|
|
 Here I am standing on top of a ventilation shaft made to look like a termite mound for the Cu Chi Tunnels northwest of Saigon. I am trying to breathe after struggling through the tunnels which had been supposedly redesigned to accomodate foreign tourists. Notice how sweaty I am. I felt lucky to emerge alive! I had to fold my shoulders in order to proceed through the narrow passage ways designed to trap and kill American soldiers who dared to enter. Cu Chi was a major irritation to U.S. forces during the war. |
| More than 150 miles of tunnels were constructed
over a 10 year period on three levels (some up to 23 feet deep),
creating an underground complex for 16,000 guerilla fighters
just 22 miles outside Saigon. It was originally constructed for
the war against the French, then later used against the United
States. Initially the U.S. military sent in troops, but quickly
realized it was a death trap to any American going in. Later
the U.S. tried to bomb it out of existence, but these actions
were quickly discovered to be futile against the well constructed
tunnels. There are bomb craters all over up above which stand
testament to the B-52s vain attempts. The U.S. then deployed a unit called, "Tunnel Rats", specially trained and with slimer builds to lead an assault directly into the tunnels using chemicals and hunting dogs. The clever Viet Cong countered this by using American made shaving cream and cigarettes to confuse the dogs. |
 |
Dr. Poremba enters the Cu Chi Tunnels for what will be an unforgettable experience! Tourist beware! |
|
|
This is a long shot of one of the war rooms down below where
they would have planned their assaults on American soldiers (referred
to as "the enemies" in the exhibit video). At the onset of the war, the Americans had a camp directly above the tunnels and could not understand where the snipper fire was coming from! |
|
 |
Barbara makes fun of one of the simulated soldiers who would have been much too large to have used the actual tunnels. This chamber, in the first of three levels of tunnels, would have been used to plan strategy. Once you are are taken into the connecting tunnels the real experience begins. | |
 |
Booby traps were laid everywhere in this labyrinth. If you were an American soldier squeezing through, the floor would suddenly give away to these lethal pits. The Viet Cong knew exactly which areas to avoid in the complex of tunnels. | |
|
This room in the upper level would have been used as a cafeteria and dining room. | |
 |
Nu Vo emerges triumphant from the tunnel. All of her relatives
were laughing and giggling as they made there way along the passage
ways, which were designed for people their size. I'm only 5'9" tall and found it extemely difficult to scrape through with my larger torso. |
