U.S. Marines guarding three captured North Koreans, ca. 1950. Department of Defense / mediadrumworld.com

By Mark McConville

AS AMERICA stands on the brink of war with North Korea meet the American GIs who fought in the first conflict in the 1950s.

ES119-13-1 (SC370299) Soldiers using mine detectors to sweep the road clear of hidden Communist planted land mines for an advancing M-4 tank, 10 Jun 1951. Department of Defense / mediadrumworld.com

Action-paced pictures show a bomb exploding after being dropped form a fighter jet, soldiers and equipment filling the sky as they parachute to earth and soldiers clearing the path of mines for their tank unit.

 

Airview of bombs dropped by U.S. Air Force, exploding on three parallel railroad bridges across Han River, southwest of Seoul, former capitol of Republic of Korea. Bridges were bombed early in war to delay advance of invading North Korean troops. Department of Defense / mediadrumworld.com

Other incredible images show an American soldier carrying a wounded South Korea soldier to safety, South Koreans waiting to welcome North Korean defectors and American soldiers sending home a message for New Year’s.

The pictures of war-torn Korea act as a reminder and a warning as to what could happen should the current strike between North Korea and America escalate.

Men of the 24th Inf. Regt. move up to the firing line in Korea. July 18, 1950. Department of Defense / mediadrumworld.com

The Korean War began on 25th June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. This prompted the United Nations, with USA as the principal force, to come to South Korea’s aid. North Korea were aided by China while the USSR gave some assistance.

Korea had been split into two regions with separate governments in 1948 as a product of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States who operated in North Korea and South Korea respectively.

 

Four crew members of the 19th Bomb Group, Okinawa based veteran unit of the Far East Air Forces Bomber Command. Shown left to right and all from New Jersey are: 1st Lt Eugene Gouch, Millburn, airplane commander, 1st Lt Henry J. Antonik, Passaic, radar observer; Capt Clyde H. Smith Newark, bombardier and Capt Stephen V. Kozak, Newark, navigator. Department of Defense / mediadrumworld.com

The war became one of attrition and the frontline was close to the 38th parallel, the dividing line between the two countries.

An armistice was signed on 27th July 1953 and fighting came to an end. The agreement created the Korea Demilitarised zone to separate the two countries and allowed the return of prisoners.

Crossing the 38th parallel. United Nations forces withdraw from Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. They recrossed the 38th parallel. 1950. Department of Defense / mediadrumworld.com

As no peace treaty has been signed North and South Korea are still technically at war.

Stunning shots also show military vehicles crossing over the 38th Parallel, American soldiers being treated for their wounds and North Korean prisoners being closely guarded.