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OVERVIEW: The History of the SKS is very well documented on the web. This page is dedicated to bringing the battle history of the SKS to life through anecdotes and photographs.
WWII: In the Spring of 1944, the Russians shipped prototype models of the new SKS to the Byelorussian front against the Germans for battle testing. This weapon was never issued in quantity, but the soldiers who tried this rifle raved of it's outstanding performance. I have yet to see any records, specific stories, or photos of this event.
KOREA: I've read quite a bit regarding the usage of SKS's in Korea, but I don't have any photos at this time. Since Korea was not making SKS's until 10 years after the war, it's apparent they were using Russian SKS's.
VIETNAM: In the beginning of the Vietnam War, the Chinese supplied the Communist Vietnamese with large quantities of weapons such as Chinese Mosin clones and SKS's from factory 26. As the war escalated, SKS's were replaced by the AK-47 as the predominant battle rifle. Generally, women and the infirm who were willing to fight were given the Mosin's. Rear guard and general militia were issued the SKS, while the most active guerilla fighters were issued AK-47's.
8/8/00 - I've recently sold an old motorcycle I've been hanging onto to a Vietnam veteran named Mike P. Out of curiosity, I asked him if he'd ever run across any SKS's in country. He said something like "Oh, hell yes" and proceeded to tell me two interesting facts worth repeating.
First fact: When the VC were ready to charge a position, they would all flip out their bayonets. It was like a chain reaction or signal that would ripple through the jungle like a wave effect. You know that distinct KER-chunk when you quickly lock the bayonet in the forward position? Imagine the sound of twenty to fifty bayonets getting extended unseen all around you. Mike said that even the toughest Marine would swallow hard when he heard that sound. I wouldn't doubt it for a second as the very thought gives me chills...
Second fact: When the VC would fight in the prone position, many would use the bayonet as a monopod. They would flip it halfway out so it pointed straight down, then dig the point into the ground.
VIET CONG UNIFORMS
(Special thanks to BillC)
VIETNAM RE-ENACTMENT PHOTO
(Special thanks to BillC)
THE VC ON THE MARCH
Photo courtesy of Stuart Beeney of the American Infantry Preservation Society http://www.vietnam.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm
CAPTURED WEAPONS
PHOTO: U.S. soldiers and investigating captured VC weapons. To see a listing of several different weapons captures, see this "Sights and Sounds" page.
THE HEAT OF BATTLE
PHOTO: VC soldiers engaging the good guys.
PHOTO: A VC soldier with his SKS.
OTHER AREAS: It seems that if there is a war after 1950, the SKS will be found on the battlefield. Places where Soviet military aid was rendered as Afghanistan and Egypt are two examples of this fact.
SOMALIA
Tribesmen with two Mosin's and a Yugoslavian SKS in the middle.
Somali fighters. Yugoslavian SKS on far right.
BOSNIA
CLICK HERE FOR GIGANTIC VERSION (You can see everything down to the drift pins!) Recent photo of Bosnian soldiers and their Yugoslavian 59/66's. Found on the NATO site by Bill C.
ROMANIA
CLICK HERE FOR GIGANTIC VERSION Recent photo of the Romanian honor guard standing at attention with their Simonovs. Found in LIFE Magazine by A.F. CHUCK
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