body to deal with such questions. His Majesty's Government are, of course, keeping in close touch with Commonwealth Governments, as well as with the United States and other friendly Governments, and will continue to do all in their power to bring hostilities to an early conclusion and to limit the extent of such hostilities.
§ 4.13 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, the House will be grateful to the First Lord for that comprehensive statement and I am sure that we shall all wish to be associated in the expression of sympathy with the relatives of those who have lost their lives, and not less in our proud appreciation of the way in which the Forces of all three Services have played their part in this campaign. May I ask the noble Viscount whether he can give us an assurance that our troops will be properly provided with winter clothing in the continuance of the campaign?
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for his remarks. I can assure him that everything is being done to meet the point which he has mentioned. I think His Majesty's Government are fully seized of the importance of keeping the troops in Korea as well equipped as is possible.
§ LORD MANCROFTI should like to ask the noble Viscount whether it would not be possible for His Majesty's Government to keep the country better supplied in future with news concerning the well-being of our troops in Korea than has been the case in the past few months. So far, as I think he will agree, the news available to the public has been extremely meagre.
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, I do not think that any complaint has been forth-coming in connection with that matter. I will certainly take note of what the noble Lord has said, and bring it to the notice of my colleagues.