The Commonwealth in Korea
Brian Catchpole remembers the sufferings and heroism of the Commonwealth Division in the first major conflict of the Cold War.
Major-General AJ.H. Cassels, commander of the First Commonwealth Division created on July 28th, 1951, received the directive:
The role of the force under your command is, as an integral part of the United Nations forces, to act in operations in Korea, designed to restore international peace and security in the area.
Composed of contingents from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India, the new infantry division incorporated the battalions of the 25th Canadian Brigade, the 28th British Commonwealth Brigade and the 29th British Independent Brigade, plus their supporting arms and services. It joined the ten Republic of Korea (ROK) divisions and seven US divisions that were holding the line in Korea under the overall command of Lieutenant General James A. Van Fleet of the 8th US Army.
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