Michael Caine in the Korean War

Michael Caine in the Korean War.

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British actor, Michael Caine, or more correctly, Sir Michael Caine, recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
The winner of two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and three Golden Globes, Cain has starred in over 150 films during a career that has lasted over 60 years.

But did you know that apart from acting in these war movies, Michael Caine actually has combat experience in his own right?

Long before Hollywood stardom, he charged, in the dead of night, guns blazing, towards a unit of Chinese soldiers who were hunting him down.

This is the story of Michael Caine and his military service in the Korean War.


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Michael Caine or, to use his birth name, Maurice Joseph Micklewhite was born in south London in 1933.

In 1952 he was conscripted for National Service, joining the 1st Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers.
He was offered the opportunity to complete his 2-year National Service if he volunteered to serve with the British Army in the Korean War.

He jumped at the chance and after a 6-week journey on a troopship had arrived in Korea.
The Royal Fusiliers went to the frontline in the valley of the Samichon River.


On his first night on watch in the trenches, Caine suddenly heard the eerie sound of a trumpet call somewhere in front of him.

Less than a mile away, advancing out of their trenches were thousands of Chinese troops, being led by hundreds of trumpeters.

For 19-year old Caine and the other young Royal Fusiliers it was both awe inspiring and terrifying at the same time.

The Chinese attack was like something out of the First World War, their commanders just sending wave after wave of men forward in the hope that eventually their numbers would prevail. But they didn’t.


Shortly afterwards, he was part of a three man patrol sent to observe the Chinese lines.
On their way back to their lines they were passing through a rice field when the aroma of garlic filled Caine’s nostrils.

Chinese soldiers had a habit of chewing garlic.
They were being followed.

The three men hit the ground. He lay there absolutely still hardly daring to breath, his finger on the trigger of his gun. They heard the swish of the grass and the hushed whispers of the Chinese.

Suddenly the 3 British soldiers sprang up from their cover and charged at the Chinese firing madly.

The Chinese were taken completely by surprise.
Eventually, they reached the safety of the British lines.


Interestingly, his first acting role in a film was in the 1956 war movie: “A Hill in Korea” (released in the USA as “Hell in Korea”) in which he played a private on a patrol in the Korean War.

60,000 British servicemen served in the Korean War. 1,100 were killed and 2,600 wounded.


So next time you watch Michael Caine in “Zulu”. Or “A Bridge Too Far” or “The Eagle has landed” remember that whilst he is an actor, he is also calling upon the real, terrifying wartime experiences of Private Maurice Joseph Micklewhite of the Royal Fusiliers during the Korean War.

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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:08 Maurice Micklewhite
1:37 National Service
3:24 Korean War
5:47 Caine goes to Korea
7:52 Caine faces Chinese attack
9:42 On Patrol
12:12 De-mob
13:20 A Hill in Korea
13:54 Korea - A Forgotten War
16:14 Conclusion
16:32 The History Chap

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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

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