Turkish Brigade

The Turkish Brigade was a Turkish Army brigade that served under United Nations command during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

Turkey replied on 29 June 1950 to the U.N. request for military aid to Korea, following the attack initiated by North Korea on 25th June. The cable stated: “Turkey is ready to meet her responsibilities.” The government of the Republic of Turkey decided on 25th July 1950, to prepare in Ankara a brigade of 5000 troops comprising 3 infantry battalions, 1 artillery battalion and auxiliary units, to fight under UN Command in Korea against the aggressor North Korea and subsequently People's Republic of China. Turkey was the second country to answer the UN call right after the United States. [http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/allied.shtml]

The Turkish Brigade eventually got involved in some of the key battles of the Korean War and made a name for itself for its fighting ability, stubborn defense, commitment to mission, and bravery. They were respected by friend and foe alike.

Core of the brigade was the 241st infantry regiment at Ayaş which was supplemented with mostly volunteers to raise it to the brigade level. The advance party of the Turkish Brigade or Turkish Armed Forces command, arrived in Pusan on 12 October 1950. The main body numbering 5190 troops arrived five days later, on 17 October. Brigadier General Tahsin Yazıcı commanded the brigade. Colonel Celal Dora was assistant Brigade Commander. When the main body arrived the brigade went into bivouac near Taegu where it underwent training and received U.S. equipment. The brigade was attached to the U.S. 25th Infantry Division so after limited training the brigade moved north to the Kaesong area to join the division.

Though it was intially placed as reserve for the U.S. 8th Army, due to the collapse of the front in the face of massive Chinese attacks on November 26th, it found itself in the thick of the battle very quickly.

The Turkish brigades (they were rotated), between the dates of November 1950 and July 1953, have fought the following battles: Kunuri diversion [http://www.2id.org/kunuri-history.htm] ; the Kumyangjang-ni attacks [http://www.tsk.mil.tr/8_TARIHTEN_KESITLER/8_8_Turk_Tarihinde_Onemli_Gunler/Kumyangjang_ni_Zaferi/Kumyangjang_ni_Zaferi.htm] ; 22/23 April 1951; the Chorwon-Seoul diversion; the Taegyewonni defense; the Barhar-Kumhwa attacks; and the Wegas defense battles.

The most costly battle that the brigade was involved in was the Battle of Kunuri, which took place towards the end of 1950. This was actually a series of four encounters lasting from 26 November to 6 December 1950: Wawon Battle on November 28, Sinnim-ni Battle, November 28-29, Battle of Kunuri Gorge, November 29-30, and Sunchon Gorge Battle on November 30th, 1950 ["Turkish Brigade in Korean War- Kunuri Battles (26-30 Novemder 1950), Turkish Times Weekly, Tuesday , 09 January 2007] . The brigade lost over 15% of its personnel and 70% of equipment. With 218 killed and 455 wounded and close to 100 taken prisoners, this was indeed a very costly battle for the Turkish Brigade.

After the battle of Kumyangjang-ni, January 25-26, where the Turkish Brigade was able to repulse a Chinese force of three times its size, convincing the U.N. command that Chinese can be fought back, President Harry Truman signed a Distinguished Unit Citation (now the Presidential Unit Citation) on July 11, 1951 [Non-U.S. recipients of U.S. gallantry awards] .

Overall losses for the Turkish Brigade in Korea was 721 killed in action, 2111 wounded and 168 missing (most of them were POWs) [http://www.korean-war.com/] . This was the second highest toll among allies after U.K..

Kenan Evren, seventh President of Republic of Turkey, served in the Brigade from 1958-59.

References