John Penycate
Auteur van De tunnels van Vietnam de ondergrondse strijd in het Cu Chi-district
Werken van John Penycate
De tunnels van Vietnam de ondergrondse strijd in het Cu Chi-district (1985) — Auteur — 482 exemplaren
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Algemene kennis
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- Royaume-Uni
- Land (voor op de kaart)
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- BBC, TV (Journaliste, 19 68, Animateur, 19 85 | 20 02)
ITV, TV (Journaliste, 19 60's| 19 68)
Université de Westminster (Chargé de cours, Journalisme audiovisuel)
Université de Londres, Goldsmith's College (Chargé de cours, Journalisme audiovisuel)
Royal Television Society, Londres (Membre)
Pilgrims' Society, Londres (Membre) (toon alle 7)
Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, Londres (Membre)
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I've had this book for a long time but I have finally gotten around to reading it and was quite impressed. It tells the story of the Cu Chi tunnels located near Saigon. Why they existed, how they were used and how they were defeated. What I particularly liked was that the story was told from the Communist and American sides and when it told that sides story it was 100% from their perspective. I also liked that it was a mixture of personal stories, tactics and techniques, a great read.
Don't read this if you're claustrophobic!
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During the Vietnam War American soldiers would be amazed that the Viet Cong could appear, engage in fire, and then fade away. This was due in large part to the networks of underground tunnels in which they hid, and even lived, sometimes for years at a time. In the Cu Chi area, which is a far suburb of Saigon, the tunnels were part of a complex of tunnels stretching from Saigon to near the Cambodian border. There were hundreds of miles of tunnels, connecting villages, serving as storage for weapons caches as well as providing hiding places for the soldiers. Some of the tunnels contained hospital wards and even operating rooms. There were workshops to build booby traps and other weapons. There were conference rooms and entertainments stages. (One chapter of the book reports on a North Vietnamese troupe of entertainers who lived in the tunnels in the south for years, entertaining the soldiers.)
Many of the tunnels were built during the time of the struggles with the French, and by the time the Americans arrived in 1965 there were more than 200 kms of tunnels. At first, the Americans discovered, and attempted to destroy the tunnels on an ad hoc basis. Soon, however, the need for a better strategy arose, and the "tunnel rats," a all-volunteer group of soldiers, was formed. They were charged with entering the tunnels when they were found, routing out inhabitants of the tunnels, and destroying the tunnels. Much easier said than done.
The tunnels had evolved as a natural response of poorly equipped guerillas facing a technologically superior enemy. The CuChi tunnels were in a free fire zone near a major US base, and were used for infiltrating Saigon. The Tet Offensive was planned and executed from these tunnels.
The book is told from both sides, primarily through interviews and descriptions of those who experienced the tunnels, on both sides of the conflict. There is almost more information from the North Vietnamese point of view than the American, since many of the American tunnel rats were reluctant to discuss their experiences. This was a fascinating read, and it definitely gives one a clear sense of why the United States could never have won the Vietnam War.
3 stars… (meer)