I was born two weeks before the Communist invasion. I've read Appleman's work on the war and now I'm working on the Korea Institute of Military History narrative of the war. My school teachers were either or both veterans of WWII and Korea.
I have a question that's been bugging me for years. I came across a number of photos of British and Canadian infantrymen in Korea wearing a hooded, pullover, windproof smock with two pockets at the skirt and a single large chest pocket. It looks very much like the Ventile windproof cadet smock that used to be issued. These smocks were only ever described as being Cadet Smock Windproof but I've also seen images of the Royal Marines Detachment from HMS Endurance wearing them in 1982. Do you have any knowledge of how long these smocks were in service for, to whom they were issued and if they were only intended for cadets? If it wasn't the "Cadet smock " in the Korean war photos what other similar garment might it have been?
I have to say that your Korean series is absolutely amazing. I watched it with great interest and I love the fact that you've taken into consideration the historical photographs when preparing your mannequins. In advance, I'd like to apologize for the off-topic query, but you seem to be very knowledgeable about the Cold War era American, British and Commonwealth forces and I hoped you could help me in my research. I am currently trying to learn more on the topic of the equipment, uniforms, tactics and vehicles of the broadly defined British Army from ca. 1960s up to the Falklands (including The Troubles in Northern Ireland). Is there a knowledge repository that you use in order to educate yourself about it? For example, the vehicles that I found very interesting are the six-wheelers Alvis Saracen, Alvis Saladin and the Alvis Stalwart. Is there a place where I could learn how they were deployed on a battalion and brigade level and how they were used in combat? What about the OOB of a typical British battalion and a brigade and how were the vehicles assigned in that era? What were the numbers of vehicles in a particular unit? Of special interest would be a squad-to-battalion tactics after the adoption of the FN FAL (SLR) by the Brits along with the GPMG. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work! Sincerly, RosoMC
This Korea series has been great so far, looking forward to more! The windproof smocks and the Churchill crewman kit were particularly interesting, I wish I was able to find more on 7RTR and the Churchill's in Korea. Any chance you might have some recommended reading for the history of the British/Commonwealth forces in Korea? And on a final note, any chance we might see a more comprehensive video covering the various kinds of WW2 era smocks in the future as well? Cheers!
I was aiming to get the look of compo tea, alas I have some repro compo tea but completely forgot to take some with me when setting up for these photos.
that's pretty interesting and helpful. thank you. I hope you don't mind, if you need something local information about 29th infantry brigade, or plan to visit Korea, please contact me. I also research KATCOM soldiers and British 29th brigade for a long time. actually my home is near battlefield of Happyvally. Best regards.
Yes, but rarely and usually only when they were occupying fairly static positions. They appear more often with British Commonwealth units later in the war when the more static nature meant they became less of a perceived impediment, along with the use of U.S. made body armour as worthwhile protection against shelling and indirect fire in fixed positions.
Been watching your videos for a while and am a big fan of your work. I just have a quick question. I'm trying to make a British tanker impression for Europe 1944 and am struggling to find the right boots if you have any ideas of where I should look it would be really helpful.
Now that I think of it, the Chinese pushed an entire UN army back to the 38th Parallel, they could have taken Kong Kong in a week, why didn’t they try, they were already at war with Britain. And Britain didn’t have nukes yet either
@@RiflemanMoore Don't comfort yourself. Would China dare to fight 1vs18 in North Korea but not destroy the British troops in Hong Kong? Because China can import a lot of necessary materials through Hong Kong to bypass UN sanctions. That's why China didn't destroy the British troops in Hong Kong.
I love these Korean War videos! Hope you have another in the planning 😉
I do, yes! Quite a few actually.
@@RiflemanMoore Looking forward to them 😃👍
I was born two weeks before the Communist invasion. I've read Appleman's work on the war and now I'm working on the Korea Institute of Military History narrative of the war. My school teachers were either or both veterans of WWII and Korea.
I have a question that's been bugging me for years. I came across a number of photos of British and Canadian infantrymen in Korea wearing a hooded, pullover, windproof smock with two pockets at the skirt and a single large chest pocket. It looks very much like the Ventile windproof cadet smock that used to be issued. These smocks were only ever described as being Cadet Smock Windproof but I've also seen images of the Royal Marines Detachment from HMS Endurance wearing them in 1982. Do you have any knowledge of how long these smocks were in service for, to whom they were issued and if they were only intended for cadets? If it wasn't the "Cadet smock " in the Korean war photos what other similar garment might it have been?
Great impressions of an often overlooked campaign. Well done and thank you for doing these.
The Windproof camouflage scheme works so well in woodland.
Wind proofs, BD, Woolly pully and string vests
Thanks. always enjoy your videos, i had family with the 29th, Nice to see old friend Alan P still in support of your videos ! Keep them coming!
Thank you, definitely more to come in this series.
I have to say that your Korean series is absolutely amazing. I watched it with great interest and I love the fact that you've taken into consideration the historical photographs when preparing your mannequins.
In advance, I'd like to apologize for the off-topic query, but you seem to be very knowledgeable about the Cold War era American, British and Commonwealth forces and I hoped you could help me in my research.
I am currently trying to learn more on the topic of the equipment, uniforms, tactics and vehicles of the broadly defined British Army from ca. 1960s up to the Falklands (including The Troubles in Northern Ireland). Is there a knowledge repository that you use in order to educate yourself about it?
For example, the vehicles that I found very interesting are the six-wheelers Alvis Saracen, Alvis Saladin and the Alvis Stalwart. Is there a place where I could learn how they were deployed on a battalion and brigade level and how they were used in combat? What about the OOB of a typical British battalion and a brigade and how were the vehicles assigned in that era? What were the numbers of vehicles in a particular unit? Of special interest would be a squad-to-battalion tactics after the adoption of the FN FAL (SLR) by the Brits along with the GPMG.
Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!
Sincerly,
RosoMC
This Korea series has been great so far, looking forward to more! The windproof smocks and the Churchill crewman kit were particularly interesting, I wish I was able to find more on 7RTR and the Churchill's in Korea. Any chance you might have some recommended reading for the history of the British/Commonwealth forces in Korea? And on a final note, any chance we might see a more comprehensive video covering the various kinds of WW2 era smocks in the future as well? Cheers!
I would thoroughly recommend a book called “To the last round” by Andrew Salmon. Excellent account of 29th Brigade before, during and after Imjin.
@@neilhughes3529 I will have to hunt down a copy, cheers!
Can also recommend Andrew Salmon's "Scorched Earth, Black Snow". Excellent book.
That's a very milky brew! I enjoy these videos enormously, keep it up.
A good soldier is always close to a brew I have found.
Soldiers might not walk on water, but they run on tea...
I was aiming to get the look of compo tea, alas I have some repro compo tea but completely forgot to take some with me when setting up for these photos.
Great collection of uniforms 👍
Fantastic video as allways
Many thanks John!
Good vid. Informative.
Glad you found it so!
that's pretty interesting and helpful. thank you. I hope you don't mind, if you need something local information about 29th infantry brigade, or plan to visit Korea, please contact me. I also research KATCOM soldiers and British 29th brigade for a long time. actually my home is near battlefield of Happyvally. Best regards.
How does the bedroll feel being worn on the person like that? Is it cumbersome or hardly noticeable?
It's fine, not uncofortable but then I wasn't doing anything strenuous whilst wearing this setup.
Great vid, would be great to see one on Australian units in Korea. Cheers.
Thanks, I have already uploaded a video looking at 3 RAR during the Battle of Chongju back in October, there is another in the making.
Did anyone wear their steel helmets?
Yes, but rarely and usually only when they were occupying fairly static positions. They appear more often with British Commonwealth units later in the war when the more static nature meant they became less of a perceived impediment, along with the use of U.S. made body armour as worthwhile protection against shelling and indirect fire in fixed positions.
Pretty much as Jon says, though interestingly there are several photographs of men of 27 Brigade wearing them at different points early in the war.
Been watching your videos for a while and am a big fan of your work. I just have a quick question. I'm trying to make a British tanker impression for Europe 1944 and am struggling to find the right boots if you have any ideas of where I should look it would be really helpful.
You just need a pair of G.S. (Ammo) boots.
@@RiflemanMoore thanks! Keep up the great work!
Now that I think of it, the Chinese pushed an entire UN army back to the 38th Parallel, they could have taken Kong Kong in a week, why didn’t they try, they were already at war with Britain. And Britain didn’t have nukes yet either
China wasn't in the position to fight and win WWIII, expanding the war would have been a very risky proposition.
@@RiflemanMoore Don't comfort yourself. Would China dare to fight 1vs18 in North Korea but not destroy the British troops in Hong Kong? Because China can import a lot of necessary materials through Hong Kong to bypass UN sanctions. That's why China didn't destroy the British troops in Hong Kong.