ETHIOPIA IN THE FREE WORLD
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Year Published: 1950
Format: 16mm
Description: This short Korean War era film shows the Kagnew battalions fighting in the Korean War. The Korean War, fought between 1950 and 1953, pit communist northern Korea against the US, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Emperor Haile Selassie; deeply moved by the plight against communism and responding to the call of the UN, sent three successive battalions from the first division imperial bodyguard between June of 1951 and April of 1954. Some remained stationed in Korea following the armistice until 1965. In total about 3,158 served in the effort. It also shows the Ethiopian ambassadors trip to the UN headquarters; at the time in San Francisco. This film is presented by the United States Information Service (:08). Combat erupts from the Ethiopian fighting forces (:32). M4 Sherman tanks roll in (:35). Close shots follow the fresh faced Ethiopian (:41) troops. Aerial shots follow of the Japanese Peace Conference (:57). The Ethiopian ambassador stands at the podium at the UN headquarters in San Francisco (:57). The delegates, including Shigeru Yoshida sign the Treaty of San Francisco (1:07). John Foster Dulles takes a seat to sign the document (1:14). Ethiopian delegates head to sign a treaty of amity and economic relations with the US (2:10). J. Rives Childs arrives (2:14) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Addis Ababa to sign with them. Hallie Selassie (2:49) greets the ambassador and his staff. Ethiopian troops march (3:49). Scenes follow from within the United Nations meeting (3:55). Syngman Rhee swings in (4:34) greeted by supporters (4:37). UN officials and Korean troops greet the Ethiopian battalions arriving for service (4:58). One soldier carts Ethiopian instruments to war with him (5:37). The narrator dictates the positive performance of the Ethiopian troops (5:54). The first campsite is established (6:10). Ethiopian troops clean weapons (6:24) during the preliminary orientation course. Men accustom themselves to the signal equipment (6:58). The forces study combat on a land which had been a battle ground a year prior (7:08). Food rations are spoon slopped onto plates (7:20). Another Sherman tank rolls in for integration (7:37). Foot soldiers learn to squeeze off rounds from the tank guns (7:45). They take a reprise to celebrate the emperor's birthday (8:08). Drums bang and Ethiopian troops bounce to native beats (8:19). Visiting American soldiers join a friendly game of sport (8:34). Troops mill around as the camp’s the final training period draws to a close (8:41). Troops jam up military jeeps heading for combat (8:57). The battalion weeds through a lightly wooded area (9:21). Heavy machine gun rounds ring out (9:31) as forces settle into dug out positions (10:18).
Transcription
[Music] The free world stands strong against aggression in Korea. Ethiopia, a member of the community of free nations, has sent men into the offensive against communism's armed attack. Ethiopia is helping to combat the menace in Korea. It is not strange that Ethiopians should be fighting aggression so far from home, for they have taken their rightful place among the free and independent nations of the world. [Music] At the Japanese peace conference, Ethiopian delegate Atu Mambber Yahared tells the assembled nations that Ethiopia is happy to participate in signing a treaty which ends a terrible epic. They deliberated with representatives of other nations and together they designed a document which offers Japan generosity and defeat with new hope for a peaceful prosperous future. Ethiopia's delegates contributed to a successful conference, the wisdom and dignity of an ancient people. [Music] Recognition of Ethiopia as a factor on the world scene led to the recent signing of a treaty of friendship and commerce between Ethiopia and the United States. US Ambassador Jay Reeves Childs arrives at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Adisaba. This is the second treaty between the two governments dealing with general economic relations. The first treaty was signed in 1914 with Minister H. Akilu. Mr. Child signs the expression of goodwill and affirms US respect for the African nation. [Music] Later at the imperial palace, his imperial majesty highly Salassie receives the ambassador and his staff. The treaty covers taxation, imports and exports, rights to engage in business and other matters affecting citizens or enterprises of both the US and Ethiopia. It also declares basic personal freedoms and rights to be expected by citizens of either country while in each other's land. His imperial majesty's signature completes the ceremony. Ethiopia's people and government know full well the need for friends during dangerous years. They have felt the hard heel of aggression and each year celebrate their liberation from the aggressors. First victim of the dictators, they still have bitter memories of the acts committed against their people. Joy and national freedom is subdued by thought of the tragic 5 years of occupation. Freedom from fear of conquest, Ethiopia has learned, must be founded upon strength. As a consequence, they joined the United Nations Organization, a symbol and a force for collective strength, dedicated to the freedom and peaceful prosperity of all nations. By discussion in the UN, rather than fighting, 60 nations of the world hope to keep the peace. To back up its intentions of keeping the peace, the UN has taken a strong stand against aggression. Witness [Music] Korea to Korea to support the UN cause. Ethiopia has sent a battalion of soldiers. Cheering Koreans greet the men who arrived together with replacements from three other nations. The brothers in arms were welcomed personally by the president of Korea, Sigman Reed. fraternizing aboard ship. The men of different nations together were a symbol of the United Nations itself. UN officials and grateful Koreans received the gallant men with flags and flowers. [Music] This cause in Korea is a combined effort of 51 nations, over 20 of whom have troops on the spot. Together, they are proving that small nations can have support of larger nations in the fight to maintain their freedom and independence. Ethiopia is one of two nations in Africa with troops in Korea. Previously, Ethiopia contributed $100,000 for medical assistance to the men of other nations already in the battle. One chap brought his instrument all the way from home. Ethiopian troops made a smart first impression in Korea. An Ethiopian officer reported the morale of his men was very high and that they were anxious to participate in this operation. All of his men are volunteers and additional units and replacements are being sent to Korea periodically. Here, the battalion's first campsite is established. This rough Korean terrain is an ideal training ground for an introduction to Korean battle conditions. To make the several United Nations forces a more efficient team, everyone uses the same types of weapons and ammunition. This means getting acquainted with new or slightly different equipment, hence the preliminary orientation course for already well-trained soldiers. UN officers said they welcome this effective addition to their fighting strength. They commented that the Ethiopians previous training at home, where the rugged mountains are similar to those in Korea, would add to the know-how of the United Nations forces. The men accustom themselves to UN signal equipment. The international force must be in constant touch by telephone and radio. This classroom just behind the front lines was a battleground half a year ago. Strong soldiers need good food. While under arms and fighting in Korea, the men have received special dispensations which permit them to eat UN military food rations rather than their regular diet. This man is getting acquainted with his newly acquired accessory called the canteen cup. A tank arrives for integration into the training. Foot soldiers working with tanks are making important gains in Korea. The men get an insight into the effectiveness of the new combat [Music] equipment. Time out before going into battle for ceremonies celebrating his Imperial Majesty's birthday. An officer reads a message from the emperor. [Music] Dances reminiscent of happy moments at home are the order of the [Music] day. Visiting Americans accept challenges to a friendly bit of sport. The final training period is over. The men collect their equipment and assemble for the trip to the battlefront. Soon they will be fighting alongside other soldiers from the United Nations. With their aid, the communist aggressors will be [Music] repulsed. Poised for the attack, Ethiopia's men are in close contact with troops from the other nations. Side by side, they enter the battle. [Music] The troops successfully come through their first baptism of fire. Ethiopia realizing communism's threat to independent peoples will uphold its contribution to the free world. Ethiopia's faith in collective security has been affirmed. The presence of its men in Korea reinforced the principle of the UN charter that aggression permitted to succeed anywhere is a threat to free peoples everywhere. [Music]
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