Post by cookie on Jan 14, 2009 12:53:55 GMT -5
The 5th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion.
'Drop Zone Natasha'
A unit that that had a very solid combat record prior to their second jump into Dien Bien Phu. When the Battalion arrived in the valley on 'DZ Natasha' they were given no to time to rest or acclimatise, were sent straight into battle after a gruelling march, and, amid great confusion, failed to complete their allotted mission. Captain Botella, the unit commander, weeded out "the malcontents" and the Battalion went on to distinguish itself for the rest of the battle, particularly in the breakout from 'Huguette 7'.
By this stage in the war French manufactured items of clothing and equipment had become much more prevalent than in earlier years, thus presenting a much more 'uniformed' appearance than in previous years.
French Caporal Chef, Dien Bien phu, 14th March 1954.
(excuse the cat...)
Clothing:
French Tenue de Saut Mle 'Lizard' 47/52 . This French camouflage suit for paratroopers came into service with the 5e BPVN prior to their second jump into Dien Bien Phu in March 1954. The majority of the Battalion were issued it, in particular the HQ & 1e Companies.
US M1 Steel helmet. This M1C paratrooper helmet is fitted with the standard US webbed 'A' frames and chin strap. The chin cup, worn during jumps, is locally made, out of leather. This helmet, like most, is fitted with a US 1944 net with neoprene band. The soldier has tucked a French Mle 49 'Pochette de pansements' bandage in the band.
US M1943 double buckle 'ranger' boots. These were, along with the French Mle 50 jumpboots, the most prevalent item of footwear issued to the paras in Indochina. Although other patterns of footwear such as Mle 1917 hobnailed ankle boots and locally made 'pataugas' were also widely worn throughout the war.
'Chèche' head scarf. This paratrooper has seen service in a North African colonial unit prior to serving in Vietnam, and has retained his head scarf, which is worn around the kneck here.
Webbing:
Mle 50/53 'Ceinturon Type RAPCO' webbed belt. This item of equipment was widely issued to the various paratroop battalions who reinforced Dien Bien Phu in Spring 1954.
Mle 50 'Brelage type TAP' equipment suspenders. Modelled closely on the US M1936 suspenders, featuring the same spring clips and adjusters.
Mle 50 'Cartouchiere type TAP' cartridge pouches. These were a French design but featured a US style wire hangar on the reverse to attach to either US or French pistol belts.
Mle 50/53 'Sac à Dos Type TAP' rucksack. This large, rigid framed, rucksack began to be issued to the various airborne units in Spring 1954. It replaced the 'Mle 51' and 'Mle 45' patterns. It was a heavy, ungainly pack with a confusing array of straps and buckles.
Mle 50 bidon. Tinned metal waterbottle with aluminium cup in an 'early pattern' carrier with press-studs. The bottle, based on the US M1910, still featured a cork stopper.
Weapons:
'Fusil MAS 36' rifle. The workhorse of the French military since WWII, the MAS 36, a 7.5mm 5 round bolt action rifle featuring an adjustable rear sight and a detachable cruciform spike bayonet. NB: Rifle-armed Colonial airborne were usually issued with the shortened MAS36 CR39 variant which featured a hollow aluminium folding-stock.
US M4 carbine bayonet & M8 plastic scabbard. These items, and the US M3 fighting knife, were issued in large numbers to the CEFEO throughout the war.
'Drop Zone Natasha'
A unit that that had a very solid combat record prior to their second jump into Dien Bien Phu. When the Battalion arrived in the valley on 'DZ Natasha' they were given no to time to rest or acclimatise, were sent straight into battle after a gruelling march, and, amid great confusion, failed to complete their allotted mission. Captain Botella, the unit commander, weeded out "the malcontents" and the Battalion went on to distinguish itself for the rest of the battle, particularly in the breakout from 'Huguette 7'.
By this stage in the war French manufactured items of clothing and equipment had become much more prevalent than in earlier years, thus presenting a much more 'uniformed' appearance than in previous years.
French Caporal Chef, Dien Bien phu, 14th March 1954.
(excuse the cat...)
Clothing:
French Tenue de Saut Mle 'Lizard' 47/52 . This French camouflage suit for paratroopers came into service with the 5e BPVN prior to their second jump into Dien Bien Phu in March 1954. The majority of the Battalion were issued it, in particular the HQ & 1e Companies.
US M1 Steel helmet. This M1C paratrooper helmet is fitted with the standard US webbed 'A' frames and chin strap. The chin cup, worn during jumps, is locally made, out of leather. This helmet, like most, is fitted with a US 1944 net with neoprene band. The soldier has tucked a French Mle 49 'Pochette de pansements' bandage in the band.
US M1943 double buckle 'ranger' boots. These were, along with the French Mle 50 jumpboots, the most prevalent item of footwear issued to the paras in Indochina. Although other patterns of footwear such as Mle 1917 hobnailed ankle boots and locally made 'pataugas' were also widely worn throughout the war.
'Chèche' head scarf. This paratrooper has seen service in a North African colonial unit prior to serving in Vietnam, and has retained his head scarf, which is worn around the kneck here.
Webbing:
Mle 50/53 'Ceinturon Type RAPCO' webbed belt. This item of equipment was widely issued to the various paratroop battalions who reinforced Dien Bien Phu in Spring 1954.
Mle 50 'Brelage type TAP' equipment suspenders. Modelled closely on the US M1936 suspenders, featuring the same spring clips and adjusters.
Mle 50 'Cartouchiere type TAP' cartridge pouches. These were a French design but featured a US style wire hangar on the reverse to attach to either US or French pistol belts.
Mle 50/53 'Sac à Dos Type TAP' rucksack. This large, rigid framed, rucksack began to be issued to the various airborne units in Spring 1954. It replaced the 'Mle 51' and 'Mle 45' patterns. It was a heavy, ungainly pack with a confusing array of straps and buckles.
Mle 50 bidon. Tinned metal waterbottle with aluminium cup in an 'early pattern' carrier with press-studs. The bottle, based on the US M1910, still featured a cork stopper.
Weapons:
'Fusil MAS 36' rifle. The workhorse of the French military since WWII, the MAS 36, a 7.5mm 5 round bolt action rifle featuring an adjustable rear sight and a detachable cruciform spike bayonet. NB: Rifle-armed Colonial airborne were usually issued with the shortened MAS36 CR39 variant which featured a hollow aluminium folding-stock.
US M4 carbine bayonet & M8 plastic scabbard. These items, and the US M3 fighting knife, were issued in large numbers to the CEFEO throughout the war.
