The involvement of New Zealand in the Korean War began in 1950 as a response to the United Nations Security Council's call for combat assistance in the erupting Korean War. New Zealand was one of the first (of a total of sixteen) nations to respond with support.
New Zealand had three main reasons for joining the Korean War; the first was geopolitical, with Communist North Korea being supported by China and the Soviet Union, while the Republic of Korea was backed by other Western democratic powers such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The second reason was New Zealand's connection to the UN as a founding country and supporter. The third reason was that it was an opportunity for New Zealand to secure its partnership with the United States. The Korean War lasted from 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953 when an armistice agreement was signed, however New Zealand forces remained in a reduced capacity until final troops were withdrawn in 1957.
Kayforce
After some debate, on 26 July 1950, the Government of New Zealand announced it would raise a volunteer military force to serve with UN forces in Korea, just over a month after the start of the war. By 28 July 1950 there was 3,074 men that enlisted to serve in Korea, with numbers increasing to 5,982 by 5 August 1950 when recruitment ceased.
The government raised what was known as Kayforce, a 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, which also included 10 Company, Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps and 'Charlie' Troop of the NZ Corps of Signals, overall a total of 1,100 men in the first deployment.
The Kayforce Headquarters was established in September 1950 at Waiouru led by Brigadier R.S Park. The volunteer force was trained by some of the army's regular troops. Major Greville Pleasants was appointed deputy adjutant and quartermaster general.
New Zealanders had many reasons for wanting to volunteer for service in Korea. Among these was the opportunity to travel overseas to new and exciting places. Opposition of Communist ideologies was also a motivation while for some New Zealanders a sense of patriotism and duty guided their decision. Many who were to young to enlist in World War II felt called to enlist for Korea while some WWII veterans enlisted for the nostalgia and comradery experienced in war. A large portion of those who enlisted had previously served in Jayforce, some eager to return to the adventure of 'the East' and resist the normality of civilian life and post war New Zealand society. Men were selected based upon their physical and medical capacity, their experiences in the army and their relevant skillsets.The force left Wellington on 10 December 1950, arriving at Pusan (modern day Busan) on New Year's Eve, joining the British 27th Infantry Brigade 21 January. The New Zealanders immediately saw combat and spent the next two and a half years taking part in the operations (most notably the Battle of Kapyong and the First Battle of Maryang-san) which led the United Nations forces back to and over the 38th Parallel (with the NZ naval vessels being especially active in the inner Han River estuary), later recapturing Seoul in the process.Korean Scholarships – Navy Today, Defence Public Relations Unit, Issue 133, 8 June, pp. 14–15
Although overshadowed by 16 Field Regiment RNZA's contribution to the 1950–54 Korean War, New Zealand also contributed 10 Company, RNZASC as part of Kayforce. They totaled 408 personnel of all ranks and would serve with distinction in Korea from 1951 until 1956 as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division.
Following the armistice, RNZN deployments continued, together with Army support elements until 1957 as Kayforce was gradually reduced in size. The majority of Kayforce had returned to New Zealand by 1955, though it was not until 27 July 1957 that the last New Zealand soldiers left Korea. A single New Zealand military liaison officer on the Commonwealth Liaison Mission, Korea, remained in the country until 1971. A total of around 6,000 New Zealand soldiers served in the Kayforce and RNZN between 1950-1957. In total forty-five men died during the seven year period of conflict, thirty-three of which were killed in action. Many were eventually buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea. Other casualties included 79 wounded and 1 taken prisoner. The prisoner, Norman Graeme Garland, from Cambridge, Waikato, was held in North Korea for eighteen months and repatriated after the armistices.
Naval forces On 29 June 1950, just four days after 135,000 North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel in Korea, the New Zealand government ordered two Loch class frigates of the Royal New Zealand, HMNZ Tutira and HMNZ Pukaki to prepare to sail to Korean waters. For the whole of the war, at least two NZ vessels were set to be stationed in the theatre. On 3 July, these two first ships left Devonport Naval Base, Auckland and joined other Commonwealth forces at Sasebo, Japan, on 2 August. These vessels served under the command of a British flag officer (seemingly Flag Officer, Second-in-Command, Far East Fleet) and formed part of the US Navy screening force during the Battle of Inchon, performing shore raids and inland bombardment.Coalition Air Warfare in the Korean War, 1950–1953: Proceedings, Air Force Historical Foundation Symposium, Andrews AFB, Maryland, May 7–8, 2002, 142 onwards Further RNZN Loch class frigates joined these later – HMNZ Rotoiti, HMNZ Hawea, HMNZ Taupo and HMNZ Kaniere, as well as a number of smaller craft. Only one RNZN sailor, Able Seaman R.E. Marchioni, was killed throughout the conflict; during a raid on Sogon-ni on 26 August 1951 with HMNZS Rotoiti.
Air forces No Royal New Zealand Air Force units were sent to Korea, but a number of New Zealanders flew with other air forces in the conflict. Two men flew Gloster Meteor jets with No. 77 Squadron RAAF. One New Zealand born pilot, Vance Drummond, flying with the Royal Australian Air Force was also captured and incarcerated in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, for nearly two years, when he was shot down near P'yongyang. Drummond was eventually released upon the signing of the armistice after almost two years.
A New Zealand Army artillery lieutenant was attached to a USAF tactical control unit as an observer in light aircraft. New Zealand born Alan Boxer, later a British air marshal, flew B-29 Superfortress missions on USAF attachment. One New Zealander flying in Korea as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy from HMS Ocean, Cedric Macpherson, was killed on 11 February 1953 when his Hawker Sea Fury was shot down by ground fire. Five New Zealanders took part in Royal Australian Navy missions over Korea from the Australian carrier HMAS Sydney. Some of these pilots were former RNZAF members, others joining directly the British and Australian forces.Newton, Dennis, "Kiwis over Korea" article, Fly Past magazine, February 2006, pp. 61–5
Perceptions of Korea
New Zealand service people knew very little about Korea before arriving to serve. Many New Zealanders who volunteered, did so for the sense of adventure and opportunity to travel overseas. Due to the language barriers between English speaking New Zealanders and Korean speaking locals, Kayforce members had very little friendship with the South Korean people.
The incredibly cold temperatures in Korea's winter were felt by members of the Kayforce. The New Zealand Army uniform was not equipped for the freezing conditions and Kayforce men were urged to borrow warmer clothing from their Allied troops (Canada, Britain and America) until more appropriate clothes were sent from New Zealand.
Kayforce figures
Alan Cull Born on 28 March 1924 in Palmerston North, Alan Cull was the Kayforce Dentist. Studying dentistry at the University of Otago, Cull later worked at Wellington Hospital before joining the army as a reserve dental officer in the Territorial Dental Corps. His enlistment was appealed by his employer, Wellington Hospital Board, but was later withdrawn. Cull served two years in Korea in a Mobile Dental Unit associated with a field artillery regiment. Cull left Wellington on 10 December 1950 on the Ormonde. Cull arrived on 31 December to freezing temperatures in Pusan and worked out of old schoolhouses, tents and trucks. Cull became lead of 2 Mobile Dental Unit in the territorials and was appointed major, treating the local Korean people when he could. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II presented Cull with a MBE during her first visit to New Zealand. In March 2024, Alan Cull celebrated his 100th birthday.
Ian Mackley
Born in Masterton in 1928, Mackley joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at 18 years old. He was a keen photographer from an early age, his first job being at a Kodak shop. Mackley was able to use his skill in photography during his time in the air force, taking aerial photographs for land surveying as well as documenting his fellow recruits during their medical examinations. He left Wellington on 10 December 1950 on the Ormonde. Mackley served with Charlie Troop, 162 Battery as a signaller for three months before he was appointed sergeant and the Kayforce's official photographer. This position required Mackley to travel between Korea to photograph and then to the Kayforce base in Kure, Japan to process and print film. The purpose of these photographs were not for news or documentary purposes but to showcase New Zealand soldiers in action, for public relations. After the Korean War, Mackley continued photographing, working for the Evening Post for 35 years and became President of the Wellington branch of the Korean Veterans Association. Mackley died on 24 April 2016 at 87 years old.
Laurence (Laurie) Valentine Born in 1928 in Milson Palmerston North, Valentine volunteered to join the Kayforce after a friend had informed him he was joining. He left Wellington on 10 December 1950 onboard the Ormonde. He served as a gunner with Easy Troop, 163 Battery and fought in the Battle of Kapyong. Laurie died in January 2012 at age 83.
Donald (Don) Hay Born 31 January 1933 in Gisbourne, Donald Hay was an Able Seaman in the New Zealand Navy, heading to serve in the Korean War on HMNZS Rotoiti at age 17. Hay was nicknamed 'Happy' by his navy mates. He noted that during his time serving in the Navy he never actually set foot on the mainland of Korea, remaining on the ship and only going ashore to smaller islands. Returning from Korea in November 1951, later becoming naval relations officer for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
John Christophers Born 15 February 1924 in Dunedin, John Christophers came from a family of military service. The Christophers family lost four men in WWI, a book was written based on their story titled, Poppy Boys by Lynley Dear. Due to airsickness, Christophers was unable to continue flying and instead moved to administrative work at the Royal New Zealand Air Force stations in Fiji and Tonga. He left Wellington for Korea on 10 December 1950 onboard the Ormonde. Christophers was posted to 162 Battery and Dog Troop as well as being a technical assistant gunner, fighting in the Battle of Kapyong. Christophers recalled South Korean president, Syngman Rhee gave them a presidential unit citation to acknowledge their efforts. Christophers' experiences during the Korean War are referenced in the Firth Tower Museum in Matamata.
Keith Hall Born in 1928 in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier, Keith Hall was an engineer in the Kayforce. He volunteered for the Korean War at 22 years old alongside his friends, embarking on 10 December 1950 onboard the Ormonde. Due to a background in plumbing, Hall was posted to the engineers of which there was about 12-15. The group later worked with both the Canadian and British 55 Field Squadron Royal Engineers. Hall laid and disarmed minefields, and was given an MID (mentioned in dispatches) for his minefield work.
Isaac Kemp