G3 Babes

[Patria Povo]

As some of you know already, my interest in the G3 rifle started after spending some time with the East Timorese armed resistance (FALINTIL) to he Indonesian occupation. Recently, I have been working with a new Museum in Dili, East Timor, which is trying to preserve the artifacts and history of this incredible period. In doing so, I came across this photo, which I thought some of you might enjoy.

It was taken in 1983, at the time FALINTIL was rebuilding and transforming from a conventional to a guerilla force. 7.62 ammo would have been in short supply, with most units primarily using captured Indonesian M16A1s. I suspect that many of these 'women's auxiliary' troops in the photo may not have had an ammunition in their magazines.

As an aside, there were many women serving with FALINTIL. Most were not involved in active combat roles, however, there were some notable exceptions. I did meet one female section commander who was highly respected by her men as a cunning and tenacious fighter and leader.

I will post some more G3 pics as they come in. I hope you enjoy!

[hunter_la5]

ah, so THAT's why you decided to spend time with FALINTIL.... :icon_biggrin:

cool pic, thanks for sharing. that conflict has always interested me, how such a small and poorly equipped force could successfully resist indonesian occupation

[Patria Povo]

Thanks, Hunter! :)

Here's 2 more pics, for you:

Firstly, this is the display from the current museum. Sadly, no G3s, FNCs or M16s have been released to the museum yet. So, there's a couple of old Portuguese SMGs and a captured Indonesian SKS.

Next, one of my fave pics of the bad guys. These are Kopassus, the elite of Indonesia's special forces community. This was taken at Baucau military airbase in 1987, just before an airborne operation again the 2nd Falintil unit in that area. note the unique 'blood-vine' camo they wore. Oh, and why do I like this photo so much? Because it was stripped from the body of dead Kopassus trooper in the mountains of East Timor :D

[hunter_la5]

cool display, hopefully they'll add some Port G3s soon

were you the one that wrote that SOF article about FALINTIL a few years back? I still have that article around my house somewhere. I don't normally read SOF, but that article was just awesome, I bought that issue just so I could have it

[Patria Povo]

were you the one that wrote that SOF article about FALINTIL a few years back? I still have that article around my house somewhere. I don't normally read SOF, but that article was just awesome, I bought that issue just so I could have it

Thanks again and, yes, that was me.

[pigpen]

Is that a US marked holster that guy on the left in the last pic has on?

[jfowl31]

Is that a US marked holster that guy on the left in the last pic has on?

I was just about to type that...

[weasel_master]

I know nothing of the conflict. I need to do some reading and catch up.

[weasel_master]

Forgot to add, does anyone have a link or care to retype the article? I remember hearing about it on the old site but being in the UP, there was little way to find it.

[Patria Povo]

One last comment from me: note that the female troops are in shorts. Not just showing-off their legs, but also a symbol of the fact that they were operating in the liberated (Christian) zone and not the Indonesian (Muslim) occupied towns.

No idea about the holster, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were marked US. The US sold weapons to the Indo's in the late 1970s. Also, Kopassus had their own procurement resources - and seemed to take pride in looking unlike the regular ABRI soldiers.

[hunter_la5]

Forgot to add, does anyone have a link or care to retype the article? I remember hearing about it on the old site but being in the UP, there was little way to find it.

PM sent

[nevada]

What an awkward way to hold a rifle. A blonde must have thought that up.

[weasel_master]

Great article. Thanks.

[mojo00]

Some "babes" w/ G3's for yall :wink:

Pakies, Greeks & a Sweede

[rustypirate]

Interesting that it looks like the Pakistanis got all of the G3 wood stock sets......