During the years of the Vietnam War, U.S. forces used three major types of equipment sets, with numerous modifications for particular circumstances. Different equipment was also used by Special Forces, the South Vietnamese, and other allied ground troops. Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments offers a comprehensive examination of the gear that U.S. and allied soldiers carried strapped around their bodies, what the gear contained, and what those items were used for. Fully illustrated with photographs and artwork detailing how each piece of equipment was used, and written by a Special Forces veteran of the conflict, this book will fascinate enthusiasts of military equipment and will be an ideal reference guide for reenactors, modelers, and collectors of Vietnam War memorabilia. “This book does a great job of providing the details of individual combat equipment used during the Viet Nam War.” ―Mike Petty, Armor Modeling & Preservation Society “Former Special Forces member Gor­don L. Rottman sorts out these variations [in gear] in Vietnam War US and Allied Combat Equipments. No. 216 in Os­prey's "Elite" series, with photographs and color illustrations by Adam Hook.” ― Vietnam Magazine Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments before retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas. Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and the history of fortification. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.