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Show us your Korean War impressions!


2ndInf.Div.
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2ndInf.Div.

With WWII and Vietnam reenacting becoming more and more popular, I thought I'd start a thread for those of us who do Korea as well! I usually bring up how I reenact Korea in honor of my grandfather, but I've never posted a picture of my impression. I do mainly local displays and put on my Ike uniform for Honor Flights and thank returning WWII and Korean War veterans. My impression consists of mostly original gear with the exception of my boots, M4 bayonet (I'll be buying an original sometime), and M1 liner chinstrap. Most of my gear is dated 1945 as Korean War gear is somewhat hard to find, but I do have some equipment dated 1950-53. To improve my impression even more I'm looking for a Korean War M1 helmet, M1950 infantry garrison cap, M1947 HBT pants, and shelter half stakes, so if you have anything please let me know!

 

Anyhow, here are a few of my displays. I still have yet to get my M1945 pack properly adjusted and my grandpa had an M1 Carbine, but I don't have access to one yet. I'm hoping to get one soon. I've also gotten a few things since these pictures were taken, but they give you a general idea of what my impression looks like. Any opinions/tips are greatly appreciated! I invite all other Korean War reenactors to post pictures of your impressions!

 

This picture is from my first public display:

post-80799-1342139292.jpg

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2ndInf.Div.

Thank you both! I'm really looking forward to seeing others' impressions! I must admit though, the "C-rations" came from the store :lol: I haven't been able to find reproductions yet.

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This is my friends Korean impression from last week at Ft McArthur.

 

He did an excellent impression and looked the part and we were very impressed!

Leonardo

post-20589-1342204594.jpg

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Rakkasan187
This is my friends Korean impression from last week at Ft McArthur.

 

He did an excellent impression and looked the part and we were very impressed!

Leonardo

 

 

Looks great. My father in law was in both a towed and Self Propelled Quad 50 unit with the 24th ID in Korea. From quad 50's he moved to the M42 Duster (Twin 40 mm Bofors) then to the Hawk missile system. He had a long career in Air Defense Artillery.

 

Leigh

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2ndInf.Div.
This is my friends Korean impression from last week at Ft McArthur.

 

He did an excellent impression and looked the part and we were very impressed!

Leonardo

 

Hey Leonardo, that looks great! Is his flak jacket Korean War dated? I don't know much about them but I have seen them in plenty of pictures, it just adds a really awesome look to any reenactor :packin heat: Tell your friend great job and keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

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Well done. A too often neglected conflict. It's not called "The Forgotten War" for nothing!

 

Amen! Although I have to say I've always really disliked the hats from that era!!!

 

Nice displays :thumbsup:

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BelligerentBlue

Reenacting isn't my cup of tea, but I do love the work you guys do to keep the history alive! Nice work!

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2ndInf.Div.
Amen! Although I have to say I've always really disliked the hats from that era!!!

 

Nice displays :thumbsup:

 

Are referring to the "Ridgway" blocked fatigue caps? I love those things! :lol: I wonder if there might be more on the market had Castro not adopted a similar design.

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Are referring to the "Ridgway" blocked fatigue caps? I love those things! :lol: I wonder if there might be more on the market had Castro not adopted a similar design.

 

Correct you are. Had a brain fart and couldn't recall the name :lol: Even though seeing them does conjure up images of some revolutionary, I still never liked the way they look, all blocked up. Looks like someone cut a coffee can in half and put a brim on it :lol: But do love the look of the latter "Patrol cap", especially when worn with a little tuck or roll to it even though it is against regs.

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I have posted this here before but here it is again.

 

Impression:

I/3/5, Late March, 1952

Korean Peninsula

Western Flank of the James Town Line

Near the MLR

 

Photographs of my Impression:

Full Marching Equipment:

Front:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0103.jpg

 

Right:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0104.jpg

 

Rear:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0105.jpg

 

Left:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0106.jpg

 

 

Battle Equipment:

Front:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0110.jpg

 

Right:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/USMC1952.jpg

 

Rear:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0109.jpg

 

Left:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0108.jpg

 

Head Shot:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...52/DSC_0111.jpg

 

 

Equipment List:

Headgear:

M1 Helmet(Original) with Plastic Liner(Original) and Camouflage Helmet Cover(World War II Impressions)

P44 Cap(World War II Impressions)

 

Uniform:

USMC Winter Parka*(Original)

M1943 Field Jacket*(Original)

P1941 Utility Uniform(World War II Impressions)

M1943 Sweater*(Original)

USMC Alpaca Lined Vest*(Original)

USMC Winter Combat Shirt(Original)

USMC Winter Service Trousers*(Original)

USMC Long Underwear(Original)

USMC Underwear(Reproduction) and Shirt(At The Front)

USMC Trouser Belt(Original)

Dog Tags(World War Two Ration Technologies)

 

Footwear:

Leggings(Original) and Boondockers(World War II Impressions)

Socks(Original)

 

Combat Load:

M1952 Flak Vest(Original)

M1923 Cartridge Belt(Original)

P3 Canteen Covers(World War II Impressions), Canteens(Original), and Cups(Original)

Jungle First Aid Pouch and M1924 Carlisle Bandage Pouch(Original)

 

Full Marching Equipment:

Plywood Packboard(Original)

P1941 Pack, 'Roll Top'(Original)*

M1943 Entrenching Tool(Original)**

USMC Camouflage Shelter Half and Blanket(Original)**

USMC Poncho(Original)***

M1942 Arctic Sleeping Bag*(Original)

Assorted Toiletries***(Original)

C-Rations***(Reproduction)

Spare Socks***(Original)

 

Weapons:

M1 Rifle and Sling(Turner Saddlery Co.)

M1905E1 Bayonet(Original)

KABAR(1st Pattern, Original) and Sheath(What Price Glory)

 

*Strapped to Packboard

**Attached to P1941 Pack

***Inside P1941 Pack

 

 

Many thanks to the Book The Outpost War : The US Marine Corps in Korea, 1952 by Lee Ballenger without whose incredibly detailed history of the war at this time this impression would not have been possible. Everything I did as part of this impression was taken from 1st person accounts in that book and the photographs provided by the book.

 

 

-Josh

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2ndInf.Div.

Josh, OUTSTANDING! It's clear you've done you're homework and the effort you put into your impression really shows! :thumbsup: You also gave me a good idea...post an equipment list :w00t: Before I do, I'd like to say that the WWII field desk, blanket, Garand bayonet, and (unfortunately :( ) M1 Garand and Carbine were all borrowed. I have since gotten a 1952 dated blanket.

 

Headgear:

 

M1 helmet- original late WWII with WWII liner redone for Korea by Capac

Ridgway cap- original with added corporal screw back rank

M1951 pile cap- original

M1951 field cap- original (my grandfather's)

 

Uniform (all original):

 

1947 pattern HBT jacket and cotton trousers (need HBT)

M1943 field jacket and trousers

M1951 wool shirt and trousers

M1950 Ike jacket and trousers

M1951 overcoat

 

Footwear:

 

M1943 double buckle boots- ATF

Wool socks- original (my grandfather's)

 

Equipment:

 

M1923 cartridge belt- original

M1942 first aid pouch and bandage- original

Canteen, cover, and cup- original

M4 bayonet- reproduction

Pistol belt- original

M1 Carbine pouches- original

M1943 e-tool and cover- original

M1945 top pack, cargo pack, and suspenders- original

Wool blanket- original

Shelter halves- original

 

That's most of everything that I can think of. I need more socks, issue boxers, C-rations (if I can find reproductions that are correct for Korea), and correct dog tags. It's great to see more Korean War impressions, keep them coming!

 

Here's one more of my second public display:

post-80799-1342631732.jpg

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Brigade-Piron

Here's my impression:

 

Sous-lieutenant (junior officer), Belgian United Nations Command (BUNC) in Korea 1952-3.

 

IMG_0673.jpg

 

Unfortunately, no arm or boots (!) at present.

 

BP

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Here are some galleries of the Korean War impression that members of my re-enactment club did at the National Royal Netherlands Army Days back in May. I myself was part of another impression, but I helped building this one as well.

 

It is an ad-hoc impression of the Netherlands UN Detachment, as currently there is no permanent Korean War group here. Nontheless this impression of the Royal Netherlands Army's Regiment 'Van Heutsz', which was incorporated in the 38th US Infantry Regiment, 2nd US Infantry Division 'Indianhead' involved around 30 re-enactors, over a 100 meter of trenches, 7 or 8 bunkers, numerous MG posts, 3000 sandbags, dozens of rolls of barbed wire etc.

 

The Army was a great help with lots of materials, including loads of weapons, logistics and manpower to help built the trenchsystem.

 

But see for yourself:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73232407@N02/...57629772759974/

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/11439333328426...02/LMD10Mei2012

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/11439333328426...02/LMD11Mei2012

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/11439333328426...02/LMD12Mei2012

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/11439333328426...02/LMD13Mei2012

 

It was a huge succes!

 

Greetz ;)

 

David

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Brigade-Piron

Excellent! They should link up with the French Bn re-enactors in Normandy for full 2ID impression!

 

BP

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The usual impression of the core group that did this is the 7th Engineers, 2nd AD. :thumbsup:

 

Greetz ;)

 

David

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2ndInf.Div.

Wow, now that is AWESOME! I've never seen that many Korean War reenactors before, and with that kind of setup! I can see a few things that need improving, but overall great job! Keep up the great work! :thumbsup:

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Wow, now that is AWESOME! I've never seen that many Korean War reenactors before, and with that kind of setup! I can see a few things that need improving, but overall great job! Keep up the great work! :thumbsup:

 

Thanks! For most, if not all the participants this was their first Korea-event. A LOT of work went into that display!

 

Greetz ;)

 

David

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2ndInf.Div.
Thanks! For most, if not all the participants this was their first Korea-event. A LOT of work went into that display!

 

Greetz ;)

 

David

 

They did good for their first time! Where did you get the UN patches from? Is anyone reproducing Korean War stuff yet?

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