1980's PLA questions?

Kalakov_1980

Just Hatched
Registered Member
Could someone give me a quick overview of all the basic equipment used by the People's Liberation Army in the late 70's early 80's? Another friend of mine (fallout2077) also had questions, so he will post some of his own in this thread.
-Was the type 56 AK or SKS used more by infantry?
-Were the chicom chest rigs with the metal buckles or the vinyl keepers more common?
-Which mess kits were most common?
-What went into the haversack/satchel? How common were these bread bags/haversacks?
-Was the ammunition transported in SPAM cans?
-How was food sent to troops?
-What would the rations look like/consist of?
-Which gas mask was most common?
-Would the high or low ankled sneakers be more common?
-Which helmet was more common? GK80 or Japanese helmet?
-Which backpack was used by common infantry?
-Which canteen? Type 78, or 65?

Thanks!
Kalakov
 
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the corner

New Member
"在中印边境之战后,56式冲锋枪的装备数量开始逐步增加,在对越自卫还击战中,56式冲锋枪已经成为步兵班的主要武器。"

actually...during The Sino Vietnamese War most of solider didn't equiped with helmet...so both of them are really rare dunring that time...
that's all I know......
 

luhai

Banned Idiot
Picture worth 1000 word, typical combat unit, 1979 war.

Notice the mix of SKS and AK type guns. In PLA units, AK is categorized as Sub-machine gun, and is deployed as such.

Nk68OET.jpg
 
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luhai

Banned Idiot
Typical Combat units, 1984-1988 War.

Note use of helmets, and replacement of SKS.
Zve97r4.jpg

2wZJ8HX.jpg
 
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Kalakov_1980

Just Hatched
Registered Member
Thank you guys for the info! It seems that backpacks were not common field gear? Also; info on what was included in rations, as well as when and how much was carried by each soldier, and how it was packaged. Thanks! Kalakov
 
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advill

Junior Member
Interesting questions that triggered some historical facts. The PLA was initially a guerrilla force in the late 1940s/50s, where living off the land (for food) was a common practice, and support came from local sympathisers. Weapons were supplied from USSR or captured from the adversary. Generally speaking, tactics of guerrilla forces are in several ways quite similar, from revolutions that took place in Cuba till present times i.e. theatres of conflicts (Syria, Iraq, Africa et. al.) The PLA has grown in sophistication since the mid-1980s, when China's respected leader Deng Seow Ping came to power. China grew rapidly into a modern and a rich country - the dictum "Rich Country, Strong Military" became applicable. The dictum also influenced Japan from the time of the Meiji Restoration. I believe most military institutions and staff colleges would lecture on such histories, as very useful lessons can be learnt from them.

Thank you guys for the info! It seems that backpacks were not common field gear? Also; info on what was included in rations, as well as when and how much was carried by each soldier, and how it was packaged. Thanks! Kalakov
 
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Legionnaire

Just Hatched
Registered Member
Could someone give me a quick overview of all the basic equipment used by the People's Liberation Army in the late 70's early 80's? Another friend of mine (fallout2077) also had questions, so he will post some of his own in this thread.
-Was the type 56 AK or SKS used more by infantry?
-Were the chicom chest rigs with the metal buckles or the vinyl keepers more common?
-Which mess kits were most common?
-What went into the haversack/satchel? How common were these bread bags/haversacks?
-Was the ammunition transported in SPAM cans?
-How was food sent to troops?
-What would the rations look like/consist of?
-Which gas mask was most common?
-Would the high or low ankled sneakers be more common?
-Which helmet was more common? GK80 or Japanese helmet?
-Which backpack was used by common infantry?
-Which canteen? Type 78, or 65?






Thanks!
Kalakov



All right……
In 1960-1980 infantry use type 56;The second I'm not sure what are you talking about,sorry,my English not very good;In late 70's early 80's army have a small bag,small,long,thin.We used them to storage the rice and noodle(cooked),soldier put the bag on the left shoulder (If you want to know more send message for me);what is “SPAM”?;In Chinese army we eat three-course meal in a soup (Lunch,At ordinary times),During the war,we eat the ship biscuit (or Compressed biscuits ?)more,sometime we have canned;The gas mask,we called it Type65;High or low ankled sneakers both have,First we used low,when the war begin we made High,maybe different unit use different shoes(Sorry,I have to ask my leader,If I back to my parents house.He is a Commander in The Sino Vietnamese War 1979-1988 );GK80 was more common; Backpack…… Type65 was used by common,but it's made for airborne,I have one,it's really great! I'm how about infantry.
 

advill

Junior Member
The PLA was then a tough guerrilla army that lived off the land during the 1940s till about 1960s if I am not mistaken. The Chinese transformed the PLA Army, Navy & Air Force in relatively quick time, to what they are now, a modern Defense Force. We should know that the Chinese are always very quick to learn when they set their minds to it - I personally had the experience of teaching Chinese undergraduate and post graduate courses as a visiting IB lecturer in 2005 & 2006. They were all hard working, respectful and a pleasure to teach. I am sure they are the same now.

All right……
In 1960-1980 infantry use type 56;The second I'm not sure what are you talking about,sorry,my English not very good;In late 70's early 80's army have a small bag,small,long,thin.We used them to storage the rice and noodle(cooked),soldier put the bag on the left shoulder (If you want to know more send message for me);what is “SPAM”?;In Chinese army we eat three-course meal in a soup (Lunch,At ordinary times),During the war,we eat the ship biscuit (or Compressed biscuits ?)more,sometime we have canned;The gas mask,we called it Type65;High or low ankled sneakers both have,First we used low,when the war begin we made High,maybe different unit use different shoes(Sorry,I have to ask my leader,If I back to my parents house.He is a Commander in The Sino Vietnamese War 1979-1988 );GK80 was more common; Backpack…… Type65 was used by common,but it's made for airborne,I have one,it's really great! I'm how about infantry.
 
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