Gerry van Tonder continues his review of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade’s service in the Korean War.
In June 1950, North Korean forces battled their way into South Korea and were on the cusp of overrunning their southern neighbours, largely with the help of China. The international response, led by the United Nations, resulted in a large force that included troops from Britain, the Commonwealth and the USA being deployed to the region in effort to turn the red tide.
The UK rushed around 2,000 troops from the 1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment and the 1st Battalion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders to the Korean peninsula in August 1950. The unit was renamed the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade (British 27th), with the addition of Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Indian units.
