Original ARVN Vietnam War Southern Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam Airborne Division Paratroopers “Airborne Leaf” Pattern ERDL Unifom Set Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Vietnamese Airborne Division was one of the earliest components of the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces. The Vietnamese Airborne Division began as companies organized in 1948, prior to any agreement over armed forces in Vietnam. After the partition of Vietnam, it became a part of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. This division had its distinct origins in French-trained paratrooper battalions, with predecessor battalions participating in major battles including Dien Bien Phu and retained distinct uniforms and regalia. With the formation of an independent republic, the colonial paratroopers were dissolved, however regalia and aesthetics alongside the nickname “Bawouans” would be retained.

The Airborne Division, alongside the Vietnamese Rangers and the Marine Division were often regarded as among the most effective units, with former airborne advisor General Barry McCaffrey noting that “those of us privileged to serve with them were awestruck by their courage and tactical aggressiveness. The senior officers and non-commissioned officers were extremely competent and battle-hardened.” Eight of nine battalions and three headquarters had earned US Presidential Unit Citation (United States) of which eight of these were earned by the Airborne between 1967-1968 which included the Tet Offensive period. Airborne commanders were often highly rated, with Airborne Commander Ngô Quang Trưởng once described by former Airborne-adviser and Gulf War commanding General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. as “the most brilliant tactical commander I have ever known”.

This “ARVN leaf” or “Airborne leaf” pattern has the same mid-brown & grass green organic shapes with black “branches” on a green background as US m1948 ERDL. The ARVN version was initially printed on medium or heavy weight sateen fabric, but as this faded quickly after a few washings it was later produced in lighter weight cotton poplin like this. The pattern replaced the earlier “pinks” or “bloodcake” within the Airborne Regiments, and was commonly issued to ARVN Ranger (BDQ) units as well.

lso introduced into ARVN service around 1965, a variation of the US m1948 ERDL pattern much like this one and was exclusively printed on heavy cotton sateen fabric and probably originated in the United States. This set however has very faint Vietnamese Quartermaster stampings present. Tested by the US government in the early 1960s, the design was never adopted and surplus quantities of the fabric were later donated to the South Vietnamese government. The blend of colors, medium brown and light green organic shapes with black “branches” on a yellowish-green base, had a tendency to blend together at a distance, lending to this pattern the collector’s nickname “invisible ERDL.” A majority of these uniforms were worn by the Vietnamese Rangers or Biệt Ðộng Quân.

This set is the earlier variation with two chest pockets instead of the later four pockets. All buttons are present as is the original ink stamp on the inside of the shirt.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9″
Shoulder to sleeve: 23.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15”
Chest width: 19.5″
Waist width: 16.5″
Front length: 24″

Pants:
Waist: 12.5″
Inseam: 17.5″