Colombian Battalions

[Ed Evanhoe <gangster@korean-war.com>]

           The first of four Colombia Battalions — 1st Batallon Colombia -- 
to serve in Korea during the war
           arrived in Jun 1951 and stayed until replaced by the 2nd 
Batallon Colombia July 1952. The 2nd
           Batallon Colombia was replaced by the 3rd Batallon Colombia in 
Nov 1952. It was replaced by
           the 4th Batallon Colombia in Jun 1953 and stayed in Korea until 
Oct 1954. Each of these units had
           a field strength of 1,000 men. The 1st Batallon Colombia was 
assigned to the U.S. 24th Infantry
           Division on arrival but transferred to the U.S. 7th Infantry 
Division Jan. 23, 1952 when the U.S.
           24th Division returned to Japan. The 2nd & 3rd Batallon Colombia 
also fought as part of the U.S.
           7th Infantry Division.  It is worth noting the 3rd Batallon was 
severely mauled in March 1953 when
           Chinese forces overran "Old Baldy."  In this battle Colombian 
forces fought well but were
           overwhelmed when a full Chinese division attacked.  Thus the 3rd 
Batallon had the dubious
           distinction of suffering the most casualties of any Colombian unit.


                           Casualties                         516 
KIA                 1235 WIA


Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523-0916
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Life member:  Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
Co-list owner:  KOREAN-WAR-L  (University of Kansas)
Web site:  http://www.korean-war.com