Consice History of the Greek

Expeditionary Force (GEF) in

Korea (1950-1955)
1950-09-162016-03-24 / USER

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Greece is one of the 22 States that participated in the Korean

War of 1950-1955. After the Second World War Korea was
divided along the length of the 38th parallel, of -latitude in
North Korea, with an Eastern Orientation and South Korea,
with a Western one. The attempts of the United Nations
Organization for unification by means of elections failed. A
situation of Cold War was, therefore, created up to 1950. At the
same time, there were attempts made by North Korea to impose
a Soviet-type status on South Korea-as well. The peak of these
activities was the surprise unprovoked attack at 04:OO oclock
on the 25th of June, 1950, made by 10 North Korean divisions
with approximately 240 T-34 tanks and 1400 artillery guns
against South Korea. Within 4 days Seoul was seized.

The UN Security Council was assembled on the 26th June, 1950,

and decided on the immediate suspension of hostilities and the
return of the North Korean Forces north of the 38th parallel of
latitude. North Korea, however, ignored the decision of the
Security Council and continued their operations in the South. 22
countries then put their power under the flag of the UN
according to the decision of the Security Council of June 29,
1950. Greece was among these countries with forces of the
Army and the Air Force.

The Greek Expeditionary Corps, which consisted of a Battalion

especially composed for the case with approximately 1,000 men
and the 13th Flight with 67 men (25 of whom were airborne)
and 7 Dakota C-47 air carriers, left in November, 1950, for Korea
and within the first 10 days of December its transport to Pussan
was concluded.

The Battalion was assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the

1st American Division on December 18 and the 13th Flight to
the 21st Squadron of the 374 American Battle Wing on
December 4th,1950.

The war operations were of the Greek Expeditionary Force were

remarkable and contributed decisively to the salvation of Korea
and the protection of the high ideals of freedom, justice,
international morality, love and the cooperation of all the
peoples in the world. The 13th Flight showed bravery, audacity
and fighting spirit and executed 2,916 war missions in 13,777
flight hours. Three years and a month after the invasion of the
North Koreans, a truce was signed on July 27,1953. However, on
January 1st of 1954, the Greek Battalion was increased and
became a Regiment and stayed in Korea as a Peace-keeping
Force up to December 1955.(From May to July 1955 the GEF
was reduced to battalion and from July to December 1955 was
further reduced to company strength. A small force of a team
stayed to the area from January 1956 to May 1958 ).

As a total, in the Korean operation (1950-1955), 10,255 men took

part (669 officers, 9,586 soldiers). The casualties of the Greek
Expeditionary Force were 186 men, 12 of whom where serving
in the Air Force, and 577 wounded. 4 C-47 Dakota aircrafts were
also lost.
(https://stratistoria.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ekse-
10.jpg)The Greek Expeditionary Force, for their heroic action
during the Korean War, was decorated by the Korean President
and the U.S. President (three times).It should be noted that the
U.S. Government decorated the Greek Flag and Greek fighters
of the Greek Expeditionary Force, 6 War Crosses for
distinguished service, 32 silver stars and 110 bronze stars. 19
medals also went to aircrew. Various military medals were also
awarded to the Greek Expeditionary Force by the Korean
government.

The Hellenic Army General Staff, Army History Directorate has

published a historical monograph of 250 pages about the Greek
Expeditionary Force in Korea.

GEF operations

The first battles of GEF begun in December 18th 1950 and

took place at KUMKIO Rl (15 miles North East of Seoul)
and North of the Khan River.
From January 24th to March 1st 1951, GEF acted offensively
against the axis JUNJIU -IKTSON QUAN Ml, where the
battles of the hills 381 and 402 took place.
from March 2nd to April 23rd 1951, the offensive activities
of GEF against the axis YOJIU JIUJON followed and the
battles of the hills 326 and 325 took place.
The next phase of operations of the GEF of Korea from April
23rd August 3rd 1951, were that which includes the
activities against the axis SEUL UIZOBU IMJIN RIVER
JOKJON where the interception of the communist attack
took place.
From August 4th to Dec 27th 1951, a new phase of difficult
struggles begin for GEF which includes defensive and
simultaneously offensive operations at the places YOKJON
TOKMUN HILL 313 (SCOTCH) KALGOK, where the
battle of hill Scotch (Hill 313) took place which brought the
stabilization of the front.
December 28th 1951,,- April 25th 1952: Defensive installation
and operation of GEF east of Imjin river.
April 26th July 25th 1952: The GEF as reserve army and
army corps on the region north of SEUL-SUNGIAN-NI
July 26th October 28th 1952: Defensive installation and
offensive operations of GEF on the region of IMJIN RIVER,
where the offensives against the hills 167 and Great Nary
 took place.
October 29th December 31st 1952: Defensive operations of
GEF on the region of CHORVON
January 1st January 18th 1953: Defensive operations of
GEF on the region north of VANKZEMAL on the Missouri
line, where the battle of the hill Harry took place.
June 19th December 31st 1953: Defensive operations of
GEF on the regions of JOMING PIQUEOMY NIJOG
In fall of 1953, another battalion was dispatched to Korea,
thus, the GEF regiment was formatted, and was placed
under the commands of the 3rd US Infantry Division.

To the military flag of the Regiment was given the Presidential

Content by the Minister of National Defense of South Korea
.There was also received Congratulating letters of the President,
the Commander in Chief of Far East, of the Commander of the
8th US Army, the Commander of the 3rd US Division, the
Commander of the 1st US Marine Division and others.

The mission of the GEF Regiment after March 25th 1954 has as
follows:

1. May 1st July 24th 1954: Regiment placement on the

defensive area of Chovron.
2. July 28th September 7th 1954: The Regiment as reserve
force on the area of Chovron.
3. September 8th 1954 March 1955: The Regiment as general
reserve force.

In March 10th 1955, the GEF Regiment was limited to a

Battalion and the repatriation of forces begun which was
completed in December 1955.

Main battles

January 29, 1951 :Battle of the hill 381

March 7/8, 1951 :Battle of the hill 326
October 10, 1951 :Battle of the hill 313 (SCOTCH)
June 17/18, 1953 :Battle of the hill HARRY
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3. 1923-2014
1950 , , KOREAN
WAR

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