Latest revision as of 11:32, 9 May 2021

We Were Soldiers (2002)

We Were Soldiers is a 2002 Vietnam War film based on the book We Were Soldiers Once... And Young by Lieutenant General Hal Moore, US Army (ret.) and former UPI reporter Joe Galloway that chronicled the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam in the Ia Drang Valley in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Gen. Moore, in the documentary seen on the DVD, states that this film is the only one which gets "[the Vietnam War] right". The film was directed by Randall Wallace (The Man in the Iron Mask) and stars Mel Gibson, Barry Pepper, and Sam Elliott.

The following weapons were used in the film We Were Soldiers:

Rifles / Carbines

XM16E1

The XM16E1 assault rifles are used by the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson), First Lieutenant Charlie Hastings (Robert Bagnell), Second Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan (Chris Klein), Sergeant Ernie Savage (Ryan Hurst) and most US Army soldiers. Later on the film during the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray, Joe Galloway (Barry Pepper) uses one as well. Many rifles used in this film were not actual XM16E1s. The historical XM16E1s had only a partial magazine fence. Many rifles were actually M16A1s mocked up to look like XM16E1s, modified with chromed bolt carriers and three-prong flash-hiders. Apparently there were a few original receiver marked XM16E1s in the mix.

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 [[Image:We_Were_Soldiers_Poster.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''We Were Soldiers'' (2002)]]
-'''We Were Soldiers''' is a 2002 Vietnam War film directed by Randall Wallace (''[[The Man in the Iron Mask]]'') and stars [[Mel Gibson]], [[Barry Pepper]] and [[Sam Elliott]].  The film is based on the book ''We Were Soldiers Once...And Young'' by Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, US Army (ret.) and former UPI reporter Joe Galloway (played by Gibson and Pepper respectively) that chronicled the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam in the Ia Drang Valley in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.  Gen. Moore, in the documentary seen on the DVD, states that this film is the only one which gets "[the Vietnam War] right."
+'''''We Were Soldiers''''' is a 2002 Vietnam War film based on the book ''We Were Soldiers Once... And Young'' by Lieutenant General Hal Moore, US Army (ret.) and former UPI reporter Joe Galloway that chronicled the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam in the Ia Drang Valley in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Gen. Moore, in the documentary seen on the DVD, states that this film is the only one which gets "[the Vietnam War] right". The film was directed by Randall Wallace (''[[The Man in the Iron Mask]]'') and stars [[Mel Gibson]], [[Barry Pepper]], and [[Sam Elliott]].
-Although the battle would last more than 300 days, the movie covers only the initial engagement, the first time the US used the Air Mobile Infantry (called "the helicopter soldiers" by a Vietnamese officer) in combat.  Over 3 days, Moore's regiment suffered the loss of 72 out of his 395 men and were responsible for over 1800 enemy soldiers KIA out of 4,000. The utterly lop-sided casualty figures helped to convince Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and Vietnam theater commander Gen. William Westmoreland that the communist North Vietnamese could be persuaded to give up their attempt to conquer the South using attrition tactics.  Events, of course, would prove this strategy disastrous.
+{{Film Title}}
-'''The following weapons were used in the film ''We Were Soldiers'':'''
 __TOC__<br clear-all>
-==XM16E1 Rifle==
+=Rifles / Carbines=
-The [[M16 rifle series#XM16E1 Rifle|XM16E1 assault rifles]] are used by the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]), First Lieutenant Charlie Hastings ([[Robert Bagnell]]), Second Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan ([[Chris Klein]]), Sergeant Ernie Savage ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and most U.S. Army soldiers. Later on the film during the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray, Joe Galloway ([[Barry Pepper]]) uses one as well. Many rifles used in this movie were not actual XM16E1s. The historical XM16E1s had only a partial magazine fence. Many rifles were actually M16A1s mocked up to look like XM16E1s, modified with chromed bolt carriers and 3 prong flash hiders. Apparently there were a few original receiver marked XM16E1s in the mix.
+==XM16E1==
-[[Image:XM16E1 WeWereSoldiers.jpg|thumb|none|600px|'''Screen used XM16E1 rifle''' (Hero Gun), carried and fired by [[Mel Gibson]] in the film - 5.56x45mm. This rifle was built from an M16A1 and modified with a chromed bolt carrier and 2nd pattern three prong flash hider.]]
+The [[M16 rifle series#XM16E1 Rifle|XM16E1 assault rifles]] are used by the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]), First Lieutenant Charlie Hastings (Robert Bagnell), Second Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan ([[Chris Klein]]), Sergeant Ernie Savage ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and most US Army soldiers. Later on the film during the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray, Joe Galloway ([[Barry Pepper]]) uses one as well. Many rifles used in this film were not actual XM16E1s. The historical XM16E1s had only a partial magazine fence. Many rifles were actually [[M16A1]]s mocked up to look like XM16E1s, modified with chromed bolt carriers and three-prong flash-hiders. Apparently there were a few original receiver marked XM16E1s in the mix.
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-82003.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Lt. Col. Hal Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]) lands on LZ X-Ray carrying his XM16E1. "I will be the first to set foot on the field."]]
+[[Image:XM16E1 WeWereSoldiers.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Screen-used XM16E1 rifle (Hero Gun) carried and used by [[Mel Gibson]] in the film - 5.56x45mm. This rifle was built from an M16A1 and modified with a chromed bolt carrier and 2nd pattern three prong flash-hider.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-82003.jpg|thumb|none|600px|LTC Hal Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]) lands on LZ X-Ray while carrying his XM16E1.]]
 [[Image:Vlcsnap-83195.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Hal Moore and another soldier can be seen carrying XM16E1s during the Battle of LZ X-Ray.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-92270.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Sgt. Savage ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and his men engage the enemy with their XM16E1s.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-92270.jpg|thumb|none|600px|SGT Ernie Savage ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and his men engage the enemy with their XM16E1s.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-91374.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Specialist Robert Ouellette 	([[Josh Daugherty]]) holds an XM16E1.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-91374.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Specialist Robert Ouellette (Josh Daugherty) holds his XM16E1.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-95915.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A U.S. Army Private fires his XM16E1 from Crandall's Huey.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-95915.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A US Army Private fires his XM16E1 from Crandall's Huey helicopter.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-132650.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Joe Galloway ([[Barry Pepper]]) with his XM16E1 at the ready.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-132650.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Joe Galloway ([[Barry Pepper]]) with his XM16E1 at the ready. Note that Galloway actually landed in the LZ with a rifle, as opposed to being handed one in the heat of battle.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-131762.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two wounded US Army specialists with their XM16E1s at the ready.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-131762.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two wounded US Army Specialists with their XM16E1s at the ready.]]
-[[Image:WWS027.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Moore opens fire with the XM16E1 during the film's final bayonet charge. According to director Randall Wallace's DVD commentary, the final bayonet charge which ends the battle did not take place in the actual engagement.]]
+[[Image:WWS027.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]) opens fire with his XM16E1 during the final bayonet charge. In reality, this last-ditch assault on the Vietnamese reserve at LZ X-Ray did not happen; there was no heroic final charge in the battle, nor were the North Vietnamese Forces destroyed as in the film. In fact, combat continued at a neighboring landing zone where an entire US battalion was ambushed and virtually annihilated. Director Randall Wallace mentions this inaccuracy in the DVD commentary.]]
-==M16 Rifle==
+==M16==
-Supplementing the large number of XM16E1 rifles built for the production by Cinema Weaponry are some slab side [[M16|M16 rifles]] (or unaltered Colt SP1 rifles, which look the same).  To the left of the stack (in the screencap) is a slab sided rifle with no forward assist on the upper receiver or magazine fencing on the lower receiver.
+Supplementing the large number of XM16E1 rifles built for the production by Cinema Weaponry are some slab side [[M16 rifle series#M16 Rifle|M16 rifles]] (or unaltered Colt SP1 rifles, which look the same). On the left of the stack (in the image) is a slab sided rifle with no forward assist on the upper receiver or magazine fencing on the lower receiver.
-[[Image:M16-SP1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The original M16 - 5.56x45mm]]
+[[Image:M16-SP1.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Original M16 - 5.56x45mm]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-106476.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A stack of XM16s from the battle.  Visible are unaltered M16/SP1 slab sided rifles.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-106476.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A stack of XM16s from the battle. Visible are unaltered M16/SP1 slab sided rifles.]]
 ==M1 Carbine==
-A Korean War-era [[M1 Carbine]] is carried by the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the formal title of South Vietnam) interpreter dressed in tiger stripe fatigues. He appears in the scene in which the NVA scout is captured and interrogated. Viet Minh soldiers also use them against the French during the intro.
+A Korean War-era [[M1 Carbine]] is carried by the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the formal title of South Vietnam) interpreter dressed in tiger stripe fatigues. He appears in the scene in which the NVA scout is captured and interrogated. Viet Minh soldiers also use M1 Carbines against the French army during the intro.
-[[Image:M1CarbineLateModel.jpg‎|thumb|none|500px|M1 Carbine with Bayonet Lug and adjustable rear sight - .30 Carbine.]]
+[[Image:M1CarbineLateModel.jpg‎|thumb|none|450px|M1 Carbine with bayonet lug and adjustable rear sight - .30 Carbine]]
-[[Image:WWS M1Carbine02a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds an M1 Carbine to a French soldier.]]
+[[Image:WWS M1Carbine02a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier points an M1 Carbine at a French soldier.]]
-[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineHeloA.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter lands on the Ia Drang Valley with his M1 Carbine.]]
+[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineHeloA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter lands on the Ia Drang Valley with his M1 Carbine.]]
-[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN01a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|An NVA lookout is apprehended.  The ARVN translator holds his M1 Carbine at the enemy soldier.]]
+[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN01a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|An NVA scout is apprehended. The ARVN translator points his M1 Carbine at the enemy soldier.]]
-[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN03a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter wielding an M1 Carbine interrogates the NVA soldier.  Note that it is not an M2 Carbine due to the lack of a selector switch.]]
+[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN03a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter wielding an M1 Carbine interrogates the NVA soldier. Note that it is not an M2 Carbine due to the lack of a selector switch.]]
 [[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN04a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter points his M1 Carbine at the captured NVA soldier. Note the bayonet lug.]]
-==M60 Machine Gun==
+==AK-47==
-The [[M60 machine gun]] is used  by several US soldiers. Various door gunners use them as well. Specialist 4 Russell Adams and his assistant gunner Specialist 4 Bill Beck also use an M60 in a deleted scene.
+In the film, the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) aka the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) used [[AK-47]]s with milled receivers. As per the actual battle, we also see several Viet Cong units carrying the same rifle. Real Soviet AK-47s were impossible to get in the U.S. for many years. After the fall of communism, milled receiver AK-47 parts kits were available on the market, and authentic AK-47s were built for the film (using American-made milled receivers by using the proper markings) and the original Soviet built parts. The AK-47s used in the film were built by legendary film armorer [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0660143/ Mike Papac].
-[[Image:M60.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M60 - 7.62x51mm NATO]]
+[[Image:AK47WeWereSoldiersHeroGun.jpg‎|thumb|none|500px|Actual screen-used AK-47 from the film ''We Were Soldiers'' (built by Cinema Weaponry) - 7.62x39mm. The armorers ran out of time before they could fully finish the finish on the wood forearm, pistol grips and stocks for the film.]]
-[[Image:WWS-M60FiresA.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|An M60 team lays down fire.]]
+[[Image:WWS AK47Hilla.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers fire their AK-47s.]]
-[[Image:WWS-M60FiringRangeA.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|US soldiers train with their M60s.]]
+[[Image:WWS-AK47NightA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier moves in the dark with an AK-47.]]
-[[Image:WWS-M60FiringRangeBlanksA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the M60 during the training.  The filmmakers cleverly lay real 7.62x51 casings in the foreground, which is a testament for their eye to detail. During filming, however, brass from the expended 'star crimped' blanks unavoidably flies out of the weapon.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-128779.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) soldier reloads his AK-47.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-39994.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A FPS view of an M60 firing in training.]]
+[[Image:Pavn.ak-47.bayonet.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same scared PAVN soldier rushes through the jungle and tries to bayonet LTC Moore.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-75605.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier can be seen holding a M60 on the left.]]
+[[Image:pavn.soldier.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same PAVN soldier gets hit in the head by a single round from Moore's XM16E1. Note the milled receiver.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-91127.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An M60 is seen with the bipod down during one of the training exercises.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-158010.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A pile of AK-47s.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-102263.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A door gunner is shot inside the helicopter while holding an M60 machine gun.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-106465.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the receiver of the AK-47 carried by an NVA soldier who gets killed by the charging Americans. Note how the safety is on.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-106362.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A door gunner fires his M60.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-158182.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier aims his AK-47 at the US Army soldiers when they charge on the NVA position.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-113810.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier gets killed by the Huey helicopters and their M134 Miniguns.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-114077.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same NVA soldier from the above image gets thrown across a wagon.]]
+==MAS-36==
+In the opening scene where a French convoy is ambushed during the First Indochina War, various French soldiers use [[MAS-36]] rifles.
+[[Image:MAS36.jpg|thumb|none|450px|MAS-36 - 7.5x54mm French]]
+[[Image:WWS-MASRifle01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The French convoy gets ambushed.]]
+[[Image:WWS-MAS36Fireball.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Two French soldiers armed with MAS-36 rifles.]]
+[[Image:WWS-MASRifle02a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Two French soldiers fire their MAS-36 rifles.]]
+[[Image:WWS-MAS36Shot.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A French soldier gets shot while reloading his MAS-36 rifle.]]
+==SKS==
+Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use [[SKS rifle]]s during the intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang.
+[[Image:Simonov-Russian-SKS45.jpg|thumb|none|450px|SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-26996.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh soldiers rush the French army in the intro of the film. Note how you can see a Kar98k in the background.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-23999.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier rushes the French army with his SKS rifle.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-25555.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier with his SKS.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-28285.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier before being blown up by a French grenade.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-28497.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier is armed with an SKS rifle.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-49825.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier rushes the French army during the intro.]]
+[[Image:WWS-SKSVietMinh.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier points his SKS at a French soldier.]]
+[[Image:WWS-SKS01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh officer picks up a French trumpet during the intro.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-77472.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier comes out of an underground base armed with an SKS rifle.]]
+[[Image:Sks.124564367.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA or Viet Cong soldier runs around with his SKS while the Ia Drang Valley burns in the background by the napalm bombs dropped by U.S. Air Force planes.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-99460.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier armed with an SKS creeps through the dark.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-92508.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two NVA soldiers tending after their DShK, which is in reality an American Browning M2HB. The soldier on the left has an SKS. The one on the right has an AK-47 like the rest of the NVA soldiers in the background.]]
+==Mosin Nagant M44==
+During the intro sequence, a Viet Minh soldier can be seen with a [[Mosin Nagant Rifle|Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine]].
+[[Image:M44Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR]]
+[[Image:WWS-M44Carbine.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh soldier in the center has a Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine while another soldier has a Kar98k.]]
+==Karabiner 98k==
+A Viet Minh soldier during the intro sequence and a Viet Cong soldier later on can be seen using [[Karabiner 98k]] rifles. It should be noted that according to one of the armorers of the film, [[User:Phoenixent|Steve Karnes]], the Kar98ks used in the film came from Israel and were chambered to 7.62x51mm NATO.
+[[Image:Karabiner-98K.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
+[[Image:WWS-K98Rifle.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A Kar98k is carried by one of Viet Minh soldiers.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-70352.jpg|thumb|none|600px|On the right, a Viet Cong soldier has a Kar98k.]]
+=Machine Guns=
+==M60==
+The [[M60 machine gun]] is used by several US soldiers. Various door gunners of Huey helicopters use them as well. Specialist 4 Russell Adams (Erik MacArthur) and his assistant gunner Specialist 4 Bill Beck ([[Desmond Harrington]]) also use an M60 in a deleted scene.
+[[Image:M60.jpg|thumb|none|450px|M60 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO]]
+[[Image:WWS-M60FiresA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|An M60 team lays down fire.]]
+[[Image:WWS-M60FiringRangeA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|US soldiers train with their M60s.]]
+[[Image:WWS-M60FiringRangeBlanksA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the M60 during the training. The filmmakers cleverly lay real 7.62x51mm casings in the foreground, which is a testament for their eye to detail. During filming, however, brass from the expended 'star crimped' blanks unavoidably flies out of the weapon.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-39994.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An FPS view of an M60 firing in training.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-75605.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A US soldier can be seen holding an M60 on the left.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-91127.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An M60 is seen with the bipod down as the platoon spots an enemy scout.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-102263.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A door gunner gets shot inside the helicopter while holding an M60 machine gun.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-106362.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A door gunner fires the M60.]]
-==M1911==
+==Browning M1919A4==
-A Colt [[M1911 pistol series#M1911|M1911]] is used by Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley ([[Sam Elliott]]) as his main weapon since he prefers the .45 over the M-16; When Moore praises the latter, Plumley says, "Bah, it's plastic...feels like a bb gun to me. I think I'll stick with my pistol." It is not common to see the first model of the M1911 being used by Plumley, since the M1911 was replaced in 1924 by the improved [[M1911 pistol series#M1911A1|M1911A1]] which was the sidearm of the US Military in the Vietnam War, World War II and the Korean War, however they did appear on occasion, usually under special circumstances.
+Two [[Browning M1919A4]]s are mounted on two French jeeps during the intro sequence.
-[[Image:M1911WeWereSoldiers.jpg‎|thumb|none|500px|Screen used M1911 pistol (Hero Gun) carried and used by [[Sam Elliott]] as Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley - .45 ACP]]
+[[File:M1919A4 pintle.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-99097.jpg|thumb|none|600px|"Gentleman, prepare to defend yourselves!" Plumley cocks his M1911.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-23377.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Browning M1919A4 is mounted on the French jeep.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-137131.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Plumley reloads his M1911.]]
+[[Image:WWS-Browning30Cal.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A French soldier fires the Browning M1919A4 at Viet Minh soldiers.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-155397.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Plumley fires his M1911.]]
-==M1911A1==
+==GE M134 Minigun==
-A Colt [[M1911 pistol series#M1911A1|M1911A1]] is seen in the holster of Lt. Col. Hal Moore and most of the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division that appear in the movie. Some soldiers use the M1911A1s.
+A pair of [[GE M134 Minigun]]s are seen as part of the M21 Armament Subsystem mounted on the Huey helicopter gunships that rip apart PAVN soldiers in the climax of the film, and another one is also on display on a table near the beginning of the film.
+[[Image:M134.JPG|thumb|none|400px|GE M134 Minigun - 7.62x51mm NATO]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-38494.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The AirCav officers admire the M134 Minigun before Moore briefs them on their mission.]]
+[[Image:Armament.jpg|thumb|none|400px|M134 Minigun mounted on M21 Armament Subsystem (which also includes huge M158 rocket launcher) used on Huey gunships.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-114448.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Huey helicopter fires its mounted M134 Minigun.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-117926.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of an M134 Minigun mounted on an UH-1 helicopter, showing the complete M21 Armament Subsystem which includes the aforementioned Minigun as well as pod of 2.75-inch unguided rockets.]]
-[[Image:M1911A1WeWereSoldiers.jpg‎ |thumb|none|500px|Screen Used Hero Gun M1911A1, used and carried by [[Mel Gibson]] in the film - .45 ACP.  Weapons provided by Cinema Weaponry.]]
+==Degtyaryov DP-28==
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-133597.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier with his M1911A1.]]
+In the scene where the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division perform a bayonet charge against the NVA position (an event which actually didn't happen in real life), a small crew of PAVN soldiers man a DP-28, a variant of the Soviet [[Degtyaryov DP Series Machine Gun|Degtyaryov light machine gun]].
+[[Image:DP-28.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Degtyaryov DP-28 - 7.62x54mmR]]
+[[Image:WWS-DP28.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The Degtyaryov DP-28 light machine gun is glimpsed as Moore's troops advance.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-163052.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A DP-28 is seen among the fallen NVA soldiers as the Huey gunship continues to fire.]]
-==M26 Hand Grenades==
+==RPD==
-In several scenes, U.S. soldiers can be seen with [[M26 hand grenade]]s strapped to their pouches.
+During the Battle of Ia Drang, one PAVN soldier can be seen carrying an [[RPD]] light machine gun.
-[[Image:200px-M-67handgrenade.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.]]
+[[Image:RPD-Light-Machine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|450px|RPD - 7.62x39mm]]
-[[Image:WWSM26Frag.JPG|thumb|none|600px|An production photo of Captain Tony Nadal ([[Jsu Garcia]]) and his RTO patrol the battlefield with M16s in hand and M26 hand grenades strapped to their pouches. Note the trigger discipline - fingers resting alongside the trigger guard.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-72255.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carries an RPD.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-93047.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Members of Sgt. Savage's squad drag a wounded soldier to cover. Three M26 grenades can be seen attached to webbing.]]
-==PPSh-41==
+==ZB26==
-The NVA and the Vietcong use [[PPSh-41 / PPS-43#PPSh-41|PPSh-41]]s submachine guns during the intro sequence and the rest of the movie, with both the standard drum magazine and 35-round box magazines.
+A [[ZB26 Machine Gun]] is used by a Viet Minh machine gunner during the opening sequence of the film set during the Indochina War. According to Steve Karnes, the film's armorer, the ZB26 used in the film was sold to the Chinese and converted to 7.62x39mm later in its life. It also has Chinese characters on the side of the receiver.
-[[Image:PPSH-01-SMG.jpg|thumb|none|500px|PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev.]]
+[[Image:ZB-26.jpg|thumb|none|450px|ZB26 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
-[[Image:WWS-PPsh41DrumRunA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets shot by the French officer while holding a PPSh-41.]]
+[[Image:WWS-ZB26-01a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the ZB26 in the hands of a Viet Minh soldier.]]
-[[Image:WWS-PPSH41KillShota.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets shot while holding a PPSh-41.]]
+[[Image:WWS-ZB26 02a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Another shot of the same scene.]]
-[[Image:Ppsh41-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|PPSh-41 with 35-round box magazine]]
-[[Image:WWS-PPS41RunHill02a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds a PPSh-41 with a 35-round box magazine.]]
-==PPS-43==
+==MG34==
-The Viet Minh uses [[PPSh-41 / PPS-43#PPS-43|PPS-43]] submachine guns along side their SKS's and PPSh-41s to kill the French soldiers in the intro sequence that takes place in 1954 in the Indochina War. During the rest of the movie, the PAVN (People's Army of Viet Nam, the formal name of the PAVN. Also known as the North Vietnamese Army or NVA.) and Vietcong (Informal name for the National Liberation Front, or NLF.) use the PPS-43 sub machine guns against US Army soldiers in the Battle of Ia Drang.
+When the American soldiers charge the NVA position, a two man crew of NVA soldiers man an [[MG34]] machine gun before being killed by the Huey helicopters. One NVA soldier also mans another MG34 in the same scene.
-[[Image:PPSh-43-Submachine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An PPS-43 submachine gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev]]
+[[Image:mg-34.jpg|thumb|none|450px|MG34 with front and rear sights folded down - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
-[[Image:WWS-PPS43RunHilla.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An Viet Minh soldier carrying a PPS-43 gets shot during the intro.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-158234.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two NVA soldiers with an MG34 machine gun.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-26359.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An Viet Minh soldier carrying a PPS-43 gets shot during the intro.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-158338.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A different NVA machine gunner with the MG34, awaiting the oncoming American forces.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-31089.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets blown up by a French grenade while his PPS-43 falls to the ground.]]
-==AK-47==
+==Fake DShK==
-In the film, the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) aka the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) used [[AK-47]]s with milled receivers. As per the actual  battle, we also see several Viet Cong units carrying the same rifle.  Real Soviet AK-47s were impossible to get in the U.S. for many years.  After the fall of communism, milled receiver AK-47 parts kits were available on the market, and authentic AK-47s were built for the film (using American made milled receivers using the proper markings) and the original Soviet built parts. The AK-47s used in the movie were built by legendary Movie Armorer [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0660143/ Mike Papac].
+A fake [[DShK heavy machine gun]] is manned by an NVA machine gun team in the final sequence before being wasted by the Huey helicopters. The DShK in the film is actually a [[Browning M2HB]] heavy machine gun mocked up to look like a DShK.
-[[Image:AK47WeWereSoldiersHeroGun.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|'''Actual Screen used AK-47''' from the film [[We Were Soldiers]] (built by Cinema Weaponry) - 7.62x39mm.  The armorers ran out of time before they could fully finish the finish on the wood forearm, pistol grips and stocks for the film.]]
+[[Image:DSHK.jpg|thumb|none|450px|DShK on tripod - 12.7x108mm]]
-[[Image:WWS AK47Hilla.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers fire their AK-47s.]]
+[[Image:Browning-M2-Heavy-Barrel-w-Tripod.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Browning M2HB on M3 tripod - .50 BMG]]
-[[Image:WWS-AK47NightA.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier moves in the dark with a AK-47.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-157072.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A PAVN soldier cocks the fake DShK in the final sequence of the film. Note the M2 charging handle on the right side of the receiver, showing that the DShK is actually a Browning M2HB.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-128590.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Vietcong gets shot and drops his AK-47. Note bayonet attached.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-158101.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The NVA machine gun team from the above image aims the fake DShK.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-128779.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A PAVN (People's Army of Viet Nam) soldier reloads his AK-47.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-119805.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The fake DShK after the machine gun team gets killed by the UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.]]
-[[Image:Pavn.ak-47.bayonet.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same scared PAVN soldier rushes through the jungle and tries to bayonet Lt. Col. Moore.]]
-[[Image:pavn.soldier.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same PAVN soldier gets hit in the head by a single round from Moore's XM16E1. Note the milled receiver.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-156900.jpg|thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers armed with AK-47s.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-158010.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A pile of AK-47s.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-106465.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the receiver of the AK-47 carried by an NVA soldier who gets killed by the charging Americans. Note how the safety is on.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-158182.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier aims his AK-47 at the US Army soldiers when they charge on the NVA position.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-113810.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier gets killed by the Huey helicopters and their M134 miniguns. All while still firing his AK.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-114077.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same NVA soldier from the above screen-cap gets thrown across a wagon. Notice how he has his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pith_helmet Pith helmet] back on.]]
-==M79 Grenade Launcher==
+=Handguns=
-Various US soldiers can be seen carrying [[M79 grenade launcher]]s in a few scenes. Specialist Galen Bungum ([[Blake Heron]]) uses one since he is the grenadier of Sergeant Savage's squad.
+==Colt M1911==
-[[Image:M79-Grenade-Launcher.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M79 grenade launcher - 40x46mm grenade]]
+A [[Colt M1911]] is used by Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley ([[Sam Elliott]]) as his main weapon since he prefers the .45 over the M16. When Moore praises the latter, Plumley says: ''"Bah, it's plastic... feels like a bb gun to me. I think I'll stick with my pistol"''. It is not common to see the first model of the M1911 being used by Plumley, since the M1911 was replaced in 1924 by the improved [[Colt M1911A1]] which was the sidearm of the US Military in the Vietnam War, World War II and the Korean War, however they did appear on occasion, usually under special circumstances. Of note is that in real life, Plumley also carried an [[M14 Rifle|M14]].
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-41883.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier jumps from a chopper during training while carrying an M79 grenade launcher.]]
+[[Image:M1911WeWereSoldiers.jpg‎|thumb|none|350px|Screen-used Colt M1911 pistol (Hero Gun) carried and used by [[Sam Elliott]] in the film - .45 ACP]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-93589.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An American soldier fires his [[M79 grenade launcher]].]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-99097.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''"Gentlemen, prepare to defend yourselves!"'' - Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley ([[Sam Elliott]]) cocks his M1911.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-93116.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An American grenadier gets shot while holding his M79.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-137131.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Plumley reloads his M1911.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-40534.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Bungum's M79 slung over his back.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-155397.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Plumley fires his M1911.]]
-==MAS-36 Rifle==
+==Colt M1911A1==
-In the opening scene where the French soldiers are ambushed during the French-Indochinese War, various French soldiers use [[MAS-36]] rifles.
+A [[Colt M1911A1]] is seen in the holster of LTC Hal Moore and most of the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division. Some US soldiers use M1911A1s.
-[[Image:MAS36.jpg|thumb|none|500px|MAS-36 - 7.5x54mm French]]
+[[Image:M1911A1WeWereSoldiers.jpg‎|thumb|none|350px|Screen-used Colt M1911A1 pistol (Hero Gun) carried and used by [[Mel Gibson]] in the film - .45 ACP. Weapons provided by Cinema Weaponry.]]
-[[Image:WWS-MASRifle01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The French convoy gets ambushed.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-133597.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A US soldier with his M1911A1.]]
-[[Image:WWS-MAS36Fireball.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|Two French soldiers armed with MAS-36 rifles.]]
-[[Image:WWS-MASRifle02a.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|Two French soldiers fire their MAS-36 rifles.]]
-[[Image:WWS-MAS36Shot.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A French soldier gets shot while holding a MAS-36 rifle.]]
-==Smith & Wesson Model 15==
+==Smith & Wesson Model 15 Snub Nose==
-The .38 caliber revolver pulled out by Maj. Bruce "Snake Shit" Crandall ([[Greg Kinnear]]) is most likely a Smith & Wesson Model 15 snubnose. In 2007, the real Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.
+The .38 caliber revolver pulled out by Major Bruce "Snake Shit" Crandall ([[Greg Kinnear]]) appears to be a [[Smith & Wesson Model 15 Snub]]. In 2007, the real Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.
-[[Image:M15M07.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Smith & Wesson Model 15 with 2" barrel - .38 Special.]]
+[[Image:M15M07.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson Model 15 with 2" barrel - .38 Special]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-113243.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Model 153 in Snake Shit's holster when he gets out of his Huey at Regiment Headquarters.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-113243.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Model 15 in Snake Shit's holster when he gets out of his Huey helicopter at Regiment Headquarters.]]
-[[Image:Revolver WWS.JPG|thumb|none|600px|"You have the balls to face me and not the balls to face the enemy?!" Crandall pulls his Model 15 after he gets reprimanded by a medevac pilot.]]
+[[Image:Revolver WWS.JPG|thumb|none|600px|''"You have the balls to face me and not the balls to face the enemy?!"'' - Crandall pulls his Model 15 after he gets reprimanded by a medevac pilot.]]
+[[Image:WWS 442.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The .38 caliber revolver pulled out by MAJ Bruce "Snake Shit" Crandall ([[Greg Kinnear]]).]]
 [[Image:Vlcsnap-113651.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Another shot of the same scene.]]
-==GE M134 Minigun==
+==Browning Hi-Power==
-A pair  of [[GE M134 Minigun]]s are seen mounted on the gunship Hueys that rip apart PAVN soldiers in the climax of the film, and one is also on display on a table near the beginning of the film.
+During the intro of the film set in the Indochina War (1946-1954), a French officer (Foreign Legionnaire) uses his sidearm, a [[Browning Hi-Power]], to kill several Viet Minh soldiers before being killed. The use of a Browning Hi-Power pistol by a member of the French Army at the time of the battle (1954) was not common, as either the [[French M1935 Pistols|Mle 1935]] or [[MAC Mle 1950]] were the official French military sidearms used during that period. The armorers couldn't get an appropriate French military pistol and since Hi-Powers were in the region, they opted for those instead.
-[[Image:M134.JPG|thumb|none|500px|GE M134 Minigun - 7.62x51mm NATO]]
+[[Image:BrowningHiPowerPistol9mm.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Browning Hi-Power - 9x19mm Parabellum]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-38494.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The AirCav officers admire the M134 Minigun before Moore briefs them on their mission.]]
+[[Image:WWS-BrowningHiPowerFires.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A French Army (Foreign Legionnaire) officer fires his Browning Hi-Power at a Viet Minh soldier.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-114448.jpg|thumb|none|600px|One Huey helicopter fires its mounted M134.]]
+[[Image:WWS-BrowningHiPowerBayo.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The French officer (Foreign Legionnaire) gets stabbed by a Viet Minh soldier while holding his Browning Hi-Power. Note in the actual ambush(es), they were not Legionnaires, and successfully withdrew from the area, though suffering severe casualties.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-117926.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A M134 Minigun mounted on a UH-1 helicopter.]]
+=Submachine Guns=
 ==M1928A1 Thompson==
-As the American soldiers are heading off for battle you can see a ARVN soldier holding up an [[Thompson Submachine Gun#M1928/M1928A1 Thompson|M1928A1 Thompson]] with a 20-round magazine.
+As the American soldiers are heading off for battle, you can see an ARVN soldier holding up an [[M1928A1 Thompson]] with a 20-round magazine.
-[[Image:M1928-A1 T.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round box magazine - .45 ACP]]
+[[Image:M1928-A1 T.jpg|thumb|none|400px|M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-79844.jpg|thumb|none|600px|"Gary Owen!" An ARVN soldier with an M1928A1 Thompson as well as other U.S. soldiers cheer the rest of the 1st Cavalry as they prepare to enter the Ia Drang.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-79844.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''"Garry Owen!"'' - An ARVN soldier with an M1928A1 Thompson as well as other U.S. soldiers cheer the rest of the 1st Cavalry Division as they prepare to enter the Ia Drang Valley.]]
+==PPSh-41==
+The NVA and the Viet Cong use [[PPSh-41]] submachine guns during the intro sequence and the rest of the film, with both the standard 71-round drum magazines and 35-round magazines.
+[[Image:PPSH-01-SMG.jpg|thumb|none|400px|PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev]]
+[[Image:WWS-PPsh41DrumRunA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets shot by the French officer while holding a PPSh-41.]]
+[[Image:WWS-PPSH41KillShota.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets shot while holding a PPSh-41.]]
+[[Image:Ppsh41-2.jpg|thumb|none|400px|PPSh-41 with 35-round magazine - 7.62x25mm Tokarev]]
+[[Image:WWS-PPS41RunHill02a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds a PPSh-41 with a 35-round magazine.]]
-==Browning M1919A4==
+==PPS-43==
-Two [[Browning M1919|Browning M1919A4s]] can be seen mounted on French jeeps on the intro sequence.
+Viet Minh soldiers use [[PPS-43]] submachine guns alongside their SKS rifles and PPSh-41s to kill the French soldiers in the intro sequence that takes place in 1954 in the Indochina War. During the rest of the film, the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam, the formal name of the PAVN. Also known as the North Vietnamese Army or NVA.) and Viet Cong (Informal name for the National Liberation Front or NLF.) also use PPS-43 submachine guns against US Army soldiers in the Battle of Ia Drang.
-[[Image:BrowningM37MG.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Browning M1919 .30-06]]
+[[Image:PPSh-43-Submachine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|400px|PPS-43 submachine gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev]]
-[[Image:WWS-Browning30Cal.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|A French soldier fires the Browning M1919A4 at Viet Minh forces.]]
+[[Image:WWS-PPS43RunHilla.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier carrying a PPS-43 during the opening scene.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-23377.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Browning M1919A4 can be seen mounted on the jeep on the left.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-26359.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier carrying a PPS-43 gets shot during the opening scene.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-31089.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets blown up by a French grenade while his PPS-43 falls to the ground.]]
 ==MAT-49==
-Various French Soldiers use [[MAT-49]] submachine guns during the opening Scene. Various NVA and VC soldiers use them during the rest of the movie, probably scavenged from French and South Vietnamese troops during the Indochina war.
+Various French soldiers use [[MAT-49]] submachine guns during the opening scene. Various NVA and Viet Cong soldiers also use them during the rest of the film, surely captured from the French army during the Indochina War.
-[[Image:MAT-49.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Screen used MAT-49 submachine gun from the film - 9x19mm Parabellum  (provided by Cinema Weaponry)]]
+[[Image:MAT-49.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Screen-used MAT-49 submachine gun from the film (provided by Cinema Weaponry) - 9x19mm Parabellum]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-22831.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A French soldier can be seen with a MAT-49 in the center of the screen-cap.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-22831.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A French soldier in the center is seen with a MAT-49.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-165653.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A MAT-49 sits on the top of the pile of guns while US soldiers pile up dead NVA soldiers in the background.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-72625.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Cong fighter gets shot while holding his MAT-49.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-72625.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Vietcong fighter gets shot while holding his MAT-49.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-165653.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A MAT-49 lies on the top of the pile of guns while US soldiers pile up dead NVA soldiers in the background.]]
-==RPG-2==
+=Shotguns=
-An NVA rocketeer is seen firing an [[RPG-2]] (Vietnamese made version was known as the B-40) against the American forces.  The soldier is wearing a protective hood and goggles worn to protect the shooter from the blast when firing the rocket.
+==Winchester Model 1912 Field Gun==
-[[Image:Rpg-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|RPG-2 40mm with PG-2 rocket]]
+In a deleted scene, Specialist Galen Bungum ([[Blake Heron]]) and his wife are seen using a [[Winchester Model 1912|Winchester Model 1912 Field Gun]] to shoot skeet.
-[[Image:WWS.rpg-2.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carrying the RPG-2 prepares to engage the American forces. The soldier is wearing a protective hood and goggles worn to protect himself from the blast when firing the rocket.]]
+[[Image:WinchesterM1912FieldGun.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Winchester Model 1912 Field Gun (last production model) - 12 Gauge]]
+[[Image:WWS-FieldGunA.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Specialist Galen Bungum ([[Blake Heron]]) is seen firing the Winchester Model 1912 Field Gun.]]
+[[Image:WWS-FieldGun2a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Specialist Bungum's wife firing the Winchester Model 1912 Field Gun.]]
-==SKS Rifle==
+=Others=
-Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use [[SKS rifle]]s during intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang.
+==M26 Hand Grenade==
-[[Image:Simonov-Russian-SKS45.jpg|thumb|none|500px|SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm]]
+In several scenes, U.S. soldiers are seen with [[M26 hand grenade]]s strapped to their pouches.
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-26996.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh soldiers rush the French in the intro of the movie. Note how you can see a Kar98k in the backround.]]
+[[Image:200px-M-67handgrenade.jpg|thumb|none|150px|M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade]]
-[[Image:WWS-SKSVietMinh.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds his SKS to a French soldier.]]
+[[Image:WWSM26Frag.JPG|thumb|none|600px|A production image of Captain Tony Nadal ([[Jsu Garcia]]) and his RTO patrol the battlefield with M16s in hand and M26 hand grenades strapped to their pouches. Note the trigger discipline - fingers resting alongside the trigger guard.]]
-[[Image:WWS-SKS01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh officer picks up an French Bungle during the intro.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-93047.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Members of Sgt. Savage's squad drag a wounded soldier to cover. Four M26 grenades can be seen attached to webbing.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-23999.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier rushes the French with his SKS rifle.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-25555.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier with his SKS.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-28285.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier before being blown up by a French grenade.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-28497.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh to the left-center is armed with a SKS rifle.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-77472.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier comes out of a underground base armed with an SKS rifle.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-49825.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier rushes the french during the intro.]]
-[[Image:Sks.124564367.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA or Vietcong soldier runs around with his SKS while the Ia Drang valley burns in the background by the napalm bombs dropped by U.S. Air Force planes.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-99460.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier armed with an SKS creeps through the dark.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-92508.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two NVA soldiers tending after their DShK. Which is in reality an American M2. The soldier on the left has an SKS. The one on the right has an AK-47 like the rest of the NVA soldiers in the background.]]
-==Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine==
+==M79 Grenade Launcher==
-During the intro sequence a Viet Minh soldier can be seen with a [[Mosin Nagant Rifle|Mosin Nagant M44 carbine]].
+Various US soldiers can be seen carrying [[M79 grenade launcher]]s in a few scenes. Specialist Galen Bungum ([[Blake Heron]]) uses one since he is the grenadier of Sergeant Savage's squad.
-[[Image:M44Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Mosin-Nagant M44 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR]]
+[[Image:M79-Grenade-Launcher.jpg|thumb|none|450px|M79 grenade launcher - 40x46mm]]
-[[Image:WWS-M44Carbine.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh soldier in the center of the screen-cap has an M44 carbine while the other Viet Minh soldier has a Kar98k.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-41883.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A US soldier jumps from a chopper during the training while carrying an M79 grenade launcher.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-93589.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An American soldier fires his M79 grenade launcher.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-93116.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An American grenadier gets shot while holding his M79.]]
+[[Image:Vlcsnap-40534.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Bungum's M79 slung over his back.]]
-==Karabiner 98k==
+==RPG-2==
-A Viet Minh soldier during the intro sequence and a Vietcong soldier later on can be seen using [[Karabiner 98k]] rifles. It should be noted that acording to one of the Armorers of the film, Steve Karnes, the Kar98ks used in the movie came from Israel and were chambered to 7.62x51mm NATO.
+An NVA soldier is seen firing an [[RPG-2]] (Vietnamese-made model was known as the B-40) against the American forces.
-[[Image:Karabiner-98K.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
+[[Image:Rpg-2.jpg|thumb|none|450px|RPG-2 with PG-2 rocket - 40mm]]
-[[Image:WWS-K98Rifle.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A Kar98K is carried by one of Viet Minh soldiers.]]
+[[Image:WWS.rpg-2.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carrying the RPG-2 prepares to engage the American forces. He is wearing a protective hood and goggles worn to protect himself from the blast when firing the rocket.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-70352.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Vietcong with a Kar98k.]]
 ==M1A1 "Bazooka"==
-A Viet Minh soldier uses an [[M1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"#M1A1 "Bazooka" (2.36" Rocket)|M1A1 "Bazooka"]] with a modified rear sight to destroy a French jeep during the intro sequence. While it seems that a Viet Minh soldier using a Bazooka could be an anachronism, the French army widely used the M1A1, [[M1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"#M9A1 "Bazooka" (2.36" Rocket)|M9A1 "Bazookas"]] and [[M1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"#M20 "Super Bazooka" (3.5" Rocket)|M20 "Super Bazooka"]] during the Indochina War. The Viet Minh widely used scavanged French weapons during the Indochina War, and the PAVN and Vietcong also widely used them during the Vietnam War.
+A Viet Minh soldier uses an [[M1A1 "Bazooka"]] with a modified rear sight to destroy a French jeep during the intro sequence. While it seems that a Viet Minh soldier using a Bazooka could be an anachronism, the French army widely used the M1A1, [[M1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"#M9A1 "Bazooka" (2.36" Rocket)|M9A1 "Bazooka"]] and [[M1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"#M20 "Super Bazooka" (3.5" Rocket)|M20 "Super Bazooka"]] during the Indochina War. The Viet Minh widely used captured French weapons during the Indochina War, and the PAVN and Viet Cong also widely used them during the Vietnam War.
-[[Image:M1A1 Bazooka.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M1A1 "Bazooka" 2.36 inch]]
+[[Image:M1A1 Bazooka.jpg|thumb|none|450px|M1A1 "Bazooka" - 2.36 inch]]
-[[Image:WWS-RocketLauncherA.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier fires at French soldiers with a M1A1 "Bazooka". Note the modified rear sight and how it has only one grip.]]
+[[Image:WWS-RocketLauncherA.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier fires an M1A1 "Bazooka" at a French jeep. Note the modified rear sight and how it has only one grip.]]
-==Degtyaryov DP-28 Machine Gun==
+==Hispano-Suiza HS.404 (M2 Autocannon)==
-In the scene where the men of the 1st Cavalry Division perform a bayonet charge against the NVA position (an event which actually didn't happen in real life), a small crew of PAVN soldiers man a DP-28, a variant of the Soviet [[Degtyarov DP Series Machine Gun|Degtyarov light machine gun]].
+The M2 autocannon, the American license-built model of the [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404]] appears in the film as the gun armament of US Air Force A-1H "Sandy" ground-attack planes that respond to the "Broken Arrow" call, making strafing runs on advancing Vietnamese infantry.
-[[Image:DP-28.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Degtyaryov DP-28 - 7.62x54mmR]]
+[[Image:Hispano Suiza HS404.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Hispano-Suiza HS.404 with ammo drum - 20x110mm USN]]
-[[Image:WWS-DP28.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The Degtyaryov DP-28 machine gun is glimpsed as Moore's troops advance.]]
+[[File:WWS 433.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The M2 autocannon, the American license-built model of the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 appears in the film as the gun armament of US Air Force A-1H "Sandy" ground-attack plane.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-163052.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A DP-28 is seen among the fallen NVA soldiers as the Huey gunship continues to fire.]]
-==RPD Light Machine Gun==
-During the Battle of Ia Drang, one PAVN soldier can be seen carrying an [[RPD light machine gun]].
-[[Image:RPD-Light-Machine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|500px|RPD - 7.62x39mm]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-72255.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carries an [RPD to the left of the screen-cap.]]
-==ZB26 Light Machine Gun==
-A [[ZB26 Machine Gun]] is used by a Viet Minh machine gunner during the opening sequence of the film set during the Indochina War. Acording to Steve Karnes, the movie's Armorer, the ZB26 used in the movie was sold to the Chinese and converted to 7.62x39 later in its life. It also has Chinese characters on the side of the receiver. Another one is used by an Vietcong fighter during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ia_Drang Battle of Ia Drang].
-[[Image:ZB-26.jpg|thumb|none|500px|ZB26 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
-[[Image:WWS-ZB26-01a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the ZB26 in the hands of a Viet Minh Soldier.]]
-[[Image:WWS-ZB26 02a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Another shot of the same scene]]
-==MG34 Machine Gun==
+==Colt Mk 12 Cannon==
-When the American Soldiers charge the NVA position, a two man crew of NVA soldiers man an [[MG34]] machine gun before they get killed by the Huey helicopters. One NVA soldier also mans another MG34 in the same scene.
+The [[Colt Mk 12 cannon]] can be seen as the gun armament of a US Navy A-4 Skyhawk responding to the "Broken Arrow" call, strafing Vietnamese infantry during low-level passes.
-[[Image:Mg-34.jpg|thumb|none|500px|MG34 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
+[[Image:ColtMk12.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Colt Mk 12 cannon with ammo belt - 20x110mm USN]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-158234.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two NVA soldiers man an MG34 machine gun.]]
+[[File:WWS 456.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A US Navy A-4 Skyhawk strafes the NVA soldiers with its twin Colt Mk 12 cannons.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-158338.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A different NVA machine gunner aims his MG34 at the oncoming American forces.]]
-==Fake DShK Heavy Machine Gun==
-A fake [[DShK heavy machine gun]] is seen manned by an NVA machine gun team in the final battle before being wasted by the Huey helicopters. The DShK seen in the film is actually an [[Browning M2|Browning M2HB]] machine gun mocked up to look like a DShK.
-[[Image:Browning-M2-Heavy-Barrel-w-Tripod.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Browning M2HB .50 BMG on M3 tripod.]]
-[[Image:DSHK.jpg|thumb|none|500px|DShK 12.7x109mm on tripod.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-157072.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A PAVN soldier cocks the fake DShK in the final sequence of the movie. Note the M2 charging handle in the right side of the receiver, showing that the DShK is actually an Browning M2HB.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-158101.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The NVA machine gun team from the above screencap aims the fake DShK.]]
-[[Image:Vlcsnap-119805.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The M2HB after the machine gun team gets killed by the UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.]]
-==Browning Hi-Power Pistol==
-During the Intro of the Movie set during the Indochina War, a French Officer(Foreign Legionnaire) uses his siderarm, a [[Browning Hi-Power]], to kill several Viet Minh soldiers before being killed himself. The use of the Browning Hi-Power pistol by the French Army in the movie is an error. The armorers couldn't get French MAB pistols and since Hi-Powers were at the region the armorers used those instead.
-[[Image:BrowningHiPowerPistol9mm.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Browning Hi-Power - 9x19mm Parabellum]]
-[[Image:WWS-BrowningHiPowerFires.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A French Army(Foreign Legionnaire) officer fires his Browning Hi-Power at a Viet Minh soldier.]]
-[[Image:WWS-BrowningHiPowerBayo.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|The French Officer(Foreign Legionnaire) gets stabbed by a Viet Minh soldier while holding his Browning Hi-Power.]]
 ==M34 White Phosphorous Grenade==
-A wounded NVA soldier is seen throwing an [[M34 White Phosphorous grenade]] (known during the war as "Willie Pete") at Sergeant Forrester, severely wounding him.
+A wounded NVA soldier is seen throwing an [[M34 White Phosphorous grenade]] (known as "Willie Pete" during the war) at Sergeant Forrester, severely wounding him.
-[[Image:M34 2-1-.jpg|thumb|none|151px|M34 White Phosphorous grenade]]
+[[Image:M34 2-1-.jpg|thumb|none|150px|M34 White Phosphorous grenade]]
 [[Image:Vlcsnap-93657.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The NVA soldier, covered in blood and burn marks, prepares to toss the M34 grenade.]]
-==Chinese Type 67 Stick Grenade==
+==Type 67 Stick Grenade==
-Chinese Type 67 Stick Grenade (aka Chinese Type II Grenades) are seen in chest pouches on NVA soldiers and in one scene is thrown near wounded American Soldiers.  A brave soldier jumps on it to save his comrades.
+Chinese [[Type 67 stick grenade]]s (aka Chinese Type II grenades) are seen in chest pouches on NVA soldiers. In one scene, one grenade is thrown near wounded American soldiers, and a brave soldier jumps on it to save his comrades.
-[[Image:WWS-ChicomGrenadePouch.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|Seen on the dead NVA soldiers is a chest pouch with Type 67 Stick Grenades]]
+[[Image:Type67Grenade.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Type 67 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade]]
-[[Image:WWS-ChicomType2a.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|A GI sees a Type 67 Stick Grenade as it hits the ground nearby]]
+[[Image:WWS-ChicomGrenadePouch.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|Seen on the dead NVA soldier is a chest pouch with Type 67 stick grenades.]]
+[[Image:WWS-ChicomType2a.jpg‎|thumb|none|600px|A US soldier sees a Type 67 stick grenade as it hits the ground nearby.]]
-==Winchester Model 12 Field Gun==
+=Notes=
-In a deleted scene, Bungum's wife uses a [[Winchester Model 1912|Winchester Model 12 Take Down Field Gun]] to shoot skeet.
+==French Uniform Errors==
-[[Image:Winchester Model 1912FieldGun.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Winchester M1912 Field Gun in 12 gauge]]
-[[Image:WWS-FieldGunA.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|Specialist Bungum is seen first firing the Winchester Model 12 Take Down Field Gun - 12 ga]]
-[[Image:WWS-FieldGun2a.jpg‎ |thumb|none|600px|Specialist Bungum's wife firing the Winchester Model 12 Take Down Field Gun - 12 ga ]]
-==Notes==
 There are several errors also in the uniforms of French troops:
 # No lieutenant from "troupes de Marine" (2 golden horizontal stripes on bleu) would have a white kepi (Kepi blanc for Foreign Legion soldiers only, excluding NCOs and officers)
-# The red berets are worn the wrong way (Insigna on the right in France for all the Army. Only exception French Navy Commando green berets)
+# The red berets are worn the wrong way (Insignia on the right in France for all the Army. Only exception French Navy Commando green berets)
-# Insigna on the red berets are wrong (infantry instead of paratroopers)
+# Insignia on the red berets are wrong (infantry instead of paratroopers)
+==The actual battle and its effect on the war==
+Although the battle would last more than 300 days, the film covers only the initial engagement, the first time the US used the Air Mobile Infantry (called "the helicopter soldiers" by a Vietnamese officer) in combat. Over three days, Moore's regiment suffered the loss of 72 out of his 395 men and were responsible for over 1800 enemy soldiers KIA out of 4,000. The utterly lop-sided casualty figures helped to convince Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and Vietnam theater commander General William Westmoreland that the communist North Vietnamese could be persuaded to give up their attempt to conquer the South using attrition tactics. Events, of course, would prove this strategy disastrous.
 [[Category:Movie]]
 [[Category:War]]
+[[Category:Action]]
+[[Category:Drama]]

We Were Soldiers: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:32, 9 May 2021

Rifles / Carbines

XM16E1

M16

M1 Carbine

AK-47

MAS-36

SKS

Mosin Nagant M44

Karabiner 98k

Machine Guns

M60

Browning M1919A4

GE M134 Minigun

Degtyaryov DP-28

RPD

ZB26

MG34

Fake DShK

Handguns

Colt M1911

Colt M1911A1

Smith & Wesson Model 15 Snub Nose

Browning Hi-Power

Submachine Guns

M1928A1 Thompson

PPSh-41

PPS-43

MAT-49

Shotguns

Winchester Model 1912 Field Gun

Others

M26 Hand Grenade

M79 Grenade Launcher

RPG-2

M1A1 "Bazooka"

Hispano-Suiza HS.404 (M2 Autocannon)

Colt Mk 12 Cannon

M34 White Phosphorous Grenade

Type 67 Stick Grenade

Notes

French Uniform Errors

The actual battle and its effect on the war

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