View source for Turkish Brigade

{{Short description|UN military unit of the Korean War}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Turkish Brigade<br />''North Star''
| native_name                   = {{lang|tr|Şimal Yıldızı}}{{noitalics| / }}{{lang|tr|Kutup Yıldızı}}
| image                         = WaltonWalker&TahsinYazici.jpg
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Brig. Gen. [[Tahsin Yazıcı]] receiving the [[Silver Star]] from Lt. Gen. [[Walton Walker|Walton Harris Walker]] in honour of the Turkish Brigade's actions during the [[Battle of Wawon]], 15 December 1950
| dates                         = 1950{{ndash}}1960
| country                       = {{flag|Turkey|name=Republic of Turkey}}
| allegiance                    = {{flagdeco|United Nations}}&nbsp;[[United Nations Command]]
| type                          = Infantry
| role                          = Defending [[First Republic of Korea|South Korea]] during the [[Korean War]]
| size                          = 14,936 troops<ref name="Timmons">{{cite web | last =Timmons | first =Robert | title =Allies To Honor Each Nation's Korean War Veterans | url =http://korea50.army.mil/media/newsrelease/newsRelease_02-06.html | access-date =2009-04-15 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070716151012/http://korea50.army.mil/media/newsrelease/newsRelease_02-06.html | archive-date =2007-07-16 }}</ref>
| command_structure             = {{flagicon image|Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg}}&nbsp;[[25th Infantry Division (United States)|25th Infantry Division]]
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| decorations                   = {{nowrap|[[File:Korean Presidential Unit Citation.png|25px|link=]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (South Korea)|Presidential Unit Citation]] (ROK)}}<br />{{nowrap|[[File:U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|25px|link=]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] (USA)}}
| battle_honours                = 
| notable_commanders            = Brigadier General [[Tahsin Yazıcı]] (1950 – November 16, 1951)<br />Assistant: [[Celâl Dora]]<br />Chief of Operations: [[Faik Türün]]<br />[[Namık Arguç]] (– August 20, 1952)<br />Assistant: [[Nuri Pamir]] (June 5, 1952 {{KIA}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unmck.or.kr/eng/paying_tribute/m_searchsol_view.php?graves=2062|title=UNMCK, Nuri Pamir|access-date=2011-08-23|archive-date=2012-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611071132/http://www.unmck.or.kr/eng/paying_tribute/m_searchsol_view.php?graves=2062|url-status=dead}}</ref>)<br />[[Sırrı Acar (asker)|Sırrı Acar]] (July 6, 1953)
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = [[File:NorthStar.png|200px]]
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2023}}

The '''Turkish Brigade''', codenamed '''North Star''' ({{langx|tr|Şimal Yıldızı}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turkiyegazetesi.com/makaledetay.aspx?ID=419599 |title=Şimal Yıldızı|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308134745/http://www.turkiyegazetesi.com/makaledetay.aspx?ID=419599 |archive-date=2012-03-08|author=Rahim Er|date=21 September 2009 |location=Türkiye}}</ref> or {{Lang|tr|Kutup Yıldızı}}<ref name=":0">''Kutup Yıldızı – Kore Savaşı'nın 50. Yıldönümü'' (''"North Star: the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War"'', [[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation|TRT]] İzmir, Director: Ismail Ragıp Geçmen, 2000)</ref>), was a military formation from [[Turkey]] that served under the [[United Nations Command]] during the [[Korean War]].

Turkey was one of the 22 countries that contributed manpower to the [[United Nations]] in support of [[South Korea]] and one of the 16 countries that deployed military personnel to help in the fight against [[North Korea]], which had precipitated the conflict by invading South Korea with support from the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[China|People's Republic of China]]. The brigade's first 5,000 Turkish troops arrived on 19 October 1950, shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in June of that year, and remained in varying strengths until the summer of 1954. Attached to the [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|25th Infantry Division]] of the [[United States]], the Turkish Brigade was the only military formation of its size to have been permanently attached to an American military division for the duration of the Korean War.<ref name=":0" />

Turkey's United Nations troops took part in several engagements of the conflict; the Turkish Brigade is most notable for its involvement in the [[Battle of Wawon]], where its fierce resistance proved to be decisive in delaying the advance of the Chinese military, which had entered as a direct combatant after the North Korean military was effectively destroyed upon being expelled from South Korean territory by the United Nations military coalition.<ref name="Evanhoe">{{cite web | last =Evanhoe | first =Ed | title =The Turkish Brigade | url =http://www.korean-war.com | access-date =2008-09-29 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081002045349/http://www.korean-war.com/ | archive-date =2008-10-02 }}</ref> For its efforts, the Turkish Brigade was honoured with [[Unit citation|Unit Citations]] from South Korea and the United States, subsequently developing a reputation for its fighting ability, stubborn defense, mission commitment, and bravery.

==Background==
On 29 June 1950, the [[Republic of Turkey]] replied to the [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 83|Resolution 83]] requesting military aid to [[South Korea]], following the attack by [[North Korea]] on 25 June. The cable stated: "Turkey is ready to meet his responsibilities." On 25 July 1950, Turkey decided to send a [[brigade]], comprising three infantry battalions, an artillery battalion and auxiliary units, to fight under UN Command against North Korea and subsequently the [[People's Republic of China]]. Turkey was the second country to answer the UN call, after the United States.<ref>{{cite web | author =Department of Defense | title =Allied Forces in the Korean War | url =http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/allied.shtml | access-date =2008-09-29 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070716130959/http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/allied.shtml | archive-date =2007-07-16 }}</ref>

[[File:Turkish Brigade Kunuri.jpg|thumb|left|Members of the Turkish Brigade move into position in December 1950, shortly after suffering severe casualties attempting to block encirclement of the U.S. 2nd Division at the Chongchon river in North Korea.<ref>Bevin Alexander photo collection http://bevinalexander.com/korea/korean-war-photos.htm</ref>]]

Three different Turkish Brigades served in the Korean War. The core of the 1st Turkish Brigade was the 241st Infantry Regiment based at [[Ayaş, Ankara|Ayaş]], which was supplemented with volunteers to raise it to brigade level. [[Brigadier General]] [[Tahsin Yazıcı]], a veteran of the [[Gallipoli Campaign]], commanded the 1st Brigade.<ref>{{cite book | author  = Turkish General Headquarters Military History Department Official Publications No: 7  | title =Turkish Military Forces Korean War Operations (language Turkish) }}</ref>

The 1st Turkish Brigade consisted of three battalions, commanded by Major [[Imadettin Kuranel]], Major [[Mithat Ulunu]], and Major [[Lutfu Bilgon]]. The Turkish Armed Forces Command (TAFC) was a regimental combat team with three infantry battalions, along with supporting artillery and engineers.  It was the only brigade-sized unit attached permanently to a U.S. division throughout the Korean War.

Brigadier General [[Tahsin Yazici]] was highly regarded in the Turkish military establishment.  He stepped down a rank in order to command the first contingent of Turks in the [[Korean War]].  While there were cultural and religious differences between Turkish and American troops, both were disciplined forces capable of adapting. However, there was a language barrier that was more difficult to overcome.<ref>{{cite web | author =historynet | title =Korean War: 1st Brigadeś Baptism of Fire | url =http://www.historynet.com/korean-war-1st-turkish-bridgades-baptism-of-fire.html | access-date =2016-11-04 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> General Yazici did not speak English, and Americans had overlooked the difficulty the language barrier would present.

The brigade had a full turnover after a period of one year's service. During the service of the 3rd Brigade in 1953, the Korean Armistice was signed. Thereafter, Turkey continued maintaining forces at full brigade level for another seven years, in accordance with United Nations agreements. [[Kenan Evren]], the seventh President of the Republic of Turkey, served in the Brigade from 1958 until 1959.

The advance party of the Turkish Brigade arrived in [[Busan|Pusan]] on 12 October 1950. The main body arrived five days later, October 17 from the eastern Mediterranean port of Iskenderun, Turkey, and the brigade went into [[Bivouac shelter|bivouac]] near [[Daegu|Taegu]] where it underwent training and received U.S. equipment. The brigade was attached to the [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|U.S. 25th Infantry Division]].

United Nations Forces Commander in Chief, General [[Douglas MacArthur]], described the Turkish Brigade's contribution to the war: <blockquote>The military situation in Korea is being followed with concern by the whole American public. But in these concerned days, the heroism shown by the Turks has given hope to the American nation. It has inculcated them with courage. The American public fully appreciates the value of the services rendered by the Turkish Brigade and knows that because of them the Eighth American Army could withdraw without disarray. The American public understands that the United Nations Forces in Korea were saved from encirclement and from falling into the hands of the communists by the heroism shown by the Turks.<ref>{{cite web | title =The Turks in the Korean War | url =http://www.korean-war.com/turkey.html | access-date =2014-05-28 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202710/http://www.korean-war.com/turkey.html | archive-date =2011-06-28 }}</ref></blockquote>The Turkish Brigade, between November 1950 and July 1953, fought in the following battles:
* [[Battle of Wawon|Battle of Kunuri]] (27–29 November 1950)<ref>{{cite web | author  = 2nd Infantry Division, Korean War Veterans Alliance | title  = The 2nd Infantry Division in Korea | url  = http://www.2id.org/kunuri-history.htm | access-date  = 2008-09-29 | url-status  = usurped | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081010191430/http://www.2id.org/kunuri-history.htm | archive-date  = 2008-10-10 }}</ref>
* Battle of [[Cheoin-gu|Kumyangjang-ni]] & [[Giheung-gu|Hill 151]]<ref>[https://www.mpva.go.kr/english/contents.do?key=1399 Korean War UN Allies Turkey – Main Battles]</ref><ref>{{cite web | author =Turkish General Staff | title =Kumyangjang-ni Zaferi (25–27 Ocak 1951) | url =http://www.tsk.mil.tr/8_TARIHTEN_KESITLER/8_8_Turk_Tarihinde_Onemli_Gunler/Kumyangjang_ni_Zaferi/Kumyangjang_ni_Zaferi.htm | language =tr | access-date =2008-09-29 | archive-date =2008-09-27 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080927105956/http://tsk.mil.tr/8_TARIHTEN_KESITLER/8_8_Turk_Tarihinde_Onemli_Gunler/Kumyangjang_ni_Zaferi/Kumyangjang_ni_Zaferi.htm | url-status =dead }}</ref> (January 1951)
* 22–23 April 1951; the [[Chorwon-Seoul diversion]]; the [[Taegyewonni defense]]; the [[Barhar-Kumhwa]] attacks; and
* [[Battle of the Nevada Complex]] (25–29 May 1953).

On 26 November 1950, a column of retreating ROK (South Korean) soldiers of the [[6th Infantry Division (Republic of Korea)|ROK 6th]] and [[7th Infantry Division (South Korea)|7th Divisions]] from Tokchon was attacked by a battalion of Turks who were the first to arrive at Wawon, after the Turks mistook the Koreans for Chinese. One hundred twenty-five South Koreans were taken prisoner and some were killed by the Turks. Due to false intelligence, the Turks were expecting an encounter with Chinese forces somewhere on the road.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&dq=they+had+little+reliable+intelligence+to+guide+them.+they+did+not+know+a+rok+force+was+retreating+from+tokchon+toward+them.+they+did+expect+to+meet+chinese+somewhere+on+the+road&pg=PA89 Appleman 2008], pp. 88–89.</ref> The event was wrongly reported in American and European media as a Turkish victory over the Chinese and even after news leaked out about the truth to the Americans, no efforts were made by the media to fix the story.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&dq=He+reported+back+that+the+Turks+actually+had+met+about+200+ROK+troops+retreating+from+Tokchon%2C+had+thought+they+were+Chinese%2C+and+had+attacked+them%2C+killing+many+and+capturing+about+125.+These+ROKs+were+members+of+the+ROK+6th+and+7th+divisions.+There+were+no+Chinese+involved+in+this+first+fight+the+Turks+had+in+Korea.&pg=PA89 Appleman 2008], pp. 88–89.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jD9JHT61bHwC&pg=PA203&dq=The+word+was+flashed+that+the+Turks,+meeting+the+Chinese+for+the+first+time,+had+dealt+them+a+bloody+repulse+at+bayonet+point;+it+was+the+first+...+The+word+gave+a+lift+to+the+neighbors.+Lt.+Sukio+Oji,+a+Nisei+interpreter,+was+sent+by+2nd+Division+to+interview+the+prisoners.+Instead+of+Chinese,+he+found+200+forlorn+ROKs+who+had+blundered+into+the+Turkish+column+while+beating+their+way+back+from+the+fight+at+Tokchon.&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WQNSU8T-G5DKsQS4oYE4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20word%20was%20flashed%20that%20the%20Turks%2C%20meeting%20the%20Chinese%20for%20the%20first%20time%2C%20had%20dealt%20them%20a%20bloody%20repulse%20at%20bayonet%20point%3B%20it%20was%20the%20first%20...%20The%20word%20gave%20a%20lift%20to%20the%20neighbors.%20Lt.%20Sukio%20Oji%2C%20a%20Nisei%20interpreter%2C%20was%20sent%20by%202nd%20Division%20to%20interview%20the%20prisoners.%20Instead%20of%20Chinese%2C%20he%20found%20200%20forlorn%20ROKs%20who%20had%20blundered%20into%20the%20Turkish%20column%20while%20beating%20their%20way%20back%20from%20the%20fight%20at%20Tokchon.&f=false Leckie 1996]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, p. 203.</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/conflicthistoryo00leck <!-- quote=The word gave a lift to the neighbors. Lt. Sukio Oji, a Nisei interpreter, was sent by 2nd Division to interview the prisoners. Instead of Chinese, he found 200 forlorn ROKs who had blundered into the Turkish column while beating their way back from the fight at Tokchon. --> Leckie 1962], p. 203.</ref>
The next day on 27 November, east of Wawon, leading Turkish party was ambushed by Chinese and suffered a major defeat, with heavy casualties suffered by the Turks.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&pg=PA89&dq=It+is+certain,+however,+that+during+the+day,+and+probably+during+the+morning,+Chinese+ambushed+the+leading+battalion+of+the+Turks+three+to+four+miles+east+of+Wawon+and+inflicted+on+it+a+decisive+defeat.+It+appears+that+one+battalion+of+the+Turks+lost+most+if+not+all+of+its+vehicles+in+this+fight,+that+their+personnel+losses+were+heavy,+and+that+survivors+took+to+thr+hills+if+they+coild+not+retreat+back+west+on+the+road&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nctRU6C7M9TKsQTmm4G4Cw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=It%20is%20certain%2C%20however%2C%20that%20during%20the%20day%2C%20and%20probably%20during%20the%20morning%2C%20Chinese%20ambushed%20the%20leading%20battalion%20of%20the%20Turks%20three%20to%20four%20miles%20east%20of%20Wawon%20and%20inflicted%20on%20it%20a%20decisive%20defeat.%20It%20appears%20that%20one%20battalion%20of%20the%20Turks%20lost%20most%20if%20not%20all%20of%20its%20vehicles%20in%20this%20fight%2C%20that%20their%20personnel%20losses%20were%20heavy%2C%20and%20that%20survivors%20took%20to%20thr%20hills%20if%20they%20coild%20not%20retreat%20back%20west%20on%20the%20road&f=false Appleman 2008], p. 89.</ref> Survivors of the leading Turkish party appeared in the zone of the American [[38th Infantry Regiment (United States)|38th Infantry]] north and northwest of the Wawon road the next day.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&dq=they+were+following.+The+records+show+only+that+the+next+morning%2C+28+November%2C+many+Turkish+stragglers+appeared+in+the+zone+of+the+38th+Infantry%2C+north+and+northwest+of+the+Wawon+road%2C+and+that+2nd+Division+observers+saw+part+of+the+Turkish+command+retreating+west+toward+Kunu-ri.&pg=PA90 Appleman 2008], p. 90.</ref> The Turks lost most of their equipment, vehicles, and artillery and sustained casualties of up to 1,000 dead or wounded after fighting with the Chinese forces with superior numbers around the Kaechon and Kunu-ri area, and the Tokchon-Kunu-ri road.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&pg=PA92&dq=their+battles+with+the+Chinese+on+the+road+from+Tokchon+to+Kunu-ri+and+around+Kaechon+and+Kunu-ri,+the+Turks+had+lost+about+20+percent+(roughly+1,000+men)+in+killed,+wounded,+and+missing+in+action.+They+had+lost+approximately+90+percent+of+their+communication+equipment+and+vehicles.+Only+six+artillery+pieces+remained+to+them.29+Thus,+in+its+destruction+of+the+ROK+II+Corpsm+the+CCF,+it+must+be+stated,+also+rendered+combat+ineffective+the+Turkish+command+of+about+5,000+men.&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Fs1RU6rBFOajsQTb0YH4BA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=their%20battles%20with%20the%20Chinese%20on%20the%20road%20from%20Tokchon%20to%20Kunu-ri%20and%20around%20Kaechon%20and%20Kunu-ri%2C%20the%20Turks%20had%20lost%20about%2020%20percent%20(roughly%201%2C000%20men)%20in%20killed%2C%20wounded%2C%20and%20missing%20in%20action.%20They%20had%20lost%20approximately%2090%20percent%20of%20their%20communication%20equipment%20and%20vehicles.%20Only%20six%20artillery%20pieces%20remained%20to%20them.29%20Thus%2C%20in%20its%20destruction%20of%20the%20ROK%20II%20Corpsm%20the%20CCF%2C%20it%20must%20be%20stated%2C%20also%20rendered%20combat%20ineffective%20the%20Turkish%20command%20of%20about%205%2C000%20men.&f=false Appleman 2008], p. 92.</ref> Although the Turkish Brigade was cut off when they were encircled by Chinese regiments, they were still be able to breach the Chinese trap and rejoin the US 2nd Infantry Division.<ref name=Bozkurt>{{Cite web
 |last        = Bozkurt
 |first       = Abdullah
 |title       = Turkish veterans recall Korean War memories
 |url         = http://www.trdefence.com/2010/10/03/turkish-veterans-recall-korean-war-memories/
 |date        = October 3, 2010
 |access-date  = 2014-06-08
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165216/http://www.trdefence.com/2010/10/03/turkish-veterans-recall-korean-war-memories/
 |archive-date = July 14, 2014
}}</ref>
Delay of Chinese troops advance after meeting with heavy Turkish resistance, helped [[United Nations]] forces to withdraw without suffering many casualties and reassemble later in December.<ref name="Bozkurt"/>
After Battle of Wawon, Turks were sent to assist the South Korean [[II Corps (South Korea)|ROK II Corps]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&dq=It+has+already+been+noted+that+General+Walker+had+directed+the+IX+Corps+to+send+the+Turkish+Brigade+to+Tokchon+to+halt+the+retreat+of+the+ROK+II+Corps+and+to+deal+with+the+CCF+threat+from+that+quarter.+But+Chinese+forces+had+met+and+defeated+the+Turks+on+the+road+to+Tokchon.&pg=PA190 Appleman 2008], p. 190.</ref>
Later in December, General [[Tahsin Yazici]] and fifteen Turkish officers and men of his command were decorated by General [[Walton Walker]] with Silver Star and Bronze Star medals for their bravery against Chinese during [[Battle of Wawon]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&q=bronze+star+medals+for+gallantry Appleman 2008], p. 92.</ref>

The Turkish Brigade had never before engaged in combat on foreign soil. They engaged in intense [[melee]] combat with the Chinese at the Battle of Wawon on 28 November and the survival of the US Eighth Army is attributed by UN commanders to the Turkish Brigade keeping the Chinese engaged for three days.<ref>{{cite web | first  =Bruce | last  =Steele | title =Korea: Gallant Allies: The Story of the Turkish Brigade | url = http://www.utimes.pitt.edu/?p=3015| access-date =2014-05-28 }}</ref> On 29 November, the Turks were expelled by the Chinese from Sinnim-ni and were forced to retreat in complete disarray to Pyongmyong-ni and Kunu-ri.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&dq=Just+before+noon%2C+a+Chinese+force+drove+the+Turks+out+of+Sinnim-ni.+They+began+falling+back+on+Pyongmyong-ni+and+Kunu-ri+in+utter+disorder.&pg=PA206 Appleman 2008], p. 206.</ref> The Turkish Brigade's commanding General [[Tahsin Yazıcı]] said during the battle of Wawon – "Why retreat? We're killing Chinese!".<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=P.|title=Courage, Stamina, Shown By Turks Fighting in Korea|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/33473998/|access-date=28 May 2014|newspaper=The Emporia Gazette|date=1 March 1951}}</ref> The Chinese defeat of the Turks at Pongmyong-ni resulted in havoc since the retreat of the Turks exposed the right flank of the American 38th infantry, and the disarrayed mass of retreating Turks stopped the 1st Battalion from taking their place at the 38th infantry's flank after Colonel George B. Peploe commanded them to cover the exposed flank.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&dq=Peploe+ordered+his+1st+Battalion+to+reinforce+his+right+flank.+On+its+way+to+carry+out+this+mission%2C+the+battalion+encountered+great+numbers+of+Turkish+soldiers+and+their+vehicles+on+the+road+in+complete+rout.+The+1st+Battalion%2C+caught+up+in+this+chaos%2C+was+unable+to+accomplish+its+purpose.&pg=PA207 Appleman 2008], p. 207.</ref> Clay Blair noted that in reality, the [[Eighth United States Army|Eighth Army]] was left completely unprotected on its right flank due to the Turkish retreat, describing them as "overrated, poorly led green troops" who "broke and bugged out", despite both Chinese and American sources stating otherwise. American Colonel Paul Freeman, said that the Turks had a "look at the situation," "and they had no stomach for it, and they were running in all directions,"<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=F-afAAAAMAAJ&q=bugged+out+leaving+entire+right+flank+exposed+no+stomach+running+directions Blair 2003], p. 455.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=nYlxAAAAMAAJ&q=Later+a+heroic+legend+would+circulate+that+they+bayoneted+200+CCF+troops+to+death.+But+the+truth+was+that+these+overrated%2C+poorly+led+green+troops+broke+and+bugged+out%2C+again+leaving+the+entire+right+flank+of+Eighth+Army+exposed.+The+Turks+took+a+%22look+at+the+situation%2C%22+Paul+Freeman+remembered%2C+%22and+they+had+no+stomach+for+it%2C+and+they+were+running+in+all+directions. Blair 1987], p. 455.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC&q=Colonel+Freeman+Controversy Appleman 2008], p. 271</ref> and yet Freeman contentiously withdrew his own regiment, thereby exposing the rear of the US 2nd Infantry Division to Chinese attack.<ref>Roy E. Appleman, ''Disaster in Korea: The Chinese Confront MacArthur'', (Texas A&M University Press, 1989), 438.</ref> However, historian Bevin Alexander noted that given the Turkish Brigade was the only UN force present between Wawon and Kunu-ri, the Chinese inability to capture Kunu-ri before the US 2nd Infantry Division meant the Turks had fulfilled their original mission and covered the withdrawal of the US IX Corps successfully.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Alexander|first1=Bevin R.|title=Korea: The First War We Lost|url=https://archive.org/details/koreafirstwarwel00alex|url-access=registration|date=1986|publisher=Hippocrene Books|isbn=978-0870521355}}</ref> Chinese sources also note that the resistance from the much smaller Turkish force was so unexpectedly stubborn, the 340th regiment had to be called to reinforce the 342nd, which was locked in a stalemate.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Chinese Military Science Academy|title=History of War to Resist America and Aid Korea (抗美援朝战争史)|date=2000|publisher=Beijing: Chinese Military Science Academy Publishing House|isbn=7801373901}}</ref>

The brigade's most costly battle was [[Kunuri|Kunu-ri]], which took place towards the end of 1950. Actually a series of four encounters lasting from 26 November to 6 December 1950; [[Battle of Wawon]] on 28 November, Sinnim-ni, 28–29 November, Kunuri Gorge, 29–30 November, and Sunchon Gorge on 30 November 1950.<ref>"Turkish Brigade in Korean War – Kunuri Battles (26–30 November 1950)", ''Turkish Times Weekly'', (Tuesday, 9 January 2007). Retrieved on 2008-09-29.</ref> The brigade lost over 15% of its personnel and 70% of equipment at Kunuri, with 218 killed and 455 wounded, and close to 100 taken prisoner.<ref>Ercan Haytoğlu, "Kore Savaşi Ve Denızlı Kore Şehıtlerı İle Gazilri", Pamukkale Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Yıl: n2002 (1) Sayı: 11, p. 94</ref>

Along with the rest of the [[United Nations]] forces, Turkish Brigade was named as one of the units which required "rest and refitting" after being exhausted  by the fighting in November 1950.<ref>{{cite book| url = http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/kw-chinter/chinter.htm| title = The Korean War: The Chinese Intervention| page = 14| first = Richard W.| last = Stewart| id = CMH Pub 19-8| access-date = 2014-04-19| archive-date = 2011-12-03| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111203234437/http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/kw-chinter/chinter.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref>

After the battle of [[Cheoin-gu|Kumyangjang-ni]] & [[Giheung-gu|Hill 151]], 25–26 January 1951, in which the Turkish Brigade repulsed a Chinese force three times its size,{{Citation needed|reason=numbers from where?|date=May 2018}} although the Turkish brigade was decimated by repeated determined attacks by North Koreans and Chinese since it did not coordinate with any American units,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA307584|title=Command and Control Challenges During Coalition Operation|date=14 June 1976|first=Mark A. |last=Kauzlarich |publisher=Naval War College|location=Newport, RI|access-date=2022-06-02|archive-date=2015-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614101712/http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA307584|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wO4a8m3b_IUC&q=The+virtual+decimation+of+the+Turkish+brigade+in+the+battle+of+Kumyangjang%E2%80%94Ni+was+a+tragic+instance+of+a+tactical+unit+moved+necessarily+into+a+fluid+battlefield+that+lacked+the+means+to+integrate+operations+with+other+allied+ground+units.+The+unit+fought+fiercely+against+overwhelming+odds+in+an+attempt+to+stem+the+North+Korean+and+Chinese+counteroffensive+occurring+in+its+sector.+As+its+losses+mounted+and+the+unit+reeled+under+unrelenting+enemy+attacks,+it+was+forced+to+fight+in+isolation+and+remained+unable+to+rely+on+Allied+combat+power,+which+was+available,+or+to+coordinate+its+activities+with+American+units+on+its+flanks.|title=Military Review|date=September 27, 1993|publisher=Command and General Staff School|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUTw7j6McPUC&q=Because+of+the+severity+and+consequences+of+war,+relinquishing+national+command+and+control+of+forces+is+an+act+of+trust+and+...+The+virtual+decimation+of+the+Turkish+brigade+in+the+battle+of+Kumyangjang-Ni+was+a+tragic+instance+of+a+tactical+unit+...|title=Joint Force Quarterly: JFQ.|date=September 27, 1993|publisher=Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=aIHfAAAAMAAJ&q=...+virtual+decimation+of+the+Turkish+Brigade+in+the+Battle+of+Kumyangjang-Ni,+even+though+Allied+combat+power+was+available+and+its+activities+could+have+been+coordinated+to+provide+necessary+support.9+Control+and+coordination+of+air+assets,+... Singh 2003], p. 50.</ref> President [[Harry Truman]] signed a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] (now the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]) on 11 July 1951. The brigade was also awarded the [[Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)|Presidential Unit Citation]] from the President of Korea.

==Composition==
[[File:İstanbul 6122.jpg|thumb|Standard of Turkish Armed Forces in the Korean War in [[Istanbul Military Museum]] in [[Şişli]], [[Istanbul]].]]

The Turkish Armed Forces Command (TAFC) was a regimental combat team with three infantry battalions, along with supporting artillery and engineers. The three battalions were commanded by Major Imadettin Kuranel, Major Mithat Ulunu, and Major Lütfü Bilgon. It was the only brigade-sized UN unit attached permanently to a U.S. division throughout the Korean War.

The Turkish Brigade comprised:
* 241st Infantry Regiment, composed of three Infantry Battalions
* Motorized Field Artillery Battalion, composed of three Howitzer Batteries and a Headquarters Battery. Each Howitzer Battery consisted of six 105&nbsp;mm guns
* Motorized Engineering Company
* Motorized Anti-Aircraft Battery
* Transportation Truck Company
* Motorized Signal Platoon
* Motorized Anti-Tank Platoon
* Medical Company
* Repair and Maintenance Unit
* Military Band
* Replacement Company, composed of various branch and non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, such as Infantry, Artillery, Signal, Engineering, etc.

=== Casualties ===
Overall losses for the Turkish Brigade in Korea were 721 [[killed in action]], 2,111 [[Wounded in action|wounded]] and 168 [[Missing in action|missing]].<ref name="Evanhoe"/> Among the losses was the sole Turkish pilot, [[Muzaffer Erdönmez]], who piloted a US [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26]] and was shot down over Wonch Ang-nı while bombing the railroad tracks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hvkk.tsk.tr/tr/IcerikDetay.aspx?ID=40&IcerikID=92 |title=Kore Şehidi Kıdemli Üsteğmen Muzaffer ERDÖNMEZ - Türk Hava Kuvvetleri |access-date=2015-12-05 |archive-date=2015-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208042109/http://www.hvkk.tsk.tr/tr/IcerikDetay.aspx?ID=40&IcerikID=92 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A total of 14,936 men served in the brigade between 1950 and 1953<ref name="Timmons"/> with about 5,455 soldiers in Korea at any one time.<ref>{{cite web | last =Walker | first =Jack D | title =A brief account of the Korean War | url = http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/topics/brief/brief_account_of_the_korean_war.htm | access-date =2007-08-15 }}</ref> The [[United Nations Memorial Cemetery]] in [[Busan]], South Korea is the burial place for 462 of those casualties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unmck.or.kr/eng_index.php|title=UN Memorial Cemetery (Official)|access-date=2014-02-15|archive-date=2019-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630132716/http://www.unmck.or.kr/eng_index.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two memorials to the Turkish soldiers are at the cemetery.<ref>{{cite web|title=South Koreans, allies pay tribute to Turkish war effort|url=http://defence.pk/threads/south-koreans-allies-pay-tribute-to-turkish-war-effort.63383/|work=Daily News|publisher=Pakistan Defence|date=June 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.unmck.or.kr/pop/eng_un_02_21.php UNMCK: Turkish Memorial I] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029051125/https://www.unmck.or.kr/pop/eng_un_02_21.php |date=2020-10-29 }}; [http://www.unmck.or.kr/pop/eng_un_02_22.php UNMCK: Turkish Memorial II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029044707/https://www.unmck.or.kr/pop/eng_un_02_22.php |date=2020-10-29 }}</ref>

==In popular culture==

The Turkish communist poet [[Nazim Hikmet]] opposed the [[Korean War]] and Turkey's participation in it. After the Senate address of [[John Foster Dulles]], who served as [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] under President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], where he valued Turkish soldiers in the Brigade at 23 cents a month<ref name=militaryconstruction>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nw0AAAAIAAJ&q=%2223+cents+a+month%22|pages=87|title=Legislative-judiciary Appropriations|year=1955|author=[[United States Congress]]. Senate Committee on Appropriations|publisher=U.S. Govt. Print. Off.}}</ref> compared with $70 a month for American soldiers,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vek0AAAAIAAJ&q=%2223+cents+a+month%22|title=Mutual Security Act of 1951|author=[[United States Congress]], [[Committee on Foreign Relations]]|year=1951|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|pages=60}}</ref> Hikmet wrote a poem criticising the war and America called "On the Soldier worth 23 cents".

In 1954, a Turkish film bearing the operation code name of the Turkish Brigade (''Şimal Yıldızı''), directed by [[Atıf Yılmaz]] and starring [[Ayhan Işık]], which praised the deeds of the unit was released.<ref>[http://www.sinematurk.com/film_genel/6147/Simal-Yildizi ''Şimal Yıldızı''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107053526/http://www.sinematurk.com/film_genel/6147/Simal-Yildizi |date=2011-01-07 }}, Sinematürk</ref>

The Turkish Brigade is featured in the [[Unification Church]]-funded 1982 film ''[[Inchon (film)|Inchon]]'', which inaccurately depicts the unit being involved in the [[Battle of Inchon]] (in reality the Brigade did not arrive until the month after the battle). [[Gabriele Ferzetti]] plays the commander of the Brigade.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}

The seventh President of Turkey, [[Kenan Evren]], had served in Korea in the Turkish Brigade, 1958–1959.

In the 1974 ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'' episode "A Full Rich Day", Hawkeye records a letter to his dad detailing the exploits of a mad Turkish soldier, and other events.

The 2017 Turkish film ''[[Ayla: The Daughter of War]]'' is based on the true story of a young war orphan nursed back to health from near-death by a sergeant in the Turkish Brigade but torn apart from him when he was unable to take her back to Turkey at the end of the war, and their reunion sixty years later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=145773 |title='Ayla,' a movie based on a heart-breaking 65-year-old real-life story |work=korea.net |date=2 May 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[United Nations Forces in the Korean War]]
* [[Medical support in the Korean War]]
* [[South Korea–Turkey relations]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book|title=Disaster in Korea: The Chinese Confront MacArthur|first=Roy E.|last=Appleman|volume=11 of Texas A & M University military history series: Texas A and M University|edition=illustrated|year=2008|publisher=Texas A&M University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k8d2YX43hMoC|isbn=978-1603441285|access-date=18 April 2014}}
* {{cite book|title=The Forgotten War: America in Korea, 1950–1953|first=Clay|last=Blair|edition=illustrated, reprint|year=2003|publisher=Naval Institute Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F-afAAAAMAAJ|isbn=1591140757|access-date=18 April 2014}}
* {{cite book|title=The forgotten war: America in Korea, 1950|first=Clay|last=Blair|date=Dec 12, 1987|publisher=Times Books|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYlxAAAAMAAJ|isbn=0812916700|access-date=18 April 2014}}
* {{cite book|title=Conflict: The History of the Korean War, 1950–53|first=Robert|last=Leckie|edition=illustrated, reprint|year=1996|publisher=Da Capo Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jD9JHT61bHwC|isbn=0306807165|access-date=18 April 2014}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book|title=Conflict: The history of the Korean War 1950–1953|first=Robert|last=Leckie|year=1962|publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons|location= New York|url=https://archive.org/details/conflicthistoryo00leck|url-access=registration}}

==Further reading==
* [https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/hisofunforces01/index.html The History of the UN Forces in the Korean War – 1 (Ethiopia, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey) – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1972 (E-Book)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709111019/https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/hisofunforces01/index.html |date=9 July 2023 }}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202211020925219960.pdf The History of the UN Forces in the Korean War – 1 (Ethiopia, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey) – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1972 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628175219/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202211020925219960.pdf |date=28 June 2023 }}
* [https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/hisofunforces06/index.html The History of the UN Forces in the Korean War-6 (Summary) – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1977 (E-Book)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709114536/https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/hisofunforces06/index.html |date=9 July 2023 }}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202211020922227920.pdf The History of the UN Forces in the Korean War – 6 (Summary) – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1977 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628101859/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202211020922227920.pdf |date=28 June 2023 }}
* [https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/625nun/index.html The Korean War and the UN Forces – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 2015 (E-Book)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709154258/https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/625nun/index.html |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202301161009297680.pdf The Korean War and the UN Forces – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 2015 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709154302/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202301161009297680.pdf |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn2/625_15/index.html The Statistics of the Korean War – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 2014 (E-Book)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709114538/https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn2/625_15/index.html |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201408070704130850.pdf The Statistics of the Korean War – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 2014 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111004201/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201408070704130850.pdf |date=11 January 2021 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/un/index.html The History of the UN Forces in the Korean War – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1998 (E-Book)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709114539/https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/un/index.html |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202304020257196620.pdf The History of the UN Forces in the Korean War – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1998 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709012630/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202304020257196620.pdf |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201306250608524620.pdf The Summary of the Korean War – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1986 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709114608/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201306250608524620.pdf |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn2/history_of_war_in_korea11/index.html The History of the Korean War-11: The UN Forces (New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden) – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1980 (E-Book)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162730/https://new.mnd.go.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn2/history_of_war_in_korea11/index.html |date=7 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201306250725274860.pdf The History of the Korean War-11: The UN Forces (New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden) – ROK Ministry of National Defense Institute for Military History, 1980 (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709114537/https://www.imhc.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201306250725274860.pdf |date=9 July 2023 }} {{in lang|ko}}
* {{cite book|last=Sŏ|first=Sŏk-pong|title=Brother Nations, Korea and Turkey: a history of Turkish soldiers' participation in the Korean War|
url=http://english.mpva.go.kr/inc/func/fileDownloadBlob.asp?cmsCd=CM0029&ntNo=16&fNo=1 |date=2007|publisher=[[Ministry of Patriots' and Veterans' Affairs]]|location=Seoul| oclc= 243703768 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Solomonovich |first1=Nadav |title=The Korean War in Turkish Culture and Society |date=2021 |publisher=Palgrave |location=Cham |isbn=978-3030840358}}

==External links==
* [http://www.historynet.com/korean-war-1st-turkish-brigades-baptism-of-fire.htm Korean War: 1st Turkish Brigade's Baptism of Fire]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081204123341/http://www.rt66.com/%7Ekorteng/SmallArms/TurkishBrigade.htm The Turkish Brigade]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202710/http://www.korean-war.com/turkey.html The Turkish Brigade]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Q-zwjM-xc Korean War – Part 18, Retreat from the North], YouTube, 8:50min

{{Korean War}}
[[Category:Anti-communism in Turkey]]
[[Category:Brigades of Turkey|K]]
[[Category:United Nations Forces in the Korean War]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1950]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1960]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Brigades of the Korean War|Tur]]
[[Category:South Korea–Turkey relations]]