How Cu Chi Tunnels were hidden...a "live" demo.

After the presentation in the underground hall, we re-emerged into the open. Our 'Vietcong' guide walked us deeper into the environs of that place. Surrounded by what would once have been dense jungle, with thick foliage, shrubs and bushes...we stopped at a location when he
indicated. He then told us to look around carefully and see if any of us could discover any kind
of entrance to the tunnels. Such an opening must inevitably be on solid ground.
Everyone looked and stared at the surface around them...including me.
Nothing seemed out of place.
Even highly trained soldiers would find it near impossible to locate such well-camouflaged
hidden openings.
In fact, just near where our young 'Vietcong' friend stood, using his hands he pushed away
all the dead and rotting vegetation at a spot...and lo and behold, we saw the clear outline of
a rectangular shape.
It was actually the cover for the entrance. Lifting it out, we could see the opening and the darkness within.

He demonstrated to us how easy it was to get in by carefully lowering himself into the hole,
using his arms to support. Once his legs were on solid ground he could then stand and lift
the same well-disguised cover to place over the hole.
Note how slim he was. That's the general size of the typical Vietcong soldier.

After he replaced the cover from inside the hole, we on the outside could not tell the difference

in the surrounding.

However, for the purpose of capturing the spot for you my readers, I moved some of the

leaves away so you can still see the outline of the cover. Otherwise, no way!


Now that the demo was over, the inevitable challenge, " who will like to try?".

I looked around at my good friends and noted that many of them would never be accepted

by the Vietcong even if they had volunteered enthusiastically. This physical entry into a Vietcong

tunnel is a good test. Size counts!

As a Vietcong, your chances of survival depended on being able to locate the nearest hidden

entrance and to get in quickly, without causing a human traffic jam. Obviously there were others

all rushing to get in too when the alarm was sounded.

A few from our party, cheered on by their more rotund friends, decided to take the test.

Here's a brave one...a potential female VC basic recruit.
It did not surprise me that one of those who stepped forward was J, a former student of mine who was a very active and capable Girl Guide in her schooling days.

She was about to place the cover over her head and be totally concealed from within,

when a strong arm suddenly shot out to grab her firmly and advised her gently," ok, better

come out now".

This is a good friend of mine who has visited the tunnels previously and had some scary

tales to tell. Apparently, some visitors had been literally frightened by ghostly apparition

and

hauntings in the tunnels.

What did I experience?

The more appropriate question should be what's my assessment?

I went into the tunnels, not all did. We were advised to carry flashlights. Most did. I did not.

So, as I entered the tunnel...the first thing I realised is that one has to stoop very low, almost like

doing the 'duck walk' in a PE lesson...to move forward. That's because the height of the tunnel for "moving" is deliberately made to be low.

This was to deter the enemy and make it very difficult for him once he's inside.

So, the same sense of claustrophobia could be experienced once you are inside the very narrow

confines of the rugged tunnel.

That feeling is magnified and multiplied when you are faced with near total darkness within.

And the ground is also uneven again deliberately so.

I met nothing fearful while within and while 'feeling' my way forward was able to pass

some hints and warnings about obstacles to those struggling behind me.