25th Canadian Infantry Brigade

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

25th Canadian Infantry Brigade

Active 1951 — 1955
Country Canada
Branch Army
Type Infantry Brigade
Role Mechanized Infantry
Size 3 Infantry Battalions
2 Armoured Squadrons
Battle honours Korea 1951–1955
Disbanded 1955, upon the end of the Korean War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Brigadier General J.M. Rockingham

The 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade was Canada's primary combat-formation intending to be sent as part of the British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Originally composed of three Infantry Battalions & two Armoured Squadrons, several individual units rotated through the brigade.

Although a full brigade had been trained & armed by 1951, the success of the Inchon Landing meant that only a single battalion was originally sent (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry's 2nd Battalion).[1] However, counterattacks by Chinese & North-Korean forces subjected the battalion to prolonged fighting throughout South-Korea.

Contents

[edit] Formation

When North Korea invaded their southern-neighbor on June 25, 1950, the UN Security Council authorized member-nations to "furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as may be necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area".[2] Although The United States sent immediate military-aid to South Korea, Canada did not initially prepare to send ground forces to the country (although three RCN Destroyers were present for a majority of the campaign). On August 7, 1950, Canada's government authorized the creation of "Canadian Army Special Force". Originally, it was to comprise an Armoured Regiment, and the 2nd Battalions each of Canada's permanent-force regiments (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Regiment, Royal 22e Regiment), placed under the overall command of Brigadier General J.M. Rockingham.[3]

[edit] Initial Operations in Korea

Due to the massive success of the Inchon Landings, only the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's was initially sent to Yokohama, and then onto Korea. By the time the transports arrived in Japan, however, the situation had changed significantly. China had sent substantial forces to the aid of North-Korea, pushing UN-forces back into South Korea.[4]

[edit] Brigade Order of Battle

As numerous units rotated through the brigade, each shall have the dates of their involvement with the brigade.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Zuehlke, Pg. 177
  2. ^ Canada's Involvement in the Korean War
  3. ^ Canada's Involvement in the Korean War
  4. ^ Zuehlke, Pg. 177

[edit] References