David Bercuson: Sixty Years Later, Canada Can Still Learn from the Korean War
[David Bercuson is director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and the author of Blood on the Hills; The Canadian Army in the Korean War.]
On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces swarmed over the 38th parallel, the border between communist North Korea and anti-communist South Korea. Korean leader Kim-il Sung had planned the invasion carefully and had received the backing of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who not only blessed the invasion politically but also supplied air and ground “advisers,” including pilots, and enough armour and artillery to overwhelm the South Korean forces. Within days, communist spearheads had captured Seoul and were driving hard toward the southern tip of the peninsula....
The Canadian army was not prepared for Korea. Deep defence cuts after the Second World War had left a single brigade in the army. Most of the weaponry was outmoded. For example, their World War One era bolt-action rifles were completely inadequate against mass Chinese attacks. Canadian beer and whisky were briskly traded to the Americans for submachine guns and automatic carbines. It was strictly forbidden, but even officers did it. Even Canadian parkas, necessary for the bitter cold of the Korean winter, were discarded because they were noisy and gave off sparks. American parkas, radios and direct-fire guns were far superior....
There is a lesson to be learned from Korea, just as there is from Afghanistan. So-called small wars can break out at any time. Some of them, like those in Korea or Afghanistan, will affect Canadian interests. Military forces don’t grow on trees, but need to be prepared for most eventualities. South Korea is a free, democratic and prosperous nation today because the communist invasion was turned back. The Koreans remember and are grateful. On the other hand, few Canadians will remember the significance of this day.
Read entire article at Globe and Mail
On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces swarmed over the 38th parallel, the border between communist North Korea and anti-communist South Korea. Korean leader Kim-il Sung had planned the invasion carefully and had received the backing of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who not only blessed the invasion politically but also supplied air and ground “advisers,” including pilots, and enough armour and artillery to overwhelm the South Korean forces. Within days, communist spearheads had captured Seoul and were driving hard toward the southern tip of the peninsula....
The Canadian army was not prepared for Korea. Deep defence cuts after the Second World War had left a single brigade in the army. Most of the weaponry was outmoded. For example, their World War One era bolt-action rifles were completely inadequate against mass Chinese attacks. Canadian beer and whisky were briskly traded to the Americans for submachine guns and automatic carbines. It was strictly forbidden, but even officers did it. Even Canadian parkas, necessary for the bitter cold of the Korean winter, were discarded because they were noisy and gave off sparks. American parkas, radios and direct-fire guns were far superior....
There is a lesson to be learned from Korea, just as there is from Afghanistan. So-called small wars can break out at any time. Some of them, like those in Korea or Afghanistan, will affect Canadian interests. Military forces don’t grow on trees, but need to be prepared for most eventualities. South Korea is a free, democratic and prosperous nation today because the communist invasion was turned back. The Koreans remember and are grateful. On the other hand, few Canadians will remember the significance of this day.