Tunnel Warfare

References: American and NVA Weapons and Tactics in Vietnam by nbk. US Army Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam (MAAG), Lessons Learned No. 56 Operations Against Tunnel Complexes, April 1966

Tunnel Characteristics
Superb Camouflage Concealed Entrances and Exits Use of Trapdoors Modular Bunkers Interconnected Through Tunnel Network Primary Construction Materials: Concrete, Earth, and Clay.

Entrances and Exits

The primary method for entering a tunnel system is by use of trap door. Trapdoors are used extensively on the interior of a tunnel as well. They were of several types: Concrete covered by dirt Hard packed dirt reinforced by wire Basin Type consisting of a frame filled with dirt.

During our fight with the Viet Cong, trapdoors covering entrances were generally a minimum of 100 meters apart. Booby traps were used extensively in all areas of the tunnel network. Detection of trap doors was extremely difficult. Any force utilizing a tunnel system today will likely mimic these characteristics.

Tunnel System Design

The Viet Cong liked to design their Tunnels Systems in a multilevel fashion. Their tunnels were also composed of several rooms. They consisted of storage and hiding rooms, caches, bunkers, and drainage systems. Storage and hiding rooms were mainly found on the lowest levels and were accessed by trapdoors and secondary tunnels. No two tunnels were alike. Tunnels were also known to have an air or water locking system that prevented blast, fragments, or gas from passing from one section to the next.

The fighting complexes terminated in well-constructed bunkers. These bunkers were placed in tactical locations. Here are some examples of their construction:

Here is an example of a tunnel network: