Traps: US involvement in the Vietnam War, 1954-75: History: GCSE (9:1)

Use of tunnels in the French Indochina War

The tunnel systems were used when fighting the French in the French Indochina War.

Vietcong fears

The Vietcong feared US bombing raids.

Length of the tunnels

The tunnels around Saigon stretched for 320km .

Củ Chi tunnels

The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968. They were in Saigon, even under the American Embassy.

Vietcong Tunnels

The Vietcong dug deep tunnels, which could be used as air raid shelters.

Time to build tunnels

The tunnel system took 20 years to build.

Tunnel Rats

Usually the smallest soldiers in their unit, they went into the tunnel systems to fine the Vietcong. They were only armed with a pistol and torch.

Size of tunnels

Small and narrow so the US soldiers struggled to get down them.

Trap doors

Many tunnels had trap doors that looked like a dead end, in fact they often lead to another tunnel section.

Inside the tunnels

Inside the tunnels there were hospitals, kitchens, bedrooms and wells for water.

Booby traps

The tunnels were filled with traps and rigged grenades for when the US soldiers tried to go into them.

Supply lines

The USA did not know about most of the tunnels, therefore the Vietcong could use them to transport supplies and troops.

Flooding

The tunnels could easily flood, providing problems for the Vietcong.

Disease and Illnesses

Disease and illnesses could spread easily underground.

Decreased America's combat effectiveness

They stopped America's main tactic working. When the US carried out bombing raids, the Vietcong went underground, and avoided the attacks.