Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

BMP1 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. BMP1 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle Marker

Inscription. Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty (BMP) is translated to "Combat Vehicle, Infantry." Ahead of its time, the BMP1 was the world's first truly mechanized infantry combat vehicle. For the first time, dedicated infantry units could fight from inside their transport (unlike the western armored personnel carriers which required troops to dismount from their "battle taxi" when they got close to the front lines). Weapon firing ports, individual troop periscopes, built-in chemical warfare protection, infrared night vision devices, a smoke generator, a short range medium cannon, a long range anti-tank guided missile, and full amphibious capability shocked western forces. For its day, the BMP1 was a well-thought out vehicle; indeed it has still seen use to this day. This specimen was constructed in Russia and ultimately found its way into the Iraqi Army. Notice the bullet hole and damage in the ballistic ribbing on the front slope. The 24th Infantry Division (Ft. Stewart, GA) captured this BMP1 in 1991 during the Gulf War.

Vehicle Specifications
Armament: 1 x 73 mm 2A28 LP-SR smoothbore gun with 40 rounds, 1 x 7.62 mm PKT with 2,000 rounds,

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1 x AT-3 Sagger anti-tank guided missile with 5 rounds
Fire control range finder type: Stadiametric
Crew: 2+9 (commander, driver, and 9 troops)
Weight: 27,562 lbs
Speed: 40 mph (water 3.7 mph)
Maximum effective weapons range: 3,000 m
Maximum armor thickness: 33 mm (angle equivalent)
Production: Unknown (produced for 20 years and used by 25 (+) nations)
Year entering service: 1967

Erected by Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Camp Shelby. (Marker Number 33.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.

Location. 31° 11.866′ N, 89° 13.456′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street, on the left when traveling north on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Pine Belt.

It is also in

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. BMP1 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle Marker

the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M114 (M1) 155 mm Towed Howitzer (here, next to this marker); MTLB Armored Personnel Carrier (a few steps from this marker); ZSU 23-4 Shilka Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (a few steps from this marker); OV-1 Mohawk Observational Aircraft (a few steps from this marker); M2 (M101) Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); M1 Anti-Tank Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); M1918A3 (Modernized) Schneider (within shouting distance of this marker); M1917 GPF (M3) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.

More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. BMP1 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle Marker

The side view of the BMP1.

the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

4. BMP1 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle Marker

The front view of the BMP1.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.