VZ 58 service in Vietnam

[.30/06 FTW]

I seem to remember somewhere reading that the VZ 58 was used in Vietnam. Was this true and is there any reference material to back that up? It would make sense for an Eastern Bloc country to follow the Soviet lead and send weapons. I know it wouldn't have been used nearly as much as AKs, Type 56s SKSs etc.

 

[can14]

they were used in vietnam. cuba had lots and sent them to arm south american allies in the revolution. cuba si, yankee no!!!!!! not in 7.62x39...

 

[870P]

I was recently reading a book called Phantom Warriors by Gary Linderer that detailed the histories of LLRPS and Rangers in Vietnam. I came across the mention of a LRRP team leader, then Staff SSG Pat Tadina, with the 173rd Airborne who had taken to using what was appearantly only the second VZ 58 captured in theatre.

The first time it's mentioned it's referred to as "a Czech AK variant with a side folding stock" but a second time, much later in the book as "his capured VZ 58." A least one member of his team used an AK but Tadina must have preferred the VZ 58 over it.

 

[eos]

Was also used by members of the Japanese Red Army to commit the Lod airport (Ben Gurion) massacre in May, 1972.

 

[NateC]

...

 

[Jay]

NateC... Details on the pic???

Cheers
Jay

 

[NateC]

...

 

[lone-wolf]

Was also used by members of the Japanese Red Army to commit the Lod airport (Ben Gurion) massacre in May, 1972.

You'd think I would of heard about 26 people being massacred at an airport, but no, I did not.

 

[murat]

IRA also bought them

 

[powah]

I recall I've seen info on some Russian forums that it was used in Sino-Vietnamese War.
It was a standard battle rifle for North Vietnamese special forces units.

 

[deanml]

As a point of interst the VZ58 is the rifle the female sniper uses in FMJ.