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ARVN unit symbols/markings?
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:37 pm
by lsc1002
I am thinking of making my M-41 into a ARVN tank, but I have had little luck in finding any vehicle markings/symbols for ARVN units. Any of you guys know of a good information source on this topic. Also did the ARVN units iget ssued the same uniforms as the US units serving in Vietnam? thanks a bunch
Lance
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:41 pm
by grunt1
I was considering the same thing and had found this book:
http://www.goodstufftogo.net/html/body_ ... temID=6440
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:53 pm
by grunt1
Here are some insignia including the ARVN 12th Armored.
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-bad ... r-arvn.htm
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:27 pm
by Morian Miner
If anyone picks up this book, or has any other reference discussing it, I'd love to find something that has a little more detail on ARVN M-41s whipping up on T-55s during the fall of Saigon. I've seen a few web sites that have a line or two indicating the M-41s more than held there own, but no detail about what fighting took place that allows them to make that statement.
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:54 pm
by grockwood
Taken from the Battle of Kontum: Phase 1 THE BATTLE FOR THE FIRE SUPPORT BASES AND TAN CANH
"The ARVN M-41 tanks, which were armed with a 76mm main gun, were no match for the T-55 tanks of the NVA. Even though some of the ARVN tanks were able to get direct hits on the NVA tanks, their fire had no effect on the enemy due to the inability of the 76mm guns on the M-41 to penetrate the T-55s' armor. However, when the NVA tanks fired their 100mm guns, they were able to totally destroy the ARVN M-41 tanks. As this truth became more apparent, several ARVN tank crews abandoned their vehicles rather than being killed in their tanks"
Some ARVN forces were equiped with M48's by the fall of Saigon.
"The PAVN offensive was now directed toward Saigon itself. The little ARVN armor that was left was abandoned without fuel along the coastal road. At Xuan Loc, the ARVN tried to stop the Communist offensive. For twenty days the 18th Division and a parachute brigade, supported by the 3rd Armored Brigade, put up a spirited fight. M-48s from the 22nd Tank Regiment engaged the Communist armor in successful combat, claiming 50 enemy tanks. Eventually Xuan Loc was evacuated. The ARVN tanks maintained a corridor at Dong Nai to allow the troops to withdraw. Encountering little resistance from the remaining ARVN units, the PAVN armored columns entered Saigon on 30 April 1975"
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:40 pm
by Morian Miner
Thanks, grockwood, that makes alot more sense. I'm sure the pages I had read this one mistakenly put down M41s, but meant M48s.