CDKW00531 - The Full Rundown of Koje Island

In this lengthy despatch from External Affairs to Canada’s Ambassador to the United States from early June 1952, the documented problems with Koje Island’s prisoner-of-war camp, Ottawa’s frustration with tracking down any information, and Canadian diplomatic discontent about a lack of consultation are all discussed at length. Concerning details—like differing figures on the number of prisoners willing to accept repatriation and reports from early May that the camp’s prisoners had captured American Brigadier-General Francis Dodd—led External Affairs to request further information from Washington, which was not provided. After concerns were already mounting, a Canadian company was moved to Koje Island under orders from General William Bridgeford, the commander-in-chief, British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Despite Bridgeford’s high position within the command structure of the Commonwealth Forces, he “had no authority, without first referring to the Commonwealth Chiefs of Staff concerned, to "instruct" General Cassels to provide forces for Koje.” This despatch indicates that the Canadians viewed the troop movement as equally politically motivated as military-motivated, as the Americans did not want to be solely responsible for the Koje Island camp. Given the lengthy list of concerns, the Canadians wanted reassurance from Washington that they would be consulted to the greatest extent possible in future, and that any concerns about General Bridgeford’s command instructions were referred appropriately to the Australian Government for consideration.