On 25 June 1950 a North Korean army crossed into the southern zone and advanced towards Seoul. Within two days the US had offered air and sea support to South Korea, and the United Nations Security Council asked all its members to assist.

Australia was one of 16 countries who contributed, supplying 77 Squadron of the RAAF and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), both of which were stationed in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Royal Australian Navy Units also played a major role in support of United Nations operations, conducting blockade, escort and bombardment duties.

By the time hostilities ceased in 1953, some 1,263 men of the Commonwealth forces were killed and a further 4,817 were wounded, while the US lost 33,000 men. Australian casualties numbered more than 1,500, of whom 339 were killed.

Few men are privileged to witness an historic event like the ending of the war.

Sometimes a battle can be won or lost without a single bullet being fired. Propaganda, brainwashing, re-education is all about breaking down spirit, getting a psychological upper hand and reducing effectiveness by lowering morale.

Australia has a long history of Aborigines serving in the armed services dating back to the Boer War.

Rugged terrain and extreme cold. Korea was always going to be a war unlike any other.

Around 10,000 heavily armed Chinese troops marched through the Kapyong Valley and descended upon 900 Australians and about the same number of Canadian and British troops.

In Korea, the communist regime in the north and the US supported government in the south lined up along the 38th parallel.

At the same time, a different sort of war against communism was being fought back home.