"Tunnel Rats" Topic

Now this struck me as a novel idea from Gringos in 28mm and with a great wargaming appeal. I do wonder how much the torch was used and whether they just hoped the other guy was using his. My favourite is the chap with the headset. As I recall they used bone conduction to the skull rather than earphones. Preserve peripheral hearing, but little noise to alert Charlie around the corner. I am very innocent on such, but did not know you could silence a revolver!

This is another era of Vietnam I've never really looked into, I'm not sure how anyone functioned in such a hostile environment as Vietnam but to go into tunnel knowing what could be waiting for you in the dark! Well it just shows another level of courage these guys showed on a daily basis.

A week or two ago I saw on ebay an actual tunnel system as terrain.

It was about eight inches tall. The top was covered in regular terrain features and had two or three hidden places to access the tunnels. Then the tunnels themselves were about three or four inches below that complete with separate rooms and entrances.

It was all open to one side so kind of resembled an ant farm in 28mm scale.

I suffer from slight claustrophobia, and thinking about that just gives me the heebie jeebies! I could never do that.

Imagine the heat, the humidity, the smell….and that is before you even enter the tunnel. The dimensions must have been an even greater challenge to a typical GI than to a local village type. I gather what the tourists see in Cu Chi is massive by comparison.

I gather we will see VC suitable for tunnel conflict from Gringos 40.

Thanks for posting Liam….for me it was important to make these Guys The Tunnel Rats were American,Australian,New Zealand,and South Vietnamese soldiers who performed underground search and destroy missions during the Vietrnam War.For our first release we are covering the US Army Tunnel Rats who performed so heroically in a very hostile and claustrophobic environment. thanks for all the input chaps..bracken,trooptwo..and raynman

regards Ged gringo40s.com

courtesy of the History channel showing the lenghts the US went to too destroy the tunnels…mind boggling effort..

In January 1966, some 8,000 U.S. and Australian troops attempted to sweep the Cu Chi district in a large-scale program of attacks dubbed Operation Crimp. After B-52 bombers dropped a large amount of explosives onto the jungle region, the troops searched the area for enemy activity but were largely unsuccessful, as most Communist forces had disappeared into the network of underground tunnels. A year later, around 30,000 American troops launched Operation Cedar Falls, attacking the Communist stronghold of Binh Duong province north of Saigon near the Cambodian border (an area known as the Iron Triangle) after hearing reports of a network of enemy tunnels there. After bombing attacks and the defoliation of rice fields and surrounding jungle areas with powerful herbicides, U.S. tanks and bulldozers moved in to sweep the tunnels, driving out several thousand residents, many of them civilian refugees. North Vietnamese and VC troops slipped back within months of the sweep, and in early 1968 they would use the tunnels as a stronghold in their assault against Saigon during the Tet Offensive.

Clearing out a tunnel complex would make for an interesting game.

I couldn't do it. No way,

I've been to the existing runnels in Cu Chi – they are replicas not originals and many including the one they let you crawl along has been made larger. Still a tight squeeze and I had to take the early exit – my legs were burning with lactic acid burns after just a couple of minutes!

If in HCMC I would recommend the trip but advise you to pay for a private guide. I knew more than the guide on our cheap tour!

A French couple had paid for private tour and were getting a much better experience.

Now this is what I have been looking forward to. One of them painted up (by Andy Singleton)

thank you for posting Liam!
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

This will test your eyesight, but I need to prove to Ged that we need more than 10kB images (even though the painting looks terrific)

thanks Liam..small but beautifully formed IMHO!

OK, let's try the rest;

thanks for posting Liam
some of our original
USA Tunnel rats..top
paintwork from Andy Singleton
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

ps some interesting background information
on the purpose and part history of the tunnels

The Army faced two different threats in the Vietnam War, preventing it from focusing on exceptional performance in either conventional or unconventional warfare. The conventional forces of the North Vietnamese Army demanded respect from the U.S. Army. At the same time, the unconventional insurgency of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (known as the Viet Cong) presented a very real threat to Soldiers throughout the conflict. Tunnels were particularly useful in the insurgency and a series of tunnel networks provided the Viet Cong with manufacturing, resupply, and planning space within easy striking distance of their targets. Few Soldiers could fit into the tunnels and follow the guerillas into their lairs. While ordinary Soldiers occasionally went into the tunnels the Army recognized the need for a select group of experts to solve this unique problem. Aside from helicopter pilots and Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols, few conventional (non-special operations) Soldiers would place themselves so consistently in danger in Vietnam. These Soldiers were the "tunnel rats": volunteer specialists who ventured into the labyrinth knowing that every step in the dark could be their last.

found this interesting overview on the
dangers encountered…

The life of a tunnel rat during the Vietnam War was a harrowing and perilous existence. Let me paint a vivid picture of their experiences:

The Decision to Become a Tunnel Rat:
Tunnel rats were volunteers, often motivated by a sense of duty, bravery, or a desire to make a difference.
They knew that their mission was incredibly dangerous, yet they stepped forward willingly.
Training and Preparation:
Tunnel rats underwent specialized training, learning techniques for navigating tight spaces, detecting traps, and surviving underground.
They practiced crawling through confined tunnels, handling explosives, and dealing with the psychological strain.
The Dark and Claustrophobic World:
Imagine descending into a pitch-black, damp, and suffocating tunnel.
The air was thick with the smell of earth, sweat, and fear.
The tunnel rats carried minimal gear: a flashlight, a knife, and a pistol.
Crawling Through the Unknown:
They entered tunnels alone, inching forward on their bellies.
The narrow passages restricted movement, making it impossible to stand or turn around.
The walls sometimes pressed so tightly that they scraped against the soldier's back.
Facing Danger at Every Turn:
Booby traps awaited them: punji stakes, tripwires connected to grenades, and hidden pits.
The Viet Cong often lay in ambush, waiting for the tunnel rats.
The rats had to be vigilant, checking every crevice for signs of danger.
Psychological Toll:
The darkness, isolation, and constant threat took a toll on their minds.
Fear gnawed at them as they wondered what awaited around each bend.
Some tunnel rats suffered from claustrophobia, nightmares, and anxiety.
Moments of Triumph and Despair:
When they discovered enemy supplies, documents, or weapons, it was a victory.
But sometimes, the tunnels led to dead ends, leaving them trapped.
The rats faced the paradox of wanting to find something while dreading what they might find.
Comradeship and Support:
Tunnel rats relied on each other. They formed a tight-knit brotherhood.
They shared stories, fears, and survival tips.
Their bond helped them endure the darkness and uncertainty.
Legacy and Recognition:
Tunnel rats rarely received recognition during the war.
Today, their bravery is acknowledged, and they are remembered as unsung heroes.
In those dim tunnels, the tunnel rats grappled with fear, courage, and the weight of their mission. Their legacy remains etched in the annals of history, a testament to human resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.

gulp!! o_o
regards
Ged
gringo40s.com