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Korea 1950-53: The Cold War's Hot War

Opening Friday 19 March 2010

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Marking the 60th Anniversary since the outbreak of the Korean War, the National Army Museum is launching a new display of key objects from its Collections examining the role of the British Army during the first and only United Nations (UN) war. Opening on Friday 19 March, Korea 1950 -53: The Cold War’s Hot War uses personal objects, archives, and media sources to explore the personal experience of the soldiers involved and the far-reaching legacy of the conflict.

This new display will touch on key issues relating to the conflict including the challenging terrain and changeable climate in which the troops were fighting and the limited availability of resources in the wake of the Second World War.

Highlights of Korea 1950-53 include:

  • Displayed for the first time razor blades, spoon, mirror and toothpaste given to Private James Wood whilst he was a prisoner of war.
  • A cotton handkerchief printed with Chinese communist messages which provides an insight into ways propaganda messages were delivered to Allied troops.
  • A PPSh-41 sub-machine gun, supplied by the Russians and used by Chinese communist forces against the Allies, demonstrating the wider context of the conflict between the great powers of the time.
  • A reproduction of the nurse’s cloak worn by Lieutenant Georgina Johnstone displaying the regimental badges from the troops she tended, which highlights the wider contribution of the Commonwealth forces.

The Museum will also be displaying a British Army bugle retrieved by Lance Corporal Geoff Parrott of the Gloucestershire Regiment, from the Chinese forces in 1951. It is thought to have been lost by the 2nd King Edward VII's Gurkha Rifles when they were virtually wiped out during the Japanese invasion of Malaya in 1941. As the Chinese Army would have normally used trumpet to direct their infantry, it is a mystery how it came to be on the Korean battlefield.

The Korean War broke out on 25 June 1950 between North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK) and lasted for three years. It saw the first intervention by the United Nations since its formation after the Second World War in 1945. British involvement as part of this Allied force saw over 80,000 British Service Personnel deployed to the region before the ceasefire was signed in 1953.

Ends

Visitor Information

Address: National Army Museum
Royal Hospital Road
Chelsea
London
SW3 4HT

Date: From 19 March 2010

Admission: Free

Opening hours: Daily from 10.00am until 5.30pm

Visitor enquiries: 020 7730 0717

Website: www.nam.ac.uk

For more information or images please contact:

Becca Hubbard rhubbard@national-army-museum.ac.uk 020 7730 0717 Ext 2847

Jane Lucas jlucas@national-army-museum.ac.uk 020 7730 0717 Ext 2433

Editors Notes

The National Army Museum explores the impact of the British Army on the story of Britain, Europe and the world; how Britain's past has helped to shape our present and our future and how the actions of a few can affect the futures of many.

The National Army Museum was established by Royal Charter to tell the story of the Land Forces of the crown wherever they were raised. Opened by the queen in 1960, it moved to its current site in Chelsea in 1971.