Monday, Nov. 06, 1950

"We Are Jealous"

In Korea last week, U.S. quartermaster troops faced the problem of pleasing many armies and many stomachs. F-rations, based mainly on rice, were needed in the Kumchon area where the Philippine Republic's 10th Combat Team was carrying out its first combat patrols against bypassed North Koreans. A new M-ration, which, in accordance with Moslem dietary laws, contains no pork, was being distributed to the 5,190-man Turkish brigade soon to join the Filipinos at Kumchon. Regular supplies of tea had to be sent far up Korea's west coast where British and Australian soldiers of the British Commonwealth 27th Brigade were battling their way toward the Yalu River.

In at the Kill. Though the Korean war had been fought & won primarily by U.S. and South Korean forces, the soldiers & sailors of other U.N. nations had been in at the kill. The naval forces which had blockaded and bombarded Korea's coasts had drawn heavily on the fleets of the British Commonwealth. Britain herself had contributed four carriers, four cruisers, six destroyers and supporting ships. Canada had sent three destroyers, Australia two more and New Zealand had provided two frigates. Non-Commonwealth ships which joined the U.S. Navy included a Dutch destroyer and a French sloop.

The Commonwealth countries had supplied the only non-U.S. air power in Korea. Besides her carrier-based fighters, Britain had thrown in two patrol squadrons of Sunderland flying boats. A squadron of Australian Mustangs had been operating in Korea since the early days of the war and a squadron of Canadian North Star transports had joined the U.N. airlift.

Late, but Welcome. On their way to Korea last week were further U.N. reinforcements. Among them:

P: Nearly 3,000 British troops drawn from the Royal Ulster Rifles, the Gloucestershire Regiment, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the Royal Armored Corps. P: The advance party of a 10,000-man Canadian force.

P: The bulk of a 1,200-man Siamese combat team which already had an advance party in Korea.

P: A volunteer group of 650 Dutch infantrymen.

P: A South African fighter squadron.

Promised for the future were substantial additional forces. Among them:

P: A 5,000-man Greek infantry brigade.

P: About 4,000 Australian infantrymen.

P: A 1,000-man French battalion.

Landing at Pusan two weeks ago, a Turkish officer said sadly: "We are jealous. We wish ... we could join the fighting." U.N. forces reaching Korea in the future would have even less chance to see any heavy fighting, but they would be welcome nonetheless. By carrying out mopping-up operations and occupation duties, they could free combat-weary U.S. troops for a return to Japan.

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