Original Item: Only One Available. This is the classic 1950’s Korean War cap of the Korean People’s Army, or KPA. Field cap is of a non-rigid style and is green in color. No serious wear, blemishes or cosmetic issues. Cap does not feature any maker marks or dating. The cap features a chinstrap as well as a five-pointed red star set in a circular gold disc. It also has a flexible peak and a raised curtain to it.

This was the field cap of the type worn by KPA (the Army of the People's Republic of Korea or 'Korean People's Army') during the Korean War (1950-1953). KPA troops were in the main lightly armed and clothed, but their strength was primarily inspired from their Soviet-inspired ideology. They were trained well by Soviet officers and full access to an arsenal of Soviet heavy weapons; when KPA units were used offensively, under the same principles taught by their mentors, they initially proved a most formidable force.

The KPA was established in February 1948, being raised from Korean communist guerrillas who had previously served with the Chinese People's Liberation Army, but 'advised' by Soviet personnel. By mid-1950 the KPA was composed of ten infantry divisions plus other units totaling some 223,000 men. Despite the early successes that followed their invasion of South Korea beginning in June 1950, and the capture of Seoul, the KPA was eventually stopped on the Pusan Perimeter, their offensive capability spent.

US counter-offensives in the south and their seaborne landings in the west at Inchon successfully drove the KPA back and trapped considerable numbers in the south between two striking pincers. By the end of September, the KPA's ability to fight was virtually over. UN forces went on the offensive to invade North Korea, supported by South Korean RoK troops in the east, who drove the KPA up to the Chinese border in October.

Just as winter broke China intervened and Chinese forces in massive numbers swept down forcing MacArthur's troops to go on the defensive, halting in mid-December on the 38th Parallel, whilst communist forces re-organized. With China intervening, it gave the communist forces some breathing space, but following two further phases of the conflict that brought about a period of attrition, followed by lessened local and counter attacks, and the war came to a close as an armistice was signed on July 27th, 1953.

Dimensions:
Overall length: 10”
Overall width: 6”
Circumference: 22”
Weight: 4 ¾ oz.