It’s an often overlooked fact that a leading South African Air Force squadron operated with distinction during the Korean War. Andrew Thomas sets the record straight by charting the unit’s three years in action.
KOREAN WAR | COMMONWEALTH FORCES
Sunday 25 June 1950 has gone down in history as the day Communist North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. They advanced rapidly and two days later the nascent United Nations authorised military action in an effort to stop their southward march. Led by the US, the nations of the British Commonwealth were quick to respond and eventually British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Indian troops. Australia also provided a fighter squadron and many RAF and RCAF pilots were seconded to serve with the USAF. Offshore a sizeable Commonwealth naval force that always included a British or Australian aircraft carrier was also maintained. In the Union of South Africa, the right-wing Afrikaner dominated National Party Government that had been elected in 1948 also wished to fulfil its international obligations and on 4 August 1950 offered a fighter squadron to support the UN effort. This was readily accepted, as …
