In one of my books about the Korean War, a picture is shown of a recaptured British Cromwell tank with Korean lettering along the front. I assume neither the Chinese nor the North Koreans captured very many vehicles, nor put many into operation. Or am I wrong? And I assume they were simply used on the spot as is, without any reconditioning, or is that wrong too?

I beleive the Chinese captured some cromwells and remarked them. I think these were the tanks that were knocked out by Brit. Centurions at long range.

Chris

At least one Cromwell Mk VII from a Centurion recce troop was overrun and captured by communist infantry during the Happy Valley battle. The communists put it back into service, and it became the first tank to be knocked out in combat by a Centurion. The Osprey Vanguard books on the Korean War and the Centurion Tank both recount the story.

This Cromwell can also be found in Concords "US Tank battles in Korea".

Other than the Cromwell and a captured BA-64 in US service I can't find any captured equipment in the concord book.

Martin

The ROK army used captured SU-76's until they ran out of ammunition or wore out from lack of spare parts.
I'm not sure if it's still in print but see Squadron's "Armor in Korea" by Jim Mesko, it has a number of photos of captured SU-76's.
The horrible old DML/Alan SU-76 kit had ROK markings.
Cheers

jjumbo