If I said it once I said it a thousand times, underground shelters and under vegetation shelters are probably the best shelters for COVER and CONCEALMENT. Even a shallow shelter where some dirt and / or vegetation on top of you has saved the lives of evaders from Old West Apache Indians to modern day Captain Scott O’Grady. Here’s a shelter complex that survived hundreds or thousands of 750-pound bombs from the mighty and powerful wrath of the United States Air Force.
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The Invisible Human Moles!
“No one has ever demonstrated more ability to hide his installations than the Viet Cong; they were human moles.”
General William Westmoreland
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History Of Cu Chi Tunnel Complex!
The Vietnam War (1959-1975) was fought by the United States supporting the South Vietnamese government. 20 other countries fought and supported the South Vietnamese government (Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand,…).
Inside the borders of South Vietnam were guerrillas called Viet Cong (VC) who’s goal was to overthrow the government. Unarmed VC looked like any normal person and mixed right in with the South Vietnamese population. The VC were supported by North Vietnam, the North Vietnam Army (NVA) and the countries of China and Russia.
The American soldiers had to fight an unconventional type war. The undistinguishable VC guerrillas used many tactics to fight the war. But one unique strategic tactic was to build and employ a huge complex of hidden underground tunnels that contained many military facilities like aid stations, conference chambers, gun emplacements, headquarters, hospitals, ordinance factories (bullets to bombs), storage depots, water wells,…
At the height of the Vietnam War (mid 1960s), one region known as Cu Chi stretched from Saigon, South Vietnam to Cambodia to the north. This region amazingly contained hundred kilometers (100,000 meters) of underground tunnels that connected villages, districts, and provinces.
The tunnels started and grew because the outgunned and outmanned VC guerrillas needed one of the very basic and most important tactics for protection from a superior force from not only the French (1940s – 1950s) but the military wrath of the United States and that was cover & concealment. Cover (protection from small arms fire, mortars, bombs,…) and concealment (protection from enemy observation).
Heck, if he can’t see ya, he can’t peg you. During the Vietnam War, the tunnel program was reborn and old tunnels were repaired and more tunnels added. By 1965, 200 kilometers (125-miles) of tunnels were established, but other estimates measure the tunnel complex at Cu Chi at 200 miles of tunnels. The tunnels were so complex – going off in different directions & “exit ramps” to villages, hamlets,… there were actual street signs directing the VC, NVA, and attached personnel (intelligence agents, communist party cadre, sabotage teams,…) which direction to turn.
The VC couldn’t fight against modern technology of aircraft, armored carriers, artillery, bombs, chemicals (vegetation defoliant), helicopters, tanks,… They used their tunnel complex to fight on their terms and hide afterward. They were an invisible enemy fighting on their terms.
The United States was actually fighting two enemies. VC within South Vietnam and the NVA coming down from North Vietnam. But the Cu Chi region brought the fight to the United States for VC seemed to be everywhere and seemed to disappear when the fight was taken to the VC.
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Land Of Fire!
The American fighting machine knew Cu Chi region was infested with VC and war materials & supplies on the surface and especially underground and parts of Cu Chi were designated free fire zones. Bombers returning from North Vietnam with bombs dropped them on Cu Chi. Artillery units blasted Cu Chi just for GP (general purpose). Fast Movers (jet aircraft) blasted Cu Chi with rockets, bombs, and strafing fire. Practically 24-hours a day, parts of Cu Chi were an inferno. The North Vietnamese named Cu Chi “Land of Fire.”
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Tet Offensive!
Cu chi was the stepping stone to attack the prize of South Vietnam – the capitol Saigon. Cu Chi was used to infiltrate intelligence agents, communist party cadre, sabotage teams,… into and throughout South Vietnam. Cu Chi was instrumental to the invasion of VC and attack on Saigon, South Vietnam on 30 January 1968, known as the Tet Offensive. The Tet Offensive had communist forces hitting 100 targets in a coordinated attack. The Tet Offensive took 85,000 enemy lives. The lives lost to South Vietnamese and American forces is unknown but its a very small fraction compared to enemy lives lost. With the 200-miles of hidden tunnel complex, the communist forces were allowed to do a “Pearl Harbor” on Saigon.
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Tunnel Construction!
The tunnel complex provided security for the hiding VC. Some VC were known to live in the complex for up 05-months without leaving their underground home. As a young soldier, Vietnam vets told me they could easily tell possible VC from the regular civilian population. It was their lighter complexion. VC living under the canopy of the jungle and in tunnel complexes were much lighter-skinned than anyone else. You can spot them a mile away!
Tunnels were dug out by plain ol’ hard work with NO machinery involved. VC task organized and had everyone do specific jobs. The elderly men weaved baskets to carry out the dirt. Elderly women prepared all the meals. And the young were left to dig the tunnels using small shovels, hoes, and by using their hands. Children gathered camouflage for trapdoors (entrance/exit).
The VC knew the high-tech US military was flying overhead looking for any sign of VC. So they had to dispose of the tons of dirt so it wouldn’t come up on radar. The VC emptied their dirt in streams. They carried it to fields to build-up furrows (trenches) for potato farming. They carried it to combat fortifications to build-up combat trenches. Dirt was also dumped in craters created by bombs. The dirt was NEVER dumped and allowed to pile-up anywhere near the tunnel complex.
Tunnels were carved-out in a zigzag configuration at 60 to 120 degrees. This was done to inhibit explosions from blasting the length of tunnels and also inhibited smoke from travelling the length of tunnels.
The mighty B-52 bombers dropped 500-pound and 750-pound bombs on top of the tunnel complex. To prevent the tunnel complex from caving-in, conical-shaped (cone-shaped) shelters were carved-out throughout the tunnel complex. Not only did this prevent tunnel collapse, it amplified sounds from the surface for early warning.
Water was no problem. Wells were dug inside tunnels to provide water for all inhabitants.
Tunnel entrances were camouflaged to perfection. Only trained eyes could find them. The few soldiers that could find them with consistency were members of the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets). Green Berets were attached line units (conventional infantry) to help find the tunnel entrances. Problem though, there weren’t enough Green Berets to attach to line units, they were busy with their own FID (foreign internal defense – A-camps) and Strike Operations (raids, ambushes, intell, POW rescue, search & destroy,…). Ofcourse tunnel rats were experts at finding tunnel entrances, but there was also another tunnel finder – scout dogs. Scout dogs used in Vietnam saved THOUSANDS of lives. Not only could they find tunnel entrances, their handler could read the dog’s signal to warn of booby traps, ambushes, hiding VC,…
Tunnel entrances were not only well camouflaged, they were placed where Americans didn’t want to search. Tunnel entrances were placed right under firepits and places like pig pens where pigs defecated. Tunnel entrances were also placed at corner posts of buildings.
Venting was ingeniously constructed too. Living in those tunnels you had to eat. And to eat you had to cook. Kitchen areas were constructed and to dissipate the smoke, VC built 3 or so vents to dissipate the smoke. Obviously, it worked for these vents were extremely difficult to locate.
Tunnel systems were complete with all the necessities of life. As I stated, some VC were known to stay underground for up to 05-months without leaving. Here are the following war/life-support facilities found in CU Chi in and above tunnel complexes:
- Aid Stations
- Blast-Proof Doors
- Bomb Manufacturing Chambers
- Booby Traps
- Conference Chambers
- Conical Raid Shelters
- False Tunnels
- Firing Posts
- Kitchens
- Munitions Manufacturing Chambers
- Punji Stake Traps (surface & tunnel)
- Sleeping Areas
- Storage Caches (food, explosives, weapons)
- Tunnel Drop (explosions)
- Vent Outlets
- Water-Proof Doors (flooding)
- Water Sumps
- Water Wells
- Weapons Repair Chambers
Note: See Tunnel Complex Sketch on last page of this AASN.
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One problem with tunnels though, critters of all types were attracted to tunnels for shelter from the elements and predators and to be the predator. Critters like fire ants, boa snakes, spiders, venomous snakes,… were compelled to tunnel shelters. Some of the insects were so big, tunnel rats shot them with their pistols. See Tunnel Warfare Fighters – Item I.
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US Military Vs VC Moles!
On Friday 07 January 1966, Operation Crimp included 8,000 soldiers (infantry, artillery, tankers, special ops,…), tanks, helicopters,… was to sweep Cu Chi and finally rid it of all enemy once and for all. Operation Crimp was to be a massive attack to eliminate and destroy the Viet Cong in Military Region IV.
The VC in Region IV (Cu Chi District) included 1,000 soldiers, mostly teens and younger from Viet Cong’s 7th Cu Chi Battalion. Most of the Cu Chi Battalion were hidden away underneath the massive tunnel complex, they knew the Americans were coming.
The 1st set of Infantry that landed on LZ Jack (landing zone), immediately took small arms fire. As more and more infantry landed on LZ Jack, they immediately left the LZ running into the rubber plantation to engage the VC. But the VC suddenly disappeared.
Advancing forward, soldiers of Operation Crimp discovered many caches of rice, salt, and other food supplies. The advancing soldiers hope was to engage the enemy and force the VC to the Saigon River. This would back the VC at the river with nowhere to go. But there was a problem, as the US soldiers advanced, there was minimal combat. Where were all the VC. The advancing infantry expected ongoing battles but nothing.
On Tuesday 10 January 1966, the advancing infantry reached a wide area of rice paddies. The commander figured what had happened. The advancing infantry walked right over the enemy they were looking for. Backtracking, retracing their steps, the frustrated infantry had no success with their conventional tactics against an unconventional enemy. By luck, an NCO taking a break sat down to come up cussing. Thinking he was stung by a scorpion, fire ant or worse yet, a venomous snake, he found he sat on a nail. Searching around the nail, he found a trapdoor. The ignorant infantry had no training in tunnel warfare. OJT (On the Job Training) will have to do.
From then on the infantry of Operation Crimp had to contend with booby traps in tunnels, snipers, minefields, casualties,… The American infantry were constantly watched from secret observation points at well camouflaged tunnel entrances (trapdoor).
The VC knew the Americans every move and continuously and wisely adjusted their tactics. The VC fought on their terms because they were outnumbered and outgunned by the big American fighting machine. There was NO WAY they could stand toe-to-toe and fight the United States, so their tunnel warfare was their weapon of choice and it was whoopin’ on the high-tech American fighting machine. The US tunnel fighting strategies of using smoke, CS smoke, CS powder, explosions,… failed. But new warriors were soon brought in to fight the unknown tunnel warfare.
Note: CS in smoke or tablet form is a chemical agent used in riot control. It causes great irritation to the eyes, breathing, and causes the skin to burn especially when the pores are open (sweating).
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Tunnel Warfare Fighters!
Americans were ignorant to tunnel warfare. But soon they had three groups of fighters that were the undisputed experts at tunnel warfare. One group of soldiers we’ll focus on were those brave tunnel rats. The other two tunnel fighters were from the elite US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and the last were those super savvy scout dogs.
The best way to fight tunnel warfare is in the tunnel. First you had to find the perfectly camouflaged tunnel entrances (trapdoors). Second you had to get past the booby traps at the entrance. Third you had to send in a tunnel rat that could avoid or neutralize more booby traps (explosive & critter) in the narrow tunnels. And fourth the tunnel rat had to neutralize any VC in the tunnel using a knife, pistol or both.
After Operation Crimp, a “lessons learned” or After Action Report revealed that the tunnel complex at Cu Chi was massive. The first tunnel rats were Australian soldiers, Aussies called them ferrets and Americans initially called them tunnel runners but the name tunnel rats stuck. The 1st American tunnel rats were Army Sergeant Stewart Green and Army Cpt. Herbert Thornton.
1st Note: The VC intelligence knew Cpt. Thornton was the OIC (Officer-In-Charge) of tunnel operations. A bounty was put on Cpt. Thornton immediate death.
2nd Note: After Action Reports (AARs) are a ‘lessons learned’ and are done after each military operation whether training or combat. Bottom line, AARs are done to prevent problems with future military operations. Maybe you can use an AAR after your outdoor adventure so the next one is super safe and enjoyable.
The 25th Infantry Division Tunnel, Mines and Booby Trap School had a high attrition rate. Out of 50 students, 05 may graduate. Tunnel rats were volunteers free from claustrophobia. Due to the small body build needed to navigate tunnels, most volunteer tunnel rats were of Hispanic origin. Tunnel rats were a special breed of soldier that had more courage, more curiosity of danger, and fought in a battle never before fought in military history – underground. The following are some combat actions by American tunnel rats during the Vietnam War.
Note: The Tunnel, Mines and Booby Trap School used real tunnels dug by VC (Viet Cong) right underneath the 25th Infantry Division installation.
a) Stalking Tunnel Rats: The tunnel rat’s equipment varied. Some carried a pistol of their choice, but most settled for a knife or bayonet due to the lack of space. Tunnel rats also carried a compass and radio. Tunnel rats often searched tunnels in pairs. The lead tunnel rat was responsible for checking for booby traps and the trail tunnel rat may have a compass and radio communications.
Some silent communications between tunnel rats may be a flick of an eyelid that meant VC (Viet Cong) were present. Some fired 03 shots for enemy contact but when 06 or more shots were fired, the lead tunnel rat was in trouble. Some tunnel rats used their radio using “clicks”, whistled, or blew into the handset. Each was a prearranged signal.
b) Dead Bodies: The VC didn’t want the Americans to know the true body count so they put their dead in the tunnels. Army PFC Harold Roper navigating the black tunnels experienced the stench, but focused on live enemy. PFC Roper was seriously injured by a mine but recovered. For 10 years after his experiences as a tunnel rat, Mr. Roper suffered from continuous nightmares.
c) No Surrender: Army Master Sergeant Robert Baer and a Kit Carson Scout-KCS (VC defector) cornered VC in a tunnel. MSG Baer used a technique to starve them of oxygen, he threw a flare in the tunnel that literally ate all the air. But the 03 VC survived. VC often preferred suicide over surrender. MSG Baer ordered the KCS to talk the VC into surrendering. After 30 minutes, the KCS gave them the final warning before throwing in grenades. Using fragmentation grenades in tunnels, if the shrapnel didn’t kill you the concussion would at least cause serious injuries. A shot from the tunnel was heard and MSG Baer ordered grenades. It turns out the 02 nurses shot their fellow VC so to use his body as cover from the exploding grenades. All 03 VC were found dead.
d) Five Senses Maxed Out: The senses of tunnel rats were at their peak in those dark tunnels. Army Sergeant Arnold Gutierrez navigating the black tunnels could hear the VC breathe. He could smell their sweat, smell their urine, smell their body odor. Tunnel rats wore no cologne. Gutierrez became a stalking rodent with fine tuned senses. He stated “I’m not kidding, you could hear a man blink down there.” Some VC knew a tunnel rat was in their shelter. Some fought and some just sat and waited for death. Some tunnel rats developed a 6th sense and just knew without a doubt VC were in the tunnel.
e) Flying Tunnel Rat: VC constructed explosives from unexploded munitions dropped by B-52s and other US aircraft. VC ingeniously disarmed bombs and made killer DH-5 and DG-10 mines. These explosives were used to make booby traps and bombs for minefields. To compliment these killer mines, they were camouflaged perfectly – invisible to the untrained eye. Two tunnel rats entered a tunnel. The lead tunnel rat’s responsibility is to check for booby traps. A powerful booby trap exploded in the tunnel. Amazingly, the trailing tunnel rat was not only blown to the surface out the entrance but was flying through the air. His fellow tunnel rat was killed instantly. His body was never recovered due the powerful explosion. Amazingly, the surviving tunnel rat only suffered from loss of hearing in one ear.
f) Bamboo Viper Snakes: VC often booby trapped tunnels using snakes so venomous, there was no hope for the victim. GIs called these bamboo viper snakes “one-step” “two-step” or “three-step” snakes. After the victim was bitten, you were dead after taking 01-step, 02-steps, or 03-steps. VC tied bamboo viper snakes to the inside of a bamboo pole. Once the tunnel rat disturbed the pole, the bamboo viper would come out and bite its victim. And there were other snakes more potent than the bamboo viper that killed its victim instantly. RFIR
g) Trained Bees And Hornets: VC actually studied and trained bees and hornets to attack American and South Vietnamese soldiers. The bees were twice the size of American bees. Their sting was so painful, it incapacitated its victim. VC noticed that the hive of bees always had 04 sentries. If the bee sentries are disturbed, they alert the entire hive which deploys and attacks its victims. So VC carefully set up hives off the roadside. Sticky paper covered the hive which was hooked to a bamboo trap on the road. Once the Americans and South Vietnamese came they disturbed bamboo trap that ripped the paper off the hive. The disturbed bees attacked everyone. Some of the fleeing soldier ran off the road into punji traps (sharpened bamboo stakes in holes).
Hornets were trained by scent. They became accustomed to the human scent of their VC caretaker and paid no mind. But when the scent of an American was near the hornets, they ATTACKED, ATTACKED ATTACKED, and their repeated stings hurt so much they made the soldiers combat ineffective!
h) Attacking Scorpions: VC made booby traps with a box of scorpions. The scorpions wouldn’t kill but leave a painful sting. A box of scorpions were anchored inside the tunnel. Attached to the box opening was some tripwire. The tripwire was layed across the tunnel. Once the tripwire was tripped – pulled, the box was opened and the scorpions were free to sting their victims.
i) Boa’s Squeezing Death: A tunnel rat entered a dark tunnel. Feeling a “sausage-like” thing, he just slapped it away. The men at the surface felt he was in trouble. Pulling him up to the surface (rope tied to ankle(s), they found a boa constrictor wrapped around the tunnel rat’s neck and head. The tunnel rat was dead from the constriction of the boa. Other tunnel rats have met boas in tunnels and fought them. Some brought the boa to surface for dinner meal for all. You know those savvy Green Berets were great tunnel finders.
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