South Africa heeds United Nations call to assist Korea

On 25 June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to bring it under communist rule The North Koreans were heavily supported by soldiers from the People's Republic of China, received large amounts of weapons, and were supported by squads of aircraft supplied by the Soviet Union, piloted by Soviet and Chinese pilots. In addition, China set up a staging post close to the North Korean border, where it stockpiled ammunition, fuel and massed troops to support the invasion, should they be repulsed. On the day of the invasion, the United Nations Security Council condemned the invasion and insisted that the North Koreans withdraw to the 38 parallel.  After this call was ignored by the North Koreans, on 27 June 1950, the United Nations (UN) called upon its members to assist in repelling the North Korean aggressors. Owing to the great distance between South Africa and Korea, South Africa did not consider direct military aid as feasible. After consultation with the United States, South Africa concluded that military aid was the best form of assistance the country could offer. Malan, Prime Minister at the time, stated that the scourge of communist aggression threatened all countries considered Western aligned. Also, South Africa could not afford to alienate potential allies. After much debate in Parliament, it was decided on 4 August 1950 to make an air squadron available to the United Nations. The first contingent of this squadron left Durban en route to Korea on the Royal Interocean Lines ship, The Tjisadane. By November 1950, the entire Second South African Air Force Squadron was fully deployed. This unit served with distinction during the Korean conflict.  The South African Air Force was also one of the first in the world to operate combat jet aircraft, in early 1953, when they began flying combat sorties in F-86F Sabres. References: Milestones in United Nations History (online), available at: http://www.un.org [Accessed 21 June 2010] The Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (online), available at: http://www.philembassy-seoul.com  [Accessed 21 June 2010] South African Air Force in Korea: An Assessment (online), available at: http://rapidttp.co.za  [Accessed 21 June 2010]