The ALA: Uniforms, Weapons, Vehicles

[Matt Wiser]

The ALA has never had its own thread, but this question has come up on the "Other board", so let's throw it out there. Uniforms: Right now, let's have a discussion before settling something as canon. I'm thinking a mix of Soviet-Red Army greatcoat, helmet, web gear (when the latter two are available), over captured American uniforms-probably OD green all around, with U.S. web gear and old-pattern U.S. helmets as available. There would be either an armband or patch with the ALA emblem (Their U.S. flag with the stars replaced with a hammer and sickle). This would be for the Army by and large, but also for their half-hearted attempt at an Air Force-with their roundel replacing the flag patch as appropriate.

Weapons and vehicles can also be discussed, though fact files have covered those.

Thoughts?

[jemhouston]

Probably a mix of the oldest US military and civilian vehicles. Weapons probably M1 Garands and M1 Carbines. I can't see the Soviets trusting ALA too much. Other than the true believers, I'd be worried about getting shot in the back by the 3 hots and a cot crowd.

The criminals might be better, but a lot of the near psychos were pushed over the edge by the war.

[Wolfman]

As agreed on the old board, the ALAF was issued MiG-15bis “FAGOT”, MiG-17PF “FRESCO-D”, and MiG-19 “FARMER” fighters.

As for the ALA, I would have issued them World War I-era weapons and equipment and weapons (well, the equipment would be reproductions, and the weapons would more than likely be the same)…

[Bernard Woolley]

As for the ALA, I would have issued them World War I-era weapons and equipment and weapons (well, the equipment would be reproductions, and the weapons would more than likely be the same)…

A use for all of those Mosin–Nagants that the Soviets kept in storage, perhaps? I would imagine that PPSh-41 and PPS-43 SMGs might also be issued to the ALA.

[Wolfman]

As for the ALA, I would have issued them World War I-era weapons and equipment and weapons (well, the equipment would be reproductions, and the weapons would more than likely be the same)…

A use for all of those Mosin–Nagants that the Soviets kept in storage, perhaps? I would imagine that PPSh-41 and PPS-43 SMGs might also be issued to the ALA.

Works for me.

[Johnnie Lyle]

If they’re rear area bullyboys, then they get the cheapest, least modern kit available: Moisin-Nagants, DP-28s, etc.

If they’re going to be put in the line (routinely), then they’re going to need Kalashnikovs and reasonably modern weapons (RPG-2s, etc).

Same with uniforms. ODs work for rear-area tasks with an acceptable level of “Ooops” red on red. If they’re up in the line, you’ll get more “Oops,” but I don’t see many Sovs wiping away tears, especially if they see the ALA getting equipment that should be theirs. Maybe uniforms out of Mexican, Nicaraguan or Cuban stock.

If they get vehicles, it’ll be T-55s and trucks at best.

[Wolfman]

Ivan doesn’t trust the ALA enough to give them tanks that have a chance of survival on the front line, so T-34/85s are the best tanks the ALA could possibly hope for…

[Poohbah]

Ivan doesn’t trust the ALA enough to give them tanks that have a chance of survival on the front line, so T-34/85s are the best tanks the ALA could possibly hope for…

And captured M113s (with gasoline engines).

[Wolfman]

Ivan doesn’t trust the ALA enough to give them tanks that have a chance of survival on the front line, so T-34/85s are the best tanks the ALA could possibly hope for…

And captured M113s (with gasoline engines).

They don’t even get M113s, but have to make do with captured military trucks…

[Poohbah]

Ivan doesn’t trust the ALA enough to give them tanks that have a chance of survival on the front line, so T-34/85s are the best tanks the ALA could possibly hope for…

And captured M113s (with gasoline engines).

They don’t even get M113s, but have to make do with captured military trucks…

The gasoline-powered M113 had a wondrously evil rep for brewing up if hit on the flank by shell fragments...

[Matryoshka]

On the subject of small-arms, I seem to recall some discussion on the old board about the ALA being handed not just captured/surplus American kit like M1911s/A1s, Ingram MAC-10s, M-3 grease guns etc. so they could ‘subsist’ off pre-existing/captured stockpiles of American-calibre ammunition, especially ex-civilian stocks, but also ‘permission’ to use captured blueprints, local machine-shops, and other factories to set up (continued) domestic production of their own weapons and ammo, ‘granting’ them a certain degree of ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-sufficiency’.
(That this released the rest of the ComBloc from any obligation to import weapons and ammo for their puppet auxiliaries, and thus avoided adding extra stress to SLOCs that were already overtaxed by trying to supply ComBloc forces in North America, was purely coincidental, of course!)

I wonder how Gus Hall’s ‘administration’ would have reacted if the Communist Mexicans had offered them supplies of Mendoza HM-3 SMGs? Gratitude to their fraternal socialist allies for their neighbourly assistance, or “Go to hell, Paco, we’re Murican Communists and we’ll carry Murican guns, goddamnit!”?

[Johnnie Lyle]

On the subject of small-arms, I seem to recall some discussion on the old board about the ALA being handed not just captured/surplus American kit like M1911s/A1s, Ingram MAC-10s, M-3 grease guns etc. so they could ‘subsist’ off pre-existing/captured stockpiles of American-calibre ammunition, especially ex-civilian stocks, but also ‘permission’ to use captured blueprints, local machine-shops, and other factories to set up (continued) domestic production of their own weapons and ammo, ‘granting’ them a certain degree of ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-sufficiency’.
(That this released the rest of the ComBloc from any obligation to import weapons and ammo for their puppet auxiliaries, and thus avoided adding extra stress to SLOCs that were already overtaxed by trying to supply ComBloc forces in North America, was purely coincidental, of course!)

I wonder how Gus Hall’s ‘administration’ would have reacted if the Communist Mexicans had offered them supplies of Mendoza HM-3 SMGs? Gratitude to their fraternal socialist allies for their neighbourly assistance, or “Go to hell, Paco, we’re Murican Communists and we’ll carry Murican guns, goddamnit!”?

¿Por qué no los dos?

I highly doubt it was all holding hands and singing kumbayah in TVD Amerika.

[Matt Wiser]

It wasn't. There were times when Nicaraguans and Libyans had fire-fights. The Libyans drove Scuds up into the Nicaraguan II Corps AO, and the inevitable Scud Hunts often found Nicaraguan targets instead of the missile shooters. It got so bad the 4th Guards Tank Army had to send the 6th MRD to keep the erstwhile allies from each other's throats.

The Mexicans made the HK-21 LMG and the FAL or G-3 under license, so you might see some-though the Mexican Revolutionary Army would get first call on those. Mendoza SMGs? Forgot about those!

[Wolfman]

Even the lowest priority Mobilization-only units are higher priority than the ALA…

[Poohbah]

It wasn't. There were times when Nicaraguans and Libyans had fire-fights. The Libyans drove Scuds up into the Nicaraguan II Corps AO, and the inevitable Scud Hunts often found Nicaraguan targets instead of the missile shooters.

The Nicaraguans learned that, sometimes, buddy is only half of a word.

Halcón Azul, baby!

[Matt Wiser]

Let's come to some consensus...

Line units: Uniforms are a mix of captured U.S. and some Soviet or Cuban, with a patch or armband to ID the soldier as ALA. Their weapons are older AK-47s (dating from the mid '50s), RPD machine guns (replaced by the RPK in most Soviet-bloc armies), 82-mm mortars, B-11 recoilless rifles instead of ATGMs, and WW II era ZIS-3 76-mm guns and 122-mm M-30 howitzers. AAA is Korean War-vintage DshK .51 caliber machine guns, 37-mm from WW II and Korea (Bofors kockoffs); while armor is a mix of T-34/85 and early T-54. No real APCs, but some BTR-40s and -152s are issued, though most units ride in captured trucks.

Rear-Area "Security" Units: same uniforms. Weapons are a mix of captured American weapons like the M-2 carbine or M-14 rifle, Soviet PPsh-41 or -43 SMGs and SKS carbines; Soviet SG-43 machine guns and captured American ones like the M-60 or M1919 air-cooled 30. caliber. No heavy weapons other than mortars, and no armor, AAA, artillery, and transportation is captured trucks.

Thoughts?

[jemhouston]

Sounds good

[Wolfman]

Works for me, with the proviso that those T-54s are the oldest T-54s that can be provided and that IS-2 and IS-3 tanks are just as likely as the T-54s because Soviet units have a higher priority than the ALA.

[Eaglenine2]

Wasn't there a show brigade or something?

[Poohbah]

Wasn't there a show brigade or something?

27th Motor Rifle Regiment. They were supposed to be the lead unit at the planned linkup with Group Soviet Forces Canada at Lake Sacajawea.

Instead, they massacred the population of Muleshoe, Texas.