Post by brigadepiron on Nov 1, 2010 12:24:10 GMT -5
I thought I would unload everything kit-wise that I have amalgamated recently.
(Collection usmc-collectors.pagesperso-orange.fr - good photos of Belgian insignia. French language)
First, a history:
hendrik.atspace.com/eng/Bunc.html
The Belgians:
The Belgians wore the famous Brown Beret with the 3 PARA badge (pictured above) or WW2-type US M1 helmets (with net or hessian cover).
Beret and badge:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/BelgianBeret2.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
They had a battledress uniform similiar to the British. There were two types. ORs and NCOs had the type with pointy collars and Officers wore ones that were practically identical to British '49 pattern except for the unexposed buttons and the greener (like Canadian) fabric.
Other Ranks version with correct insignia layout:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Battledress4.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
This uniform was usually worn with shirt and tie (US shirt or Brit). Trousers were the Belgian produced (slightly green) version of the 37 pattern battledress.
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/BelgianTrousers.jpg
(My personal collection)
On top of this, the charactoristic Denison smock was worn. It was in the 'Moon and Balls' pattern or of the type the British produces especially for the Belgians in 45/46 (no defined shapes). I do not believe that the 'Congo/Brushstroke' pattern ever arrived in Korea. It was either 1/2 or 3/4 zipped not the easier to find whole zip version.
Moon and Balls version:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Diorama2.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Other/DSCF1086.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
British-type version:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Denison81950.jpg
Shoes seem to have been a toe-cap less version of the British DMS boot worn with 37 pattern gaiters, later, it would become standard US M1948 Russett boots.
Webbing was either US in type (cartridge belt etc.) or, for officers is was a belgian produced version of the Officers' pattern 37 web equipment. It seems that very early on, the belgians had full 37 pattern kit with 44 pattern waterbottles. One photo I have seen shows the 44 pattern pistol holster with US pistol belt.
Weapons were British WW2 - sten, bren and enfield but the FN 49 semi-auto rifle was used. In late 52/early 53, they seem to get US weapons in particular the M1 carbine.
Some time in '53, the uniforms changed and they get full US kit (M1951) with the camouflaged smock and also British 44 pattern webbing!
Luxembourg:
The Luxembourgers wore the same kit as the Belgians except for the battledress - they had a special home grown pattern (Modèle 1950 or 1951) which is suprisingly easy to get hold of - the differences include no pleats, exposed buttons and a wider collar. Insignia varies.
Modèle 1950:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Other/DSCF1089.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
On their Brown berets they wore the crossed "CC" (Corps Charlotte) badge of Luxembourg, as well, either behind or in front of the 3 para badge.
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Luxembourg2ndDetachment4.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
Places to see (in the flesh) Belgian Korea uniforms include:
1.Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels: Exhibition Belgians Can Do Too!
2. National Museum of the Army and Military History, Luxembourg
3. Korean War Memorial, Seoul
Hope this will be of some use to someone. If anyone wants pics I can provide more for most of the above.
(Collection usmc-collectors.pagesperso-orange.fr - good photos of Belgian insignia. French language)
First, a history:
hendrik.atspace.com/eng/Bunc.html
The Belgians:
The Belgians wore the famous Brown Beret with the 3 PARA badge (pictured above) or WW2-type US M1 helmets (with net or hessian cover).
Beret and badge:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/BelgianBeret2.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
They had a battledress uniform similiar to the British. There were two types. ORs and NCOs had the type with pointy collars and Officers wore ones that were practically identical to British '49 pattern except for the unexposed buttons and the greener (like Canadian) fabric.
Other Ranks version with correct insignia layout:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Battledress4.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
This uniform was usually worn with shirt and tie (US shirt or Brit). Trousers were the Belgian produced (slightly green) version of the 37 pattern battledress.
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/BelgianTrousers.jpg
(My personal collection)
On top of this, the charactoristic Denison smock was worn. It was in the 'Moon and Balls' pattern or of the type the British produces especially for the Belgians in 45/46 (no defined shapes). I do not believe that the 'Congo/Brushstroke' pattern ever arrived in Korea. It was either 1/2 or 3/4 zipped not the easier to find whole zip version.
Moon and Balls version:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Diorama2.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Other/DSCF1086.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
British-type version:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Denison81950.jpg
Shoes seem to have been a toe-cap less version of the British DMS boot worn with 37 pattern gaiters, later, it would become standard US M1948 Russett boots.
Webbing was either US in type (cartridge belt etc.) or, for officers is was a belgian produced version of the Officers' pattern 37 web equipment. It seems that very early on, the belgians had full 37 pattern kit with 44 pattern waterbottles. One photo I have seen shows the 44 pattern pistol holster with US pistol belt.
Weapons were British WW2 - sten, bren and enfield but the FN 49 semi-auto rifle was used. In late 52/early 53, they seem to get US weapons in particular the M1 carbine.
Some time in '53, the uniforms changed and they get full US kit (M1951) with the camouflaged smock and also British 44 pattern webbing!
Luxembourg:
The Luxembourgers wore the same kit as the Belgians except for the battledress - they had a special home grown pattern (Modèle 1950 or 1951) which is suprisingly easy to get hold of - the differences include no pleats, exposed buttons and a wider collar. Insignia varies.
Modèle 1950:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Other/DSCF1089.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
On their Brown berets they wore the crossed "CC" (Corps Charlotte) badge of Luxembourg, as well, either behind or in front of the 3 para badge.
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Luxembourg2ndDetachment4.jpg
(Collection of the Royal Museum of the Army, Brussels)
Places to see (in the flesh) Belgian Korea uniforms include:
1.
2. National Museum of the Army and Military History, Luxembourg
3. Korean War Memorial, Seoul
Hope this will be of some use to someone. If anyone wants pics I can provide more for most of the above.
