Interesting Documentary On the Korean War Last Night

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hi All,

Last night (this morning?) I was waiting for my li'l brother to get to Indiana from Boston. As the fog was thick, I stayed up to both greet him when he arrived and to talk him in if need be.

While I was waiting I was trying to find something to watch, and not being much of a TV fan, I settled on that.

While they focused mainly on the US side, I was impressed at the detail to which they paid the arms. There were N. Koreans using all manner of Soviet arms, including machine guns, submachine guns, and Mosin-Nagants.

It was so accurate that, in one scene, it seemed that one of the N. Koreans suffered "sticky bolt syndrome" on is 91/30! I found it hilarious. Too, it showed the view of a N. Korean sniper, and a PU reticle was shown several times centered on our GIs. The reticle was even somewhat off center, as if it had been sighted in!

Remember, these were reenactments. Very good attention to detail on the Military Channel's part. The only thing I would criticize was the lack of loud report and recoil from the Mosin-Nagants, and the US's M1 and M14 rifles.

Is anyone aware of any documentaries which concentrate on the Soviet development and use of the Mosin-Nagant and its offshoots? Seems it would be interesting. Though I love to read, I pull a LOT of hours in college at 30 years of age and don't know if I could squeeze in another book. I'm thinking something along the lines of Tales of the Gun, Soviet style. I'd like to see something accurate (not like Enemy At the Gates) from a Soviet slant. Everything I stumble across seems to concentrate on Americans and our weapons. That's fine and good but it gets redundant. Come to think of it, I'd like to see something on Israeli assault and main battle rifle as well.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[toivo]

Joshua, I'm wondering if there are any Russian documentaries covering what you describe. If there are, the question becomes whether anyone in the US thinks it's worth buying the rights and doing the voiceover translation. I'd certainly like to see it.

PS: I didn't see the program you're talking about, but I'll check the listings to see if it's going to be repeated.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Thank you, Toivo.

Also, it was the M1 carbine, not M14. I typed this when I was tired and my mind automatically did the equation of M1 + mag sticking out the bottom = M14. This is why I try not to type when I'm that tired.

Josh <><

[arkady]

Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith

Hi All,
[...]
Remember, these were reenactments. Very good attention to detail on the Military Channel's part. The only thing I would criticize was the lack of loud report and recoil from the Mosin-Nagants, and the US's M1 and M14 rifles.

M14s in Korea?

[nathangdad]

I have seen a few Soviet films (although I do not speak Russian). It is a little difficult in that
they are really propaganda deals with lots of
smiling Soviet soldiers forever moving forward.
However, you might check either the History channel or the Military channel and/or their
websites as they have a much greater access than I to archieval material. I do feel some quality
footage exists and I hope you find what you want.
P.S. Netflix has some good foreign films and a search of their offerings might give you some satisfaction.

[marion57]

M 14 wasnt invented yet during korea

[Joshua M. Smith]

Post #3:

Thank you, Toivo.

Also, it was the M1 carbine, not M14. I typed this when I was tired and my mind automatically did the equation of M1 + mag sticking out the bottom = M14. This is why I try not to type when I'm that tired.

Josh <><