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[[Image:We_Were_Soldiers_Poster.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''We Were Soldiers'' (2002)]] | [[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]]. | '''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." | ||
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. | 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. | ||
'''The following weapons were used in the film ''We Were Soldiers'':''' | '''The following weapons were used in the film ''We Were Soldiers'':''' | ||
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==M16 Rifle== | ==M16 Rifle== | ||
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). | 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. | ||
[[Image:M16-SP1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The original M16 - 5.56x45mm]] | [[Image:M16-SP1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The original M16 - 5.56x45mm]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-106476.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A stack of XM16s from the battle. | [[Image:Vlcsnap-106476.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A stack of XM16s from the battle. Visible are unaltered M16/SP1 slab sided rifles.]] | ||
==M1 Carbine== | ==M1 Carbine== | ||
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[[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 holds an M1 Carbine to 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. | [[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-M1CarbineARVN03a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter wielding an M1 Carbine interrogates the NVA 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-M1CarbineARVN04a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter points his M1 Carbine at the captured NVA soldier. Note the bayonet lug.]] | [[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN04a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter points his M1 Carbine at the captured NVA soldier. Note the bayonet lug.]] | ||
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[[Image:WWS-M60FiresA.jpg |thumb|none|600px|An M60 team lays down fire.]] | [[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-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. | [[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-39994.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A FPS view of an M60 firing in training.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-39994.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A FPS view of an M60 firing in training.]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-75605.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier can be seen holding a M60 on the left.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-75605.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier can be seen holding a M60 on the left.]] | ||
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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 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. | ||
[[Image:M1911A1WeWereSoldiers.jpg |thumb|none|500px|Screen Used Hero Gun M1911A1, used and carried by [[Mel Gibson]] in the film - .45 ACP. | [[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.]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-133597.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier with his M1911A1.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-133597.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier with his M1911A1.]] | ||
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In several scenes, U.S. soldiers can be seen with [[M26 hand grenade]]s strapped to their pouches. | In several scenes, U.S. soldiers can be seen with [[M26 hand grenade]]s strapped to their pouches. | ||
[[Image:200px-M-67handgrenade.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.]] | [[Image:200px-M-67handgrenade.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.]] | ||
[[Image:WWSM26Frag.JPG|thumb|none|600px| | [[Image:WWSM26Frag.JPG|thumb|none|600px|A 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-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.]] | [[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.]] | ||
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==PPS-43== | ==PPS-43== | ||
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 | 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 Vietnam, 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. | ||
[[Image:PPSh-43-Submachine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An PPS-43 submachine gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev]] | [[Image:PPSh-43-Submachine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An PPS-43 submachine gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev]] | ||
[[Image:WWS-PPS43RunHilla.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An Viet Minh soldier carrying a PPS-43 gets shot during the intro.]] | [[Image:WWS-PPS43RunHilla.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An Viet Minh soldier carrying a PPS-43 gets shot during the intro.]] | ||
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==AK-47== | ==AK-47== | ||
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 | 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]. | ||
[[Image:AK47WeWereSoldiersHeroGun.jpg|thumb|none|600px|'''Actual Screen used AK-47''' from the film [[We Were Soldiers]] (built by Cinema Weaponry) - 7.62x39mm. | [[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:WWS AK47Hilla.jpg |thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers fire their AK-47s.]] | [[Image:WWS AK47Hilla.jpg |thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers fire their AK-47s.]] | ||
[[Image:WWS-AK47NightA.jpg |thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier moves in the dark with a AK-47.]] | [[Image:WWS-AK47NightA.jpg |thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier moves in the dark with a AK-47.]] | ||
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==MAT-49== | ==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 VC soldiers use them during the rest of the movie, probably scavenged from French and South Vietnamese troops during the Indochina war. | ||
[[Image:MAT-49.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Screen used MAT-49 submachine gun from the film - 9x19mm Parabellum | [[Image:MAT-49.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Screen used MAT-49 submachine gun from the film - 9x19mm Parabellum (provided by Cinema Weaponry)]] | ||
[[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 can be seen with a MAT-49 in the center of the screen-cap.]] | ||
[[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-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.]] | ||
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==RPG-2== | ==RPG-2== | ||
An NVA rocketeer is seen firing an [[RPG-2]] (Vietnamese made version was known as the B-40) against the American forces. | 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. | ||
[[Image:Rpg-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|RPG-2 40mm with PG-2 rocket]] | [[Image:Rpg-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|RPG-2 40mm with PG-2 rocket]] | ||
[[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: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.]] | ||
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Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use [[SKS rifle]]s during intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang. | Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use [[SKS rifle]]s during intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang. | ||
[[Image:Simonov-Russian-SKS45.jpg|thumb|none|500px|SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm]] | [[Image:Simonov-Russian-SKS45.jpg|thumb|none|500px|SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm]] | ||
[[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 | [[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 background.]] | ||
[[Image:WWS-SKSVietMinh.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds his SKS to a French soldier.]] | [[Image:WWS-SKSVietMinh.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds his SKS to a French soldier.]] | ||
[[Image:WWS-SKS01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh officer picks up an French Bungle during the intro.]] | [[Image:WWS-SKS01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh officer picks up an French Bungle during the intro.]] | ||
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==Degtyaryov DP-28 Machine Gun== | ==Degtyaryov DP-28 Machine Gun== | ||
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 [[ | 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 [[Degtyaryov DP Series Machine Gun|Degtyaryov light machine gun]]. | ||
[[Image:DP-28.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Degtyaryov DP-28 - 7.62x54mmR]] | [[Image:DP-28.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Degtyaryov DP-28 - 7.62x54mmR]] | ||
[[Image:WWS-DP28.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Degtyaryov DP-28 machine gun is glimpsed as Moore's troops advance.]] | [[Image:WWS-DP28.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Degtyaryov DP-28 machine gun is glimpsed as Moore's troops advance.]] | ||
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[[Image:Browning-M2-Heavy-Barrel-w-Tripod.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Browning M2HB .50 BMG on M3 tripod.]] | [[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: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 | [[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 a Browning M2HB.]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-158101.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The NVA machine gun team from the above screencap aims the fake DShK.]] | [[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.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-119805.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The M2HB after the machine gun team gets killed by the UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.]] | ||
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==Chinese Type 67 Stick Grenade== | ==Chinese 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. | 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. | ||
[[Image:WWS-ChicomGrenadePouch.jpg |thumb|none|600px|Seen on the dead NVA soldiers is a chest pouch with Type 67 Stick Grenades]] | [[Image:WWS-ChicomGrenadePouch.jpg |thumb|none|600px|Seen on the dead NVA soldiers is a chest pouch with Type 67 Stick Grenades]] | ||
[[Image:WWS-ChicomType2a.jpg |thumb|none|600px|A GI sees a Type 67 Stick Grenade as it hits the ground nearby]] | [[Image:WWS-ChicomType2a.jpg |thumb|none|600px|A GI sees a Type 67 Stick Grenade as it hits the ground nearby]] | ||
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[[Image:Winchester Model 1912FieldGun.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Winchester M1912 Field Gun in 12 gauge]] | [[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-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 ]] | [[Image:WWS-FieldGun2a.jpg |thumb|none|600px|Specialist Bungum's wife firing the Winchester Model 12 Take Down Field Gun - 12 ga]] | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 05:11, 16 April 2012
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."
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.
The following weapons were used in the film We Were Soldiers:
XM16E1 Rifle
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 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.
M16 Rifle
Supplementing the large number of XM16E1 rifles built for the production by Cinema Weaponry are some slab side 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.
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.
M60 Machine Gun
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.
M1911
A Colt 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 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.
M1911A1
A Colt 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.
M26 Hand Grenades
In several scenes, U.S. soldiers can be seen with M26 hand grenades strapped to their pouches.
PPSh-41
The NVA and the Vietcong use PPSh-41s submachine guns during the intro sequence and the rest of the movie, with both the standard drum magazine and 35-round box magazines.
PPS-43
The Viet Minh uses 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 Vietnam, 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.
AK-47
In the film, the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) aka the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) used AK-47s 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 Mike Papac.
M79 Grenade Launcher
Various US soldiers can be seen carrying M79 grenade launchers in a few scenes. Specialist Galen Bungum (Blake Heron) uses one since he is the grenadier of Sergeant Savage's squad.
MAS-36 Rifle
In the opening scene where the French soldiers are ambushed during the French-Indochinese War, various French soldiers use MAS-36 rifles.
Smith & Wesson Model 15
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.
GE M134 Minigun
A pair of GE M134 Miniguns 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.
M1928A1 Thompson
As the American soldiers are heading off for battle you can see a ARVN soldier holding up an M1928A1 Thompson with a 20-round magazine.
Browning M1919A4
Two Browning M1919A4s can be seen mounted on French jeeps on the intro sequence.
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.
RPG-2
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.
SKS Rifle
Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use SKS rifles during intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang.
Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine
During the intro sequence a Viet Minh soldier can be seen with a Mosin Nagant M44 carbine.
Karabiner 98k
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 according 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.
M1A1 "Bazooka"
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, M9A1 "Bazookas" and M20 "Super Bazooka" during the Indochina War. The Viet Minh widely used scavenged French weapons during the Indochina War, and the PAVN and Vietcong also widely used them during the Vietnam War.
Degtyaryov DP-28 Machine Gun
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 Degtyaryov light machine gun.
RPD Light Machine Gun
During the Battle of Ia Drang, one PAVN soldier can be seen carrying an RPD light machine gun.
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. According 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 Battle of Ia Drang.
MG34 Machine Gun
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.
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 M2HB machine gun mocked up to look like a DShK.
Hispano-Suiza HS.404
The M2 autocannon, the American license-built version 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.
Browning Hi-Power Pistol
During the Intro of the Movie set during the Indochina War, a French Officer (Foreign Legionnaire) uses his sidearm, 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.
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.
Chinese 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.
Winchester Model 12 Field Gun
In a deleted scene, Bungum's wife uses a Winchester Model 12 Take Down Field Gun to shoot skeet.
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 (Insignia on the right in France for all the Army. Only exception French Navy Commando green berets)
- Insignia on the red berets are wrong (infantry instead of paratroopers)