CDWK00068 & CDKW00069 - Arranging for Further Defense

In a Cabinet meeting on 19 July, a variety of actions via land, air, and sea are considered to meet the United Nations call for the defense of the Republic of Korea. As the Royal Canadian Navy had already sent three destroyers, they were disinclined to commit more towards Korea, as they also had to maintain their North Atlantic treaty obligations. With respect to air support, the Cabinet proposed offering 5 RCAF North Stars to the UN force to aid in the Pacific Airlift, pending thoughts from the United States on how useful this commitment would be. Interestingly, this cabinet meeting reflects that “The Chief of the General Staff said that he was not recommending the dispatch of Canadian ground forces to Korea.” This is indicative of that much of Canada’s early military commitments to Korea were in aerial and naval support, rather than ground support. It does, however, note four possible arrangements if ground troops are sent: (a) an independent brigade group administered by UK forces stationed in Hong Kong; (b) a brigade within a Commonwealth division; (c) regimental combat unit within a US formation; or (d) one regimental combat team group to eventually form a brigade within a Commonwealth division.