Although reunification negotiations continued in the months preceding the war, tension intensified. Cross-border skirmishes and raids at the 38th Parallel persisted. The situation escalated into open warfare when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War.
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| Just looking at this figure gives me the chills. Feeling cold? |
With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea during the summer of 1950, the 2nd Infantry Division was quickly alerted for movement to the Far East Command. The division arrived in Korea, via Pusan on 23 July 1950, becoming the first unit to reach Korea directly from the United States. Initially employed piecemeal, the entire division was committed as a unit on 24 August 1950, relieving the 24th Infantry Division at the Naktong River Line.
The first big test came when the North Koreans struck in a desperate human wave attack on the night of 31 August 1950. In the 16-day battle that followed, the division's clerks, bandsmen, technical and supply personnel joined in the fight to defend against the attackers. Shortly thereafter, the Warrior Division was the first unit to break out of the Pusan Perimeter and they led the Eighth Army drive to the Manchurian Border, the Indianhead Division became the first UN force to enter the North Korean Capital of Pyongyang.
These are preview pictures of Soldier Story's upcoming release of a 1/6th scale US Army 2nd Infantry Division 12-inch military figure / soldier / grunt as seen in South Korea 1952. Just looking at this figure makes me feel chilly and cold LOL
Changes in U.S. Army garrison and field uniforms began after World War II and were accelerated by the Korean War that started in 1950. During the 1950s, significant new uniforms were introduced.
The 1950s Soldier's clothing allotment included many other items, from socks and underwear to poncho, sweaters, scarves, and belts. Individual equipment, such as load bearing suspenders, pistol belt, ammunition cases, packs, and much more were all in addition to the uniform components.
The M-1951 Parka was a three component garment, the cotton/nylon OG-107 shell, the button-in mohair frieze liner, and the fur-lined hood.
The M1951 uniform had a number of components intended for all weather conditions but was particularly aimed to be effective in cold weather, wet or dry. These included: Parka with fur-lined hood (seen above), helmet, M1951 Field Jacket, M1951 Trousers, M1951 OG 108 wool / nylon blend shirt, mittens and Mitten shells, usually worn with wool knit inserts plus boots.
The World War II U.S. Soldier's Web Gear was pretty much in use in the Korean War. This included the M1923 Cartridge Belt for storing the M1 Garand clips, water canteen and carrier, jungle first aid pouch, M1938 wire-cutters in carrier / pouch and M1942 first aid pouch. U.S. and Allied forces entered the Korean War with the M-1 Garand as their standard rifle.
When a helmet was worn, there were many choices for what to wear under the helmet assembly. With a parka, or field jacket with hood, the helmet was often put on over the hood.
Close-up of the G.I.'s M1923 Cartridge Belt, Canteen in cover and first aid kit / pouch
Close-up of bandolier, MkIIA1 fragmentation grenade, M1938 wire-cutters in carrier / pouch and jungle first aid pouch
Check out the cold weather mittens
At the beginning of the 1950s, the World War II double-buckle boot, revised in 1947, was still issued for field and work duty.
The G.I. (General Issue) M1944 combat (top) and cargo (bottom) pack, with a blanket roll over the top. The essential items were carried in the upper or combat pack (plus M1943 entrenching tool), and the detachable cargo pack had spare clothing and non-essentials, which could be unbuckled and left with the rear echelon. M-1 Bayonet in M-7 scabbard also included as part of his gear.
Check out the 1/6th scale miniature Trigger Finger mittens and the Mitten shells
Full layout of all the accessories, gear and equipment plus weapon of the Soldier Story 1/6 scale US Army 2nd Infantry Division 12" Military Action Figure as seen in South Korea 1952
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