In 1950 a war broke out on the Korean peninsula that claimed millions of lives and left the region in ruins. More than 500 of the 26,000 Canadians deployed were killed and it was one of the deadliest conflicts in Canadian history.
And yet it has been called Canada’s forgotten war despite its status as a major military action. One that included significant triumphs, such as the Battle of Kapyong.
The Military Museums Foundation is proud to host Korea: The Other War on Thursday, 4 April. Calgary historian and author Norman Leach will examine the buildup to the Korean War, and the impact of the delicate ceasefire that followed.
He will explore Canada’s role in the conflict, which was the country’s first military action of the Cold War. As a best-selling author of Canadian history, Norman will bring an historical perspective to the recent flare-up of tensions in the region, and what the situation means for Canada.
Though often overshadowed by the First and Second World Wars, The Korean War continues to shape international politics. We are reminded of its significance by the frequent threats of renewed conflict that come out of the region, and the plausibility of this scenario is subject to much speculation.
Norman Leach is an award-winning author specializing in Canadian Military history. He has written several books, including Passchendaele: Canada’s Triumph and Tragedy on the Fields of Flanders, and Canadian Peacekeepers: Ten Stories of Valour in War-Torn Countries.