The Early Cold War
The Korean War

Communist North Korea's invasion of South Korea in June 1950 sparked a devastating three-year war. Eight Canadian destroyers ultimately served in Korean waters as part of Canada's contribution to United Nations forces fighting the invasion.

4-Inch Cartridge Casing, HMCS Iroquois

An exploding enemy artillery shell killed and wounded 13 Canadians aboard HMCS Iroquois, tearing open this cartridge casing in the process.

The mangled brass demonstrates the danger posed by enemy coastal artillery. On 2 October 1952, a shore-based gun hit Iroquois while the destroyer was bombarding the railway along Korea's east coast, instantly killing two and wounding 11 others, one of whom died shortly afterwards. Fragments from the blast ignited this cartridge and its attached shell, which exploded. Iroquois moved out of range to assess the damage, make repairs, and treat the wounded before resuming its patrol.

Cartridge Casing, 4-Inch
CWM 19700165-005