The vietcong tunnels?

Question

can someone explain it please?

Answer 1

Guerrilla tactics became very popular throughout the third world. Many of these attacks revolved around "hit and run" attacks. "Hit and run" attacks involved a small group usually hiding in ambush and attacking a larger force, only to retreat seconds later. This took away from a lot of the advantages of the conventional forces' advanced weapon systems. It gave an ambushed squad no time to call in an artillery or air strike.

Booby traps were another common tactic among guerillas. The punji stick was a common example of booby traps used in Vietnam. Grenade traps were another example. They were grenades poised with the pin removed and the lever pushed down. If it were moved the pressure would come off the lever and the grenade would explode. Pits with punji sticks were another booby trap in Vietnam.

One of the biggest aspects of a guerilla however was camouflage. The Vietcong would travel around in small groups and often wearing civilian clothes to make it difficult for American soldiers to know who they were. Often times the Vietcong would hide in tunnels underground. Some of these tunnels were so advanced that commanders briefed soldiers and slept there. When American soldiers had to enter the tunnels, they had to be lightly armed and travel through the dark.

Tunnels and "Spider Holes" were often used to spring ambushes on American troops. The Vietcong would wait for the part of an American formation to pass before coming out of the ground and opening fire. Then before the attacked troops had the chance to realize where the fire came from, they would duck back into the trenches. This often caused fratricide because soldiers who were ambushed would fire back behind them but in the process hit other American patrols.

Answer 2

the thing to note is that these tunnels had already been around for decades because Vietnam had been in a constant state of fighting (esp. against the French, when trying to gain independence.) the tunnels were so confusing and complicated. there were traps within the tunnels, hidden entryways (you could enter under mats in some houses, etc.), and even medical and eating rooms. these tunnels allowed the VietCong and NVA to travel Vietnam right under their enemies' noses (quite literally). This, along with guerilla tactics, created a major problem for US and SV forces because the VC and NVA movement was undetectable and US troops were not trained for unconventional warfare. Fighting the NVA and VC, according to many veterans, was like fighting ghosts.

Answer 3

The North Vietnamese were commuists, and were referred to as the Viet Com. Their tunnels were a vast network with hospitals, munitions, soldiers, food and all the support necessary to fight a war. The Australians and Americans had teams to infiltrate them and cave them in with bombs. These tunnels would have won the war had it not been for Nixon deciding to bomb the North's infrastructure that fed the tunnels. The North Vietnamese signed the peace accord in Paris, calling for an end to the war. But, 18 months later they used ground troops to overtake South Vietnam. The US was almost completely pulled out by then, and we tried to evacuate as many democracy lovers as we could. We almost filled an aircraft carrier with refugees. One guy landed a light aircraft on it with no arresting hook, and he had the plane packed with his wife and kids. He barely stopped before rolling off the end of the deck.

Answer 4

You could refer to two books. One is Saigon... (Authors is Anthony...something.....Opps...) Another is written by Fredrick Forsythe... The Avenger. In those days when America was in war with Vietnam who are so dwarfed by technology fire power in comparison to their enemies... Adopted a superb method os evading and attacking their enemies. The dug tunnels almost 200 kilometers in total length spanned all over vital confrontation points. Even the strategy rooms were located beneath the ground for planning and execution. Being small bodies humans for Vietcong it was easy to slip and slide within those small tunnels and it was very harder for American soldiers who are bigger by relative standards. Besides, every tunnel is bobby trapped with so many counter measures. It became almost impossible for Americans to crack this problem. they developed a special forces unit known as TUNNEL RATS. They are almost as stealth, flexible and at their peak of physical fitness. More importantly they suffered not claustrophobia in an enclosed tunnel that has not even enough room to maneuver sideways. Most of them at later stages went mad too after serving their function well. Its the most ultra secret and less talked about special forces in the world of close combat war fare. I hope I am able to make matters clear to you.

Answer 5

These tunnels are an underground maze where thousands of fighters and villagers could hide during the war. Today these are at the top of the list of tourist spots for Ho Chi Minh City. For pictures see the link below:

Answer 6

in the Vietnam war the viet cong (Communists) used alot of gorilla tactics there most famous is that tunnels. witch where used for both underground transportation and ambush. many spikes would be put in the tunnel face up, and then pooped on so that when the Americans would walk over the tunnel it would collapse they would fall on the poopie spikes get infected and die.

brutal

Answer 7

The Viet Cong dug tunnels and trenches to get around Vietnam without being seen. This helped them in their style of battle known as guerilla warfare, which is quick attacks and retreats without actually hitting the enemy head-on.