Along side Centurion tanks, the British deployed a small number of Churchill and Cromwell tanks built during WWII to Korea in November 1950. The Churchill tank did proved to be effective in the challenging terrain of Korea. Due to their age and a lack of spare parts, both the Churchill and Cromwell tanks only seen action in Korea for about three months after the Chinese had entered the war.  On 14 November 1950, 16 Churchill Mk. VII Crocodiles flame thrower tanks of C Squadron, 7th Royal Tank Regiment disembarked at Pusan (today Busan). The next day, the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars equipped with Centurion Mk. III and Cromwell Mk. VII tanks disembarked at Pusan. Many of the Churchill and Cromwell tanks arrived in poor condition and needed urgent maintenance. Basic repairs were done so that the tanks could be deployed as soon as possible. A Churchill tank of C Squadron, 7th Royal Tank Regiment being unloaded at the dock in Pusan on November 14th. The tanks fuel trailers were shipped separately.   The British 27th Infantry Brigade was transferred from Hong Kong to South Korea without armor support. Arriving on 28 August 1950. it fought in the Pusan Perimeter and later crossed the 38th Parallel into North Korea. The 29th Infantry Brigade was re-designated as the 29th Independent Infantry Brigade and was re-organized to reinforce the 27th Brigade in Korea. When the 29th Brigade arrived in November 1950, it comprised of:
(The 29th Brigade formation sign was a white circle on a black square.) 8KRIH Composition:
The Cromwell Mk. VII was an upgrade program where existing Cromwell Mk. IV/Vs (with hull types E and F) were upgraded with thicker frontal armor (100mm/3.94-in flat plate) and replaced the earlier 14-inch (360mm) wide tracks with 15.5-inch (393.7mm) wide tracks. About 1500 Cromwell tanks were upgraded and completed in late 1945.  The Cromwell and the Centaur tanks were externally very similar. They differed in the engine used. The Centaur had the US built 410 hp Liberty L-12 engine while the Cromwell had the significantly more powerful Rolls-Royce 600 hp Meteor engine. The Centaur OP tanks had a dummy wooden 75mm gun. It was equipped with an additional radio and a map table for a forward artillery observer. To PyongyangAt that time, the UN forces had captured the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, and was further north approaching the Yalu River. The 29th Brigade was given orders to travel north to Pyongyang as fast as possible. Most of the Churchill and Cromwell tanks were transported north by rail. Due to a lack of rail cars (the 8KRIH Centurion tanks took priority), one troop of Churchill tanks had done a 200 mile (321 km) road march north, a record for the Churchill tank. Normally for transport over long distances, Crocodile units were issued AEC Matador lorries to tow the fuel trailers. It enabled the tanks to move more freely over rough terrain and it reduced their fuel consumption increasing their range. But due to the lack of opportunities for flame throwing, most of the fuel trailers were not attached to the tanks and they were used as normal gun tanks. Another reason for not attaching the fuel trailer is its armor could only resist small-arms fire and would be penetrated by heavier weapons.  Churchill tanks driving along a country road heading north in late November 1950.  The 7th RTR named all their Churchill tanks with names beginning with the letter "G" (7th letter of the alphabet). This Churchill tank stopped on a road is named "GYNAELATOR II".  Crewmen preparing a meal with a flaming Jerry can as their stove. In the background is an AEC Matador 4x4 lorry. Note the cover over the muzzle of the gun barrel has a hanging handle which made it easier to remove the cover.  Cromwell tanks on a battered street in Seoul in December 1950. The banner over the street is left over from three months earlier when Seoul was liberated by the US Marines and the US 7th Infantry Division.  This is my close up of the Cromwell tanks in the above photo.  Churchill tanks moving through the Jongno district of Seoul. The Churchill tank on the left is passing in front of a historical Korean pavilion. To the right is a Churchill tank towing a fuel trailer which probably is carrying extra ammo and supplies instead of cylinders of compressed gas propellant and drums of the incendiary mixture for the flame thrower.  The pavilion in the above photo houses a monument for the 40th Anniversary of King/Emperor Gojong's Enthronement, also called Bigak. The pavilion was built in 1902 to commemorate the 40th anniversary (Ruby jubilee) of Gojong’s coronation and his 50th birthday (8 September 1902), as well as the founding of the Korean Empire in 1897. Gojong was crowned the 26th king of Joseon on 13 December 1863 at the age of 12 and was Emperor of Korea from 13 October 1897 to 19 July 1907. The pavilion was damaged during the Korean War and was rebuilt in 1954. The 40th Anniversary monument inside the pavilion remained the same since 1902. The pavilion housing the 40th anniversary monument of King Gojong's Enthronement today. Tall modern buildings now tower over it. Address: 142-3 Sejongno, Jongno District, Seoul.  This is my close up of the Churchill tank in the above photo.  Chinese InterventionIn October 1950, six divisions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) crossed the Yalu River, launched an offensive and began pushing the UN forces south. On 28 November 1950, all UN forces received a general order to withdraw to positions south of the Imjin River (north of Seoul). Churchill tanks crossing the frozen Imjin River during the retreat from the advancing Chinese forces in December 1950. There is no information how far the Churchill tanks traveled north of the Imjin River before they were ordered to withdraw. Eight Churchill tanks can be seen in this photo. The Churchill tank in the foreground was named "GERALD".  On December 20th west of Seoul, 8KRIH Centaur dozer tank named "CRACADOR" on the south bank of the Han River.  A Centaur dozer tank is preparing defensive positions on the Han River bank for Centurion tanks to occupy.  Video: Tank Chats #48 Centaur Dozer | The Tank Museum On Christmas Day 1950, weather conditions were horrendous in Compo Canyon with the temperature dropping to -48 degrees Celsius (-54.4 degrees Fahrenheit). The troops had no adequate winter clothing and no sleeping bags.  Compo Canyon refers to a location southeast of Koyang (today Goyang), northwest of Seoul. It was named after the food tins provided to the British troops, which were referred to as "compo" in slang. The name "Happy Valley" was also given to the area by the troops, indicating a sense of relief and camaraderie after a long period of fighting the enemy. Today, Happy Valley is located southeast of Goyang and south of Samha-ri. On 26 December 1950, the Chinese and North Koreans launched the third phase of their offensive and the UN forces continued retreating south. On December 27th, the US I and IX Corps were ordered to organize a new defensive line between Koyang and Uijeongbu, named the "Bridgehead Line", to cover the Han River crossings in case the UN forces were forced to evacuate Seoul.  On December 27th, a column of Cromwell or Centaur tanks leaving Seoul, probably advancing north towards Compo Canyon.  A 8KRIH reconnaissance troop Cromwell tank probably in Compo Canyon.  A Cromwell tank with a Normandy Cowl on the rear hull which redirects the exhaust fumes. In the foreground is a Daimler (Dingo) Scout car named "HAMLET".  Happy ValleyThe battle of Chaegunghyon (AKA "Battle of Happy Valley") was fought on 3-4 January 1951. On the left flank of the US 24th Infantry Division, the British 29th Infantry Brigade of US I Corps was involved in the hardest fighting of the entire battle. In the 29th Infantry Brigade's first action of the Korean War, the brigade was ordered to defend the areas east of Koyang near the Bridgehead Line. The 1RUR covered the brigade's left flank, while the 1RNF was positioned on the brigade's right flank. The Gloucestershire Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 21st Royal Thai Regiment covered the brigade's rear with artillery support. At 0400 hours on 3 January 1951, the 1RUR first made contact with the Chinese forces who surprised and overran the 1RUR's B and D Companies. The 1RUR repelled the attackers with assistance from the Cromwell tanks, UN artillery and including four USAF F-80 jets which dropped napalm and strafed the Chinese forward positions. The 1RUR discovered that the Chinese were using an assortment of weapons including several Bren guns (lend-leased weapons captured from Chiang Kai-shek's nationalists probably during the Chinese civil war).  While the 1RUR was under attack, the Chinese forces also infiltrated 1RNF's positions by exploiting the unguarded valleys between hilltops occupied by the British. The entire 1RNF soon came under sniper fire and the Chinese made repeated attempts to capture 1RNF's Y Company. To restore 1RNF's position, 1RNF's W Company with four Churchill tanks were sent as reinforcements. The reinforcements were met with machine gun and mortar fire, but the Chinese resistance immediately crumbled under the Churchill tanks' devastating assaults. The surviving Chinese troops fled under the bombardment from British 4.2-inch mortars and 25-pounder field guns. About 200 Chinese KIAs were later found around the 1RNF's positions. While the British 29th Infantry Brigade and the Chinese fought east of Koyang, the US 25th Infantry Division of US I Corps started to withdraw on their left flank. The evacuation plan called for a coordinated withdrawal between the US 25th Infantry Division and the British 29th Infantry Brigade in order to prevent the Chinese from infiltrating the UN rear areas, but the heavy fighting soon made the coordination between US and British units impossible. After the US 27th Infantry Regiment formed the rearguard of US I Corps, the 25th Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Brigade were ordered to evacuate at 1500 hours on January 3rd. The 25th Infantry Division retreated with little difficulties, but the 29th Infantry Brigade's withdrawal did not start until after dark at 2130 hours. With the road completely open between the US rearguards and the British units, the Chinese infiltrated the UN rear areas and set up an ambush against the 1RUR which was then quickly overrun by Chinese soldiers, most of whom were completely unarmed. The Chinese had also attacked the tanks of Cooper Force with bundle grenades and Bangalore torpedoes, setting several on fire. Cooper Force was commanded by the 8KRIH Reconnaissance Troop commander, Captain Donald Lewis Astley-Cooper. It composed of:
The 1RUR formed a large column of troops and vehicles supported by the tanks and moved south through the valley towards Seoul during the dark freezing moonless night. The withdrawal was proceeding fine until an USAF plane flew over the column and mistakenly dropped a line of flares directly over the column which illuminated all the troops and vehicles. All the troops in the column either cursed the plane or soiled their pants (trousers). Soon afterwards, all hell broke loose with tracer and mortar fire, bugles wailing and Chinese troops swarming over the entire column. The Chinese attacked the tanks with grenades and pole charges that were rammed into the suspensions. All the Cooper Force tanks were either abandoned, captured or destroyed. In a desperate hand-to-hand fighting that followed, 100 1RUR soldiers managed to escape the trap while another 208 British soldiers were KIA or MIA, most of whom were captured by the Chinese. The US 27th Infantry Regiment tried to rescue the trapped British troops, but the high command stopped the rescue effort in order to prevent more unnecessary losses. Under pressure from the Chinese advance, the British 29th Infantry Brigade was ordered to withdraw south. On the way, one Churchill tank was blown up because it was disabled by a mine and a Churchill ARV was burned when a bridge was destroyed ahead of it. When the 29th Brigade left Seoul at 0800 hours on January 4th, the US 27th Infantry Regiment was the last UN unit that remained in the city. After fighting several more holding engagements in the outskirts of Seoul, the 27th Infantry Regiment crossed the Han River at 1400 hours. Immediately afterwards, the last bridge over the Han River was demolished. By January 7th, the UN forces had retreated about 25 miles (40 km) south of Seoul to a defensive line between Pyeongtaek and Changhowon-ni (Defensive Line D). The British 29th Brigade and the 1st Battalion, 21st Royal Thai Regiment dug in astride Route 1 south of Pyeongtaek with the 15th Infantry Regiment, US 3rd Infantry Division on their right flank.  Between 8-20 January 1951 while the 29th Brigade was resting and refitting south of Pyeongtaek, the North Koreans and Chinese forces were still attacking southward against UN units along eastern half of Defensive Line D to the northeast. This tank was incorrectly captioned as a Churchill Crocodile flame thrower. It is a Churchill ARV Mark II with a dummy 6-pounder gun and it is somewhere south of Pyeongtaek on 10 January 1951. The troops standing on the left are probably warming themselves next to a fire.  By January 20th, the front line has stabilized and the UN forces started north again retaking lost ground. Starting on January 20th, the 7RTR Churchill tanks came under US control for three weeks where they supported the advance of several US Regimental Combat Teams (the 27th "Wolfhounds", 35th and the 24th) starting from Osan advanced to Suwon and then Yongdung'po, southwest of Seoul on the south bank of the Han river. 7RTR Churchill tank named "GEORGE" climbing a slope, January 1951.  Two 7RTR Churchill tanks are advancing forward. Too far away to read the name on the tank's right side louvre.  This is a closer view of the two Churchill tanks above. Note the gun barrel of the second Churchill above the left fender. The head of the third crewman from the left is probably the tanker commander of the second Churchill tank in the background.  A color photo of 7RTR Churchill tanks in or near Suwon in late January 1951.  A Churchill tank with its crew standing in front of it inside the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (built 1794-96), next to the damaged Jangangmun Gate, the main and north gate of the fortress, January 1951.  This is the Janganmun gate inside the Hwaseong Fortress today facing northwest. Address: 910 Jeongjo-ro, Jangan-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.  Operation Thunderbolt, 1-11 February 1951  A column of 7RTR Churchill tanks stopped on a road south of Yongdung'po on 10 February 1951. The soldier in the foreground is defusing an enemy mine. A curious young Korean boy is watching him from a distance.  A 7RTR Churchill tank in a position east of Yongdung'po shelling the outskirts of Seoul across the Han River on 11 February 1951.  This is a color photo of the right rear view of the Churchill tank in the above photo. It appears to have a number 6 on the rear of the turret. A US Army helmet is hanging on the rear of the louvre on the right side of the tank.  On February 12th, the 7RTR Churchill tanks returned to the control of the British 29th Infantry Brigade after a 50 mile (80 km) road march. Corporal Hynson and his Churchill tank crew were the first to enter Yongdung'po on 12 February 1951.  The 29th brigade then advanced up to the Han River and cleared the enemy from every hill top along the route. The Churchill tanks provided fire support as the accompanying infantry cleared the slopes of the nearby hills. Captured CromwellsCromwell tank with registration number 24ZR43 captured at Happy Valley is being test driven. Since the Chinese People's Volunteers Army in Korea did not wear shoulder epaulets means this tank crew is North Korean.  One of the captured Cromwells operated by the communists was destroyed by a 8KRIH Centurion tank near the Hangang Railway Bridge in Seoul on 1 February 1951. Second Inchon LandingNear the end of Operation Thunderbolt on 10 February 1951, the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps launched the Second Inchon Landing Operation under US Navy supervision. There is very little information on this operation. From what I found, it was a small scale landing at night. A battalion of South Korean Marines landed without armor support on Red Beach, the same beach the US 5th Marines landed on in the 15 September 1950 Landings. During this landing, the UN forces were approaching the Han River south and west of Seoul (see map above). At 0700 hours on February 11th, the South Korean Marines discovered a captured Cromwell tank (camouflaged with branches) in a trench on the southeastern slope of Wolmi-do island being used as a coastal artillery piece. Eight disabled enemy field guns were also found nearby on the island. This is the Cromwell tank found on Wolmi-do island on 11 February 1951. Next to the white star on the turret's right side storage bin is the name "HYDRA". On the lower right edge of the photo, is the upper edge of the white circle marking for the British 29th Brigade.  This appears to be another Cromwell tank captured somewhere near Inchon. Cromwell tank "HYDRA" had a stowage bin mounted on the right side of the turret whereas this Cromwell does not. The Korean text "해 병 대" (Hae Byeong Dae) on the front hull translates to "Marine Corps" in English. The British soldier wearing a black beret on the left most likely belonged to the 29th Brigade, regiment unknown.  Cromwell tank "HYDRA" and the enemy field guns captured on Wolmi-do were gathered and taken to the area south of Wolmi-do on the coast and were put on display. US Marines helped the South Korean Marines and engineers repair the recaptured Cromwell tanks. Rear Admiral Edward Smith (US Navy), commander of the 95th Mobile Fleet, with his staff and Navy Judge Advocate Captain Choi Byeong-hae, who served as interpreter, came ashore from a US Cruiser and congratulated the South Koreans for their successful night landing operation. A Naval officer from Smith's staff and Captain Choi Byeong-hae visited the captured enemy equipment display. They carefully examined the two captured tanks and the enemy artillery pieces and took photographs. The South Koreans paraded the captured Cromwell tanks and artillery pieces to the City Hall of Inchon where the landing force HQ was located. Along the way, the civilians waved the Taegeukgi (national flag of South Korea) and chanted loudly, "Long live the Navy!" and "Long live the Marine Corps!" (in Korean). Later, a US Army Lieutenant arrived in a Jeep. He was a member of a search party (probably from the 25th Recon Company) who was informed of the ROK amphibious landing and Inchon was taken. He had came to assess the situation. He was briefed on the landing operation and he examined the captured Cromwell tanks. The captured Cromwell tanks were stored in a warehouse in Inchon with the other spoils of war from the landing operation. When the British Army High Command heard the news, British Royal Marines came during the night and confiscated the Cromwell tanks. The South Koreans protested to the British High Command, but the tanks were not returned. On February 21st, the 7th RTR was relieved and moved south of Seoul to be held in reserve. Due to a lack of spare parts, the remaining Churchill tanks were used in a counter-infiltration role or as bridge guards. On 14 March 1951 during Operation Ripper, the ROK 1st Infantry Division and the US 3rd Infantry Division liberated Seoul. A column of 7RTR Churchill tanks moving through Seoul. On the right is the front of a M20 Diamond T Model 981 tractor with a bulldozer blade protruding from a M9 semi-trailer. On the bumper is a partial code "3-10E" which indicates the US 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Combat Engineer Battalion.  One source states the side of this road in Yongdung'po collapsed due to ice thawing and the Churchill tank slid down. There is a bulldozer in front of the building in the background on the left. The Churchill tank more likely was disabled by the enemy. Note tank's left track is damaged. It probably was blocking traffic and a Churchill ARV was not available so the bulldozer pushed the tank off the road and the Churchill's weight collapsed the wall.  At least three 7RTR Churchill tanks were parked in this damaged building somewhere near the Han River in or near Seoul.    This is my close up of the damaged building in the above photo. The partial Japanese text "自 動 車 修" on the wall above the Churchill tank on the left translates to "Auto Repair" in English. Nissan, Datsun and the Tokyo Electro Automobile Company cars were used in Seoul in the late 1940s.  The crew is posing in front of their Churchill tank. The flame thrower projector is still fitted on the front hull and it is covered.  This is my close up of the Churchill tank in the above photo. The triangular marking on the front hull is the insignia for the British 79th Armoured Division "Hobart's Funnies".   These are more of my close ups of the Churchill tank in the above photo. In the background is another Churchill tank facing the opposite direction. The name "GYPSY" is painted on the left side louvre.   Happy Valley RetakenDuring Operation Courageous (23–28 March 1951), elements of the ROK 1st Infantry Division retook the Happy Valley battleground when they were advanced towards their objective, the Cairo Line. The Happy Valley battlefield was retaken around March 24th and a number of abandoned and destroyed Cromwell tanks were found.  The last radio signal from Captain Astley-Cooper during the battle was “It’s bloody rough!” and he was never heard from again. Captain Astley-Cooper was KIA. This is Astley-Cooper's Cromwell tank found abandoned on the battlefield.  This is a knocked out 45th Field Regiment Centaur OP tank with registration number 24ZR39. Note the shattered wooden dummy gun.  This is an abandoned Centaur OP tank with a wooden dummy gun. If the main gun was functional, the enemy would had tried to recover it.  When Happy Valley was retaken, this knocked out Cromwell tank probably was blocking the road so it was pushed off the road onto its side.  The US 187th Airborne RCT made the second and last combat parachute drop of the Korean War (probably the last for the US Army) at Munsan-ni, northwest of Seoul. Task Force Growdon moved up Route 1 from Seoul through the ROK 1st Infantry Division positions and advanced north linking up with the 187th (see map above). The task force consisted of 6th Tank Battalion M46 Patton tanks; 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry; all but one battery of the 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and a battery of the 999th Armored Field Artillery Battalion with Company A, 14th Engineer Combat Battalion. Also attached to Task Force Growdon were two Churchill Bridge Layer tanks from the British 29th Brigade. Not able to find any information if they deployed their bridges in the operation. Film: Episode 015. Operations Tomahawk and Courageous (March 23, 1951). While the 7RTR Churchill tanks were held in reserve, the Churchill ARVs and Bridge layers were kept busy. This Churchill ARV Mk. II is recovering a stuck 8KRIH B Squadron Centurion tank from a rice paddy on the Kimpo peninsula. Note the dummy gun barrel on the front.  This is a close up side view of a Churchill ARV Mk. II. In the background is a Centurion tank which slid off the road on Christmas Eve 1951 due to the icy conditions.  The Centurion tank which slid off an icy road on Christmas Eve 1951 (background right), is joined by a Churchill ARV Mk. II (center). Also at the scene to help the Churchill ARV recover the Centurion tank is a Centurion Tug (foreground left). A Centurion Tug is a battle damaged tank where the turret is removed and is used to carry ammo, supplies or troops. A heavy tractor has stopped on the road next to the stuck Centurion tank ready to assist.  The post-WWII Churchill Mk. VII AVLB (Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge) was sent to Korea. It was able to deploy a 30 foot (9.1 meters) bridge section in 90 seconds.  A Churchill Mk. VII AVLB with its bridge section raised. Note the row of Centurion tanks parked in the background.  A Churchill AVLB without its bridge section on a railroad car.  On 8 July 1951, the truce talks began and the war became a static conflict. On July 28th, the 7th RTR was transferred to the 1st Commonwealth Division. On 8 October 1951, the 7th RTR embarked at Pusan leaving Korea to return to the UK. The surviving Churchill gun tanks were most likely scrapped. In 1952, the British Army retired all Churchill tanks from service. Model Kits and Decals1/35: Bison Decals 35131 8th K.R.I.H. in Korea (Cromwell tank) 1/48: 1/72: Note: |
Sonntag, 30. November 2025
Churchill & Cromwell tanks in Korea 1950-51
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