Hi at all,

i have searched a while but have found no answers in the web. Have special Forces (LRRP, Seal´s, MACV-SOG etc.) in Vietnam used the Uzi? This weapon was produced in 1954 so it could be possible. Has anybody some Information about it if it was used there? I know they used a lot of unusually weapons like the Ingram MAC Model 10, the Carl Gustaf Kpist M/45 submachine gun or the STEN Mk.VI (STEN Mark 6 silenced) submachine gun. But i don´t know if the Uzi was used too. I have one in 1/35 from the old Dragon German Bundeswehr set. I think for close combat situation it´s a very good weapon. So what do you mean or have you any information.

Many thanks for Info and feedback

Stefan

I have never heard of it being used in Vietnam, nor haave I seen any pix of it in use over there.

I'm pretty sure it was. I am confident the Sten was and I'd bet the SF or CIA-type guys would have used them. But like David, I don't have any reference pictures. I'm suprised you didn't find anything on the web. So, failing that, I'd go to your nearest library or large bookstore and see if you can find any reference books on the Vietnam war or on special forces and go from there.

Jeff

Hi Stefan,your mostly spot on with the smgs you mentioned got to disagree with the sten the sterling smg was used extensively by the Aussie and NZ sas the carl gustav45 or swedish k as it sometimes called appears to have been the best known weapon of choice for the seals and special forces robust and easy to field strip and clean.Dont reckon the uzi was used if your planning a dio would stick with the old adage if in doubt leave it out..hope this helps
Phil

Hey Stefan,
I'll partially agree with Phil, I checked my book, "SOG A Photo History of the Secret Wars" by John Plaster, In part four he writes about the Recon weapons and tactics, specifically on pg 142 he mentions the Swedish K and the Uzi (manufactured under liscense by Belgium's Fabrique Nationale.) Additionally he mentions a variety of types of weapons used by the SOG operators, everything from the CAR-15, a cut down M79, AK47s, basically the only limit was the operator's imagination and the specific type of mission they were on.

HTH

Many Thanks to all of you



i have only one of it so i will use it. It´s mentions in the book so i will use it. Thanks Wolfe. I´m working on the figures so there is a lot of work to do.There are no special Forces in 1/35 in Resin so i have to convert the Hobby-Fan Figures.The book, "SOG A Photo History of the Secret Wars" by John Plaster is a great one. I could take a look in it at a lokal shop.The price here in germany is about 99 Euro!!! or 132 Dollar!!!. So i have to satisfy myself to by it. Let´s see...

Again many thanks and have a nice day



Greetings

Stefan

In that book by Plaster, he doesn't just MENTION it. There are PHOTOS of it in use, mainly by the HALO jumpers who jumped into Laos and N. Vietnam. There is one photo with 3 or 4 SOG members with them. And, there is another photo of an Uzi with Suppressor next to it, just laid out for the camera. SOG got to use whatever they want. In addition to the weapons already mentioned, they also used cut-down RPD MGs, RPGs, M19 60mm Mortars, Walther PPKs (sometimes suppressed versions), all manner of M16/CAR-15, both XM 148 and 203 grenade launchers, etc, etc etc.

Rob

The only UZI I have ever heard of used was by my grandfather at the US Embassy during Tet. He also used a Swedish K as I recall. He was former-military and at the time Foreign Service Officer. There was very little need for exotic weapons over there. There was an abundance of Russian, French, and American made arms to say the least.

I can say the Seals used the Swedish K quite a bit. I know the Uzi is mentioned in a few books as well. you need to remember they tried to "confuse" the enemy by using distlintly" non American sounding weapons.

I was in Viet Nam during 1967/68 and did not see that type of weapon; however, we did find a cache of weapons that included a German Mauser rifle from WWII. Based on that find I guess it is reasonable to assume any weapon available could have been employed at some time during the Viet Nam war.

China would have had German Mauser's by the millions as it was the standard Chinese army weapon up through Korea. It would be more shocking if you didn't find any of those than that you did.

The vast majority of Kar 98's came from Russia to the VC as they had massive stocks of them as captured weapons. I've seen photos of kar 98's and MG34's captured by US troops 66-67. In relation to the UZI I've found one photo in US Special Forces 1945-Present by Leroy Thompson of 7th SFG which is an obviously staged pic.Considering they're all wearing berets and the bloke with the UZI is wearing basic M56 webbing so wheres his spare mags..LOL. While SF troops had a lot of leeway with weapons (same book theres a SEAL with an HK G3 in Oct 1968) I have never seen any evidence of UZI's being used by troops in Vietnam.Spooks may have used them but I think its unlikely that SF troops used them when they had Swedish K's etc

Again, if you refer to my posts above, SOG did in fact use the Uzi. Not a lot, but they used them. They were mainly used by the HALO jumpers who did some operations into North Vietnam. I have photos of the guys in Plaster's photo book prior to their jump, wearing all of their parachute gear, etc., ready to board planes, with the Uzis strapped to their bodies. Plus, he said in several of his books that they were used, if only a little. It certainly was not a common weapon. But it did see some use.

Rob