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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.

North Korean Shell Fragment, HMCS Nootka
North Korean Shell Fragment, HMCS Nootka

Douglas Meredith, an officer aboard the Canadian destroyer HMCS Nootka, picked up this fragment from a North Korean shell fired at his ship.

While carrying out a shore bombardment on 30 May 1952 near Chongin on the east coast of North Korea, both Nootka and the American destroyer USS John W. Thomason came under fire. The first shells fired by the radar-directed enemy guns fell close to both ships, which were some four kilometres from shore. These near misses inflicted only superficial damage on Nootka, as both ships quickly left the area to avoid more serious damage.

Shrapnel Fragment
CWM 19730078-006





United Nations Warships off Korea, 1950-1953
HMCS Cayuga at Sea
Service Dress Jacket, Chief Petty Officer James Richard Ross
HMCS Cayuga Firing on Enemy Shore Battery
RCN Tribal B Gun, Korea
Denim Working Dress Uniform
4.5-Inch Star Shell Packing Case
North Korean Caves
Trainbusting - HMCS Crusader in Korea
Track of HMCS Crusader, 1952-1953
4-Inch Cartridge Casing, HMCS Iroquois
North Korean Shell Fragment, HMCS Nootka
Soviet Torpedo