Post by yalu on Nov 22, 2007 4:49:04 GMT -5
The following is some of the discussions I had with Hong Kong Keith. I think I posted them in order 
This search was a continuation of a search which started with the 150th RKKA tossed around the idea of doing a Korean War event. I felt that the RKKA M43 uniforms etc were too different to do such an event, and so began searching for info on NKA and PVA gear. I contacted companies in the PRC with no real luck.
They just seem to want to sell curent PLA gear ti include hiking boots.
The IJA unit I belonged to got wind of HKK making western size IJA uniforms, so it was at that point I contacted him in hopes of getting PVA items made.
Keep your fingers crossed
simon
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your message.
First of all, I can make the summer PVA items without any difficulties. It will need some more effort about the winter cotton parka which is difficult to make.
I can make the uniform in US larger sizes as what I have done on the WWII Japanese uniform.
For the North Korean uniform, it is quite politically sensitive to make replica here :-( I would suggest you to convert the Red Army M43 uniform into it as they are basically the same uniform.
I am now making the Red Army uniform of M35 and M43 pattern. I start from weaving the fabric one month ago and you will see our effort by July.
By the way, would you mind to estimate the potential market size about the Korean War reenactment in the Western World.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Keth
Dear Robert,
I would like to make the following points
1. 1950s NK uniform was either made in the USSR or in China. This fact has not changed until the late 1960s. Even nowadays, some NK uniform and gear is still made in China due to cost consideration!
2. I have original pieces PVA Type 50 and Type 53 summer uniform as well as the basic field gear. I have also read the You may be astonished that many are made by the Chinese Nationalist Government in the late 1940s ( e.g. US M1 Thompson leather mag pouch) and even some are Japanese items.
3. For more details of a PVA soldier, he should have the following equipment / gear:
* Headgear: Japanese Steel Helmet (not all have) / Chinese Style Cloth Field Cap
* Uniform: Type 50 / 53 Uniform (summer) / Cotton Parka (winter)
* Footwear: "Bandage Like" leg tie + Rubber Shoe Cloth Shoe
* Field Gear: Leather Belt (not all have) + Cloth Bandoleer / Leather Mag Pouch / Rice Bag
I get back to you later today for more information.
Regards,
Keith
Dear Simon,
I am an historian and have 2 research degrees in North East Asian Relationship from the late 19th century to mid-20th century :-) I realy enjoy discussing historical events with friends and share my view with you.
Coming to the PVA in Korean War. I have some supplementary information for you
1. Majority of soldiers wear wool cap in winter and cloth PLA cap in summer
2. Both Japanese Helmets and US M1 helmets were issued at that time
3. PVA soldiers wore collarless white shirt inside the Type 50 Uniform (the more common one)
4. Leather belt was widely issued with the cloth bandoleer (the same as the bandoleer used during the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945)
5. Grenadier were issued with 4 stick grenade which were put insdide a cloth bag like the WWI German grenade pouch while others tie the 4 grenades with a string (I am not joking)
6. Russian style light weapon was not widely issued. Many PVA used the Japanese weapons (Type 38 rifle, 98 portable mortar launcher and 70mm Infantry Cannon etc), the US weapons (M1 Thompson, M3 SMG and even M1928 75mm Light Howitzer) and many other European made weapons (Bren, Sten etc)
7. PVA Type 50 Uniform is very similar to the Type 65 Uniform but the cloth is some sort of plain cloth fabric and no insignia was adopted. (I have original sample)
8. The issued shoe is just like the "Kung Fu'' (Chinese Martial Art) shoe which is made of black / green cloth and has a leather or rubber sole. Leg tie is almost a must.
9. Webbing is kept to the minimum.
10. Winter uniform is worn over the summer uniform. The most important one is the Cotton Parka which is a simplified model originated from the Russian Winter Parka
11. Actually, the existng Chinese state clothing factory do not have make any uniform prior to the Type 55 Uniform. Before 1955, the uniform was made in small workshop and private factories (not yet nationalized in the early 1950s). The only place you can find the original PVA uniform is the state film studio (called 8.1 Studio) Even so, I believe that no winter parka still available eve in state film studio.
I am looking froward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Keith
Dear Simon,
Thank you fro your quick respond.
The US information about the winter of 1950 is basically correct. In addition, the PVA did not have hot food at that time. They were given some fried grain (I don't know its exact name in English, sorry) which can be eaten instantly and they got water from snow. It is true that some Crop size unit (about 30000 men) had less than 20 men stayed healthy after the winter of 1950.
For the details of the Type 50 uniform, I will take them out of my store room and take some photos for you. Then you will see what it looks exactly.
For the color of the PVA Type 50 uniform, it looks very similar to the IJA Type 98 summer uniform!
For the composition of the PVA, I would say that many units are 2nd line (non-elite unit) among the PLA. Many soldiers came from the former Nationalist Force. Some people believed that this was intended to get rid of the "less royal" unit from the PLA.
Up to platoon level, commander / leader was elected by the soldier and confirmed by the Party. Some sort of "democracy" was witnessed in the lower strata. In addition, soldiers were allowed to discuss the tactic and expressed their view freely. Every soldier at least know the tactical aim of his platoon and company. They also have good idea about the goal of his battalion or even higher level. This is quite rare in the Western World.
China has doen a lot of detail research about the Korean War since the 1990s. However, all of them were written in Chinese. Nevertheless, the figure and the research result was quite different from those done in the US.
This search was a continuation of a search which started with the 150th RKKA tossed around the idea of doing a Korean War event. I felt that the RKKA M43 uniforms etc were too different to do such an event, and so began searching for info on NKA and PVA gear. I contacted companies in the PRC with no real luck.
They just seem to want to sell curent PLA gear ti include hiking boots.
The IJA unit I belonged to got wind of HKK making western size IJA uniforms, so it was at that point I contacted him in hopes of getting PVA items made.
Keep your fingers crossed
simon
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your message.
First of all, I can make the summer PVA items without any difficulties. It will need some more effort about the winter cotton parka which is difficult to make.
I can make the uniform in US larger sizes as what I have done on the WWII Japanese uniform.
For the North Korean uniform, it is quite politically sensitive to make replica here :-( I would suggest you to convert the Red Army M43 uniform into it as they are basically the same uniform.
I am now making the Red Army uniform of M35 and M43 pattern. I start from weaving the fabric one month ago and you will see our effort by July.
By the way, would you mind to estimate the potential market size about the Korean War reenactment in the Western World.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Keth
Dear Robert,
I would like to make the following points
1. 1950s NK uniform was either made in the USSR or in China. This fact has not changed until the late 1960s. Even nowadays, some NK uniform and gear is still made in China due to cost consideration!
2. I have original pieces PVA Type 50 and Type 53 summer uniform as well as the basic field gear. I have also read the You may be astonished that many are made by the Chinese Nationalist Government in the late 1940s ( e.g. US M1 Thompson leather mag pouch) and even some are Japanese items.
3. For more details of a PVA soldier, he should have the following equipment / gear:
* Headgear: Japanese Steel Helmet (not all have) / Chinese Style Cloth Field Cap
* Uniform: Type 50 / 53 Uniform (summer) / Cotton Parka (winter)
* Footwear: "Bandage Like" leg tie + Rubber Shoe Cloth Shoe
* Field Gear: Leather Belt (not all have) + Cloth Bandoleer / Leather Mag Pouch / Rice Bag
I get back to you later today for more information.
Regards,
Keith
Dear Simon,
I am an historian and have 2 research degrees in North East Asian Relationship from the late 19th century to mid-20th century :-) I realy enjoy discussing historical events with friends and share my view with you.
Coming to the PVA in Korean War. I have some supplementary information for you
1. Majority of soldiers wear wool cap in winter and cloth PLA cap in summer
2. Both Japanese Helmets and US M1 helmets were issued at that time
3. PVA soldiers wore collarless white shirt inside the Type 50 Uniform (the more common one)
4. Leather belt was widely issued with the cloth bandoleer (the same as the bandoleer used during the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945)
5. Grenadier were issued with 4 stick grenade which were put insdide a cloth bag like the WWI German grenade pouch while others tie the 4 grenades with a string (I am not joking)
6. Russian style light weapon was not widely issued. Many PVA used the Japanese weapons (Type 38 rifle, 98 portable mortar launcher and 70mm Infantry Cannon etc), the US weapons (M1 Thompson, M3 SMG and even M1928 75mm Light Howitzer) and many other European made weapons (Bren, Sten etc)
7. PVA Type 50 Uniform is very similar to the Type 65 Uniform but the cloth is some sort of plain cloth fabric and no insignia was adopted. (I have original sample)
8. The issued shoe is just like the "Kung Fu'' (Chinese Martial Art) shoe which is made of black / green cloth and has a leather or rubber sole. Leg tie is almost a must.
9. Webbing is kept to the minimum.
10. Winter uniform is worn over the summer uniform. The most important one is the Cotton Parka which is a simplified model originated from the Russian Winter Parka
11. Actually, the existng Chinese state clothing factory do not have make any uniform prior to the Type 55 Uniform. Before 1955, the uniform was made in small workshop and private factories (not yet nationalized in the early 1950s). The only place you can find the original PVA uniform is the state film studio (called 8.1 Studio) Even so, I believe that no winter parka still available eve in state film studio.
I am looking froward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Keith
Dear Simon,
Thank you fro your quick respond.
The US information about the winter of 1950 is basically correct. In addition, the PVA did not have hot food at that time. They were given some fried grain (I don't know its exact name in English, sorry) which can be eaten instantly and they got water from snow. It is true that some Crop size unit (about 30000 men) had less than 20 men stayed healthy after the winter of 1950.
For the details of the Type 50 uniform, I will take them out of my store room and take some photos for you. Then you will see what it looks exactly.
For the color of the PVA Type 50 uniform, it looks very similar to the IJA Type 98 summer uniform!
For the composition of the PVA, I would say that many units are 2nd line (non-elite unit) among the PLA. Many soldiers came from the former Nationalist Force. Some people believed that this was intended to get rid of the "less royal" unit from the PLA.
Up to platoon level, commander / leader was elected by the soldier and confirmed by the Party. Some sort of "democracy" was witnessed in the lower strata. In addition, soldiers were allowed to discuss the tactic and expressed their view freely. Every soldier at least know the tactical aim of his platoon and company. They also have good idea about the goal of his battalion or even higher level. This is quite rare in the Western World.
China has doen a lot of detail research about the Korean War since the 1990s. However, all of them were written in Chinese. Nevertheless, the figure and the research result was quite different from those done in the US.
