1947 - 1953 Korean War

1947 - 1953 Korean War (AW-06-1208-6).
1948
7 May
New Zealand
On 7 May 1948 the Army peacetime establishment was 333 officers and 2722 other ranks.
1950
25 June
South Korea
Troops of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea invaded their southern neighbour, the Republic of Korea.
1950
26 July
New Zealand
The Government announced its decision to send Kayforce to serve with the United Nations ground forces in Korea. In nine days some 5982 men had volunteered for service.
1950
1 November
New Zealand
The New Zealand Army Act 1950 received Royal assent. Among other things, the country’s army was officially entitled for the first time “The New Zealand Army”.
1950
31 December
South Korea
Kayforce arrived by sea at Pusan, South Korea on 31 December 1950. The original composition of the force was the 16th Field Regiment, RNZA; a signals troop, a transport platoon, a light aid detachment, and a small reinforcement training unit at a total strength of 70 officers and 974 other ranks.
1951
29 January
South Korea
On 29 January 1951 16th Field Regiment, RNZA; part of the 27 British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, fired its first round in anger – the first of the more than 750,000 the unit fired during the Korean War.
1951
March
New Zealand
The Army, Navy, and Air Force supplied personnel to work on New Zealand’s wharves as a result of the watersiders’ industrial dispute.
1951
24 April
South Korea
16th Field Regiment, RNZA fought at the Battle of Kap’yong in support of the Australians, helping to halt a Chinese advance. The New Zealanders were awarded a South Korean Presidential Citation for their efforts.
1951
July
South Korea
In July 1951 the New Zealand units in Korea were amalgamated to become part of the 1st (Commonwealth) Division.
1951
December
India and Pakistan
NZ provides three military observers to UNIMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan).
1952
January
Kashmir
Three officers of the Territorial Force were seconded to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan supervising the cease-fire between India and Pakistan. Officers, including many members of the Territorial Force on short-service commissions, were seconded to this force until 1976.
1953
27 July
North Korea
On 27 July 1953 an armistice was signed in North Korea at 1000 hours and came into effect 12 hours later. The last elements of Kayforce returned to New Zealand in 1957. 3,794 soldiers served in Korea during the war; 33 died on active service; 79 were wounded, and one was taken prisoner.

This page was last reviewed on 19 December 2008 and is current.

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