HMCS Huron Association - First Into Action

First Into Action

North Korea began its invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950. On June 27, 1950 the RCN began to take steps to put its fighting ships in the Pacific on a war footing. The three destroyers of the Pacific Division which were in the early stages of preparing for a European cruise were ordered to be ready to sail in 24 hours if necessary. On the morning of June 30, 1950 a message was received from CANAVHED (Naval HQ in Ottawa) canceling the European cruise. Two and a half hours later Flag Officer Pacific Coast receieved the message he had been expecting: You are to sail Cayuga, Sioux, and Athabaskan from Esquimalt at sixteen knots to Pearl Harbour PM Wednesday July 5, 1950.

Not all the logistics problems had been solved by July 5, nor had the legal status of the force been settled. Nevertheless they sailed as ordered led by HMCS Ontario for two days at which point Ontario topped up the destroyers with oil and returned to Esquimalt. The destroyers, now recognized as Task Group 214.4 with Cayuga as senior ship sailed on arriving at Pearl Harbour on the morning of July 12. Within two hours of their arrival the following message arrived:

1. As from 0001Z/14 July TG 214.4 under your command is transferred to the operational control of General McArthur as Commander United Nations Forces Korea for operations in relation to the invasion of South Korea only …
2. You are to report by message direct to Commander United Nations Forces Korea Headquarters in Tokyo …. And request instructions, at the same time acquainting General MacArthur of necessity for logistic calls at Bikini and Guam and your ETA these ports
3. Logistics support. Arrangements will be made on repayment basis for you to draw supplies from US sources other than items peculiar to RCN for which arrangements will be made to have them shipped via US transport on demand by you.
4. You are authorized to fly the flag of the United Nations at the foremasthead.

The following day Captain Brock signalled General MacArthur placing the RCN destroyers at his disposal. The General’s reply was prompt and courteous:

Part One – On behalf of United Nations delighted to accept force under your command for service in repelling aggression in Korea
Part Two – Upon arrival in Guam report to COMNAVFE who will issue further instructions.

After two days at Pearl Harbour taking on fuel, RG 214.4 sailed for Kwajalein. After six days they arrived there on July 21, took on fuel, and departed the following day. Their next destination was Guam where the task group received orders to proceed directly to Sasebo.

Difficulties in fuelling and storing delayed the ships and they did not leave Guam until July 27. To make up for lost time speed was increased to 24 knots and at 15:30 local time on July 30 the Canadian Destroyer Division Pacific entered Sasebo harbour ready to join in the battle for the Pusan bridge-head.

Some idea of the offensive capabilities of the Canadian Destroyer force may be gained from the fact that at this time a Tribal Class destroyer such as HMCS Cayuga mounted six 4-inch guns and eight 40-mm automatic Bofors guns for use against aircraft and surface targets. Her anti-submarine armament consisted of the ahead-throwing Squid mortar and conventional depth charges. She also carried four tubes for her 21-inch torpedoes. As to her size, though one is accustomed to think of destroyers as small ships, the average Canadian has but to think of the dimensions of the house in which he lives to realize that a Tribal’s length of 377 feet and breadth of 37 ½ feet is by no means tiny.

When the Canadian destroyers steamed into Sasebo harbour on the afternoon of July 30 they found there a scene of hectic activity. Everyone was aware that the fate of the bridge-head around the Pusan depended mainly upon how rapidly the navy could pour troops and supplies into the battle area. Cayuga and her consorts certainly wasted no time in idle preparations. Within 24 hours of her arrival Athabaskan was out on her first operational mission with the United Nations escort forces.

Reprinted from the HMCS Huron Association Newsletter, September 2002. Compiled from excerpts from "Canadian Operations in Korean Water 1950-1955".