Corps History - Part 19
The Corps and the Cold War (1947-91)

Overview of the Cold War

The Cold War (1947-91) was the protracted geopolitical, ideological (communism verses capitalism), and economic struggle that emerged after Second World War (1939-45) between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies. The Cold War took the form of an arms race involving nuclear and conventional weapons, networks of military alliances, economic warfare and trade embargos, propaganda, espionage, the space race, and proxy wars, especially those involving superpower support for opposing sides within civil wars. There were several major confrontations which marked the ebb and flow of the war: the Berlin Blockade (1948), the Korean War (1950-53), the Vietnam war (1950-75), the erection of Berlin Wall (1961-89), the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), and finally the Afghan-Soviet War (1979-88).

In 1949 the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was formed as an international organisation and military alliances for the collective security of the Western democracies. The Soviets countered this alliance with the creation, in 1955, of their own organisation known as the Warsaw Pact, which encompassed the East European states that they had liberated from the Nazis towards the end of the Second World War (1939-45).

Britain's major contribution to the Cold War was as a member of NATO, which largely manifested itself in the maintenance of a large army in the British zone of West Germany, the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) (see Part 18).

As in the West there was also a requirement for collective security in the Far East where Communist China lay close to British possessions and its allies in the British Commonwealth (notably Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand). Security was ensured under the provisions of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) signed on 8 September 1958 and dissolved on 30 June 1977.

Units of the Royal Engineers served with all the British military formations deployed as an obligation to the British commitments to NATO and SEATO.

In the 1950's Britain developed its own independent nuclear weapon capability, which culminated with the Nuclear Tests carried out in the mid-Pacific in 1957-58. The Royal Engineers played a large part in those events.

Berlin 1945-80

Although Berlin was independent from the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) (see Part 18) the engineers in the garrison came under the command of the Chief Engineer BAOR.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift 1948 - In the Summer 1948 the Russians blockaded Berlin and refused land access from the Western zones. The maintenance of Berlin was accomplished solely by air in what was termed as the Berlin Airlift. At the time the Royal Engineers in Berlin comprised of:

• 159 CRE (Works)
• 398 and 402 DCRE
• 338 Construction Squadron RE
• Movement Control and Postal units

Throughout the blockade the engineers were employed repairing and extending the airfield at Gatow. They were also responsible for the construction of areas for unloading aircraft. When the Russian cut the power cut to Gatow airport generators were installed under Royal Engineer supervision and operations were undisrupted.

Royal Engineer Movement Control personnel organised the loading and unloading of the inbound aircraft, which carried the much needed food, coal and stores to sustain the Western allies trapped in Berlin.

Engineers - After the crisis was over a field troop was designated RE Detachment Berlin. In April 1950 the CRE, DCRE and RE Detachment were reorganised as RE Troops Berlin and in 1957 it was renamed 38 (Berlin) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, and remained so until it was disbanded.

38 (Berlin) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers helped to recover a Soviet Yak 28 fighter plane which had crashed into the Havel River in the British Sector on 6 April 1966, using wheeled cranes on Heavy Ferries.

Postal - Throughout the period a Postal Unit proved postal support to the British Garrison based in Berlin. Surface mails were carried on the 'Berlin Train' that operated along a corridor between British zone of West Germany and Berlin.

Korean War 1950-53

Overview - The Korean War (1950-53), was a war between the partitioned states of North Korea (Korean People's Democratic Republic) and South Korea (Republic of Korea) that were created in 1947.

In June 1950 Soviet backed North Korea launched an attack across the 38th Parallel on South Korea . By September 1950 the North Koreans had pushed the South Koreans into the southern tip of the Korean peninsula around Taegu and Pusan.

The United Nations called upon other Western countries to assist the American and South Korean troops to repel the invaders. Initially the British Commonwealth contribution was limited to naval and air forces forces (June 1950) but by October 1950 British Commonwealth land troops (British, Australian, Canadian, Indian and New Zealanders), the 27 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, were committed. They were quickly followed by the newly raised 29 British Infantry Brigade.

After the United Nations call-to-arms, the Americans landed a seaborne force (X Corps) at Inchon, west of Seoul, while a joint United Nations and South Korean force, which included the 27 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, advanced north from their positions around Pusan. The Inchon landing and advance were successfully and by the beginning of November 1950 the North Koreans had been pushed back almost against their northern border with China. The 27 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade was covering positions on the Chongchon River.

In the last days of November 1950 the United Nations and South Koreans under pressure from Chinese forces, who had come to the assistance of the North Koreans, withdrew south to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. By mid December 1950 the United Nations' line ran roughly along the 38th Parallel. However in the early hours of 3 January 1951 a second withdrawal by the United Nations was precipitated by a fierce attack on the line by Chinese forces. The United Nations' forces withdrew south of Seoul to a line roughly on 37th Parallel.

A change in command brought about the advance of the United Nations forces north of the 38th Parallel. By mid April 1951 the 27 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade (which did not include an engineer field squadron) had reached a line north of the 38th Parallel whilst the 29 British Infantry Brigade found itself on the Imjin river; roughly, this line was hold by the United Nations until the cease fire in July 1953.

On 22 April 1951 the Chinese launched their Spring Offence, during which the Gloucester Regiment, located on the Imjin river, were completely surrounded and had to fight their way out back to United Nations' lines.

On 25 April 1951 the 27 Commonwealth Infantry Brigade was redesignated 28 Commonwealth Brigade and in July 1951 the 1 Commonwealth Division was formed from 28 Commonwealth Brigade, 29 British Infantry Brigade and 25 Canadian Brigade. The field engineers were:

28 Field Engineer Regiment
   12 Field Squadron RE (28 Brigade)
   55 Field Squadron RE (29 Brigade)
   57 Independent Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) (25 Brigade)
                  (relieved by 23 Independent Field Squadron RCE in Autumn 1952)

64 Field Park Squadron RE

Field engineer activities

55 Field Squadron RE - November 1950 - April 1951

55 Field Squadron RE was the first engineer field squadron to arrive in theatre when it arrived with 29 British Infantry Brigade in November 1950. The Squadron accompanied the Brigade in its advance north and during the withdrawal from the Chongchon River area (November 1950) they had to build a Class 30 floating bridge over the Han River, using US M4 equipment which they had never seen before. Nevertheless they managed to build the bridge at the rate suggested in the accompanying US Army text books.

During the second withdrawal south of Seoul (January 1951) the squadron was tasked with blowing two bridges on the Han River, one of which carried both road and rail across the 1,000 ft river (the Shoofly Bridge). Preparation for demolitions was done whilst the bridges were in continuous use. The Shoofly Bridge had been constructed by American engineers and consisted of 66 spans and each pile was cut below the water level to prevent re-capping by the enemy. After it was blown the US Chief Engineer surveying the damage said "You British should be proud of yourselves for this".

In the subsequent withdrawal the Squadron prepared a further 14 bridges for demolition and helped the battalions with wire and mine, as well as, doing road work in the Brigade area.

In February 1951 after the advance back to the 38th Parallel the Squadron was allocated 300 Korean labourers (Korean Service Corps - KSC) to help with routine tasks. On 10-11 April 1951 an assault across the Imjin River was made by 29 Brigade for which the Squadron built a Class 12 assault bridge and a footbridge. Ten days later the Squadron found itself in an infantry role fighting off the Chinese who had just started their Spring Offensive.

28 Field Engineer Regiment - June 1951 - July 1953

28 Field Engineer Regiment (12 Field Squadron RE and 64 Field Park Squadron RE) was despatched to Korea from Libya and arrived in theatre in June 1951. It became the engineer regiment of 1 Commonwealth Division on the division's formation in July 1951, with 55 Field Squadron RE and 57 Independent Field Squadron RCE joining it.

In August 1951 the Division was holding the sector of 1 US Corps front on the south bank of the Imjin River the Chinese line was 7,000 metres to the north of the river contact was limited to fighting patrols. To facilitate the crossing of the river 55 Field Squadron RE established a Class 12 ferry on the divisional left (TEAL), 12 Field Squadron RE established another ferry on the division's main axis (PINTAIL) and 57 Independent Field Squadron RCE operated a Class 50/60 ferry. After the Imjin flooded in early August the maintenance of these ferries became difficult.

In Autumn 1951 when the Division was consolidating its area, 12 Field Squadron RE carried out a large minelaying programme for 28 Brigade on the right flank.

Chinese attacks during November 1951 highlighted the need for secure trenches, gunpits, tunnels, bunkers, command posts and dugouts. To this effect 57 Independent Field Squadron RCE was given the task of setting up a lumber camp to provide timber for these structures. The squadron also built three major landing strips in the divisional area.

On 29 July 1952 the Imjin River rose by 30ft and the TEAL bridge was swept away. Thereafter a M4 ferry was operated by 57 Independent Field Squadron RCE, who were later replaced by 23 Independent Field Squadron RCE.

In late July 1952, after warnings that the Chinese Air Force might become active and might use atomic weapons it was decided to make the Divisional HQ bombproof. A tunnel 184ft long was driven through the hill under the HQ by 55 Field Squadron RE in 22 days; working in shifts, and starting at both ends, 2 chambers each 18ft x 19ft were prepared with provision to break out other chambers; the tunnel was timbered throughout.

Throughout the war 64 Field Park Squadron RE carried out an immense amount of work in prefabrication and repairs. The Squadron also had a dog troop with both mine dogs and patrol dogs which were used by standing patrols at night.

Cable-way to carry food, ammunition and other stores to Hill 355, a feature on the east side of the 1 Commonwealth Divisional area, erected and manned by 55 Field Squadron RE - April 1952

Camouflage screens erected by the engineers on the road heading to the Hook position to shield movement from observation by the Chinese.

The Hook - October 1952 - May 1953

Towards the end of October 1952 the 1 Commonwealth Division took over additional area on its left flank. This new area contained a feature that later became famous as the Hook position and whilst it was held by a US Marine Corps battalion had suffered much damage.

The Black Watch, who took over the position, immediately requested engineer assistance to repair the bunkers and communication trenches. 55 Field Squadron RE was allocated the task of putting the position right which also required an extra 44 bunkers and 6 crawl tunnels for section strong holds to be dug.

To dig the tunnels teams worked in shifts and each shift advanced about 3ft per day. Pickets were placed every 3ft to secure to Square Mesh Track (SMT) to the rock wall sides of the main communication trenches. On the other trenches combinations of SMT and hessian, cellular fencing and CGI revetting were used. Reinforced concrete beams were used to put over the trenches so that they could withstand heavy shelling.

On another feature, Hill 355, in the Divisional area 12 Field Squadron carried out a similar programme of repairs.

Other engineer activities

Base in Japan

A base, BRITCOM, was established at Kure, Japan, where BRITCOM Engineer Regiment, was based. It was part of the occupation forces and was a unit of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), which had a small British establishment that provided administrative support to the British engineers in Korea. The base was later referred to as HQ British Commonwealth Forces Korea (BCFK).

In August 1951 a small engineer wing manned by 28 Field Engineer Regiment was set up in the Division's Battle School located in Hara Mura, Japan to train assault pioneers and for battle simulation.

Bomb Disposal

In 1952 a Bomb Disposal Section was formed as part of the BRITCOM Engineer Regiment. It dealt with a number of unexploded bombs and worked in close conjunction with the US Army Bomb Disposal organisation. The Section was disbanded in mid 1953, although a Bomb Disposal officer and two NCOs were transferred to 28 Field Engineer Regiment.

Postal

A detachment of the Royal Engineers (Postal Section) landed with the first British troops at Pusan on 28 August 1950 and set up a Army Post Office (APO) there. A Postal unit accompanied the 29 British Infantry Brigade.

260 Postal Unit RE was formed to support 1 Commonwealth Division on 28 July 1951. Field Post Offices (FPO) were deployed with each Brigade and one at the Rear Divisional HQ at Happy Valley. Additionally; a FPO was established in Seoul to act as an exchange office for airmails travelling between Korea and the Base Army Post Office in Japan. A FPO was also established in the Transit Camp in Pusan.

In 1952 with the introduction of the BOAC Comet jet service between London and Tokyo the transit time of the mail service improved and units in Korea became accustomed to receiving London newspapers that were only a day old.

During the peace talks there was a thrice weekly exchange of POW mail at Panmunjon, which was carried out by an officer from 260 Postal Unit RE.

Transportation

Both Movement Control and Transportation were represented in Korea with detachments in Seoul and Pusan, as well as, Japan.

A BRITCOM Movement Control was set up at Kure as was a BRITCOM Transportation Squadron. The Transportation working was confined to dock and water transport. Railway working was the responsibility of the US Army.

The Cease Fire - 27 July 1953

After a period of protracted negotiations between the two protagonists a cease fire was finally announced on 27 July 1953.

In March 1955 28 Engineer Regiment (with 12 Field Squadron RE and 64 Field Park Squadron RE) departed for Britain. 55 Independent Field Squadron RE remained to provide engineer support until it was sent, in May 1956, to Christmas Island to take part in the Nuclear Test programme.

In 1957 the Postal Unit departed leaving the responsibility for a postal service to the remaining British troops to the Korean Postal Service, but the arrangement proved to be inadequate so a Field Post Office was reinstated at the United Nation Headquarters in Seoul where it remained until it was finally closed in the 1990's.

Nuclear Test Programme - 1952-58

The British independent development of a series of nuclear weapons began in 1952 and ended in 1958. Although the series were conducted by all three services the Royal Engineers provided the bulk of the Army contribution and command of the Army element.

The first couple of series of tests were conducted near the Monte Bello islands, off the north west coast of Australia, and involved 180 Engineer Regiment and 71 Field Squadron, RE, who constructed a base camp.

Christmas Island - Operation Grapple - 1957-58

By 1955 it was decided to test a megaton weapon, which would be ready in 1957. A new base was needed for such a test (Operation Grapple) and Christmas Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was chosen. The Engineers were tasked with constructing the base camp, a balloon anchorage complex, roads, water and electrical supplies, two airfields, port facilities and a flying boat port. The engineer units involved were:

Main Camp on Christmas Island constructed by the Royal Engineers - 1956-58

Main Airfield on Christmas Island constructed by the Royal Engineers - 1956-58

"On reflection perhaps the most outstanding personal impression from nuclear weapon explosions was the reality of the horrific overkill propensity."

Operation Crown - Thailand - 1963-68

As a signatory of South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) Britain had an obligation to assist Allies in the Far East. In the early 1960's the Americans (also signatories of SEATO) were becoming increasingly embroiled in preventing the march of Communism in Laos and Vietnam and requested that Britain assist in their crusade.

In February 1963 it was proposed that Britain construct an airfield at Loeng Nok Tha, near Mukdahan in Thailand as part of the American's Special Logistic Aid to Thailand (SLAT). The proposal was accepted and given the code name Operation Crown.

The Engineer units involved in the project were:

• 11 Independent Field Squadron RE
• 59 Field Squadron RE
• Detachment 54 Corps Field Park Squadron RE
• Detachment 84 Survey Squadron RE
• Detachment 302 Postal Unit RE
• A field troop from the Royal Australian Engineers and detachment from the Royal New Zealand Engineers were also involved.

The airfield with its 5,000ft long air strip, control-tower, airfield fencing and lighting was completed in time for an official opening ceremony on 17 June 1965, but work continued on improving the landing strips long after the ceremony.

After the airfield was completed a second project, to build a road north west from Loeng Nok Tha to a village (Ban Khok Klang), was started in December 1966 by 34 Field Squadron RE, who were relieved by 59 Field Squadron RE in August 1967, who in turn were relieved by 11 Field Squadron RE. The road was completed in April 1968 by a composite workforce that included:

• 54 (FARELF) Support Squadron RE
• 51 (Airfields) Squadron RE - one troop
• 59 Field Squadron RE - one troop

A Royal Engineers' Forces Post Office atttached to the British Embassy remained in Bangkok after the last of the Royal Engineers involved in Operation Crown departed Thailand in 1968.

End of the Cold War

The Cold War drew to a close in the late 1980s following the launch, in the Soviet Union, of the reform programmes, 'perestroika' and 'glasnost' by the Chairman of the Communist Party (Mikhail Gorbachev).

On 13 June 1990, the official dismantling of the Berlin Wall by the East German military began in Bernauer Straße. On 1 July 1990, the day East Germany adopted the West German currency, all border controls ceased, although the inter-German border had become meaningless for some time before that. The dismantling continued to be carried out by military units (which included 38 (Berlin) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers), and took until November 1991 to complete.

In the same year the Soviet Union ceded power over Eastern Europe and the Warsaw Pact was dissolved, the Cold War had ended.

Links to further reading:

On-line Exhibition - Korean War 1950-53 Part 1 - Personnel matters

On-line Exhibition - Korean War 1950-53 Part 2 - Sapper Tasks

On-line Exhibition - Korean War 1950-53 Part 3 - Imjin and The Hook

History of the Corps of Royal Engineers Vol X and XI (Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, 1986 and 1993)

A Short History. The Royal Engineers. Compiled by Maj DP Aston RE (Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, 1993)

Follow the Sapper. Napier G (Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, 2005)