Opposing forcesUN ONUC forces - SwedenThe Swedish forces started to arrive in Congo July 15 1960 until their departure June 30, 1964. In total some 6300 Swedish soldiers served in Congo suffering 19 dead (whereof 2 never were found and assumed consumed by cannibals). The Swedes were lightly armed and not really prepared for the heavy fighting that developed during the 4 years of service. I have struggled to find any exact information of the organization of the Swedish battalions as this seems to have fluctuated a bit during the course of the war. However, one example that is confirmed by the veteran Sten Johnson (in the Skalman.nu forum) is as follows:
1st platoon, 3rd Company 18th Bat (October 1962 - May 1963)
3 x Rifle Groups: 7 men, 4 x SMG m/45 and 3 x Semi automatic rifle Ag m/42
1 x LMG Group: 8 men, 2 x LMG Ksp m/58 and 8 x SMG m/45
1 x AT Group: 8 men, 2 x Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, 8 x SMG m/45
earlier in the conflict an earlier LMG model was used, the Ksp m/42, which is a copy of the Browning MG M1919A6. A sniper rifle, the m/41 (Mauser) fitted with scope, was also used depending on the mission. Mortar platoons supporting the rifle companies used 8 cm mortars.
The uniform was the dark green cotton "Indian uniform" which was based on the British 1937 pattern. Headgear was the blue beret or the blue field cap. Officers can also be seen using the Swedish weapons tunic(see picture below). Please also note the raincoats in the picture below. Besides the weapons they look like US infantry in great coats. Helmet was the US M1 design with a plastic blue liner, worn if not in combat, and in dark green steel for combat with "UN" or "ONU" printed in white letters. During the december fighting 1961 alsp Swedish helmets m/37 was also used
SMG m/45
Ag m/42
Ksp m/42
Ksp m/58
Sniper rifle m/41
Grg Carl Gustaf
Uniforms
A couple of Swedes sporting captured FALs and a Ksp m/42
To be continued...
28 July 2010, 03:50:29 PM
