[PHOTOGRAPHY / THE KOREAN WAR (1950-53)] Rare album including interesting 149 silver gelatine photographs of Turkish officers in the Korean War (1950-53), documenting the fronts of war, military operations, Korean streets, Korean people, etc.

ANONYMOUS.

[South Korea], [1950-53].

Original papier-mâché binding with onlay contours and mother-of-pearl inlays on the boards, decorated with intricate maps of Japan and Korea, a Torii gate, Mount Fuji, birds, flowers, and traditional houses. Folio (39 x 28 cm). The photographs vary in size, including 5.5 x 5.5 cm, 8 x 6 cm, 9 x 14 cm, 15 x 11 cm, and some intermediate dimensions. Each album leaf holds approximately 10–12 photos, all protected by tissue guards. Some minor cracks on the rear board and light wear on the spine, but overall, this is a very good album.

A historically interesting album having a photographic account of the Korean War (1950-53), with interesting photos of Turkish officers in Korea. The album, in addition to photographs of Turkish and American soldiers together, offers rare and candid glimpses into various aspects of the Korean War and its surroundings. It includes images of Korean soldiers, bustling Korean streets, scenes of daily life, and group entertainment activities involving soldiers, such as swimming, picnicking, and drinking raki. Military vehicles, including helicopters, planes, and warships from both Turkish and American forces, are prominently featured, alongside depictions of military operations.

The final page of the album contains personal photographs of the Turkish officer with his family and friends in Turkey. There is a postcard U.S.N.S. General C. C. Ballou (T-API57)) on which a photograph of an American ship is printed. Additionally, four loosely inserted photographs, captioned in Turkish on versos, depict interesting moments, such as the capture of three suspicious North Koreans by the Turkish Military Police in June 1951, Turkish soldiers engaged in an operation and departure of the Turkish forces from Turkey for war.

The Turkish Brigade (code name North Star; Turkish: Simal Yıldızı or Kutup Yıldızı) was an infantry brigade of the Turkish Army that served under the United Nations Command during the Korean War (1950–1953).

Turkey was among twenty-two countries that contributed manpower to U.N. forces, and one of sixteen to provide military personnel. The brigade's initial deployment of 5,000 troops arrived on October 19, 1950, shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in June, and Turkish forces remained in varying capacities until the summer of 1954. Permanently attached to the U.S. 25th Infantry Division, the Turkish Brigade was unique as the only U.N. unit of its size consistently integrated into a U.S. division throughout the conflict.

The brigade played a critical role in several engagements, particularly during the Battle of Kunuri, where their determined resistance significantly delayed the enemy's advance. Though the Korean Armistice was signed during the service of the 3rd Brigade in 1953, some Turkish commanders and bases continued their duties in Korea until the late 1950s.

This distinguished service underscored Turkey's commitment to international cooperation and bolstered its standing within the United Nations framework during the early Cold War era.