Abstract

GARCIA, Antonio. The South African Air Force in Korea: an evaluation of 2 Squadron's first combat engagement, 19 November until 2 December 1950. Historia [online]. 2021, vol.66, n.2, pp.23-47. ISSN 2309-8392.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2309-8392/2021/v66n2a2.

South African participation in the Korean War (1950-1953) in direct support of an international military offensive led by the United States of America demonstrated the National Party administration's commitment to opposing Communism. This article details how the deployment of South African Air Force 2 Squadron achieved the strategic objectives of the South African government in supporting the anti-communist United States-led United Nations coalition in the Korean War. It evaluates the performance of South Africa's Air Force in their first operational test since the Second World War. The combat operations discussed under the scope of this article include the first tactical engagement of 2 Squadron in support of the initial advance (19 November to 21 December) 1950 and then later, the retreat of the United Nations force.

Keywords : Cold War; Korean War; air power; South African Air Force; 2 Squadron United Nations forces.

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