The Emperor's Battalion - Ethiopian Troops Korean War

Not many people know that Ethiopian troops fought in Korea, but the Kagnew Battalion was a very effective UN contingent, seeing extensive combat. They were sent by Emperor Haile Selassie I, a strong supporter of the ideals of the UN, and were attached to the US 7th Infantry Division. Find out their full story here.
For more information about Fairfield House, please visit: www.fairfieldhousebath.co.uk
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Rwendland; Alexeinikolayevichromanov; John Brantley; Sailko; Fairfield House

[@user-sd4ho8tt5o]

My father, Private Teklewold Deneke, was a member of the first Kagnew Batalion sent to Korea. He also served in the Congo UN peace keeping mission. And later retired as a lanse corporal in 1973. Proud of Him!

[@Jeff-gj7ko]

What append to him when the Derg came to power?

[@user-sd4ho8tt5o]

@j7ko nothing happened to him during the derg. Actually, the imperial guard brigade was disbanded after its leader Brigadier General Mengistu Neway, and his younger brother (a civilian who studied in the US) attempted a coup in 1960 to replace the emperor with the crown prince and bring about 'democratic reforms'. hence, the entire imperial Guard Birgade was incorporated into the regular army and my father was sent to Gonder ( a town in northwest Ethiopia) to serve in the 2nd division, 8th infantry bigrade, 24th infantry battalion of the Imperial Army until his retirement in 1972 not 73. He lived the derg years in Addis Ababa as an employee of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and died in 1990 at the age of 65.

[@hyeongyulee4422]

Due to Your Father and his companion's Great sacrifice, We stood. It's sad that Only I can do is Saying "Thanks" For 'em. And Of course, The Other heroes who fallen for this country.

[@user-si7zt7ij6r]

As a korean, i want to express a gratitude for your father’s dedication at korean war.

[@86sather]

i have relatives who fought in Korea and saw the Kagnew Battalion. as an American, all i can do is say thank you from a grateful nation.

[@natejones902]

I had a college professor who joined the US Army in 1954. He told us about later in his army career meeting Selassie in person and speaking highly of him.

[@marcusott2973]

I did an interview with a Mercedes employee, who used to go to Ethiopia to service the emperors 600 Grosser state limousines. He described him as friendly and very interested in technology.

[@dagobertkrikelin1587]

@@marcusott2973 My father saw him in the 1950s when he and the Swedish king visited Ericsson, where my father worked.

[@rockfella1377]

Selassie fed his Doberman dogs steaks while his people starved. He was one sick bastard.

[@chrisleigh8886]

If he was in Ethiopia during his service, he must have been stationed at Kagnew station. At Fairfield House in Bath, UK, where Emperor Haile Selassie lived in exile during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, we collect testimony from people who met the Emperor. If ever your family are in the neighbourhood, we would love to hear your relatives' stories.

[@edaleman2758]

He was a dictator and a despot

[@ShogunMongol]

A few things that I've heard about the Kagnew battalion. North Korean and Chinese troops feared Ethiopian troops in battle because they believed they were quite literally invincible, this is because after battles, they never saw Ethiopian bodies on the battlefield. The reason for this is Ethiopians have a great respect for the dead, so this meant they gathered fallen comrades immediately. One quick fact is that Ethiopia, at the end of the war, was the only nation to not have any POWs returned to them, because none of them surrendered. South Korea I believe to this day still provides free college admission for the descendents of Kagnew troops who fought in Korea and during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea provided lots of medical supplies, such as masks and test kits to Ethiopia as a way of giving back to Ethiopia's sacrifices during the war.

[@bebo4807]

You can tell they were bad ass by the enemy body count. No wonder the Chinese and North Koreans were terrified.

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, the Abyssinians earned the right to be called “The Ghost Battalion”, after all engagements there were only dead enemy troops, or as the North Koreans called them Dead Heroes to be counted on the field of battle! Cheers mate. Harera

[@richardwarner3705]

That's how you repay a friend.👍

[@ThatOneGuy-mn6dv]

If we were being honest in any major conflict they were lucky rather than anything else to be able to get all their fallen back and not have someone taken as a POW.

[@richardwarner3705]

@@ThatOneGuy-mn6dv Wow! That's one overload of luck in a combat zone, honestly.

[@Hope_Boat]

Love to all our orthodox brothers in glorious Ethiopia from Greece.

[@AbiySinta]

Thank

[@conductingintomfoolery9163]

It’s Muslim now

[@redactedplayer8826]

NUH UH Ethiopia will stay Orthodox the muslims in Ethiopia is like 33-35% while Chirstinality is like 64-66. Also love from Ethiopia i like greece history and culture

[@jujutrini8412]

@@conductingintomfoolery9163 You don’t know what you are talking about.

[@dessiemelza6330]

Keep Greece Orthodox!

[@andreweller2318]

My Grandfather, a WWII veteran, continued serving in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. I remember him speaking very highly of the Ethiopians, particularly how they didn't leave their casualties behind. I wish I remembered more details of his stories.

[@philipeagleton750]

Hello Mark - I have shared this informative episode with HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie Haile Selassie based in Virginia. HIH has been keeping the flame alive for decades in his capacity President of Crown Council. I had honour of arranging his visits to African and Caribbean leaders including Mandela, the Marleys etc and everywhere he was received with dignity. While Mengistu and company ended in disgrace after their brutal dictatorship, the Emperor's reign is respected. Thank you for your professional work on the contribution of the Kagnew brigade!

[@nathanhammond9003]

Is there any talk in Ethopia about restoring the monarchy, if only in a ceremonial role? It's seem such a shame that a lineage going back to king David would not be honored.

[@philipeagleton750]

Hello Nathan: the Ethiopian people have as yet to be consulted about the monarchy or its restoration. It was under HM a true empire of peoples but is now a fragile and fragmenting federation. A lot has changed demographically. Prince Ermias, his grandson, offers crowned democracy. If you look at the neighborhood, thats not a bad option. As Sean Connery said " never say never". Philip

[@TheMotz55]

I lived and worked in Addis Ababa for two years. I found Ethiopians to be a proud and industrious people. I am not surprised to learn from this great video about Ethiopia's contribution in defending South Korea. It's to M.F.'a credit to highlight the roles of nations beside the U.S. and the U.K. during that conflict.

[@e-curb]

I can foresee a series of episodes where Dr. Felton outlines the contribution of each participating nation.

[@TheMotz55]

@@e-curbMy father once told me the one nation that scared the North Koreans and Chinese was Turkey. Despite being outnumbered in many battles, Turkish soldiers fought skillfully and ferociously.

[@e-curb]

@@TheMotz55 Sounds like an interesting topic, don't you agree Dr. Felton?

[@eskedartessema6318]

Wow My father is the one holding a flower in one hand and a flag on the other. He fought for 3 hours on the battle of 602. It was my father who you presented when he wes awarede the siliver star. captan Teferra waldetensye. I saw him crawling on his chest. Mark!!! I have no words thank you so much!!🙏🙏🙏

[@yacobfantaye4658]

Tefera w/tensay also knowm for stablishing tatek millitary camp,ad i heatd from my father he was brave and strong,but my father was killed by the communist leaders

[@pearls1626]

@@yacobfantaye4658May his Soul RIP

[@user-ef3ub1rz8x]

As an Ethiopian my self i want to tell you that you have done a really great job with this video. It's detailed and really accurate, it's hard to find this kind of videos and works about our history, thank you for the time and effort.

[@chris00nj]

When the famine happened in the 1980s, the US media never placed any blame on the Communist junta. I'm glad Mark brought it up. I believe it was a manufactured famine to punish and control the populace

[@abeselomgari6835]

Even if we are struggling right now as a country we have contributed a lot for peace and harmony to the world. Proud Ethiopian

[@awesomehpt8938]

When two Ethiopians finish a conversation they say “Abyssinia!”

[@mgdarenz]

😂

[@robertshields2066]

Funny ha ha, now where's my cane?

[@Vongreimbf109]

What is that mean ? In my language abyssinia mean "Habis sini la"..= it finish here..or whatever we said here, stay here

[@ReekieReels]

Abyssinia sounds like the English "I'll be seeing ya". Which means goodbye, see you later.

[@shakiMiki]

Nonsense. I have never heard that. And I'm Ethiopian. And what exactly does that add?

[@KonradAdenauerJr]

Valiant Ethiopians, who fought alongside us. May their bravery be remembered forever.

[@wstm3399]

did u fight ?

[@KonradAdenauerJr]

@@wstm3399 Not in the Korean War.

[@akidshistoryandaviation]

I’ve always wanted to learn more about the Ethiopian expeditionary force. An African monarchy sending troops to Asia is a weird situation. Thank you doctor Felton!

[@rootin222]

It was a waste of time for us, Ethiopians

[@madeanaccounttospillthebor9568]

We could say Helping Ethiopia by freeing it was a waste of time. We being the British. How do you feel about that?

[@paulpaid]

Selassie was a good slave.

[@josephhaack5711]

ThevUN was relevant back then. The UN and USA should have sent troops to restore the Emperor and defeat the communists. I will do more research on his reign and the troops in Korea. Fascinating

[@rootin222]

@@madeanaccounttospillthebor9568 WRONG my anglo, that was World War 2 where the italians had a extermination policy on most of the northern population big fucking difference

[@primoxxl71]

My dad use to tell me of the Ethiopian soldiers that served in the Kagnew Battalion,since his father was in The Imperial Bodyguard during the second invaaion of Ethiopia by Italy.

[@wstm3399]

what did he say about them ?

[@labby2]

This is fascinating. I never knew that Ethiopian troops fought in Korea. Thank you for your amazing work, Dr. Felton!

[@ThomasDohertyJD]

S.L.A. Marshall praised the Ethiopians in his book "Pork Chop Hill." One of the junior officers of the Kagnew Battalion, Demissie Bulto, rose to Major General and was credited with turning back the Somalis in the 1977 Ogaden War. He led a 1989 coup attempt against Mengistu and killed.

[@user-fj7df3ng7z]

And killed who? Or do you mean he, Bulto, was killed?

[@ThomasDohertyJD]

@@user-fj7df3ng7z was killed

[@MrSherqi]

Grneral Demisse was killed while attempting a coup against the then leader Mengistu Hailemariam in 1989. His son Dereje Demisseie Bulto is a well known lawyer in DMV area USA. He has written a book about his father and the coup attempt.

[@petercarter9034]

I don't know how you get such informative videos posted so frequently but am pleased you do

[@e-curb]

It's obvious that there are multiple Dr. Mark Feltons working hard to research these topics. It proves cloning technology has been perfected.

[@amcalabrese1]

My Dad served in the Korean War. He spent a day on the line with the Ethiopian unit giving them familiarization with the sector.

[@paulpaid]

So your dad was a mercenary for corporate greed. Congrats.

[@t-evans]

@@paulpaid username checks out.

[@user-kt8yp5ho2y]

머나먼 한국을 수호하신 에티오피아 강뉴부대에게 진심으로 감사드리며 당신들의 숭고한 희생을 절대 잊지 않겠습니다. 🇰🇷🇪🇹

[@kalb6122]

🇪🇹❤🇰🇷

[@user-kt8yp5ho2y]

@@kalb6122 🇪🇹 🇰🇷

[@official_simion]

🇪🇹🤝🇰🇷 I am Ethiopia and South Korea is my life

[@yeefrem2804]

. Your heartfelt message of gratitude to the heroic Ethiopian Kangnew Brigade, who safeguarded distant Korea, will never be forgotten. 🇰🇷🇪🇹ከልብ የመነጨ ታላቅነት ለ ሄሮዪክ የኢትዮጵያ ካንግነው ብሬግን በቀላሉ ከሩቅ ያለችውን ኮርያን ሴፍ ጋርዲንግ፤

[@user-zh3dv5oi1b]

👍💚💚💚💛💛💛❤️❤️❤️ Ethiopia

[@michaelplanchunas3693]

Brig. General S.L.A. Marshall, the official US Army historian wrote the after-action report of the battle for Pork Chop Hill. In it he highly commended the Ethiopian troops as being the best he had seen. "They always fulfilled their mission". In one instance he reported on how they captured several Chinese troops by simply walking up to them in the open. The Chinese thought they were walking to them to surrender.

[@jarsoabdulkadir7801]

That is funny😂 it'll make a good movie.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

I never knew of this history. I see many proud Ethiopians commenting here, which is great. The US lost 36,000 men in the War. Most young Americans couldn’t tell you a thing about the War. I am happy that South Korea turned into such a great country. It was worth the sacrifice.

[@stukafaust]

Fantastic. More Ethiopian content please. I have visited the mass graves at the site of the Battle of Adwa among other places in this enigmatic country.

[@user-zh3dv5oi1b]

welcome to Ethiopia 💚💚💛💛❤️❤️

[@mckrunchytoast2469]

Thank you for bringing this story to light. I never knew this about the Korean War. Those Ethiopian troops sound like a force to be reckoned with on the field of battle. Haile Selassie also sounds like a damn fine fellow. I hate hearing how he went, but he definitely left a good legacy behind.

[@chrisleigh8886]

The story of Emperor Haile Selassie's demise at the hands of Dergue is the only inaccuracy of this video. In reality, the Dergue 'lost' the Emperor and was looking for any old man that looked like Him for a decade afterwards. Very few people in Ethiopia believe the story of His bones being found on the Palace grounds and bones said to be His have been 'buried' a total of three times, despite zero forensic evidence. I understand the symbolic gesture of 'laying Him to rest' of the latest funeral but as a historian, one of the major mysteries I am hoping to unravel and hunting for primary sources on is what happened to Emperor Haile Selassie in 1975. The reports of His death are all hearsay and conjecture, many debunked at the time and all lacking hard evidence. I am, however, discovering mounting evidence that He was extracted covertly by the British SAS to London and later returned to Ethiopia to live as an ascetic monk in the mountains. If only Hereford accepted freedom of information requests, I would have asked them directly by now.

[@themostbestwizard]

No a good king leaves a legacy in the form of a monarchy that outlasts him. A contemptible warlord who is the first and last of his dynasty, dying while his country is being ripped apart be a civil war which HE partly started by trying to force the Eritreans to accept Amharic is NOT a good king and he certainly doesn't qualify as someone who left a good legacy.

[@nickbirkby2521]

Sounds fascinating-good luck with your research!@@chrisleigh8886

[@nickbirkby2521]

It sounds fascinating- good luck with your research!

[@chrisleigh8886]

@themostbestwizard Keep proving your ignorance with your unfounded chat about first and last of His dynasty. The Ethiopian monarchy still exists in exile and will exist long after you are forgotten. His legacy will outlive us all.

[@wondwosenmetaferiamekasha7020]

I am ethiopian my uncle was a memberof kagnew battalion called tadese sendeku during the war captain he told me many interesting things about the war i were very surprised by him&was very interesting.

[@chrisleigh8886]

Now you've mentioned it directly in a video Mark, don't pass up on my invitation to visit Fairfield House in Bath any Sunday for a historical guided tour. I guarantee it will be a more enjoyable and friendly experience than your visit to Buckingham Palace and you can give your viewers some more Ethiopian content. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for mentioning and promoting the project even before visiting. The Ethiopian liberation campaign was one of the first major allied victories of the Second World War and proved to be one of the most interesting and definitive campaigns of the whole war. Gideon force in particular under the command of the Emperor Himself and Orde Wingate of later Chindits fame is an extraordinary chapter in military history you should cover.

[@AmikeAmanok-lf2hi]

As an Ethiopian that is our proud, But today's Ethiopian situation is very changed Gov't is fighting against militias at some regional states, we helped s.korea before 73 yrs ago but now the situation doesn't seem like before we are weak to our country😢😢.

[@motorTranz]

This was one of your best stories on this channel! Thank you Dr. Felton!

[@mago2250]

I remember watching Korean TV show, visiting Ethiopia to thank those who fought for Korea. They were heroes to South Korea.

[@HayuBerhanu]

2:06 There were also Ethiopian partisans who resisted the ocupation till the last Italian soldier left Ethiopia. They were comprised of both the Imperial Army and Resistance movements that fomented in the rural areas. 2:35 Their exact name was actually ,translated to english, was the Imperial Honor Guard

[@johncoffin9354]

Marshall's book on the Korean War mentioned that Ethiopians were unequalled in night patrols and raids. Having grown up in the countryside, they were able to navigate in good order in the darkest nights, where any other group of soldiers would have become lost or blunder into trouble.

[@chrisleigh8886]

A lot of the Kagnew battalion troops were also veterans of the guerilla liberation campaign against the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, during which night recon and raids were a staple of their operations.

[@chrisleigh8886]

Night fighting was something very new to the Ethiopians that they did not do until 1935 as well. Emperor Haile Selassie had a hard time convincing His traditional warriors during the war with Italy that guerilla tactics and night fighting were not the dishonourable tactics of 'shifta' (bandits), but a military necessity in the face of overwhelming Italian firepower. After the battle of Maichew and the defeat of Ethiopias conventional armies in 1936 however, Ethiopia's warriors realised the wisdom of the Emperor's instructions and launched a 5 year guerilla campaign that was hugely successful in confining Mussolini's troops to fortified garrisons.

[@johncoffin9354]

@@chrisleigh8886 You're right. I had mis-remembered. Marshall was writing about Kenyans.

[@chrisleigh8886]

@@johncoffin9354 Your statement wasn't exactly wrong applied to the Ethiopians either as they too had mostly grown up in a rural setting and were quite used to navigating at night. There was just a particular point of honour among the Ethiopians up to the 1930s, obsolete by the Korean War, that fighting at night was cowardly and that warfare should be done in pitched battle during the day.

[@a11osaurus]

I always find it interesting to see how many different countries participated in the Korean war

[@nbenicewicz]

It’s also a shame that it is largely a forgotten war when it should not be given the number of troops that fought and died there as well as the amount of destruction that took place and the number of civilians that lost their lives and got displaced. I wonder when we will ever see a Medal of Honor or Call of Duty game that is set in the Korean War.

[@jyy9624]

Precursor to desert storm

[@PantherBlitz]

​@@nbenicewiczProbably will never happen as the game devs would like to sell the game in China and it would certainly be banned there.

[@davidcox3076]

It would be awesome if Dr. Felton could dedicate a video to each of the international battalions that participated.

[@nbenicewicz]

@@PantherBlitz You are probably right. Especially when you consider that the Red Dawn remake of 2012 was supposed to have the Chicoms be the invading force and the CHICOM government made the movie developers change it.

[@jarchiec]

While stationed in the ROK in 1985, I visited the Ethiopian memorial in Chuncheon. I was based at Camp Page in Chuncheon and got to learn about the Ethiopian participation from locals. Their contributions should be remember, thank you for sharing.

[@briansmith7791]

Nice description. The Ethiopians' exploits are well recorded in S. L. A. Marshall's "Pork Chop Hill". Their effectiveness in night fighting was extraordinary. At one point, they sent an 8-man patrol into Chinese trenches in clear weather in daylight, and returned with two prisoners and no casualties.

[@rufust.firefly6352]

My grandfather and father both served at Kagnew Station. My grandfather had the pleasure of dining with the Emperor one day and greatly liked him. He always taught me to know your table manners as you never know, one day you may dine with an Emperor.

[@cripplers8]

Being 56 & a life long history buff I’ve learned quite a bit more of history that I didn’t know being a subscriber here. Cudos Doctor Felton for all the work you do to bring more historical knowledge to us. Thank You brother!

[@robertwilliams5082]

😊

[@tomawen5916]

Well done Doctor Felton! The fact that Ethiopia was able to field a strong army contingent despite barely recovering from the Italian occupation is just short of a miracle. When the Italians originally invaded Ethiopia back in the 1930's, the Ethiopian infantry had to stand and fight against Italian bombers (dropping chemical weapons) and tanks. The Ethiopian military today is over 130,000 strong well equipped with tanks and artillery and one of the strongest nations militarily in the Horn of Africa.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

It "helps" that the unit sent to Korea happens to be the Emperor's personal guard, the unit MOST LOYAL to him...

[@ramayibareh]

Excellent video as always. A note of interest on min 6:29 - 6:35 . The commander giving instructions to the Ethiopian troops is none other than Mengistu Neway, who rose to lead the Imperial Bodyguards and was a trusted member of the Emperor's inner circle. He is recognizable for his elegant moustache (I have been told by older Ethiopians that he was known as a bit of a dandy,). One of Mengistu’s early signs of trust was that he was in charge of hanging a rebel named Belay Zeleke, who had fought the Fascist Italians with distinction (he even killed a General!) but refused to bow for Haile Selassie, ostensibly because of his cowardice in fleeing to England. I am told that the offer of a position as governor in remote Shaka region of South West Ethiopia was seen as an affront, when other patriots were afforded cushy positions in Addis Ababa or wealthier land close to it. Belay Zeleke was a commoner, not a noble, and this also may have contributed to the resentment. Habeshas Reading this may be able to confirm this suggestion. In December 1960, however, Mengistu Neway led a coup attempt alongside his brother Germane while the Emperor was on a state visit to Brazil. This attempt was carried out in the context of the 1960 Year of Africa, when 17 African colonies gained independence. The buzz of "revolution" and "emancipation" caught on in Imperial Ethiopia, at least in Addis Ababa and among both students and rank & file troops. Mengistu carried out the plan by employing cunning and deception: as he waved goodbye to the Emperor at the airport in Addis Ababa, he waited for long enough so that the airplane would be crossing the Atlantic and then summoned the leading notables of the country to the imperial palace, with the pretext that Her Imperial Majesty Menen Asfaw, who was known to be in poor health, was suddenly very ill. All notables were arrested and used as potential bargaining chips if the coup failed. The coup was initially successful, but the Emperor chose to fly back to Africa as soon he landed in Brazil, where he was informed of events. His Alliance with the United States paid off, as he was able to arrange a first stop-over in Monrovia (Liberia) and use the American radio broadcast system in place there. This allowed him to organize a counter-strike and he he then flew back to Asmara (modern day capital of Eritrea), where the proximity of US army base Kagnew (yes, named after the Korean deployment!) afforded a measure of security for the emperor. As loyalists tried to re-take control of Addis Ababa, the Emperor’s own son was heard on the radio issuing a proclamation to all Ethiopians in which he deposed Haile Selassie. It is interesting to note that his speech invoked pan-African narratives of liberation, perhaps the first political statement in Ethiopian history to do so. The coup ultimately failed and Mengistu Neway, cornered in the Green Salon of the palace alongside his brother Germane, a few remaining soldiers and the high-ranking prisoners. Aware that all was lost, the prisoners were massacred. The fatalities included many ministers and the likes of Ras Abebe Aregay, a hero of the resistance against Fascist Italy. Mengistu Neway escaped with his brother but were soon tracked down. Germane committed suicide but Mengistu was taken prisoner. Mengistu Neway was hanged in central Addis Ababa (in Lagar, I am told), on the very same spot where he had tied the noose of Belay Zeleke.

[@azebnegash2354]

Really interesting! Want to read more about it!!

[@gaskmaskpoet]

We need more docs on Ethiopian resistance against Italy in both wars.

[@patrick6409]

6:07 oh boy! My man rolled down the hill like Jack and Jill 😂

[@libRteedude]

LOL The guy behind him tries to grab him too.

[@patrick6409]

@@libRteedude yeah

[@vikingszen1502]

Correction Dr. Felton! This is NOT the "first time in Ethiopia's long history that her army served outside Africa." Ethiopian empire known as Aksum ruled Yemen for decades and her army indeed engaged in numerous battles against the army of Sassanid Persian empire. Aksumite Empire ruled Yemen from 520AD to 578AD until it was finally decisively defeated by Sassanid Persian empire which continued to rule Yemen as a vassal state until Yemen was conquered by the first Rashidun caliph of the nascent Islamic empire, Abu Bakr around 640AD.

[@raypurchase801]

No matter how much I THINK I know about history, Mark always outsmarts me. That's the problem with history: There's a lot of it. The more I think I know, the more I realise I know almost nuffin. Thanks, Mark.

[@paulgaskins7713]

Holy crap, it never ceases to amaze me just how many interesting and unique service medals exist out there. Especially these rather obscure ones. Your earlier video on the Thai WW1 Versailles medal as well as my intense curiosity in why some (usually socialist or failing) nations military leadership have an absurd amount of medals that got me into collecting historical medals and I’m always reminded and thankful for your channel creating that inspiration in me

[@grapeshot]

Three of my great-uncles served in the Korean War Two in the US Army and one in the US Marine Corps.

[@paulpaid]

What's your point?

[@grapeshot]

@@paulpaid what the comment says

[@paulpaid]

@@grapeshot In other words..they were mercenary puppets for capitalist greed. So what?

[@grapeshot]

@@paulpaid in other words you're a basement dwelling troll that's what's up

[@grapeshot]

@paulpaid oh yeah you're a cult member in the so-called Israelite Nation😄😄😄😄 delusions don't discriminate

[@rabiarabia1881]

የኛ ምርጡ የኢትዮጲያ ንጉስ አፄ ሀይለስላሴ በጣም አከብረወታለሁ ❤❤ ጋዜጠኛውም ስለ ንጉሲ ሀይለስላሴ በመዘገብህ በጣም እናመሰግናለን 🇪🇹❤❤

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Never a dull video from Sir Felton! Cheers, Mark!

[@MrXdmp]

thanks Dr. Felton!

[@mcmax571]

In High School when history class got to the Korean War a teacher who fought in it would give a talk with slides of all the pictures in took and he spent some time with the Ethiopians troops and said that they were magnificent Soldiers, brave beyond belief.

[@brucecreswell136]

Videos like this is what makes this channel great.

[@spnsoccer]

Great story, thank you for sharing and keeping the story of the Kagnew Battalion alive.

[@robertphillips6296]

Thank You for Posting.

[@litebkt]

Thank you. You bring a lot to KZbin!

[@CzechImp]

Thanks for the link to Fairfield House - your video inspired me to make a modest donation.

[@chrisleigh8886]

Visit Fairfield any Sunday for a historical guided tour.

[@MarkDavidKnight]

Thanks for this video Dr Felton, I definitely learnt something new today!

[@TBagr]

Dr. Felton teaches me something new, every single video.

[@oldtop4682]

Yet another amazing historical piece! Thank you for bringing us these stories Doctor Felton!

[@yacobfantaye4658]

As an ethiopian before i was following your ww2 videos ,very happy to see this.thanks Dr

[@girmamitiku5599]

Great video. For those interested about the kagnew battalion bravery, a wonderful book has been written by a Greek journalist who covered the unit during the Korean War. The book has been translated into amharic and Korean languge. As an Ethiopian, i appreciate the Korean government for providing scholarships for young Ethiopians to attend Korean universities.

[@mrkoolzaad2]

Yes, new footage from a different conflict. Excellent video!

[@blackyweld5696]

How do you know? Oh, you just felt jealousy 😂😂😂😂😂

[@omedla]

6:47 The soldier on the left is my maternal grandfather Tilaye Engida Woldeegzi. He also served in Congo. He was member of the Imperial Guard. God bless him! An old soldier never dies, just fades away. 🕊️

[@seanbumstead1250]

Actually in the tv show MASH they mention Ethiopians in the was were they fix up a Ethiopian soldier and he thanks Hawkeye your saving him

[@rascally_ryan]

Came here to mention that reference. 🙂

[@andrewfischer8564]

some one always beats me to it

[@selencaker]

Another amazing topic from Mark Felton! I loved the idea, perfectly narrated. Thank you Mr. Felton!

[@matthewlocke2434]

Excellent video and thoroughly interesting to learn about this forgotten history.

[@MikeSiemens88]

Thanks for this, had no idea Ethiopian troops fought in Korea. A war of hills it seems. My dad was a young technician in the RCAF during the Korean War. As a tech crewman he was on a number of relief flights in North Star aircraft that flew from North America carrying supplies to Japan & returning wounded on the way back. On the subject of defending/capturing hills a significant battle was fought at Kapyong with a Canadian unit of the PPCLI defending one hill, Australian troops on another & a Kiwi artillery unit providing covering fire. Although the Aussies were forced to relinquish their position facing overwhelming waves of Chinese troops, the PPCLI was able to hold their hill. At one point a PPCLI officer called artillery fire on his own position to prevent from being overrun by the enemy.

[@pauloyassuhidefujioka6458]

Brilliant, dr. Felton! Great video.

[@russwoodward8251]

I have an Ethiopian purchased Enfield rifle. The stock still smelled of Italian mustard gas when I first cleaned it. Good to know some of Ethopia's army history, and especially good to know that Emperor Selassie was highly regarded. Thank you Dr. Felton!

[@TankerBricks]

Mark! Thanks for providing my Monday Night entertainment!

[@giorgiomazzoni429]

Congratulations!. You are always an incredible source of documentation and information. Very few would know or remember such pieces of history.

[@1jbunceiii]

Super interesting! Thanks for the research on this!!

[@MWM-dj6dn]

A wonderful channel that deserves the best regards, appreciation, admiration and pride. It provides accurate and useful information. I thank you for all the beautiful words and sincere feelings for your distinguished posts. I wish you continued success and all the best. My utmost respect and appreciation

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Thank you so much for covering this! A great tragedy for the nation in the latter half of The Cold War.

[@Robbielazar]

Massive respect for Dr Felton

[@scootertart]

Another informative and brilliant video Dr Felton- this is one story about the Korean war that I had never heard before. many thanks

[@dsmith2568]

Always amazing to remember how crazy history is and not so clear cut, thanks doc!

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

Very informative. Ethiopia is quite a very old Christian country, isn't it?

[@t.wcharles2171]

The second of its kind.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Nearly half of them are not Christians. Only the elite and the Emperor are Christians...

[@rullangaar]

Armenia was first, right?

[@chrisleigh8886]

Ethiopia, Armenia and Britain were the first three nations to receive Christianity roughly at the same time through missionaries sent by Phillip. The baptism of the Ethiopian court eunuch Frumentius is recorded in the book of Acts and shortly after, Phillip sent Jospeh of Arimathea to Britian. Off the top of my head I can't remember who brought it to Armenia. Out of the churches founded then at the dawn of Christianity around today, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the most strongly surviving one. The Celtic and Armenian churches are still around but nowhere near the scale of the Ethiopian.

[@jamesalexander3530]

There is an ancient Orthodox Church in Ethiopia said to hold the ark containing the ten commandments which is closely guarded by Ethiopian priests.

[@fancyultrafresh3264]

Amazing story Dr. Felton, thank you.

[@MWM-dj6dn]

A wonderful and distinctive channel that deserves admiration and appreciation. You provide accurate, wonderful, and very useful information. A thousand greetings, great respect and great pride for these wonderful publications and distinguished efforts. I wish you lasting success. The utmost respect and appreciation.

[@user-ib9uu3wk5e]

Great, great video! Thanks, Mark! Keep up the good work!

[@daystatesniper01]

Mark ,yet again good Sir a platinum nugget of a amazing unknown section of the forgotten war, many thanks .

[@salehw]

It's not true that this was the first time Ethiopian troops fought outside Africa in its long history: Ethiopia used to rule Yemen and had troops there.

[@Nightcorebests]

Also Saudi Arabia (western Saudi Arabia) 🇪🇹🇪🇹

[@paulfryejr2918]

Thanks another interesting, informative and historical video.

[@lordnevetsz]

Another great video Mark! always something new from you.

[@kedist1978]

My father served as a lieutenant in the Kagenew battalion in Korea .

[@BasFeijen]

So nice of you to link to the donation page of his former villa, they will appreciate that for sure

[@user-mf8vd5xk2j]

Amazing details as always, you seem to find so many facts we didn’t know

[@HamanKarn567]

I always enjoy hearing about lesser known units that got sent to the Korean War. A lot of countries sent troops.

[@Sshooter444]

Great presentation, thank you!

[@martinjf467]

During the Second World War my dad lived at the lodge to a huge house up on Lansdowne Hill just outside Bath. My grandad was the lodge keeper and house manager for the elderly owner, a Miss State. On one occasion he was playing by the drive gate when a limousine came down the road. It stopped and the driver beckoned my father across. He asked for directions to the London Road which my young father (he was 10) could not give him, so he told him to fetch my grandfather from the lodge. When Grandad appeared the driver took directions from him, but whilst he was talking the person in the back of the limo got out and sat my father on his knee. He chatted with him and then gave him half a crown - a fortune in those days. And who was in the limo that day? None other than Haile Selassie himself who was at that time in exile. I had no idea that he lived at the house you showed in the video but it makes sense as it was not far from where they stopped and spoke to my father!

[@jlca320]

Thank for honoring the memory of those soldiers and letting us know about those who served in the Korean war. More videos of the lesser known countries who served in that war would be much appreciated. Thanks

[@mch12311969]

Thank you for filling in this gap in my knowledge of the history of Ethiopia.

[@jdewitt77]

Another great video by the wonderful Mark Felton. He makes history come alive and sheds a very bright light on the obsucre.

[@jamesgarman4788]

Brilliant video sir!

[@RomanRoman-vj5xz]

Thank you for sharing this video

[@anthonydivon5571]

Great historical piece thank you Dr Felton

[@user-pw1rr2vm8b]

Glory to the Korean battalion! ክብር ለኮርያ ዘማቾች! Thanks Mark for going in depth to this forgotten part of our country's history even by our compatriots. Keep up the good work!

[@yacobfantaye4658]

አዎ ክብር ለጀግኖቻችን❤

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Thanks for sharing

[@christopherhoffer6643]

Thank you for talking about Ethiopia's forgotten contributions in the Korean War Mr. Mark Felton.

[@Bruhganu-hj9qs]

Phenomenal topic that desperately needed to be covered

[@joegordon5117]

Once again Mark unearths a nugget out of a wider history, that I had never come across before

[@Sarke2]

Always learn something new from your videos, amazing content as always

[@jimj.9106]

I had a professor in college that fought in Korea. One story he told was of a night relief of another unit. He was walking point when he felt the point of a knife prick him in the back and a hand went down inside his shirt and grabbed his dog tags. The knife was withdrawn and the hand disappeared. When he turned around he was face to face with an Ethiopian sentry. The sentry was feeling for metal dog tags. Had the dog tags been other than metal my professor would have died quickly and quietly.