Viet Cong and NVA Tunnels and Fortifications of the Vietnam WarReviewed by John Prigent
|
Publisher and Title | Fortress 48, Viet Cong and NVA Tunnels and Fortifications of the Vietnam War, by Gordon L Rottman, illustrated by Chris Taylor, Alex Mallinson & Lee Ray |
ISBN: | ISBN 1-84603-003-X |
Media and Contents: | 64 pages |
Price: | US Price: $16.95, UK Price: £11.50, available online from Osprey Publishing |
Review Type: | First Read |
Advantages: | Good analysis of the Viet Cong and NVA tunnels and other fortifications; supported by photos and artwork; |
Disadvantages: | |
Recommendation: | Recommended |
FirstRead
Most
of us have heard of the Tunnels of Cu Chi and the Tunnel Rats who
entered the Vietcong tunnels. Here is an analysis of the Viet Cong
and NVA tunnels and other fortifications, by a man who was with
Special Forces in Vietnam. He begins by looking at the terrain and
the principles and methods used by the Communists in fortifying
their camps and bases. These were field fortifications, dug into the
earth and using wood and scavenged materials for roofs and shoring,
not concrete emplacements. They were very hard to detect except at
very close range, like the Japanese field bunkers in WW2, because of
their excellent camouflage.
There’s a great deal of information
here about the trench systems, or rather manholes connected by
trenches, used around Communist camps. There’s just as much about
the tunnels used for bases, some with as many as three levels and
equipped with water traps or airlocks to block smoke or CS gas if an
entrance was detected. Even allowing for the small stature of many
of their inhabitants these were very cramped quarters, with sleeping
niches rather than bunkrooms, and though the largest and best known
did have hospital facilities and other amenities these were still
not exactly capacious.
It makes fascinating reading, and should be on the bookshelf of
anyone interested in the Vietnam War.
Recommended!
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review sample