bob10
3rd January 2018, 11:36 AM
What may not be realised, when Australia committed to the Korean War ,[ from' last call of the bugle' by Jack Galloway] , "The newly created Australian Army was in no shape to meet the challenge. The law of the day prohibited regulars from serving overseas without first volunteering for that specific duty. Like the civilian volunteers of 1914 and 1939, the regulars also had to respond to the bugle. Most of them did, but there were simply not enough of them . Cannabilising the three regular battalions provided scarcely enough sufficient trained men for two rifle companies and sparsely manned HQ and support companies.
Ex infantrymen, recently discharged from the AIF, responded in droves and provided the urgently needed battle experience, and essential specialist skills. These were the soldiers of K force, who, with comrades in arms of the Regular Army, formed the last wholly volunteer Australian Military Force to see active service." Kapyong wasn't the only tough fight the Commonwealth 27th Brigade was involved in. I can recommend Galloways' book for further information, both on the formation of the 3rd Battalion, and their time in Korea.
Heroes of the Forgotten War The Battle of Kapyong - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBsrzzOjGP4)
Ex infantrymen, recently discharged from the AIF, responded in droves and provided the urgently needed battle experience, and essential specialist skills. These were the soldiers of K force, who, with comrades in arms of the Regular Army, formed the last wholly volunteer Australian Military Force to see active service." Kapyong wasn't the only tough fight the Commonwealth 27th Brigade was involved in. I can recommend Galloways' book for further information, both on the formation of the 3rd Battalion, and their time in Korea.
Heroes of the Forgotten War The Battle of Kapyong - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBsrzzOjGP4)