Between the late 1940s and early 1970s New Zealanders fought in conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam. These conflicts were part of the Cold War waged between the world's 'superpowers' - the United States and the Soviet Union.
New Zealand was involved militarily in Korea from 1950 to 1957, first as part of the United Nations 'police action' to repel North Korea's invasion of its southern neighbour, and then in a garrison role after the armistice in July 1953.
That two Korean states existed in 1950 was an outcome of arrangements for the surrender of Japan in August 1945 which had resulted in the entry of both Soviet and American forces to the peninsula. The ostensible purpose of this deployment was to take the surrender of Japanese troops, but both great powers were determined to maintain a foothold in this strategic area.
New Zealand's alignment and participation in the Cold War was determined by the decision of the 1940s Labour government to back the United States and Great Britain (that concord was crucial) in their disagreements with the Soviet Union
New Zealand was one of the first states to answer the Security Council's call with combat assistance (sixteen would eventually do so). On 29 June, the government offered two frigates, and HMNZS Tutira and Pukaki left Auckland on 3 July.
At this point a further New Zealand contingent joined the UN Command - Kayforce. On 26 July 1950, in response to a further plea from the UN Secretary-General, Trygve Lie, the government in Wellington had agreed to the dispatch of a 1000-man ground force.
In October 1951, now deployed on the Imjin River as part of 28th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, the New Zealand gunners took part in Operation Commando, during which Commonwealth troops advanced from five to seven kilometres through rugged terrain to seize a better defensive line.
At the end of 1951, a stalemate emerged as both sides improved their defensive positions. The front took on the character of a hilly Western Front. Much bitter fighting took places around the two bastions of the Commonwealth sector, Hill 355 and the Hook.
In all, about 4700 men served with Kayforce and a further 1300 in the frigates during the seven years of New Zealand's involvement in Korea. Forty-five men lost their lives in this period, thirty-three of them during the war (of whom two were RNZN personnel).
