Re: 60th Parachute Field Ambulance Platoon

[<Benjamin.Evans@awm.gov.au>]

G'day Ed

The 60th Indian Field Ambulance (much more than a platoon) was commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel A.G. Rangaraj and supported the 27th (later 28th) British
Commonwealth Infantry Brigade for the duration of the war.  The unit formally
joined the 27th BCB on 14 December 1950, although it had arrived at Pyongyang
about ten days earlier and taken part in the US Eighth Army withdrawal from the
city.  The unit provided the 27th BCB with a capacity it had previously lacked.

The unit was much respected by the Commonwealth troops with whom it served.  The
Indians were highly proficient and enormously courageous under mortar and
artillery fire.  Almost all Commonwealth troops evacuated from the front line
passed through the unit's care.

(This information is taken from Robert O'Neill, "Australia in the Korean War
1950-53" Volume II: combat operations, 1985)

Fehrenbach ("This kind of war", paperback edition, pp 652-3) also refers to
Indian Army troops used as guards to oversee prisoner exchanges at Panmunjom
after the ceasefire.  He mentions that the troops had to be flown directly in
and out of the DMZ because Syngman Rhee would not allow them to set foot on ROK
soil.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Ben.