Australians at War 1901-2000
1950–1951
8 June 1950
General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander-in-Chief Allied Land Forces, South West Pacific Area, World War II, was made a Field Marshal, the only Australian appointment to this rank in Australian military history.
27 June 1950
RAAF bomber squadron sent to Malaya to assist the British in counter-insurgency work against communist guerillas during the Malayan Emergency.
25 October 1950
25 – 26 October 1950
Battle of Pakchon, Korea.
October – November 1950
China came to the aid of North Korea – United Nations forces driven back.
5 December 1950
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- Ice at the entrance to Chinnampo harbour, Korea, photographed from HMAS Bataan, December 1950. [AWM negative 042341]
Ships of the RAN participated in the evacuation of Chinnampo, Korea.
1950–1985
Australian military observers joined UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
March 1951
Introduction of national service scheme during March – all Australian males over 18 years old, who were British subjects, were eligible for call up.
September – November 1951
Australians defeated Japanese forces on Huon Peninsula, New Guinea.
23 April 1951
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![Two mortarmen, 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, before the attack on Hill Sardine, Korea, April 1951. [AWM negative 147329]](/5environment/images/23apr1951sm.jpg)
- Two mortarmen, 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, before the attack on Hill Sardine, Korea, April 1951. [AWM negative 147329]
![Two mortarmen, 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, before the attack on Hill Sardine, Korea, April 1951. [AWM negative 147329]](/5environment/images/large/23april1951_l.jpg)
23–25 April 1951
Battle of Kapyong, Korea.
'At last I felt like an Anzac and I imagine there were 600 others like me.'
[Lieutenant James Hay-Archer Young, 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, after the successful battle action by the battalion at Kapyong, Korea, 24 April 1951].
21 June 1951
United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation awarded to 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, for 'extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance' at Battle of Kapyong, Korea.
25 July 1951
25 July 1951 – 31 January 1952
HMAS Murchison participated in the bombardment of enemy positions in the Han River estuary, Korea.
3 October 1951
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![Winter at the Australian front line in Korea, 1952. [AWM negative HOBJ3882]](/5environment/images/3oct1951sm.jpg)
- Winter at the Australian front line in Korea, 1952. [AWM negative HOBJ3882]
![Winter at the Australian front line in Korea, 1952. [AWM negative HOBJ3882]](/5environment/images/large/3oct1951_l.jpg)
3–8 October 1951
Battle of Maryang – San, Korea.