Chinese Korean War Viet Minh NVA VC Field Telephone with Leather Case

Field telephones connected by hard wire were the primary means of reliable communication in the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army in Korea.  Wireless radios were often only issued at Division level.  Sometimes they were issued at Regimental level if available.  Battalions, Companies and platoons used field phones or communication runners.

Field phones connected trench systems so that unit commanders could speak with subordinate and superior commands.   These networks were connected by small portable switchboards.

During heavy bombings the wires would be cut making it necessary for lineman to go out and make repairs under fire.

These old field phones were sent to Hanoi and used by the Viet Minh, North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong where wireless radios continued to be issued in very limited supply.