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Who were tunnel rats?

Updated: 4/28/2022
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Due to the nature of the Vietnam War...infiltration into South Vietnam by NVA troops, and VC guerillas living by day as peaceful civilians and fighting by night as guerillas; plus the ever present deployment of US/Allied jet & propeller driven aircraft and helicopters, communist forces (NVA/VC) relied upon under-ground systems (tunnels) to provide CONCEALMENT & PROTECTION from the aforementioned circumstances. Since the US/Allied forces fought the enemy, by methods of SEARCHING & DESTROYING; patrols and military sweeps often discovered tunnels in the mountains, forests, swamps, jungles, and villages in South Vietnam. When these tunnels were found, a volunteer from the patrol or unit would enter the tunnel, normally armed only with a .45 pistol in one hand, and a flashlight in the other hand; these men were labeled TUNNEL RATS, and the Press picked up on that term. If no man volunteered to go into the tunnel, a man was chosen...or the leader went in. If no one wanted to enter the tunnel, it was blown. If the tunnel was found by a Mechanized Infantry or Armored Cavalry or Tank Unit, sometimes the tunnel's entrance would be crushed by running an ACAV (M-113), M-48 Patton Tank, or M-551 Sheridan Tank over the entrance of the tunnel; to collapse it (destroy it).

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Continue Learning about Military History

What is a Vietnam tunnel rat?

During the Vietnam war the Vietcong made a tunnel network under Vietnam which they used for communication and supply routes. When the American troops found the entrance to one of these tunnels they would send one soldier down into the tunnel armed only with a gun, a knife, a flashlight and a piece of string. These soldiers were called 'tunnel rats'. They would explore the tunnels and then bring any papers or information back to the rest of his troops at the entrance to the tunnel. Many 'tunnel rats' were killed while down in the tunnels as the Vietcong set booby traps to kill the 'tunnel rats'.


What role did the tunnel rats play in the Vietnam War?

Many of the tunnel and bunker complexes encountered in Vietnam had been under construction since the early days of the WWII occupation by the Japanese. They were more than places to hide, they were virtual cities under ground and contained most of the amenities found topside. While most units had daring young men willing to go anywhere and try anything, the US Army actually trained a specialist soldier for this purpose. The Australians and New Zealanders were also highly skilled in this special form of warfare. The primary objective of a "tunnel rat" wasn't to flush out the enemy forces, but to gather intelligence from the complex and they were very effective at this task. One thing that set them apart from most grunts was their weapon of choice. They used 38 calibre revolvers or even a 22 calibre Colt Woodsman for defense. The standard issue 45 was far too loud to use in the confines of a tunnel and could cause permanent hearing loss. These guys were awesome.


What is the underwater tunnel that links Great Britain to France?

the buut tunnel


What is the nickname of the territorial army?

rats


Did trench rats kill people?

yes

Related questions

Do rats tunnel undergroud?

Yes.


What are the release dates for Dangerous Missions - 1999 Tunnel Rats?

Dangerous Missions - 1999 Tunnel Rats was released on: USA: 30 October 2001


Do rats tunnel?

My pet rats never did. The rats that lived on our property did though. They have tunnels all over the place.


How did the tunnel rats soldiers die underground?

Booby traps, killed by enemy soldiers, tunnel collapses.


Who were tunnel rats and what was their goal?

Tunnel rats are rodents that live in tunnels. They don't really have a particular goal, other than foraging for meals. It's not like they are organized or hold meetings.


What is a Vietnam tunnel rat?

During the Vietnam war the Vietcong made a tunnel network under Vietnam which they used for communication and supply routes. When the American troops found the entrance to one of these tunnels they would send one soldier down into the tunnel armed only with a gun, a knife, a flashlight and a piece of string. These soldiers were called 'tunnel rats'. They would explore the tunnels and then bring any papers or information back to the rest of his troops at the entrance to the tunnel. Many 'tunnel rats' were killed while down in the tunnels as the Vietcong set booby traps to kill the 'tunnel rats'.


Did the us air force utilize military police as tunnel rats during the VietNam war?

Tunnel rats were a common tactic for all branches involved, all that's required is that you're small enough to fit down the hole and can carry a flashlight and pistol.


Female rappers name in the group tunnel rats?

Elsie of new breed Jamie Zane one


How do you save the carrots in poptropica?

you just need to walk in the factory and, after you know opened the tunnel! then defeat the rats! muhahahahaha! then whuala!


10 What was a tunnel rat?

Tunnels rats were American soldiers that cleared Vietcong tunnels. Usually they were smaller in build, in order to get through the cramped, claustrophobic spaces that the Vietcong used as living and command quarters. The Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast tunnel complex that was dug by the Vietcong in the 1st Vietnam War (against the French), was discovered and cleared by American tunnel rats in 1966. Tunnel rats carried a standard American military pistol, the M1911 pistol (.45 calibre), but, due to the recoil and loud noise it created in the small spaces, they usually carried their own preferred handguns. The rats also carried bayonets - which were usually used to test the ground for booby traps, but also used in close combat - and torches, mainly the standard American flashlights. Most rats also carried knives.


Do rats dig holes?

Yes they dig tunnnels underground. In DC they are all over. You can see the tunnel holes everywhere and we fill them with water to collapse them.


What did mrsfrisbys house look like in mrsfrisby and the Rats of NIMH?

Mrs Frisby's house was a buried cement block with a tunnel leading in and two rooms