 deadhead  | 02 Jul 2021 7:10 a.m. PST |
I have to allow the US spelling of Defence. After all these three US Army figures are the latest in the expanding Gringos 40 VN War range;
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jammy four  | 02 Jul 2021 7:32 a.m. PST |
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| deadhead | 02 Jul 2021 8:35 a.m. PST |
Oh I agree it makes far more sense the US way Color, harbor, pediatric, recognize, defense……… all are spelt the way they sound, over the Pond. I see the poster sticks to the UK version, but could drop an "es" from "released". What a clever idea for an expansion to the range. Guys lugging artillery ammo would be a great idea also. The Artillery seems almost as ignored as the ARVN were until recently. A gun and its crew would be very iconic. |
| Ferd45231 | 02 Jul 2021 8:58 a.m. PST |
If you want to do the romantic and aromatic side of life at an FSB have some guys standing over 1/2 50 gal. barrels burning with stirring sticks in their hands and mouths and noses covered with cloth. Of course a makeshift wooden "facility" near all this would be a nice touch. Our facility was given a purple heart by some wise ass after it took shrapnel hits. H |
| Blutarski | 02 Jul 2021 6:57 p.m. PST |
Great idea, Ferd. After all, no firebase was without at least one. Authenticity is the goal here! B |
 Legion 4 | 03 Jul 2021 7:08 a.m. PST |
 Always digging in is the standard …⚒
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| jammy four | 04 Jul 2021 1:27 a.m. PST |
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| deadhead | 04 Jul 2021 10:44 a.m. PST |
But this is a wargamers' forum I always tell myself. I might personally have no interest in seeing my Saxon Garde du Corps cavalry massacred, but I will paint them. Take Photos. Post them on TMP. Stick them in the attic. Folk like those here let me do it. I cannot imagine these latest VN figures featuring in any wargame, but it shows great integrity to cast these, counter to all commercial considerations, as collectors' items. For such they surely are. |
| Legion 4 | 04 Jul 2021 5:17 p.m. PST |
Some just collect & paint minis and don't or no longer game. That is what I am doing now … just paint …  |
| Bismarck | 05 Jul 2021 3:42 p.m. PST |
Ferd and Blutarski,
Not sure about other branches of service, but I think there
is not a Marine private,pfc., or even lcpl who didn't have
their turn as a "@#$%burner"! I have even seen hatpins
with enameled figures and the "title" listed below.
Not a pleasant memory! B, Ed and I are hanging in there! Sam |
| Blutarski | 07 Jul 2021 7:37 p.m. PST |
Sam,
Just curious. Was any FM ever issued to cover that particular duty in proper detail? I could visualize one being dug into the berm of the firebase as a field expedient fougasse. That would deal with both high temperature waste disposal and provide an "offensive" component to the base defenses at the same time!
B
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| Bismarck | 08 Jul 2021 6:40 a.m. PST |
LOL….Byron, I doubt it. It was all OJT. Near the berm?
Little risky for me, I would just did a cat hole. Besides after the drums were burnt off, they were returned to the heads or latrines for the rest of you folks. As Ferd mentioned,these were often hit, so if a base was under prolonged attack, everybody dug cat holes.
Hope you are well! |
| Legion 4 | 08 Jul 2021 8:28 a.m. PST |
Yes, I have to agree with a lot of OJT when it comes to digging in especially for the troops doing the digging. That being said, I remember having some classes on setting up defensive positions, etc., etc. Even had to dig the two man "Depuy Bunker" at the Inf Ofc Basic Course. Setting up Plt/Co. defensive position(s), etc., etc. But never really did it in the field on FTXs, etc. … Took too long and we were always very mobile whether in the 101 Air Assault Div or the 3 Mech Bns I served in with the 2ID and 197th Mech Bde. I'm pretty sure there may have been an FM or Training Circular, etc., on setting up a Fire Base/FOB, etc. I think I saw/read them ? If you are going to be there for an extended period of time. e.g. at a Fire Base/FOB, etc., you dig in. Even on the DMZ in the ROK, '84-'85 we had dug in positions w/over head cover, etc., sandbagged tent sides/areas etc. In the event of a Nork attack, etc. Our 2 Guard Posts forward of Warrior Base. Right up at the front of the DMZ. Were "permanent". Dug in deep, sandbags, overhead cover, etc., etc. Very much like in Vietnam or even WWII. Were taught, one of the Biggest threats to Infantrymen in many cases were prep barrages, etc. Generally short but heavy and deadly to attrite and destroy. Probably followed by an all out attack. We were to expect, HE, Incendiary rds and/or GAS. And yes our enemy could expect similar from us but probably not GAS. Regardless whoever is firing gas rounds, you could expect a from CS thru Nerve Agent[VX]. Maybe even Bio … And yes, even on the DMZ, in the '80s we had 55 gallon drum 💩 burners/latrines. With the sunrise you could expect the smell of burning diesel & 💩. It didn't "smell like Victory" … it smelled like … well you can figure it out. Warrior Base on the ROK DMZ was surrounded by rice paddies on about 3 sides. We always had the Summer mission. So we got "use" to the smell of 💩. Like "down on the farm" some of the troops said … As far as rank … in the US ARMY it goes from Pvt. to PFC … IIRC … |
| Bismarck | 08 Jul 2021 11:43 a.m. PST |
Legion,
I thought Blutarski was asking about a FM for burning the
@#$%ters! LOL |
| Blutarski | 08 Jul 2021 2:16 p.m. PST |
I was, Sam. Me being snarky. B |
| Legion 4 | 08 Jul 2021 3:39 p.m. PST |
I thought Blutarski was asking about a FM for burning the
@#$%ters! LOL Well I guess my reply should be … "OH 💩!!!! Me being snarky. Well if 1SG, heard this you'd be on 💩 detail for sure !
[Never used this emoji – 💩 as much I have on this post … ever !!!! ] 😮😆
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| deadhead | 09 Jul 2021 4:01 a.m. PST |
I just have an image of a mortar round landing on such a 55 gallon drum, filled to the brim……….could make for an interesting diorama. Not many colours needed to paint it up either |
| Legion 4 | 09 Jul 2021 8:18 a.m. PST |
In that case the 💩 would really have "hit the fan" ! So to speak … |
| jammy four | 10 Jul 2021 4:35 a.m. PST |
fascinating input chaps!!
ref the dreaded filling of sandbags
i have found some interesting snippets
from some of the Vets about this occupation quote……
ie….When the terrain allowed for dirt, sand or a mixture of the two, we were in pretty good shape until the cloth bags ran out and the plastic ones started replacing them. We had no way to know why the army shifted us to the more difficult and less effective plastic version. The cloth could have been left over from a previous war, as were many of our supplies—even some of our rations – or someone had a deal someplace to sell plastic ones or they were cheaper to make…no one let us in on it. The plastic ones just started arriving, and we had to do what we could to make them work.
unquote
more to follow…….
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com
gringo40s.blogspot.com |
| Legion 4 | 10 Jul 2021 10:46 a.m. PST |
When I was on active duty, '79-'90 we only had the plastic ones. However we learned an interesting technique in the ROK. Probably from Vietnam ? Filling the bags with concrete then hosing them down. Of course those bags were meant to stay where you stacked'm, etc., for a looong time. The bag might show wear after a time … but the hardened concrete didn't. |
| jammy four | 10 Jul 2021 1:15 p.m. PST |
Legion 4……….i hope you you never had to lift any after!! |
| Legion 4 | 11 Jul 2021 7:32 a.m. PST |
LOL !!! No once those were in place on our FOB Warrior Base and our forward Guard Posts, etc. They stayed there … may still be there ? I don't know if the ROKs who took over our positions would have moved them? They would have a bit harder time than we would trying to move by hand. But we all had/have recovery vehicles, e.g. M578s, M88s, 5 ton Wreckers, etc., could do the job. If we had to move those, I wouldn't let my troops do it by hand. We'd use our plethora of heavy vehicles as I mentioned. Hell it was bad enough they and/or the other units' troops had to fill'm by hand ! 😁 |
| jammy four | 12 Jul 2021 11:01 a.m. PST |
Legion 4 ,bet they are still there to! more fascinating notes from a Firebase Vet.
quote.
When I started we were using all cloth bags, which at least kept the contents inside. By the time I left, they were all plastic, which may not seem like a big deal until you work with them. The bags were woven at a simple 90-degree warp and weft with loose, broad threads, allowing the fill to slip through, so they literally changed shape once placed. And, the plastic material caused them to slip. So what you had was a wall that didn't stay still – a physical oxymoron. When it rained, which was six months out of the year, the wet plastic bags would slip more. So, we would fill wood ammo containers with dirt, sand or whatever was available and make two more walls – one in front of the bags and one behind to keep them in place so they could serve their purpose. unquote regards
Ged
gringo40s.com
gringo40s.blogspot.com |
| Legion 4 | 12 Jul 2021 3:06 p.m. PST |
And yes many times we'd stack double rows of sandbags too … We'd use wooden ammo boxes but those had to be turned in for accountability … |
| jammy four | 15 Jul 2021 4:23 a.m. PST |
Legion 4 the ammo box comment is very interesting…bet that invloved some serious paperwork!! cheers
Ged
gringo40s.com |
| Legion 4 | 15 Jul 2021 6:40 a.m. PST |
Yes, everything has to be accounted for. If something comes up missing, broken, etc. You end up doing an investigation called "A Report of Survey" … Been there … done that! … In Napoleon's  day an Army ran on it's stomach. When I served '79-'90, before the wide spread use of computers, an Army runs on it's paperwork. |
| deadhead | 22 Jul 2021 9:17 a.m. PST |
Nice to now see one painted. Doubtless i will soon get an front view of what Ged calls a "Bored Firebase Defender"! I could imagine that being better than the alternative
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| Legion 4 | 22 Jul 2021 9:25 a.m. PST |
Very Nice work ! The uniform colors, etc. are pretty much spot on ! But he better get off his  ! If Top sees him … the Kimchee will hit the fan !!!! |
| jammy four | 22 Jul 2021 10:37 a.m. PST |
liam…you couldnt be more right……… Legion 4 he does not know how lucky he is…….hes actually part of a 3 figure vignette..the "sand detail!…better then option B…waste disposal! regards
Ged
gringo40s.com
gringo40s.blogspot.com ps Legion4 appreciate the comment ref colour match..Andy is a master at uniform colours.especially the "washed out version! |
| Legion 4 | 23 Jul 2021 9:54 a.m. PST |
Yes, we called that the 💩 Detail … "We loved the smell of 💩 & diesel in the morning … ". 😁 And yes based on my experience those colors are spot on ! |
| jammy four | 25 Jul 2021 1:10 p.m. PST |
Legion four.cheers for that……..
just read this quote about "waste disposal"
hope the vet concerned wont mind..what extreme
measures sometimes result in. I also remember on s*** burning detail in the CAV, we used jp4 a lot to get it started. I had a friend that i went through basic, and AIT, together. and he was going to try to get it burning better and splashed a gallon can of jp4 fuel on it and it back flashed and they carried him away in a body bag. |
| Legion 4 | 25 Jul 2021 4:07 p.m. PST |
Very sorry to hear that … Too bad … very sad accident. |
| jammy four | 26 Jul 2021 2:52 a.m. PST |
Legion 4……indeed very sad..99ct went well though! cheers
Ged
gringo40s.com |
| deadhead | 26 Jul 2021 3:25 a.m. PST |
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| Legion 4 | 26 Jul 2021 6:32 a.m. PST |
Nice ! Yeah you can get pretty "buffed" doing stuff in the Infantry. |
| jammy four | 26 Jul 2021 9:15 a.m. PST |
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| Legion 4 | 27 Jul 2021 6:59 a.m. PST |
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has been itching for a small Soviet project!
