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#TodayinHistory in 1950, 70 years ago, the 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT), the 1st of the 5 #PH contingents that formed the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea ( #PEFTOK), landed in Busan, South Korea. (THREAD) #History #Kasaysayan #Philippines #KoreanWar
After #WWII & more than 3 decades of Japanese occupation of Korea, the Korean peninsula was divided by the 38th Parallel, w/ the communist north supported by the USSR, & the democratic south supported by the U.S. & member states of the United Nations.
On 25 June 1950, the north attacked the weakly-defended city of Seoul, & captured it in 3 days w/ great casualties. It earned condemnation from the UN Security Council. The UN Resolution 83 opened the opportunity for member states to send their forces to defend South Korea.
In July 1950, the United States, Australia and several others sent their troops to push back the advancing northern forces. Meanwhile, on 7 September, #PH Congress enacted "Philippine Military Aid to the UN Act" (RA 573, s. 1950) enabling #PH to send its readied troops to Korea.
#OnThisDay in 1950, the 10th BCT of #PEFTOK arrived at the port city of Busan (Pusan, at the time) with its 1,468 Filipino troops. They immediately joined in the attack versus the North Korean forces. PEFTOK was the largest force under the UN Command. #PH #history
PEFTOK victories include the Battle of Miudong (the 1st battle won by #PH on foreign soil), followed by the Battle of Yultong and the Battle of Hill Eerie. 116 Filipino soldiers were killed in the line of duty, while 313 were wounded. Koreans have never forgotten this sacrifice.
In 1953, the armistice was signed, formally ending hostilities in the Korean War. However, no peace treaty was signed. To ensure peace & stability, some of the PEFTOK troops under the UN Command remained in South Korea until 13 May 1955. https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1287735510790623233?s=20
Today, in Busan, and in many parts of South Korea, the Philippines is honored through monuments. https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1287735528461279232?s=20
Photos:
- 10th BCT provides cover for the retreating US Army, upon attack of Chinese forces in aid of North Korea, from peftok.blogspot
- Map, ctto
- Tank Company of the 10th BCT, PEFTOK, from http://DefensePH.net
- Fallen soldiers of 10th BCT in PH, from peftok.blogspot
- 10th BCT provides cover for the retreating US Army, upon attack of Chinese forces in aid of North Korea, from peftok.blogspot
- Map, ctto
- Tank Company of the 10th BCT, PEFTOK, from http://DefensePH.net
- Fallen soldiers of 10th BCT in PH, from peftok.blogspot
