Credit : http://www.thaidefense-news.blogspob>
thounaojamtomwhat heavy machine is that in the boat with yellow paint?
An M2 Browning with some sort of shroud / barrel fitted. (Maybe blank fire related?)
FiTaLipzM2 browning ? i don't know sorry = _=''
much appreciated look bit odd thought have seen somewhere that is why i asked.
Correcto mondo M2 Browning fitted with blank attachment....
Royal Thai Armed Forb>
Credit : http://www.thaidefense-news.blogspot.com
t was cold actually freezing cold at '12 degree Celcius in Pyongyang North Korea at 1900 o'clock on 26 November 1950 especially for Thai Soldiers who was just taking a responsibility of local security from the Philippines. The Thai soldiers had come from Thailand leaving Bangkok on 22 October 1950 where it was very hot compared to Korea about 30 degree celcius. They had to work in the opened areas where shelters were damaged and could not prevent the cold air and with insufficient winter clothes which would arrive much later from Busan.
Thai Forces mostly consisted of an Infantry battalion of the 21st Regiment Combat Team arrived Busan South Korea on 7 November 1950 55 years ago today.
At about that same time the United Nations Command (UNC) wished very much to win the Korean War within the Christmas that year. Therefore with no time to complete 8 weeks training to acclimatize and familiarize themselves with new US weapons and no time for UNC to ease Thais into the war on 18 November 2005 Thai soldiers were ordered to the front line in Pyongyang to be placed under the operational control of the 187th Airborne Regiment Combat Team 2nd Infantry Division 9th Corps US Army.
The advanced forces of Thai Battalion reached Pyongyang on 26 November the same day the Chinese Communist Forces started a big offensive against the UN forces. The war did not end that Christmas 1950 but continued for 31 months later until the Armistice Agreement was signed on 27 July 1953.
After that first engagement the Thai Battalion was sent to many kinds of mission especially much-needed security patrols and posts and was placed under command of many larger units from US and United Kingdom. They also fought along side South Korean forces many times. There were countless battle. Followings are summary of Thai Soldiers' war for South Korea and few memorable battles.
1. North to Pyongyang South to Sangju: 28 November 1950 to 8 March 1951 under the operational control of 187th US Airborne Regimental Combat Team and later 5 the US Cavalry Regiment.
2. Advance to the Hwachon Reservoir: 26 March to 10 April 1951 started to commit into combat as one battalion of the 8th US Cavalry Regiment 1st US Cavalry Division. The first KIA occured in early April 1951 the Thai Battalion finally went into combat in the hills south of the Hwachon Reservoir and lost its first man killed in action to sporadic Chinese fire.
On 26 March 1951 Thai Battaliaon was ordered to be attached to 8th Cavalry Regiment 1st US Armored Division around Chuncheon and become the 4th Battalion of the 8th Regiment and given a name of 'Scrappy Gold.' During the offensive operation between 3 to 10 April 1951 Thai Battalion could sustain and endure in prolonged combat and attack and occupied all targets assigned by the 8th Regiment so it was honored as one unit of 1st US Armored Division and allowed to wear its badge.
3. Action in the Western Sector: 11 April to 16 July 1951 now having a privilege to wear the 1st US Cavalry Division insignia there were many battles.
4. Patrolling Clashes: 16 July to 18 November 1951 being a reserve for two weeks then back to the front line around Sammyochon northwest of Yonchon aggressive 'routine patrolling' in forces 'Outpost Eerie.'
5. Change of Attachment: 19 November1951 to 22 October 1952 placed under the 3rd US Division then later under 9th US Regiment of the 2nd US Division taking front line to strengthen the main defensive positions for the coming winter.
6. The Battle of Porkchop Hill:31 October to 11 November 1952 numerous battles struggling for the control of key and dominant outpost hills along the front line while having a truce talk at Panmunjeom. One of the most typical hill battle contests was waged at Porkchop Hill then held by soldiers of the Thai Battalion resisting and winning the attack by the Chinese Communist Forces. For this gallant fighting at the Battle of Porkchop Hill alone the Thais received one Legion of Merit 12 Silver Stars and 26 Bronze Stars and they were further honored with the name 'Little Tigers' meant the small soldiers fighting like ferocious tigers given by General James A. Van Fleet the commander of the 8th USb>
During the period from 31 October through 11 November 1952 in an-all out effort to capture Porkchop Hill the Chinese Communist Forces attempted 5 times first two to probe the defense strength and last three to take the hill but all were resulted in vain on account of the gallant stand of the heroic Thailand troops
The Thailanders won the fighting over the overwhelming number of Chinese forces not simply by the superior weight of friendly air and artillery power but because the Thai infantry man for man in the hand-to-hand fighting out-gamed the Chinese Communist infantrymen at Porkchop Hill.
8. The Last Spring: March to June 1953 spent most time in training and as 9th US Corps reserve then relocated to Kyo-dong west of Uncheon on 4 May.
9. Post-Armistice: 28 July 1953 to 23 June 1972. The Little Tigers had stood alert working long hard hours in the preparation of new defensive positions and guarding against any further possible outbreak of war. In September 1954 the Little Tigers were detached from the 2nd Division and placed under the 7th US Division control until leaving ROK in on 23 June 1972. The Thai Battalion was reduced to Thai Company from July 1956. They stationed at Uncheon from 1954 to 1970 before moved to station in Uijongbu during the last two years.
Finally It is more appropriate to conclude this story by pointing out what Thai Soldiers remember most. First is being cold second the confusion third the Americans and finally the Koreans. These words are taken from the book ' Their Wars For Korea' by Allan R. Millett.
What the Thais remember most is 'being cold. The different in Temperature between Thailand and ROK in Winter is normally about 40 degree Celcius. This is not accounted for wind and especially the war and loneliness.
General Surapol Tonpreecha who was a platoon leader during the Korean War in 1950 remember that winter vividly. He said in Bangkok in1998 'We Thais had no experience with such harsh cold. Our wool American uniform even when cut down for our small body were too heavy too cold when wet. We could hardly stand up let alone walk. We didn't have adequate cold weather clothing until we developed our own later in the war.'
General Surapol also remembered that the Thais were as confused as the Americans about the massive Chinese offensive against the 8th Army. Thai Forces were in Pyeongyang less than 10 days when they ordered to retreat. He said 'In total confusion we retreated south with the Americans to Suwon which we reached on December 14. We wondered what we had gotten into.'
Thais also remember the fighting in many battles but what they remember most is the fighting with the American soldiers and the American food which was so foreign to them. Major General Prayoon Nootkan-janakool who commanded the Thai Battalion in 1951 shared his experience by saying in 1998
' We got to enjoy US Army food prepared in kitchens and carried in insulated containers to our positions. Whenever we got a really good meal ' ice-cream steaks real eggs ' we knew someone wanted us to attack a tough position usually with a night combat patrol. Senior American officers would visit the battalion when an operation was about to begin. Lots of smiles lots of handshakes. The more VIPs the more handshakes the more dangerous the mission.'
Thais especially remember the Koreans even until today the friendship that Thai Soldiers and Korean Civilians gave to each other. The evidence is clearly illustrated by the figures of a Korean man and a Thai soldier on top of the monument. 'KAP CHI KAP CHI DA Thais and Koreans we go together.' Thai soldiers remember what and how much hardship the Koreans received and endured during and after the war. That is why all veterans are so glad and happy for the Koreans now that South Korea is one of the world top advanced and prosperous country and that Koreans are now happy and can enjoy their life freedom and democracy. Their sacrifice has been for nothing.
Finally especially thanking notes is to the Koreans for remembering Thai soldiers. So this story is finished when every one at the 55th Commemorating Ceremony saying
'TO THE THAI SOLDIERS WE WILL REMEMB.'
Ukraine presented the first production tank MBT T-84 Oplot-M for Thailand (more photo)
First serial Thai Oplot
Finally T-84 OPLOT M
เครดิต : www.militaryphotos.net
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