While the war on the Korean peninsula was reaching its height, France, admitted to the UN Security Council as a permanent member, decided it was critical to send a French force into the Korean conflict to aid the UN and ROK forces. This was done without being branded as cowards for avoiding the fight as the rapid collapse in 1940 didnt help France cause.
Despite the turbulent political climate, a government changing every five months, and the ongoing Indochina War, France could hardly spare its scarce resources. It nevertheless decided to send one elite shock battalion made up of the best of the best: seasoned WW2 veterans (from the Resistance, the Army of Africa, and the 2nd Armored Division), paratroopers, and Legionnaires, selected through rigorous volunteering and equipped with modern gear. In total, 1,053 French troops were shipped to Korea under the leadership of Raoul Magrin-Vernerey.
During their first major action, the 2nd Company was deployed on the hills of Wonju, defending them against 3,000–5,000 Chinese troops. After enduring four major offensives from the N. Korean/Chinese forces, the last assault was met with a bayonet charge. With a large number of American journalists present, the Battle of Wonju became a major publicity win for the French, and many American newspapers praised the French “counter-Banzai” against the Chinese forces.
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