Written by Leroy Thompson, illustrated by Michael Chappel, Malcolm McGregor, and Ken MacSwan Blandford Press, Link House, West Street, Poole, Dorset, England BH15 1LL (distributed in the United States by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016) Hardcover, 160 pp., 124 color and black and white photos, 17 color plates, 1 map (theater) index (no bibliography) Price: $17.95 ISBN 0-7137-1264-3 Audiences: historians, collectors, modelers, veterans The long conflict in Vietnam saw many armies fight in that troubled land. Besides the national forces there were also in action a number of guerrilla, auxiliary, and militia forces. Each group had its own uniform, often of a standard pattern, some marked by only a single common badge. This legacy left a diversity of uniforms and insignia which are still imperfectly recorded and understood. In his new book Mr. Thompson has made a major contribution to identifying the many types of military clothing worn in Vietnam. With accurate color illustrations and a panoply of vintage photographs, the uniforms, fieldgear, and insignia of the major, and most of the minor combatants are noted. Background on the variety of military garb, weapons, and battle actions is provided in a wellresearched text. As might be expected the uniforms of the United States receive the greatest attention. Issue items and gear made and worn only in Vietnam are studied for the ground elements as well as the sea services (notably, riverine and SEALs), aviation units (land and carrier based), and auxiliary formations. Selections from the armed forces of the Republic of South Vietnam are explained with valuable data on the order of battle of these branches. Local troops, such as, the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) and Mercenary (MIKE) Forces, receive particular attention as to their special accouterments. The soldiers and marines of South Korea, ANZAC troops, and other allies of Saigon are included with useful information as to their participation in the war. Selected examples from "the other side" give the reader an appreciation for the utilitarian uniforms and equipment of the Communist forces, whether Viet Minh, Viet Cong, or NVA. The colonial period is represented by seldom seen military dress of the French army and navy. As testified by the many uniforms, perhaps no other small country in the midtwentieth century endured so many armies and so much war as Vietnam. More Book Reviews The Brown Water Navy: The River and Coastal War in Indo-China and Vietnam, 1948-1972 Uniforms of the Indo-China and Vietnam Wars The French Foreign Legion: The Inside Story of the World-Famous Fighting Force Back to Table of Contents -- Game News #8 To Game News List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1985 by Dana Lombardy. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com