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Story: Asian conflicts

HMNZS Taupo on winter patrol in Korea

HMNZS<em> Taupo</em> on winter patrol in Korea

The Korean winter of 1951–52 was a particularly severe one. HMNZS Taupo (pictured) and Hawea ere patrolling in Korea at the time. Mail and supplies were delivered to the ships by Korean motor launches, which had to fight their way through ice. New Zealand had two frigates stationed with the UN command until 1954. From 1954 to 1959 New Zealand frigates were attached to the Far Eastern Station of Britain's Royal Navy. For part of their service they were rotated to Korean waters, where they came under UN command.

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National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Hale Collection

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How to cite this page

Ian McGibbon, Asian conflicts – Korean War, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/34520/hmnzs-taupo-on-winter-patrol-in-korea (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ian McGibbon, published 16 April 2012, updated 1 February 2016.

Comments

Ernest Millan
02 July 2013
Battle of Yang Do, North Korea, Feb. 1952. My destroyer was assisting Taupo during this battle. The Taupo was receiving incoming and as I remember had taken at least one in the engine room. I happened to be communicating with the Taupo and will never forget their coolness under fire while they put most of the invading sampans out of commission. Hats off to the sailors of New Zealand and HMNZS Taupo.