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MODIFIED HANDLING AUTHORIZED
MODIFIED ,AUTHORIZED S \ F , ED
UNITED STATES MILITARY
APO San Francis co 96243
Serilll #0178
MACJ 323 12 February 1
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SUBJECT: Lessons Learned Number 45: Viet Cong Turmels
TO: See Distribution
1. (U) Attached ie the latest "Lessons Learned" from counterinsurgency
operations in the Republic of Vietnam. The information contained therein is
primaril7 intended for use Py US Advisors in Vietnam. Lessons mBY be of value
for direct application, or they may simpl7 reinforce existing tactics, tech-
niques or doctrine.
2. (CMRA) Portions of the attached document are classified CONFIDENTIAL
to permit freedom of expression and careful analysis of operational methods
and tact ice of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces , to protect US advisor
counterpart relations and to anY possible use by insurgent forces.
Special handling is required under the applicable prOVisions of DA-DCMl(A) when
released to friendl7 nations. Release to personnel of the Republic of Vietnam
will be governed by the provisions of MACV Directive 380-4, 11 Apr 64. Sani-
tized versions of this. information omitting names of locations and par-
ticipating personnel and units may be prepared for instructional purposes and/
or official US Navy or Air Force publications.
3. (u) Comments, questions and requests for changes in distribution
should be addressed to this Headquarters . ATTN : J323 ,
FOR THE COMMANDER:

1 Incl



as Maj eneral, USA
Chie of Staff
DISTRIBUTION:
Special
[U NCL/t8SJ r=r r-n'
DCWNGRADE AT"'1 ttl 'w-Mmb'
DEX:IJ.SSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS
DOD DIR 5200.10
MACJ 323
SUBJECT: Lessons Learned Number 45: Viet Cong Tunnels
1. (U) IITOODITIOO. It long LW:1CUSSJt"lED
extensive use of tunnels to hide personnel and equipment. Often .
ndls are part of an elaborate underground system that took hundreds of man-
hours to build and form the basis of the VC defense in an area. The purpose
of this issue of "Lessons Learned" is to discuss:
a. VC construction of tunnels,
b, A successful operation to destroy E tunnel system in Binh Duong
Province.
2. (CMHA) BACKGROUND, Tunnels haye been used as caches and secret
refuges for VC individuals and units since the beginning of the insurrection.
Tunnels were used extensively by Viet forces which opposed the French as
early as 1945 and now almost all VC controlled areas have elaborate underground
systems and it is estimated that such systems exist in contested and GVN con-
trolled areas as well. Not only do these tunnels afford a safe haven to
pursued forces, but they can be a means of severely wounding ARVN pursuers who
are unfamiliar with the spike pits and booby traps installed inside the
entrances.
3. (CMHA) TUNNEL CHARACTERISTICS: Most underground tunnels are not
constructed for use as active defense installations but are normally used as
hiding places. Others, concealed firing positions and pro-
vide effective defense against unwary aggressors. The following characteris-
tics are common to all VC tunnel systems:
a. All entrances to the tunnels are camouflaged so as to merge with
the natural
b. Traps, spike pits and mines are placed near the tunnels in dense
patterns to discourage attacking combat troops in their attempts to locate
thet.UIlI).els
c, Booby traps are normally placed inside the tunnels near the
entrance and false passages are excavated to deceive troops who successfully
enter the tunnel.
d. Wooden lids, strong enough to support the earth covering them and
not fall in when accidently stepped on,form the lids for tunnel entrances.
,I H' : rq (' (' I C' It:' 1\1
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"",,,m'TDOD DIR 5200.10
e . Spoil earth r"' hoved fr<)w t he tunnel i s disposed of by spreading
it evenly over the surrounding ar,)u and cover ing -'. t with leaves, grass and
twigs.
f. On. the 'peri!llot er of area:; where t;ro'.md tunnels exist, VC units
and guerrillas organize coLlbat struct ur es and trenches to prevent or impede
ARVN troop movement into the area.
g. A typical is s everal hundred meters long and consists of
a main shaft, connecting corridors, multiple entrances and several air vents.
No lighting is installed , (38e Appendix 1),
4. (CMHA) SUCCESSFUL TUNNEL DESTRUC!l'ION OPERATION : The following is
a report of an operation conducted by el ement s of the 5th Divisi on in Binh
Duong in late December 1964. The plan of operation was developed
jointly by the regimental commander and his advisor.
a. Task Organization:
8th Regimental Headquarters
1st Battalion. 8th Regiment
5th Division Recon
. Engineer Compal'\Y
1 2d Battalion. 7th Regiment (He11borne Reserve)
b. Supporting Forces:
L-19 (Observation and radio relay)
Armed Helicopters
Artiller.y (3 Platoons, lO5mm Howitzers)
Fighter Aircraft
c. M1ssion: Capture VC district committee members; search and de-
stroy VC installations and tunnels in the area of operations.
, ,, ,g. . Copcept of Operations:, .let Battalion, 8th Regiment wae to attack
from the south. while . the 5th Recon Compal'\Y we,s to move by boat .. initia.ll;r and
then attack overland from the north. These units were reinforced by an engin-
eer company which was to assist in destroying tunnels and installations in the
area. One compal'\Y of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment was .designated as a heli-
borne reserve. Artiller.y and armed helicopters were on-call.
e. Execution:
(1) 15 December 1964: Attack proceeded as planned. All elements
converged on assigned objectives by 0730. Light resistance wae encountered but
SS/F/ED
bTP800 all IUpon !!earch and cltlllOU-
partie. to seal ott tuMel entrancel
tb.t.t Qacl b-.n (A l;bS ofTIlT was upended on thiltask).
n..e expl_ime.l'1IIveeled othet"ltRtrailde'8 by puff!! of slllOke and dust. Guards
the da,Y,was devoted to searching
tunpell. an aciditional-400 Ibs ofTNT
wa. to the objective area UH-lB helicopters.
; 1611.... ...,0I":'*"'''1s'ashtinue8.Snatts
were dUi to 1IrIQampged portions of tunnels whm::aetit.Vi,t'S6ng"W
e
&PMs wt!re
overlmown entrances was maintained.
_ " I f"" ;,., "f' J'
(3) 1.7 Dec.er19{?fj,:
kUJ.e4. woUllllecl. or captured sewe11al Viet Cong attempting to escaPe from tun-
.Their ..cape attlllllPt heav,y Viet COlli sma;u atml fire
trca outlid1l the defensive During the day destruction of tunnels
It1200 lMIu....'.U,bulldozer arrived and began demolishing
Vi.fl0D8 fortifications in the area. Severalmore netCong biee and
.'."1 C'1/: " J >.,} . qu' ," ];'" O'J',",
- ; &;' .. i .. r' /'.': ';-1; ..,-'; ,,' ,-;' i:'
(4) 1.s,.19 l)ecBlJlb8l'li;64tNlblltion"ot"tQiUi81stsmi:fdrti!!catj,Qna
continued. Late on19Declil!lber allelements moved tlfo. kilometers south of tbe
, ..'IIp.;___ rlqO 152
. '" >; " ';' :,.' ,K!>, '\: .:-1;; 'W:-
(S)20hc_er1964: Several tunnels were
IlMI' UJlitsthen nturn/ild to theirhOlllll statiCCls.
, -! :...'
, 1
(l) Personn4ill
"
.. 0" "
. (3:)
1
(2) Viet COng 21 2
5*
(*Includ1ls the 2 wounded)
(2) V_pons
(1) ARVB weapons Bona
8 Russian Type Rines
1 Pistol
UNCLASSiFIED
, ) 300 lbs plastl;explosive
- - l _ ' 150 Hand grenaaes
1 105 mine
30 AP mines
7 BAR magazines
500 Kilo rice
5. (CMHA) lJi'SSONS LEARNED: The following lessons were learned as a
ruulJ;., of the above operation:
a. Most main tunnels in the area of operation had Bide tunnels about
8 to 10 feet,from the main entrance:
g("""")
The most effective method of destroying these tunnels is to place the explosive
at the :int.ersection of the tunnels (Jl\/irked by X in figure 1 above). This allows
.. blaat,and . lhock waves to travel further
. b. After the tunnels have been demolished, nlJW entrances s.hould be
dug in the vicinity of the blast in order to search the tunnels thoroughly for

c. Security guards should be maintained over tunnel entrances 24
hours a day while the unit remains in the area instead of only during blasting
'operations. ,This not only allows friendly units to capture or killViet Cong
attempting to escape. but also lessens sniping and grenad1ng incidents in the
,&r.e& .. of ,.operations.
, d. Pereerverence pays off. Units conducting thi,s type of operatioo
.should remain in the area long enough to search destroy &lltun-
nel" fO'llld.
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1. Entrance ot the underground tunnel.
2. Cover ot the spike pit. Cover is removed atter tunnel is occupied.
3. Cover ot the."lower tunnel. " When.the cover was shut, RVN troops would tind the talse tunnel (4).
5. "Lower Tunnel" . .
6. Entrance to.es.cape to the upper tunneLin case the lower tunnel is discovered.
7. Cover of the twmel where VC could throw.out javelinswhen RVN troops came in range.
8 . The javelin. These could be.thrown out by mri.n or ejected by a spring.
9. Exit, dug out when necessary' for escape. .
10 . ConnecUon. toc...ma:in. tunnel, .onl tor escape.
(<:::::::7 Cover ot passage, made ot wood and earth.)
UNCLASSIFIED