I've been a pretty avid amateur WWII historian for some time, but I've never really found myself getting too much into Korea.
I've recently been watching a series on the 'good ol'  Fox History Channel which has proven to be quite a comprehensive documentary about most of the aspects of the conflict.
While trying to be as modest and unassuming a patriot as possible, I'm continually being surprised by the part/s played by our small Nation in EVERY (notable) conflict of the last century (and this one).
Of course, at least in my school days ('60's & early '70's), we were taught about the  better known aspects of the two world wars and Vietnam was going on at the time, so that was pretty well covered. However, Korea has always been a kind of a 'forgotten' war in terms of how, why, who and what.

I was surprised to learn that, while the South Korean Forces (limited and untrained as they were) and the US 24th Division (the first to arrive and consequently only available force in country- it was pimarily an 'occupation' force in Japan) were trying to stem the tide of the North Korean advance towards Seoul at the start of the conflict, had no anti-tank weapons whatsoever, to use against the 250 odd T34's used in the invasion. The closest they had was the 2.4 inch bazooka which was absolutely useless agaist the 100mm armour. The Americans had 6............SIX howitzers.
Virtually all the damage done to the armour and columns of transports, and subsequently, the reason the entire country was not over-run completely before the 8th Army arrived to set up the 'Pusan perimeter' was due soley to American and Australian P51's, based in the South (The Commonwealth Aircraft Corp. manufactured P51's under licence in Australia - we had no jets). They were unfortunately, too limited to make any difference to the 'air advantage' enjoyed by the NK Yaks which supported the NK ground forces.
Of course, there's much more to these events than can be quickly outlined in one post, so maybe some discussion and exchange of ideas about this 'largely forgotten' or at least 'little discussed' war could prove refreshing and informative. I know I am a sponge simply waiting for the info to be presented............lol

Both the British and Australian Navy flew the Firefly and the FAA also deployed Seafire FR47's and the superb Hawker Sea Fury to the Korean conflict. Britain also loaned a number of Firflys and Meteors to Australia during the war. The Meteor was well out classed by the Mig 15 however.
The only RAF contribution was in the form of a couple of squadrons of Sunderland Flying Boats.
Also, the first air to air kill made using radar only without visual contact being made was during the Korean war. A US Night Fighter (can't remember the type) intercepted and shot down a Korean aircraft (again, type unkown but I will find the book I read it in) at night with cannon without ever seeing it apart from on it's radar set.

  I remember how surprised I was when I learned that Australian troops had fought along side U.S. soldiers in Vietnam. Till then I had always believed that the Vietnam War was solely a U.S. affair.  Speaking with those who fought along side the Australians they had nothing but the highest regards for the Australian troops.

In Vietnam forces from Australia and New Zealand were involved in the fighting. There are also rumours of British exchange soldiers who were on loan to the US wangling their way into battle.... Although this has never been officially proven!
Korea was an interesting and in some places brutal war. It was the first real blow of the cold war, and is sadly overlooked. I've found a few books on the subject, but nothing significant. There are more books on say The Falklands, or advanced crochet using kitchen utensils than on Korea. And ironically the war is still technically on-going today!
If anyone knows any really good books on Korea could they let me know

Ozzy

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Not only technologically.

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Just read that at work this morning Felix pal! Talk about coincidence
I also remember now that James Edgar "Johnnie" Johnson, Britains top WW2 ace served for a time with a US fighter squadron in Korea.

Yes,i should have clarified. I meant assisted as in fought alongside US troops in US battle groups. They were called up obviously -- even if they lived in the island and werent US citizens. My overall point is that US-born troops were not the only ones fighting in these wars; people of different cultures and countries also served the US military in its most desperate hours. PRs, Mexicans, Asians; even in US wars, diversity was scattered across the battlefield. I guess thats the point im trying to make

I spent a year in Korea in 85-86 as a tank crewman.  Great People.  Better food.  Rotten tank country.  I still love Korean food though...