British Infantryman, 27th Infantry Brigade - Korea, 1950 to 1951

A video showing the uniform worn by infantrymen of 27th Infantry Brigade during their deployment to Korea from August 1950 to April 1951.

[@deanstuart8012]

The British officer receiving the bouquet of flowers at the start was Major Kenneth Muir, who went on to receive the first of the four VCs awarded in Korea. Sadly it was posthumous.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the info, I hadn't put the name to the face I have to say.

[@deanstuart8012]

@@RiflemanMoore Apologies. I missed the first officer receiving a bouquet. I was referring to the officer at 2.20 on your video being Major Muir. The first speaker sounds like Captain Anthony Farrar -Hockley, who was the adjutant of the Glosters and later became a General.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the clarification. Quite right the narrator at the start is Farrar-Hockley.

[@muz2864]

It’s so sad that these men get the highest medal in the British army but can not receive it in front of people but in a grave

[@cameronjodoin309]

My grandfather was a Canadian paratrooper in the Korean war, I have his issues sleeping bag, it is so warm that I could be sleeping in -40 weather with no tent and still sweat profusely. Well made and made to last.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Good cold weather kit was something of a necessity! Good that you still have it.

[@kyrans9768]

Absolutely fantastic view on the kit worn in early Korea. I can guarantee that the British vets of the forgotten war would be extremely pleased in knowing that they are starting to get the attention they deserve!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks Kyran! Glad you approve.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

2:53 "you brits are too late" says the Americans that were late to two world wars

[@rogerscott8211]

true

[@PaganShagger]

so what, you can be late at any war, dont use stupid logic kid

[@GavTatu]

yeah...its an old joke, calm down.

[@PaganShagger]

fuck it, lets dance

[@braedembenoit1107]

Britain lost an entire sub-continent to a man who wouldn’t eat food

[@Oline1756]

Awesome. I love learning about uniforms and equipments.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Nice, hopefully you'll enjoy some of my other videos too!

[@Henryk516]

Well done and thank you for the class A effort.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks for the kind words!

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks for sharing !

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

The British Infantryman is world standard as a fighting man. Very much respect indeed..

[@RiflemanMoore]

It does appear they were heralded as such on arriving in Korea, seen as something of an elite.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

My Dad was a WWII "Re-tread". He fought in WWII but was called back for service in 1950 for Korea. Dad fought in the ETO and he has known the reputation of the British Infantryman. My Dad told me that when he arrived in Japan in 1950 to his unit the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team the unit was filled with kids just out of high school but very many WWII Airborne combat vets from the 82nd,101st, and 11th Airborne Divisions. At least the 187th had the best senior NCOs and Officers . The rest of the Army of Occupation in Japan were fucked up and also filled with young kids. The biggest was the 1st Cavalry Division and it was in a very sorry state. Their training was not up to par because they were just guards as occupation soldiers doing their time. The soldiers were busy chasing pussy and catching the "Clap" in Tokyo and the other big cities. When the war broke out the entire division was rushed to Korea and many of it's battalions got their asses kicked as soon as they met the North Koreans. The American units did not have the much needed combat experience of the WWII vets because they were in short supply. The Americans were very happy seeing British troops because of their reputation as seasoned colonial fighters since the age of Queen Victoria. The American soldiers needed to get their ass kicked to get that combat experience in the first year until the Army pulled its WWII vets from the US and Europe. The Army grabbed as many Sergeants and Colonels. Dad said this was just as bad like the beginning of WWII because the US nearly lost Korea to the Communist Forces and they were fucking asleep.

[@RiflemanMoore]

That's about the long and the short of it. A posting to Japan in the late '40s was certainly a sought after one for living the high life. It's true to say at the very start of the war the US troops were not well led and no where near prepared, by and large, with the exceptions you've already noted.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

@@reddevilparatrooper The 1st Marine Division at Inchon and Seoul turned the whole situation around when UN Gen. MacArthur launched a counter assault Operation Chromite there which made North Korean forces flee towards China's border which eventually got them involved.

[@raybeazley9896]

Would it be possible to make a video about the different ways to fold the cap comforter? You'd be amazed at how many new reenactors order cap comforters from militaria dealers and then complain that they weren't sent a cap, but rather a "scarf". I think such a video would be very useful for a beginner British reenactor. I love my cap comforter and have worn it in winter, the desert and even on civilian hikes. One would think a wool hat in the hot desert is ridiculous, but once one sweats, the cooling effect of evaporation keeps one cool. I was amazed at how cool the cap comforter kept my head cool in the desert.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the suggestion, a good one indeed, I'll put that on the cards for upcoming videos.

[@privatepyle2639]

Very nice channel you got! I'm impressed man! Keep up the very good work. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@ornis1895]

Very good video, i have long been wondering about the British uniforms in Korea. Thank you!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks! Be warned the uniform changed a lot over the campaign with the introduction of combat uniform, I'll be doing a video on it soon.

[@ornis1895]

Rifleman Moore Awesome! I really appreciate that some people do videos on the Korean war since theres not that many videos out there. Looking forward to the next video!

[@koreanpatriot8971]

Love UK from South Korea🇰🇷❤🇬🇧

[@RiflemanMoore]

Love South Korea from the UK! Hope to visit one day.

[@ant7699]

Thankyou. I'm sure my grandad would be appreciative. Thankyou so much

[@13thBear]

Thanks so much for describing Brit gear from the Korean era. I enjoy learning about uniforms and equipment from our British and Commonwealth allies. There's just not enough information available about this subject.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad it was of interest. Bear in mind this just covers 27th Infantry Brigade in 1950-'51, kit changed a lot during the war. and differed between brigades.

[@kxd2591]

Thanks so much for posting Rifleman. I have always admired the British knit headgear, which I now understand is called the "virtuous woolen cap comforter". Having just made a Christmas '18 purchase from WOOLOVERS, a British firm, I'm going to request that they carry this item. And further more, I want to be the first customer. But may I ask, where was the daily ration carried? When I was in Vietnam, with no front lines and the rear being in some case many miles away, we carried three days rations on our back. No fun that. So one stripped the cardboard and stored the "C" (combat) rations ("B" being cold cut sandwiches, "A" ("hot 'A's") being "hot chow" from the messhall) in our spares socks with the lightest items in the toe and the heaviest at the top to be eaten first. At resupply, by chopper, Helicopter, Utility (Huey) we would sometimes get two cokes and a beer. Since I didn't drink, my beer was like gold. I usually swapped it and a ration of "scrambled eggs and ham" for a pound cake, a date cake, and, my favorite, "Beef and Potatoes". Sorry to get carried away with the memories. A hot shower, a bed with sheets, a meal at the table with family . . . all things a former combat Infantryman, Rifleman, appreciates more than most. May God Bless.

[@RiflemanMoore]

The cap comforter is a good bit of kit, it can also be unfolded and used as a scarf. As for the rations it's something I've not been able to find much reference to other than British troops at this time would be provided with American rations, hence the Hersheys chocolate and cigarettes carried in the pocket. I'm not sure if rations were carried or issued as and when. It was practice during the Second World War for composition rations to be served up to the men or delivered to them during lulls in the fighting as opposed to humping rations around with them. It's not something I've managed to find details of so I didn't want to speculate.

[@jefcambre988]

Love your impression

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@historicmilitaria1944]

nice,very informative

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@473specop]

I still have a skeleton set of 37 pattern webbing, [when in the cadets), the ammo pouches are dated 1952 and have the pull tab openings and drain holes, do you know when these modifications came about?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I know the quick release fastening appeared around 1944, I am tempted to say the drain hole appeared around the same time but I will have to check my originals.

[@jamiecoyle1502]

thanks researching my granddad god bless him. great video

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@thebuffs3794]

Very good and discriptive video, would you do a video about the uniform worn in the Italian campaign in ww2 ? Also i hope you have a good new year

[@RiflemanMoore]

It's a broad subject because a vide variety of combinations of uniform were worn throughout the Italian campaign but I will see what I can do! I've been meaning to put together a tan coloured web set for some time.

[@sloanchampion85]

enjoyed that!I had seen pictures of the Brit soldiers wearing American field jackets now I understand why that was

[@RiflemanMoore]

Exactly, Australians and I think Canadians continued to use the US combat clothing for much of the war.

[@Pip818]

Just curious but as there was a mention of the No 4 (Lee Enfield) rifle, was there much usage of the no 5 Lee Enfield, the cut down jungle version, given that many of the British troops were overseas already? Always loved the look of the no 5 and would have loved to handle one to see if it matched its looks!! I was Royal Engineers in 1985 and we were still using the Bren as non frontline units did not all have the Gimpee. Happy days. Thanks a million.

[@RiflemanMoore]

As far as I'm aware the No 5 didn't see service at all in Korea, it was of course on issue in Malaya and would see service in Kenya too but never in Korea as far as I'm aware. I have to say it's amazing how long the Bren, ala L4 was in service! The last photos I've found are with non front-line units in the Gulf in 1990/1991.

[@Pip818]

Thanks so much. Found a really interesting article which shed light on my question. The Mark V was quietly withdrawn from service following widespread complaints that the cutting down of the barrel had compromised its accuracy to an unacceptable degree. It seems also that the British government of the day were also worried about a bolt actioned rifle where the US had been using the semi auto Garand for a decade and other nations had coverted also. Thanks so much for your help.

[@robertallen6253]

Probably not.jungle carbine would not stay zeroed

[@WWIIUK]

sterling new format for the video thoroughly enjoyed it. What colour of blanco was used in korea out of interest?

[@RiflemanMoore]

It's difficult to tell from the black and white photos from the time. In some instances the webbing looks as dark as the uniform, in others much lighter depending on the lighting. I wore my Khaki Green No. 3 blancoed set as it is my late Second World War set which best suited. I would suggest in the field blancoed 1937 Pattern became quite washed out during the intense fighting and fast movement of '50 - '51, from then on 1944 Pattern became standard issue in Korea.

[@dulls8475]

I can only talk about 58 webbing and it was never the same colour. As you wash it it fades and i suspect the colours changed through time maybe for other reasons. My pouches were all different colours, some of it new and unused and some of it a light colour because of age. I would hazard a guess that if your webbing had been in the hotter climes it might be more faded. Like shirt hairy(KF) the colours were all different.

[@ryanhistory5232]

We’re can I found the jungle uniform

[@brianseward9099]

Forgive my ignorance, but were British troops in Korea issued helmets? I cant say I've seen any photographs or film strips of British troops with helmets during the conflict.

[@RiflemanMoore]

They were in latter years, yes, Mk IIIs and Mk IVs.

[@firearmsaremagic]

Would they be wearing helmets? If so what pattern?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Helmets arrived later in the war as movement bogged down and trench warfare became the norm. The helmet used was the Mk III or Mk IV 'turtle'.

[@britaesthetics6882]

Was the middle parka used at all during the Korean War?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Yes, it was introduced as part of the British cold weather clothing introduced for use later during the Korean War.

[@coltonfalletti6360]

What colour blanco is that webbing? Were blanco colours standardized in Korea?

[@RiflemanMoore]

This is in KG3, I'm actually of the belief now that a lighter colour was in use more closely studying period photographs, this will be covered in more detail in an upcoming video. Only 27 Brigade used 1937 Pattern, requiring blanco, early on, 1944 Pattern arrived with 29 Brigade and became standard when 27 Brigade left.

[@coltonfalletti6360]

@@RiflemanMoore So units of 28 and 29 Brigades would have 44 Webbing as early as 1951?

[@RiflemanMoore]

29 Brigade arrived in 1950 with 1944 Pattern. British units of 28 Brigade also seem to have arrived with 1944 Pattern, later Australian units would be issued it too.

[@maximusmaxwell4392]

i would have thought the 44 webbing would have been more in use waterbottle pouches etc i seen some british units carry the garand rifle i think 41 RM commando i know some RM COMMANDO in burma in 1945 used the garand and had 44 webbing my grandfather was in burma with the RM COMMANDO and liked the garand good vid Rifleman moore

[@RiflemanMoore]

1944 Pattern webbing arrived with 29 Brigade later in the year. 27 Brigade was deployed straight from Hong Kong as stated in the video and they were sent out there with 1937 Pattern and hence continued its use in Korea. From 29 Brigades deployment onwards 1944 Pattern became standard in theatre.

[@LouisL1963]

41 Commando were issued US Marine uniforms alongside the standard weapons used by the American forces in Korea. Fred Heyhurst's book "Green Berets in Korea" details a lot of this.

[@ant7699]

My grandad was in this war. He was on the top of a hill... He shit himself when he heard all the Chinese advancing up the hill.. Whistles and all.... He was firing morters....

[@babyinuyasha]

Uh, "The Ladies From Hell" aren't all Scottish soldiers, it was exclusively the Black Watch. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders have the moniker of "The Thin Red Line"

[@RiflemanMoore]

There are two schools of thought on this matters, yours and another which holds that the Germans gave this name to kilted regiments in general during the Great War, it's not clear which is true, at least as far as I can make out.

[@MaxSluiman]

On the the other hand, we Dutch used that webbing until 1994!

[@RiflemanMoore]

I know 1937 Pattern stayed in service for a long time with the Dutch Army as you say, I suppose it served it's purpose...

[@MaxSluiman]

@@RiflemanMoore as a conscripted infantery sergeant in 1993 I can tell you this: The webbing was not made for modern Dutch people being about 180/200 tall. The small straps of pack blocking the veins of the arms so that the veins in your lower arms would swell up. But hey, it was cheap, because the Britts sold their old crap to us. We often would buy Vietnam era Alice packs ourselves. Even the WW2 Germans had better stuff than we had! Except for a great folding spade and superb boots and a FAL rifle. And for infantry.....

[@RiflemanMoore]

I thought by then most of the kit was that made post-WW2 to a modified Dutch design, notably the rubberised haversack etc. I think the logic was that as new components were brought in through the period they would be back-compatible with the old surplus kit bought after WW2 which seems very short sighted in terms of kit development giving rise to the problems you mention though as you say it's a cheap way of doing things as all old kit can be used until its thoroughly worn out without worry of its compatibility with newly made items.

[@MaxSluiman]

@@RiflemanMoore true. From ' 88 on the haversack and US style canteencover, would be made of bisonyl inststead of blanco covered canvas. (Sometimes the latter had 1944 stamps in them). The webbing itself would be made from a kind of polyester, with the properties of canvas. What a waste of resources. My shelter half had a stamp in it saying: MVO 1958! And my sleepingbag was from the same date. M58. Even though there was an m88, down filled and an m90 with goretex cover.

[@MaxSluiman]

@@RiflemanMoore also we discontinued the ammunition pouches. Ammo had to be carried in the pockets of the field jacket. Can you imagine?!

[@williamwood6795]

Is there a site that sells this sort of kit??

[@RiflemanMoore]

What sort of kit specifically, the Jungle Green uniform, the US uniform items or the web equipment?

[@williamwood6795]

Thanks. I was thinking of the uniform

[@iandavidrichards]

Soldier of fortune is a good place to start

[@RiflemanMoore]

The M1943 uniform is still relatively plentiful and originals can be picked up for reasonable prices at shows and on eBay, the Jungle Green uniform shown is very hard to find I'm afraid.

[@iandavidrichards]

My son managed to pick up a pattern 49 battledress jacket and trousers at Military odyssey

[@Briselance]

Say, rifleman, would you, per chance, have an account on DeviantArt?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I do indeed.

[@Briselance]

Rifleman Moore I see. Whether here or on DA, you do never cease to surprise me with the quality and quantity and detail of your reenactment gears.

[@babyinuyasha]

Didn't they wear the Brodie helmet too?

[@RiflemanMoore]

They wore Mk III and IV helmets in the latter days of the war, along with American made body armour.

[@thefootsoldier1736]

Rations?

[@RiflemanMoore]

As far as I'm aware rations were provided en mass, either British compo or American rations, I'm not aware of a personal emergency ration being carried during this period from what I have read.

[@MrJm323]

1:27 ....Did the American narrator of the newsreel say "Fusan harbor"? ....That was the Japanese name for "Pusan" (now, "Busan", I guess). Seoul was "Keijo"; and I think Pyongyang was "Heijo" to the Japanese. Do the Japanese have "B"s and "P"s? Because, I don't think the Koreans have "F"s and "v"s.

[@RiflemanMoore]

It sounds like he says Pusan to me.

[@rcm926]

Funnily enough fu, bu and pu are all the same character with different accents in Japanese: ふ ぶ ぷ

[@scania1982]

Michael Caine would probably recognize the kit.

[@IndianaDel1]

My Old Man was in Korea in the Winter of 52-3, through to after the end of the war/ I clearly recall him saying the US winter gear was terrible, compared to the Later stuff the British developed and issued

[@RiflemanMoore]

Quite so, that's partly because the US cold weather kit the Brits got hold of was the old WW2 vintage stuff, the US likewise designed updated combat clothing, liners, etc. along similar lines to those we introduced. That said as I understand it our Boots, Cold Wet Weather were much admired by the Americans even after the introduction of their own updated kit.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely, when you have nothing something is always better and the Jungle Green kit was good for nothing in the winter months.

[@kromoism]

Yup, there is the foreign kit.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed so.

[@kromoism]

Rifleman Moore besides adopting a universal rifle, are you aware of any attempt to adopt a universal pattern of uniform or kit?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm sorry the question doesn't quite follow from what was said previously can you clarify what you mean, what are you referring to as a universal rifle?

[@kromoism]

Rifleman Moore Certainly, I should of been more clear. NATO was looking to adopt the Fal as the standard rifle, was there any attempt for a uniform or kit?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I don't believe so, beyond perhaps NBC kit later on which used standard markers, etc. A lot of NATO Armies followed America or Britain in terms of kit anyway due to the use of WW2 surplus and newer kit being made to be compatible with the second-hand US and British kit already in stock.

[@ottoman_reenactor_ct]

someone caught the korea fever I see :)

[@RiflemanMoore]

I've been collecting Korean War kit for years.

[@ottoman_reenactor_ct]

Rifleman Moore well still haven seen you make a video about them :) and lately I am trting to find people who are intrested in Korean war (mainly the winter m43 and m51 jackets are very good

[@RiflemanMoore]

Well I've done videos on some of the kit used, like the 1944 Pattern web equipment ^_^ I do like the M1943 combats I have to say.

[@AmerigoMagellan]

Why they wore so much of the American winter uniform?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Because they had nothing else and it was available!

[@ryanwulfsohn2563]

I’ve seen photos of British soldiers in Korea 1950/51 wearing the camouflage windproofs issued to some units in WW2 but also read accounts that these were not nearly adequate for a Korean winter

[@hgm8337]

Interesting they didn’t use 44 pat. Webbing and us equipment

[@RiflemanMoore]

1944 Pattern arrived with 29 Brigade later in the year and then essentially became standard in theatre with 27 Brigades departure.

[@hgm8337]

Rifleman Moore thanks for clarifying

[@iandavidrichards]

I was reading a piece from an Australian soldier who talks about being issued with a SMLE in Korea! And worked with a British guy who was sent to the Korean War and was issued with a US M1 Garand

[@johnraptis8953]

you are cool you like already in action again Moore

[@drchunkybiscuit9973]

The British have the best fighting force in the World! #Fact

[@mrmatt2466]

Yeaaaaaaaa. Whooooo England

[@peterbrennan4242]

STAND NEARER THE MIC...CAN'T HEAR YOU...! I SAID I CAN'T HEAR YOU...!

[@EzioDeCreeper]

Theres a thing, you can make the video louder.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Yeah, recording outside and the overall video volume is something I've tinkered with in more recent videos. I'm afraid I was till at the beginning of the learning curve when I made this.

[@peterbrennan4242]

Dariusz Zaremba Yes,but,it don't go up to 11...!

[@alp6319]

Судя по зимней одежде, зимы в Корее не бывает☺️

[@seniorscouse3346]

We the british wore yhe american flak jackets too

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed but not in the timeframe covered by this video.

[@justintime1307]

How odd the British military and our history never admits to being in Korea.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not so. It's not well covered because the Second World War looms large but it's not covered up either.

[@Sean-ol7ok]

YO i am from hong kong

[@RiflemanMoore]

Hey! How are things over there?

[@mrmatt2466]

Hey

[@mrmatt2466]

Close enough to English

[@SatsumaTengu14]

Great visual awful audio.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Yes, apologies about that. It's something I'm working on improving.

[@SatsumaTengu14]

Sorry, not trying to complain, I'm just older and it's difficult to hear well. Do you have any plans to show Canadian kit from either the battles of Hong Kong or Diepp?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm afraid I don't collect much Canadian kit at present, though if and when I do I'll certainly give it some thought.

[@chrissheppard5068]

No matter what war the British manage to dress their infantry like shite. Only now has it got to the point where it is actually good.