 |
REPRESENTING VIET MINH IN 15MM
|
|
One of the first problems presenting the would be Indochina War gamer is how
to represent the forces of the VM. As we both game the war in 15mm, the notes
here are mainly aimed at this scale. However, they should be of some use to
gamers using other scales. Descriptions of dress and equipment has been
arbitrarily divided into "early" and "late" periods here -
the early period is generally pre-1950 (i.e. before major supplies from China
became available), while the late is after this. This is not to say that all
VM troops changed over at any particular point, and troops wearing the earlier
types would still be seen later in the war.
|
|
For a selection of photographs and colour plates, the Osprey Men-at-Arms
title "The French Indochina War 1946-54" (No. 322) is a good start.
|
|
Early Period
|
|
To begin with, when the VM were jubilantly expecting to become the regular
army of the new, independent Vietnam, the aim was to look as
"military" as possible. Most of the photographs of VM troops from
the late 1940s show side-caps and berets as headgear. Civilian sun helmets
(locally produced, and derived from the French 1931 pattern helmet) were also
common, as were fedora hats or bush hats. Clothing was predominantly civilian, but with items made in light
khaki cloth to give a more soldierly appearance. Personal equipment was basic
- mixtures of Japanese and French items, plus civilian types. As the war
progressed, more US and British patterns of equipment and clothing came
into use. Helmets (mainly US) are not uncommon in photographs of VM troops. In
the field, one of the most common items for the VM soldiery were "blanket
rolls" (similar to the Soviet WW2 style) of light cloth containing rice.
|
|
For the early period, one of the best sources of figures to go for is Peter Pig
with their WW2, Vietnam War and Spanish Civil War ranges, together with bits
from their AK-47 Republic range. Searching through WW2 ranges can find useful
figures - some WW2 British steel helmets look close to the Vietnamese sun
helmet, and Stens were popular with the VM in the early days. Also, the Bren gun
can be remodeled to resemble the FM-24/29 LMG (as used by both the CEFEO and VM).
WW2 US Army and Marines in light kit are also useful.
|
|
The "classic" black pyjamas and coolie hat of the Vietnamese peasant
farmer was seen (particularly in the south - brown clothing was more common in
the north), but the conical hat was unlikely in combat. One of the most relevant
Peter Pig packs is their VC with rifles set (Range 1, Pack 53):
|
|
|
|
There are three figure variants in the set - one with bush hat, one with conical
hat on his back (and bare-headed), and the other wearing the conical hat. All
are armed with rifles, and look good as either early period VM Regulars, or
later local forces. I would have preferred less figures with the conical hat,
but these are nicely done and look good. The quality is as expected from Peter
Pig.
|
|
Other useful packs from Peter Pig are various beret and side-cap figures from
the SCW range - the
Nationalist side-cap does need the braid carved away, however. There are also
useful figures in the AK-47
Republic range, and
the head packs are useful for conversions.
|
|
|
|
Late Period
|
|
As the war progressed, increasing supplies came from Communist China. Thus, by
the time of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, Regular VM troops were wearing Chinese-style
quilted jackets, and armed increasingly with the PPSh SMG of Soviet or Chinese
manufacture. A new sun helmet was being worn, as portrayed on the QRF VM figures
(the only specific VM figures available in 15mm?):
|
|
|
|
The pack has 5 rifles, 2 SMG and 1 LMG, with the Chinese packs and equipment
(only seen late in the French Indochina War). These are ideal for the battles of
1953-4. While not quite to the same standard as Peter Pig, they are nice figures
and look right for later Regulars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top - Home
|