7

Australian naval units in the area were immediately placed at the disposal of the United States, whose forces were bearing the brunt of the action in support of the Korean Republic* New Zealand and, later, Canadian vessels were also made available, and Australia gave air support with the R.A.A.F. fighter squadron stationed in Japan. Other countries offered military aid, while many were prepared to assist with medical supplies, transport, and foodstuffs. On 7 July a third resolutionf was adopted by the Security Council recommending that all members providing military forces and other assistance should make them available to a unified command under the United States. In accordance with this resolution, General Douglas Mac Arthur was designated Commander of the United Nations forces in Korea and was authorized to use the United Nations flag, together with the flags of the nations taking part against the northern aggressors. During the first weeks of the fighting the North Korean armies exploited to the full the military advantage they had gained by their sudden onslaught and, despite the gallant resistance of the United Nations forces, drove steadily southwards. On 14 July the Secretary-General of the United Nations brought to the attention of member Governments the urgent need for additional effective assistance and invited them to examine their capacity to provide an increased volume of combat forces, particularly ground forces. In response to this request, a number of Governments, including those of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, announced their intention of sending ground forces to Korea. Canada decided to provide at once a long-range transport squadron for service in the Pacific airlift and to begin the training of an additional army brigade which would be available for use in carrying out Canada's obligations under the United Nations Charter and which would form part of the United Nations force if it could be most effectively used in that way when ready for service. Of the remaining Commonwealth countries, South Africa offered a fighter squadron, India offered a field ambulance and surgical unit, and Pakistan a quantity of wheat. Numerous offers of assistance by the provision of armed forces, transport, goods, and services were also received from other members of the United Nations. On 31 July the Security Council adopted a further requesting the Unified Command to exercise responsibility for determining relief requirements in Korea and asking the Secretary-General, the Economic and Social Council, the Specialized Agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to provide such assistance as might be sought by the Unified Command. At the beginning of August, the representative of the Soviet Union returned to the Security Council to assume the Presidency, which is held in turn by each member for one month. From the outset he made it clear, by using every means of obstruction at his disposal, that his Government's principal objective was to prevent the Council from taking

* Appendix VIII.

f Appendix IX.

t Appendix X.