About 25 miles from Saigon is the Province of Cu Chi best known to American military troops as the home of the infamous Cu Chi tunnels. The tunnels were the focus of several US military operations and headquarters for the Viet Cong during the Tet Offensive of 1968. The tunnels were as deep as 30 ft. and were so complex that it was nearly impossible to destroy them. Even "carpet bombing" by B52s had little impact on them. Vietnamese farmers in the area worked their fields during the day and built traps and organized equipment at night as Viet Cong guerrillas. Whole villages learned how to live, work, and care for their wounded in the tunnels. After our tour, we had lunch with two retired
officers of The People's Liberation Front Army who had spent time in the Cu Chi tunnels during the Tet Offensive getting medical attention while Mel was in Saigon during the battle..
Here are some photos from the Cu Chi area.
The jungle in the area (regrowth after extensive US bombing and Agent Orange defoliation)
US shells and bombs collected from the area
Maps of the tunnel areas with propaganda film running in the center
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| Air hole in a tunnel |
Mel climbing into a tunnel that has been enlarged and fortified for American visitors. (There are bats in there---not for me. :) )
Mel with the retired PLF major
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