Vietnam War Tunnel Rats

[@DarkDocs]

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[@flatbushmassachusetts8518]

First

[@darugdawg2453]

Meh if they just used nukes

[@simonhowells4406]

Sounds horrific

[@alexhawke1444]

Kiwis as well you forgot to mention the,

[@marvinmartinsYT]

Bro thanks for this video. My uncle is in it. Aussie tunnel rat. He still has nightmares and gets anxiety when in tunnel walkways like at train stations or small hallways.

[@Sekathcm]

My dad was 5'2 130 lbs. he did it for about 3 months and then got sent home. He never slept without lights and tv on for the rest of his life.

[@davidmok108]

your father is a brave man.

[@4Thug2Life0]

It sounds like he has passed, so was a brave man.

[@silverstar4289]

I suspect waking up in quiet darkness was confusing and terrifying.

[@Sekathcm]

He has passed. He even had the tunnel rat tattoo. He battled alcohol and drug addiction until he was 63 but was still a great dad.

[@nonamernobrainer846]

The bullshit people come up with just to get likes on the internet.

[@georgemcmillan9172]

My Uncle was a Tunnel Rat in Vietnam. Some of the stories he told me, could make the strongest of men scared. The Tunnel Rats were some of the bravest people in that conflict...

[@juicyj3819]

He smoke any dinks?

[@georgemcmillan9172]

@@juicyj3819, many...

[@niccadoodles]

have any to share with us?

[@juicyj3819]

@@georgemcmillan9172 crazy shit. My heart pumps just imagining what it was like

[@georgemcmillan9172]

@@juicyj3819, from the little he spoke of it, you could tell he was holding back quite alot of what he experienced...

[@InVinoVeratas]

I couldn’t think of a more terrifying prospect, there are so many horrible ways to die as a Tunnel Rat. Being buried alive, death by traps, encountering how unknown enemy numbers, these were some brave men to clear these tunnels.

[@caxm666]

very

[@BrassBashers]

There is a fictional movie, it may be called Tunnel Rats, that me and my buddies watched years back. Very low budget, bad acting, but this isn't what made it difficult to watch. It is BRUTAL. One of the scenes shows a vietcong soldier waiting in the tunnel, the rat's flashlight dies so he's crawling through the dark. The vietcong dude messed him up pretty good, basically stabbed the crap out of any portion of that rat's body he could touch over and over again. Their traps were even more terrible.

[@shashashashadowbannedbud4371]

Real life Indiana Jones

[@BrassBashers]

@Tom Zimmerman my grandfather contemplated it, he was a Lt. Col in the air force; he didn't want to be shot down and leave his wife a widow with their 5 daughters. In the end, he honored his oath and flew 160+ missions as a navigator in an F4 Phantom.

[@BrassBashers]

@Tom Zimmerman thanks man! He was an amazing man, wrote a book about the songs the Air Force would sing, it's called "Singing the Vietnam Blues". He also edited the Norton anthology edition of Beowulf. He was a genius!

[@wm.patrickmilford4589]

Step dad was a tunnel rat. His favorite story was spending weeks down only to emerge from the tunnels to a brand new lieutenant barking orders at him to go out on recon mission and he decked the lieutenant and got some needed R&R in the stockade. He's been busted down in rank several times and that was his favorite story. Officers knew not to mess with him or any other tunnel rat after that.

[@jdstarek]

If you never got busted down you don’t have any good stories.

[@michaelwier1222]

New lieutenants.....

[@caxm666]

Raymond J. Mccall was my step father who also was in similar company with yours. hot headed little Irish guy who would similarly punch the head off most in the way of some much needed R&R (bud light as it were) Rip. i wonder if yours knew mine. small world eh. cest la vie

[@wm.patrickmilford4589]

@@caxm666 IDK I'll have to ask him. But irony is that I was a deckhand on several boats with McCall names on them. Out of Cameron, LA. By the way, my stepfather name is Danny Stapleton USMC and later joined the Navy Seabee during Kosova and Desert Shield as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic.

[@SpankyDizzleD]

Y U 🦁? Lol

[@SHOGUNLAFFEY]

My grandfather was a tunnel rat for quite some time in Vietnam. He is a very quiet hard working man he did 30 years at 60-80 hours a work week after he came back. He's still alive and happily retired. He never gets mad and he listens more than anything. I never asked him much about it but he told me a story about his dog getting killed by a booby trap and it saved his life and broke him.

[@brokenratel1803]

We don't deserve dogs in our world.

[@caxm666]

Raymond J. McCall my Dad was a tunnel rat. at 5'5" (165cm) and Irish as hell. Around the campfire He'd sometimes share his times spent in the fox holes and in the jungles of Vietnam. He passed last year (2019) He was a recipient of the purple heart. Rip

[@keng7758]

May God bless your dad!

[@caxm666]

@@keng7758 thanks. appreciate it. and if it helps anyone, quit smoking tobacco if you do. you'll live just a little bit longer! (massive a.fib. took him faster than a bullet)

[@stevenhenry7862]

RIP gone, but never forgotten! From an injured British War Veteran

[@CurtisAClark]

I thank him for his service. The body maybe gone, but he lives in your heart and memories. Bless you and your family. R I.P.

[@Wasteland88]

@@stevenhenry7862 God bless you sir. From an American, thank you for your service.

[@acepilot9707]

My 5’6” grandfather served both tours as a tunnel rat, most badass dude I’ve met in my life. It’s a shame they don’t get the credit or attention they deserve

[@wya.christiann]

Same I think my grandpa met your grandpa during the war I’m not sure 🤔

[@HesJustaPoorBoyNobodylovesHim]

@@wya.christiann that comment made my day bro

[@Blane647]

They don't deserve shit. They weren't suppose to be there in the first place. Yuck. What is it that fascinates you to embrace this fucked up history? I believe all US soldiers should have died in Vietnam because they shouldn't have been there fighting for their government's ego due to the missile crisis with Russia.

[@ObamaoZedong]

@@Blane647 The purpose of studying history is to learn from the mistakes of the past so as not to repeat them. What a terrible thing to wish upon a fellow sentient being.

[@ronniedudley2697]

They do... it's called, "CIB" COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE .

[@shawnr771]

I have been honored in knowing two Tunnel Rats in my life. One was a good friend who told me a few stories. He passed away a few years ago. The other I know but not as well. I overheard him telling about going down in the tunnels and some of the nasty things the VC would do. I appreciated being allowed to listen. That is tough duty. All of them have my utmost respect.

[@77confusedzombie77]

Did they ever encounter boobietraps? being of short stature myself, I find Tunnel Rats' job so interesting. If you can't share I understand, thank you to those guys you knew/know

[@edwingreer9960]

The person in the opening photo with the mask and beret is my Uncle Robert Bastian. He did three tours in Vietnam. He was a Specialist at the time of the photo.

[@bullast2046]

Please express many thanks from an active duty Army medic (18yrs active)... he’s the man!

[@makevelicustoms]

RIP to uncle Robert 🇺🇸 👏🏻

[@michaelbechtel4944]

Your uncle is such a hero, Vietnam was bad

[@bobbyboucher1936]

I wish i could believe you but this is youtube

[@edwingreer9960]

@@bobbyboucher1936 I don’t care if you do or don’t!

[@350speedfreak]

How did they get through the tunnels with such big balls?

[@JoeBLOWFHB]

Kind of like this ...they just didn't bounce as high. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXSrgq2hZ9SepcU

[@350speedfreak]

@@JoeBLOWFHB awesome

[@sub-brotherhood8990]

@@JoeBLOWFHB fucking genius

[@Ubersnuber]

By dumping their brains.

[@capricorn839]

Do you know balls can strink quickly ?!

[@lucast3006]

I can imagine that probably lead to level 10 PTSD on steroids.

[@khrisbird3146]

My dad talked about it once the entire time he came back and swears that part of him still lived in those holes

[@lucast3006]

@@khrisbird3146 My dad was drafted and I can remember him talking about Vietnam only a handful of times. One time was when he was in a really good mood after a few drinks on Father’s Day where he talked about it for a few hours. The other was when he saw me watching Platoon one night and he sat down and was comparing the movie to how it really was. The one story he didn’t mind telling people was about the snake and horrifying insects that he’d find in his bed in the morning sometimes....I guess that was was one of his “fond” memories from that nightmare haha. He never really talked about actual combat.

[@77confusedzombie77]

@@khrisbird3146 I would love to read more about your dad's story as a Tunnel Rat

[@slimhavoc4290]

@@lucast3006 ya man my grandpa barely talks about Vietnam. A lot of vets don’t. It was just a different war we’ve never seen before. I’m sure they witnessed the worst things people can do to each other.

[@khrisbird3146]

@@77confusedzombie77 ya man me too he's been dead about 10 years now

[@tomjoad3868]

The "Tunnels of Cu Chi" is one of the most fascinating and harrowing books I have ever read. Highly recommend it.

[@crashinflames]

Have that book in my collection as well.

[@korypo303]

Thanks Tom! Ordering it now.

[@peterwallace9764]

👍🏻👍🏻🇦🇺🇺🇸

[@clearcreek69]

I have that book & one day I hope to read it

[@korypo303]

@@clearcreek69 pick it up buddy.

[@jlyle51]

I had a high school friend. Small fellow ! Became a Tunnel Rat ! He told me stories about his experiences in Nam . He got really sick a few years of coming home, one time they were spraying agent orange over the area he just came out of a tunnel. He said they sprayed so heavy he used his shirt to wipe it off his arms. That was just one time it happened to him. His Father worked with my father in a foundry. He was a good Person of Hispanic ancestry. A real American !

[@1984Twoody]

My uncle was a tunnel rat in cu Chi he was 5”11 and 110lbs one of the tallest but he was so thin. Such a brave group of men!! My uncle passed 2 years ago from cancer from chemicals used in Vietnam. Much love to all past present and future vets!

[@infinitywulf]

My uncle was a Tunnel Rat in Vietnam, he actually made it back from the war for a bit, but never really left sadly. I have yet to read his letters from the war, dad has said they are pretty horrifying.

[@finished6267]

My father only just started talking about his time over there just before he passed. Pretty fucking awful stuff going on.

[@spacecadetgaming3162]

You should publish his notes as book out of his stories when he passes in his honor. People need to know the true bravery of these men and the pointlessness of war and it’s atrocities

[@havico95]

We don't really refer to them as ferrets in Australia, just tunnel rats, same as the Americans.

[@juicyj3819]

So is Foster's really Australian for beer?

[@jacksun_jack]

@@juicyj3819 Fosters is Australian for shit beer.

[@havico95]

@@juicyj3819 never seen it for sale in Australia to be honest

[@juicyj3819]

@@jacksun_jack 😅

[@juicyj3819]

@@havico95 cmooooon maaaaaan!

[@wilfredonarvaez8165]

My grandfather was a tunnel rat. He was apart of the "boriquaneers" a unit mostly comprised of puerto rican men who either were combat engineers or "ratmandoes" as he called it. I only ever heard him speak of his time 2 times. Once at a memorial/once at a reunion/medal ceremony. He still has his knife and pistol He said after a year of mapping one day he heard some jets flying over upon exiting the tunnel he came up on a recent napalm strike. In the retreat back into the tunnel he got sent over a ridge from a grenade exploding on his left side and fell down a hill over 200ft. He was listed as mia until about 2 months later when he walked back into camp Pistol only had 2 rounds and his knife was dull. He had a necklace made out of one of the rounds which he carries with him. The other is in his chest with his pistol and knife to this day. Although he knew how to map out the land he said at multiple points the only way he remembered how to get back to base since it was all jungle. Was through some of the tunnels he had mapped earlier on his mission. He was never able to so much as be in a car for too long preferring to walk since it made him feel to tight. Angel Sanchez, Marine, grandfather, father, brother, tunnel rat.

[@4002corbe]

What an outstanding story, thank you for sharing, sir.

[@greatplainsman3662]

My sincere thank you to all of those who have served. Bless you.

[@marshallprotzman807]

Eight minutes doesn’t seem near long enough to cover this subject.

[@rider660r]

This video has left out a ton of info on tunnels and the ones who fought in them.And the Dick that runs the channel is deleting my comment....which is below No mention of false walls,floors,ceilings,no mention of dead ends that may have had false wall,etc. or a booby trap,no water traps the VC used to block gas that was pumped into the tunnels,no mention of the bamboo vipers that were hung in the ceiling in a length of bamboo and when the trap was tripped it fall on them. No mention of Rats dying of asphyxiation because of the lack of oxygen either from poor ventilation,used gas before entering,or an explosive "ate" up what oxygen was once there.Nor is there any mention of getting lost either from false walls or a cave in. No mention of possibly being skewered when going up through a trap door.I remember a story of one Rat that had one such thing happen and they weren't able to retrieve the body because the tunnel was to narrow to get by and they couldn't pull him down because of the bamboo pole through his throat. No mention of possibly being skewered from the side,top,of below from false walls,floors,ceilings. I know of 2 Tunnel Rats,they're both of European decent,one passed away a few years back but I still talk to the other and was just talking to him about it 5 days ago at our local VFW Club. If the Latino/Hispanic population was so prevalent in the Rats how come these 2 guys never seen one or didn't the video show any,none that I noticed anyhow? Being a Tunnel Rat was not race determined,only precursor was just being short and small with nads as big as truck tires.

[@Eargesplitten-Loudenboomer]

@@rider660r Yea I got excited I might learn something new, but It lacked every major detail you mentioned. It also had some major inconsistencies with everything else I've read.

[@rider660r]

@@Eargesplitten-Loudenboomer Yeah it did.I though I might learn at least one thing new too but it wasn't to be. What I really don't get is why the SOB is deleting my comment in the main section and not the reply here,it's the exact same one all I did was copy and paste it here when I read Marshall's comment.If it was YT deleting them then my above one would have been deleted too.

[@Eargesplitten-Loudenboomer]

@@rider660r I'm not sure why, but it says something.

[@droppindeuces6981]

@@rider660r If you were a Tunnel rat, I thank you for your service.

[@freedomforever6718]

Jungle/Tunnel Rats are on the top of the list of true heroes of the Vietnam War.

[@douglasgault5458]

One of my favorite nightmares from combat fatigue, as it was then called. I only went underground several times. And that was it, I became claustrophobic suddenly. It had gotten to the point that you were always praying for just another tomorrow.

[@TheMightyShell]

All because a bunch of neoliberal capitalists wanted to plunder vietnam for its resources

[@lavernseegert2719]

Hell I won't even go under our crawl space under the house too many bad memories

[@johnhebberd2248]

I knew one growing up. He was my neighbor. Well respected by soldiers. I never knew why they said he was a "tunnel rat" and treated him with such respect. Thank you.

[@towlie911]

I visited Vietnam a couple years back and crawled through some of those tunnels right on the shoreline. You could see the old craters of airplane bombs dropped on the area. The bombs had little to no effect since the tunnels were much too deep for bombs to reach. I don’t recommend going without a map or guide through the tunnel since they have multiple levels with steep drops and you could easily get stuck down there

[@toastedt140]

A know a retired guy who used to be a tunnel rat. After he got out, he worked in rodeo as a bull rider. He said he could ride bulls without fear because nothing would be as terrifying as crawling around in the dark not knowing whether you were about to be killed or have to kill.

[@gone547]

There was a common belief among combat soldiers in Vietnam - "when I die I'll go to heaven, because I've spent my time in hell".

[@slowturtle6745]

A guy I know was a rat, had a tunnel collapse on him and to this day he can't get into a MRI or any other confined space without freaking out. Can't say I blame him.

[@flagmichael]

Being in a tunnel collapse anywhere would be extreme, but being there in the knowledge that bad guys might be waiting to greet you if you got out would be worse.

[@jock-of-ages73]

MRI ?

[@darthkittyoustheunwise7581]

My uncle was an Australian tunnel rat. He enjoyed it because it kept him out of trouble. He never speaks about the bad things. He only says the good things. What he must have seen would've really done a number on him.

[@Emy53]

These men are brave and heroes. They were all so young, many just out of high school. This war was during my era. I was too young to remember details, but now as I have learned more over last 50 years, I cry for all the men we lost. I love, respect and honor ALL our Vietnam Veterans, and ALL that served and made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.

[@dickiedollop]

I think these guys were tougher than any special force it must have left it’s mark on these men , God bless them all 👍🏻❤️

[@KrazyKoleG]

Look up the SOG Unit, it's not a contest but that group had the craziest missions I've ever heard of.

[@jiggyman007]

@@KrazyKoleG Just waiting for Lynne black to hook up with Jocko.... I will literally stop anything I'm doing as soon as that lands...

[@KrazyKoleG]

@@jiggyman007 god me too, that shit better happen soon, it's been talked about for a while now. They ruined me in terms of how exciting other people's stories are in comparison to theirs lmao

[@samsungggalaxy3119]

Wonder what I think

[@davidlatham845]

I knew a man Mike Harkins when I was young ,he was a tunnel rat as far as I know still alive messed him up for life I love him only known him on the football field my god what a sacrifice with bravery, incredible courage, pray for him ,pray for some peace of mind for him,pray for the rest of the brave men who went to hell,those who lived ,those who died ,god help them find peace without fear,Thank you Mike.

[@alfrede.neuman9082]

Thanks for actually acknowledging the Aussies (though not the kiwis) here... tbh, I suspect a lot of Americans don’t actually know that we Aussies and Kiwi’s were even involved in Vietnam.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

What they tell us of war, here, especially of any conflict outside of the revolution, is limited. We aren't even told all the info in the civil war in public education.

[@Mirandorl]

Brit here and I was surprised too - no Vietnam war movies I've seen acknowledge Oz input, which to be fair is par for the course in Hollywood war films. I know the UK said "bugger orf" to LBJ but yeah, Australia and the tunnel rats was a new one to me.

[@alfredsutton7233]

Actually, many of us of the right age (meaning old now) remember that Aussies, even if we forget Kiwis, we’re an important part of the allied war effort. May we always remain friends and partners. Kiwis be OK, too. 😜

[@Scp716creativecommons]

Alot of the soldiers here know, and will recognize, how often us and Australia have been side by side. Service can teach alot about the world you don't tend to learn as a civilian

[@alfrede.neuman9082]

@@Scp716creativecommons your right mate. I take it you’re a soldier too, from what you said. I’m current serving Aussie Army. Are you a Kiwi or Yank?

[@bigskyscott4092]

I can’t imagine how brave these men are. Bravest of the brave. 100% respect.

[@shel7135]

My uncle was a tunnel rat, my grandfather was on the USS Indianapolis delivering the switch during WW2, and my father was an F4 pilot from Tuskegee. Still blows my mind

[@JustAnotherArmyVet]

Wow. Did your grandfather survive the sinking?

[@cjmurphy3845]

I met the last five or six remaining Tuskegee airmen before they passed away god bless to all and I'm sorry for your loss

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day Dark, Thank you so much for giving Australian 'ferret' troops a mention in this engrossing, disturbing video. So often, in all three major wars, the efforts and sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand forces barely rate a mention. In fact, dozens of US military historians write entire books and only refer to any non-US soldier on their side as 'Allies' or 'Allied'. That aside, I wish to echo every statement you made in this video. The US Tunnel Rats and Australian Ferrets (also known as Tunnel Rats later in the conflict) were some of the bravest, coolest fighting men I've ever had the privilege of meeting. To say their death-defying exploits were brave is actually an understatement. They developed the same kind of intensity that bomb disposal crews in WW2 and later conflicts displayed. They adopted a fatalistic, yet logical, reasoning that when your time comes, chances are you'll never know it. I have given this a lot of thought during my research as a military historian and former ADF member; I think I could grow comfortable as an ordnance disposal team member but I could never, in a dozen lifetimes endure the claustrophobia, fear, oppressive heat and uncertainty of a Tunnel Rat. As you said, their contribution to stemming the tide of Vietnamese incursion into South Vietnam was truly significant. Yet, such was the extent and wide-ranging scope of the enemy tunnel complexes, Tunnel Rat and Ferret forces would have had to be 10 or 20 times larger in manpower than they were. Recruiting and successfully maintaining Tunnel Rat numbers was extremely problematic. Comparatively few soldiers had the mental and physical profiles needed to become effective in their roles. After reading up on this topic for years, I am confident in suggesting that the Vietnamese tunnel complexes were a significant reason why the North Vietnamese, eventually, prevailed until the political wills of the Allies were eroded to a point where the only sane outcome was to sue for a ceasefire and peace. Despite the saturation bombing and deforestation of much of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, it was the tunnels that ensured supplies continued to reach forces in the south thereby sapping the will of the South Vietnamese forces to fight and allowed for the constant build-up of Northern forces. The Tunnel Rats and Ferrets deserve our lasting respect and the acknowledgement they so rarely receive. Apart from the deaths of these troops, many of the survivors of these unique forces suffered, and still suffer, significant psychological scars. Fortunately, the associations of former Tunnel Rats, around the US and Australia are strong, staunch groups of veterans who provide each other with much of the support they need. Your video is valuable in bringing to light their exploits and for this, I am grateful as will be the veterans themselves, those that are still with us. Let's hope we will not need to see their like again. RIP to the fallen and respect to the survivors from this unremarkable ADF member who, generally, 'flew a desk'. Thanks again Dark. Well done! BH

[@Wavelover33]

Finally an intelligent and interestingly written comment on KZbin. I’ve waited many years. Thank you!

[@BillHalliwell]

@@Wavelover33 G'day BNB, Thank you so much for your kind words; there are other KZbin contributors who are not consumed by hate, bizarre agendas or just have an undersupply of marbles. Yes, they are hard to find. I've also had to grow a thick skin as I'm often attacked by those who moan that I write such long comments. I've also had a lot of death threats every time my co-producer and I have suggested any hint of a slur upon General Douglas MacArthur. A character we have researched as part of our much deeper research on Sir Thomas Albert Blamey, Australia's only Field Marshal and, perhaps, the most significant soldier in Australia's history. Apart from my research into the Ferrets/Rats, I had the great fortune of attending a brilliant 'read through' of a play (sadly, I've lost the title) that was staged down here in a small Hobart theatre. It was written with the assistance of a former Ferret(s) and at that performance there were a surprising number of former Ferrets and Rats who, I discovered, were having a reunion in Hobart. I had the immense privilege of meeting several during interval and at a pub afterwards. They were unanimous in their praise of the accuracy and passion of the actors who performed the play, still holding scripts, as this was a rushed, almost impromptu performance put on because of the reunion. The vets, themselves were magnificent blokes and they deeply impressed me in many ways, most of all their modesty. Like every veteran of war I've ever interviewed, they were adamant that only their mates who did not return were the real heroes. I fully expected this play would go on to be produced commercially and, as I'd been a film critic and writer in one of my civilian jobs, I thought then, and still do, that this story would make a truly gripping motion picture. As I can't recall the title, I have no way of knowing what happened to it. I know it would be an instant hit as every man I spoke to that evening was deeply moved by the performance. This was, of course, the acid test of the play's quality and accuracy. It would still be a cracking, moving and inspiring film. I really hope it is taken up someday. Thanks again for taking the time to make your generous comment. All the best, Bill Halliwell (callsign: HorriBill).

[@robharris6874]

@@BillHalliwell Not too sure about Blamey as a leader he only got the job because he was in favour with some politicians, my dad was in New Guinea during WW2 he said Blamey was very unpopular amongst officers & troops & few of them wanted to put a bullet in head fact !! General Monash was well beyond him as a commander & easily the best Australia has produced !! Blamey was not the only Australian Field Marshall either Birdwood WW1 being one do your home work ! & MacArthur was dog as well accusing AIF as being cowardice !!

[@BillHalliwell]

@Rob Harris G'day Rob, Well, mate, we have been doing our 'homework' on Blamey, MacArthur, Birdwood etc., etc. for the last ten years or more. First off, Birdwood was born on 13 September 1865 at Kirkee, Bombay Presidency, British India. He died 17 May 1951 (aged 85) at Hampton Court Palace, England and he was, in fact, a citizen of the United Kingdom. He was a long-time member of the British India Army. Yes, he did command Australian troops at various points in his career and he was awarded Field Marshal status in the British Army, of which he was a member. So, we'll stick with our correct assertion that Sir Thomas Albert Blamey was, and still is, the only Australian soldier made Field Marshal. The AWM and Army backs this up on their websites, as did the London Gazette, at the time. We went into our research on Blamey with an open mind and, yes, certain groups of Australian troops, including some officers were certainly not fond of him. A lot of British Army officers loathed him for being so loyal to his troops and not wanting them to be used as ‘Commonwealth cannon fodder,’ as he once said. When Labor Prime Minister John Curtin made Blamey the head of the 2nd A.I.F. he also gave his permission for Blamey to write and promulgate a Charter of Regulations that gave Blamey the first and last say on if and when Australian troops were to be placed under the command of foreign generals. He only ever approved this on very few occasions and only under strict conditions. Basically, this over publicised dislike of Blamey comes from a misunderstanding over the so-called 'Running Rabbit' speech which he gave, unscripted, to a body of troops in New Guinea. A lot of the criticism of Blamey stems from the fact he enjoyed a beer, at the Sgts' Mess or the Officers' Mess and, it was said he was a 'womaniser'. Above all he was not afraid to speak his mind and he did not suffer fools at all, regardless of their position. It would have been almost impossible for Blamey to be a 'womaniser' as for most of WW2 he was accompanied by his second wife, Lady Olga Blamey who was 'number 2' in the Australian Red Cross. The PM, and the cabinet did not want Lady Blamey to travel with, the then full, General Blamey, but as he told PM John Curtin, if you don't want her to go; take it up with her; and good luck to you! Labor politicians of the day saw Blamey as an elitist, right wing establishment figure. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I did mention his humble outback upbringing in my original comment. He never went to university but he was the first officer in living memory to have passed British Staff College purely on exams and academic results. Back then officers went through Staff College as a matter of routine. We have copies of his official event diaries and his unofficial diaries for all of WW2 and I can tell you he made hundreds of hospital visits to see, what he and Lady Olga referred to as ‘Our boys’, when he didn’t have to. He helped many people in their careers, anonymously, Jim Cairns, later a senior Labor Party figure and Deputy Prime Minister, is a notable example. Mr Cairns gave me a long interview about Blamey and he was fulsome in praise for Blamey who he called, ‘A great man.’ Many writers and would-be historians from the late 50s, after he died, and right up to modern times have incorrectly used Blamey as a whipping boy, accusing him of many bizarre activities that we have not been able to corroborate even once. We have, however, collected around 1500 documents from the AWM which have never been borrowed or studied by any historians or writers, that clearly prove Thomas Blamey was a person of good character and sometimes, irritating honesty. Finally, General Sir John Monash, who hand-picked Blamey as his Chief of Staff in WW1, repeatedly, on paper, in public, and in radio broadcasts, heaped nothing the highest praise on Tom Blamey; at one point saying he could not have achieved what he did in the Great War, without Blamey’s razor sharp mind, talent for planning and devotion to duty. Our next project is on General Douglas MacArthur who, we discovered, was a thorough rotter. He actually said, “Australians are not dying in sufficient numbers…”. Yes, Rob, it’s all about ‘homework’, as you say. Cheers, Bill Halliwell & Bernie McDonald Commander-In-Chief Productions

[@robharris6874]

@@BillHalliwell Well said, from what my dad told me he was nothing but a kiss ass & should never of got the job as there where better candidates & by the way my dads uncle was one of Curtins good mates. So he had good intel !!

[@raypurchase801]

Interesting that they trained dogs to do the job, but the men loved their dogs so much, many refused to send their dogs and went down in person instead.

[@4002corbe]

Unbelievably brave, I’m an ex-soldier and there’s absolutely no way I’d crawl into such a claustrophobic and perilous environment, not to mention how isolated you’d probably feel. Their courage is simply remarkable!

[@VNV67]

I AM GLAD YOU DID A VIDEO ON THESE MEN. I knew a few of these guys that were with the 173rd. They were a different type of soldier but in a good way. I can't even think about doing that job because I was to tall and me and close places don't get along. I tried working in the coal mines when I got back but that only lasted about 2 weeks.

[@77confusedzombie77]

You write "they were a different type of soldier, but in a good way." May I ask what you mean by that? I am curious to know what these men were like.

[@spreadeagled5654]

I had a friend who was a former Tunnel Rat. He was short, standing at 5’-3” and he said his favorite pistol for the job was a silenced High Standard .22 LR pistol. He said he had ferocious encounters underground and he always had nightmares and trouble sleeping in the dark. After about 6 times underground, he went crazy and never did it again afterwards. He was brave enough to volunteer to do that dangerous job.

[@branon6565]

And here I thought I was extremely cramped in a Bradley Stinger in Iraq, holy hell the tunnel rats had brass gonads the size of basketballs....

[@PacoOtis]

I drove Hueys in 1969 and flew some snipers and considered them weird and nuts, until I flew some tunnel rats! Whew! Our forces discovered hundreds of tunnels but, many years later, it was determined we had discovered less than 3% of them. One of my neighbors had been a tunnel rat and I was the only person he would talk to and it was always in the garage of his house. The garage had no windows and it was completely dark and the only time I could see him was when he was lighting his cigarettes. I mostly listened! Ray seemed to have become a Freudian delight, but I sure respected him and his modesty. I think the only peace he had after Vietnam was when he died!

[@paulmanchester7739]

Glad you survived

[@manitoublack]

While visiting an island in Southern Vietnam. I found the entrance to a few tunnel systems in the scrub. Went for a walk. Pretty amazing. Also found a few pill boxes, and when looking down, could see a tunnel leading off

[@johnryder1713]

The greatest Tunnel Rat of the Americans was Sgt. Robert 'Batman' Batten who coined their motto, saying 'Charlie ain't worth a rats ass to old Batman', however lets not forget the VC survived in many places in the subterranean world on real rats, described as 'delicious'!

[@user-mp3eq6ir5b]

Perhaps with a hearty burgundy sauce?

[@demonprinces17]

Their rats were grain feed so more like rabbit

[@johnryder1713]

@@user-mp3eq6ir5b Nonsense, with Mustard of course and Relish if available

[@johnryder1713]

@@demonprinces17 What Gourmet Rats, Yum!

[@lavictoire1960]

His name was Sgt.Bateman. Reading the “Rat Six” book.

[@jadensfilms1366]

My great grandfather in law was a tunnel rat In Nam! He was a small man and used his experience from the war to become an expert in demolition. I have a knife he used to use when cutting detonator cord. Eventually he got the nickname boom boom fasulo.

[@tsbrownie]

I knew one of these guys. He went down one cramped tunnel with his 45 and dog in front of him. An enemy soldier down there started shooting and the dog turned around and tried to get out by going around him, wedging them both in the tunnel. He got shot in the head and lost a serious chunk of brain leading to lifetime loss of leg and arm function. He was brave.

[@77confusedzombie77]

damn.

[@aayn4]

F

[@GneissShorts]

My dad’s friend who was on the ground in Vietnam said they’d sometimes stick their flamethrowers down in the tunnels to try and flush them out. I can only imagine the sounds the people made that didn’t make it out of range.

[@stevenjones5284]

I simply wouldn’t have the courage to do this. So I applaud the men that did. Immense bravery.

[@ericfarnsworth4430]

My grandpa was a rat in late 66 early 67 only because he volunteered he was a ranger his last toor. He's only 5'5 120 pounds. He came from the back woods of Appalachia, tough smart and deadly in the woods. He taught me how to hunt I could only imagine what he was doing at 19 in a tunnel.. thanks for all your service!

[@alecolsen6870]

My grandfather was there too around that time. I will never be the man he is. I don’t understand how these guys could fit inside these tunnels with how big there balls are!😂

[@mercyonus5292]

Ty for your service “tunnel rats” and all others who served!

[@jeanjennings5712]

A good friend of ours was a tunnel rat in the war. He was small and slender. He told us many disturbing stories of tension and anxiety doing his job. God bless Butchie. He passed away far too young, back in the world, after being wounded and ostracized, and neglected by the Veteran's Administration for his health and care. We miss you and honor you, Butchie.

[@andyjones1060]

😢 rest easy my friend and may your friends find peace…thank you for your service

[@efsnz8130]

New Zealand deserves recognition as well for their part in the war

[@tomcomiskey6350]

Agree, U.S. Nam Vet!!!

[@Lvl22Cowboy]

I'm Cuban American and pretty short myself. I found myself wondering if i'd of been chosen to be one of these unlucky souls then at 5:08 he states my shared ethnicity. Lol.

[@waterzap99]

They volunteered.

[@fraaggl]

they were not chosen, you can't force someone to do that !!!

[@Lvl22Cowboy]

@@fraaggl You can't force someone to do something in the military??? Sound logic bud

[@DurzoBlunts]

@@Lvl22Cowboy look it up, tunnel rats weren't chosen but volunteered. There is a very scary interview with a tunnel rat that kept ears of his kills.

[@77confusedzombie77]

I'm right there with you bro. On the whole volunteer vs. forced thing... You and I both know we would have reluctantly volunteered for that bullshit.

[@alanderson9711]

Quang Tri Province, mid 1968 and My CO suggests I try out for this. As I enter the training/staging area it looks like a jockey convention. Quick orientation and tunnel testing. First one easy, second one much smaller and 1/2 way thru I knew I would never finish. Big time claustrophobia, never knew. Complete and total admiration for the men that went through the program and earned their title-Tunnel Rat. Semper Fi

[@jesusjr.bagaforo1344]

This is a precise report. In year 2008 we had the opportunity to visit Vietnam and get into this tunnel rats. The area we got into is Cuchi Tunnel and you are correct in saying that getting and passing into the tunnel is freightening and soffucating in fact one of my companion and friend got rattled and nearly suffocated and nearly put into a frantic scene with so many people inside. We only manage to calm him down that we got out safe. Very nice video to share with others.

[@halhibben]

I had a teacher who was a tunnel rat, so crazy.

[@Inertia888]

Huge respect to any and all who had to endure. I had two friendly neighbors, knew one for a few years in an apartment building and knew the other for a few years in another place. One of these men was very quiet all the time and when I asked about his experiences he mostly just talked about his MRIs. The second man I knew was the complete opposite. Although he did not like to talk about his experiences in the tunnels, he was always very loud. Always drunk. (I do not blame him at all) He had a friend from the war who would sit with him all day. Now and then he would think he was in the middle of conflict. His friend would do his best to "slap him out of it". I always sat in the doorway of his apartment room while the three of us spent time together. When he had his flashbacks he thought he was fighting for his life and as a highly trained veteran, it was best to allow his close friend to be close to him. He probably would have killed me. Again, I do not blame him one bit. I am forever interested in any stories that these amazing men are willing to share. I am also forever sickened by the sad state of after care that the military provided for them. I hope we can fix that problem as a nation. These men did more and sacrificed more for us than anyone who wasn't there with them will or can possibly ever understand.

[@77confusedzombie77]

@@Inertia888 That's so wild.

[@Inertia888]

@@77confusedzombie77 hard to even comprehend sometimes...

[@mysticalfitzy9844]

I could have sworn you released a tunnel rats segment before but well done love the vietnam docs. We need more awareness so we dont repeat these mistakes

[@StylesV13]

Tunnel Rats, small men you don't mess with!

[@giovannicarrasco147]

Im in college but it's so hard to even fathom someone my age having to go into that tunnel. Even more so having to complete a whole mission while down there.

[@rockydubois2418]

There’s racisssssts down there using their white privilege to support trump and oppress transsexuals Bet your peers rush in now.

[@williamkeith8944]

@@rockydubois2418 is a troll

[@nocturnalnun]

My grandfather was a tunnel rat in the war and when I was young I asked him that was and he said “living underground to protect what was above ground.” I wish I knew him more but he died when I was young. He was 5’3 and 125 lbs. and I’m also 5’3 and 130 pounds so it’s almost scary thinking I would have done the same thing should I have been alive at the time.

[@jasonjohnson6344]

I hope you have a documentary about the “Lurp’s”, the LRRP’s, long range reconnaissance patrols. Very small teams of highly experienced and skilled combat veterans who would go deep into enemy controlled territory and search for enemy positions and call in air strikes or larger troop insertions that would engage with the Vietcong enemy forces. They were often in the bush for extended periods and they had to carry EVERYTHING they needed for those extended stays. They couldn’t be resupplied by the typical air drops because it would compromise the fact that they were even in the area. Pretty harrowing stuff and a story that deserves to be told. The tunnel rats program was amazing and like everything in the Vietnam “experience”, we were learning on the fly and developing best practices as it went. The entire “air mobile” practice and use of helicopters was developed and refined as well. The Lam Son 719 invasion of Laos is a story that needs told also. Over 700 freakin helicopters were involved, with many losses. The Ravens are another secret operation whose story is too rarely acknowledged and the participants are owed the respect for their contributions. I’m not sure how this channel’s videos came to my KZbin feed but I’ve been binging all weekend. The tunnels of Cu Chi and the tunnel rats needs a longer documentary than most of the videos I’ve seen here but this one is a good synopsis of some of what those guys did. Props and much respect to the rats.

[@nated2922]

A friend of mine was one. Mr. Bob is a serious badass. He talks about shooting the enemy like he does Titans football.

[@jasonjohnson6344]

@@nated2922 The Lurps got pretty special treatment for the most part. Everyone knew that THOSE guys knew their shit and the only guys I had more respect for were the Special Forces guys who had been there since the EARLY 60’s. Undermanned, out-gunned, little to no logistical support. Anyone who served between 1960 and 1965, IN the field…fkn SNAKE EATERS! Buy your buddy a few beers, he’s owed em!

[@nated2922]

@@jasonjohnson6344 he told me he'd carry out at least 20 mags every time he went out. Him and the others wouldn't have a round between em by the time they'd get back.

[@Andy_Babb]

I’m 37. My dad, for the first time in my life just shared with me that he was a tunnel rat in Vietnam in 1969. I never even knew he had been in Vietnam to visit, nevermind the war. He found a viet kong in a tunnel and had to kill him to escape. He’d been shot and was bad enough to have him sent him and discharged with a purple heart. He still won’t talk about it, won’t share his experiences… but it seems like he’s slowly starting to share bit by bit. I’ll never ask him to be uncomfortable, but I can’t help but have so many questions and want to know what his experiences were - positive and negative. I just hope in time he’ll be able to share more about his experience. This man was a hero to me before I knew this, the things he’s put himself through just in my lifetime all to ensure his family had what it needed. I wish I was half the man my father is, I truly mean that.

[@51504lyf]

One of my ARMY instructors was a tunnel rat, very badass and intimidating for a small guy. He had alot of knowledge in his small stature.

[@tempus_fugit7366]

I LMAO at the "short stature" line. My father was a Tunnel Rat in Vietnam in 1968, he was 6'2". According to him, your height had little to do with it, it depended mostly on your MOS. If you were a Combat Engineer, down the hole you went! AWFUL job for anyone.

[@tempus_fugit7366]

@PEPE STROKEY perhaps my father was the exception. He did say his being skinny and willingness to wiggle into tiny spaces had much to do with the frequency of his journeys into those tunnels. He did say volunteers were few and far between.

[@williamsimmons152]

Wrong..

[@ADAPTATION7]

Maybe he was a giant among tunnel rats.

[@LudosErgoSum]

A new vid from Dark Docs will always give me tunnel vision - it's insta-click and enjoy!

[@fordlouis747]

I was a Marine Combat Engineer (demolition man) we would go out on 2 to 3 man teams as the demo guys for an Infantry Platoon. We did this same exact work, crawling down Viet Cong Tunnels and blowing them up I was in country from 65-66 I never heard the term tunnel rat until years after I was out of the Corps. The Corps didn't have specialized units for this work if you were a Combat Engineer and the Grunts found a tunnel, you crawled down it and blew it up with a 20 lbs satchel charge, if the complex was big enough you used 2 or 3 satchel charges hooked together in a trunk line the Det Cord. The only nightmares I still have about doing that work are getting trapped in the hole, and not being able to get out.

[@mar10ssj1]

You didn't volunteer for the job, you were voluntold. To be a tunnel rat you had to be "the littlest guy with the biggest cahones" or so it's been said.

[@shengyi1701]

I had the pleasure of visiting the Cu Chi tunnels back in 2016. Some Russian tourists were surprised I could locate the quite well-hidden bamboo ventilation holes. Not easy to crawl through the tunnels....cramped and not for those with breathing problems or claustrophobia

[@w0rmblood323]

Is it just me or is Dark Docs's narration getting faster and faster with each video? Feels like I'm watching a video at 2x speed.

[@brianhays1797]

One of my patients was a Marine tunnel rat. Sweetest man you could know. But he always says they never went in with their guns drawn. You went in with your knife. Unless you were shot at, you never shot your gun. He said everyone he killed was hand to hand. Guy is one bad ass hero!

[@lavernseegert2719]

Yes thats True

[@philwellsify]

Btw, Its venomous snakes. not poisonous snakes. Venom is injected, poison is ingested.

[@sidgar1]

Semantics. In other languages, there is no such distinction. The meaning is clear either way. At 7:13 he even says "venomous", so I'm not even sure why you commented this.

[@cyclo360]

@@sidgar1 ...well mate, theres always one isnt there lol

[@snakeenjoyingacanofbeans5219]

You’re thinking of “toxic” not poisonous.

[@phillylove7290]

@@sidgar1 Name one language that doesn't have a distinction between venom and poison? There a pretty distinct difference. A vile a venom is basically inert but a vial of poison can easily kill somebody if rubbed into the skin. Poison doesn't need to be digested it just needs to be ingested which means contact with the skin can kill you.

[@lenisbennett3062]

Potato, pototo.

[@paulmartin7309]

I was in Vietnam at the Cu Chi tunnels outside Saigon in February of 2020. They have a historic site where tourists can see and go into the tunnels. The guides wear old N vietnamese uniforms all the way down to the sandals. The sandals were made of old tires and tank rubber. They took the U.S. army trash and recycled it into everything they needed to fight. From clothes to bullets. They of course had me, the tallest guy there ( 6'2 175lbs) get into the tunnel first. I could barely cross my elbows enough to squeeze in and put the lid on top. I tried later in the tour to go down and I was on my hands and knees the whole time. I made it 20 meters out of a 100 meter tunnel and called it. The Japanese students bailed with me though, so no one in my tour went the full 100 meters. Really interesting to see their side of the war and the incredible things they did with our soldiers garbage to win.

[@superfish0012]

Grandfather was a tunnel rat in Pleiku in 1969. He volunteered because "they would give you fifty whole dollars hazard pay and, well, mom needed the money!" One day he went into a tunnel and came out an hour and a half later and presented his 1Sgt with a bag of maps and two ring fingers.

[@alexex3030]

Sounds like a badass to me

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Former next door neighbor and friend MSG James Dimanoff was a tunnel rat. He was fearless. Jim was a E4 and promoted to E5. He retired as a Master Sergeant E8. Jim was Slavic, not Hispanic, but he was small in size, but had huge brass balls.

[@johndelong5574]

Greater love hath no man than that he lay down his life for his friends

[@cheeseburgero1]

the movie tunnel rats was pretty awesome too. great work dark doc right on par with a top budget movie, technically better with real footage.

[@howiefeltersnatch4501]

My dad told me when they were standing in line before going to Vietnam, a platoon Sgt was walking down the line picking jobs for guys. My dad who was tall was a regular grunt the man standing next to him was little and when they told him he was going to be a tunnel rat he fainted.

[@PotHead98]

Tunnel Rats and Ball Turret Gunners have to be the 2 worst jobs in military history.

[@boostjunkie2320]

My Grandfather is 6'3 despite the myth that only short men were sent into the tunnel's. He was tall but slender, still a strong man. My Grandfather had 4 Purple Heart ribbons. I asked why he kept going back knowing what was waiting for him and he said that he didn't want to leave his buddies. He wanted to help them get home alive. To this day at 37 year's old I don't know that dedication. He told me that he only fired a gun twice the entire war. They sent him into those tunnels with a knife. I asked how he killed the enemy. He said he snuck up behind them and cut the throat before they could scream for help. I've never seen him be violent, he didn't drink alcohol and would not own a gun. He rarely raised his voice and when he did I knew not to test the old man. He was a great Grandfather, bounced the kids on his legs and watched baseball. All the grand kids loved him. You could never tell what he did over there and I don't know how he held it inside like that. I will always miss the old man

[@Trick_or_tren]

They deserve all the credit and more to do that. Balls of steel. I really hope there was a special medal for them. Nothing could be more stressful then that.

[@criffermaclennan]

Did my fair share of confined spaces work in the fire serve....and hated every second of it....but that must have been infinitely worse,not knowing who or what lay ahead. Much respect

[@Activated_Complex]

I had the privilege of meeting a tunnel rat who survived this dangerous job, many years later, at a VA hospital. While I was there to visit a friend, he was there because of nasty lingering effects from Agent Orange, for which he had to return regularly, even after many surgeries to remove tissue damaged over the years by the chemical compound still present in very slowly diminishing amounts in his system. He was in good spirits and good humor, though, and I put that down to his gratitude at having returned home alive in the first place.

[@saladdressing2781]

I was wondering if you'll ever do a video on the US Navy Black Cats during WWII. They flew night operations in total darkness against Japanese shipping lines in PBY Catalinas. Love the videos!

[@dominiccoscarelli305]

Jesus that high octane nightmare fuel.

[@azdog4375]

My pop was an australian tunnel rat. He doesnt ever talk about his war stories at all and used to drink ALOT and when i used to visit him, and when i was little i could never understand why. There is one story he told my nan and its the only story i have ever heard, i will give a little backstory first. When my pop used to go down the tunnels, he used to go with a young vietnamese guy to translate what the vietcong were saying so i assume he was to gather intel. One day when my pop went into a tunnel, he was with his translater, they were traversing through the tunnels when the translator was spotted my a vietcong and got his head blown off. My pop somehow managed to get out and survived. There are probably alot more stories and possibly alot worse. Now that im in my teen years my pop has stopped drinking and is doing alot better.

[@Lvl22Cowboy]

I'm glad your father is improving

[@azdog4375]

@@Lvl22Cowboy thanks

[@PennPearson]

Get those stories and write them down. Years from now, you and your descendants will be able to read about his experiences.

[@1stshepherd]

I was drafted in 68. Two fellow draftees were tunnel rats. I spent my 2 years in Europe. One was stationed in Europe after his Vietnam tour. He couldn't take the slow non violent duty and returned to the Nam. Neither friend was ever the same again. God Bless them and all who served. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@daveybernard1056]

I toughed out this video, till the 7 second mark! And then fled. Respect for our veterans :)

[@michaelvandorn604]

The tunnels really were an amazing feat. Imagine hauling all that dirt out!!

[@raysteigerwalt5272]

Yea being 5'1" I'd definitely be volunteered for it......

[@Cybersawz]

I'd be right there with you @5'4".

[@damienalmeida5481]

I’ll be your third man Hispanic and 5’3”

[@77confusedzombie77]

5'4" adrenaline buff, I'd be scared shitless but still go

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

*Laughs in 5'8*

[@damienalmeida5481]

@@MASTEROFEVIL whatever lamp post😂😂

[@salty6pence672]

My great Uncle was a tunnel rat. He came home , physically.

[@carminegalante4925]

Im sorry if this is offensive but, is he deceased or are you referring to his mental state? Regardless either way im sorry he had to go through that. I thank him for his service to our country regardless if it was a rightful conflict or not. He laot it all for the U.S., and i at least will be forever grateful

[@salty6pence672]

@@carminegalante4925 His mental state was never right again. He had a hard time being around people, Large groups were almost impossible. He tried. And Thank You. He passed in the late 90's.

[@christosvoskresye]

@@salty6pence672 One of my aunts had a brother who had much the same story.

[@infinitywulf]

That was the same with my uncle also a tunnel rat, came home from the war, but never really left it.

[@salty6pence672]

@Uncle Ho Nobody wins at war.

[@CodyDockerty]

Don't forget about the Kiwis and South Vietnamese that also did this as well. It was a harrowing thing to do and I think it fair that everyone that was ordered to take part should be recognised.

[@Shelnutts]

It takes a very special human being to do it. I was friends with one who did two tours.. try and imagine one day. Thanks for the Doc. He would have hated it, which means it is a good one.

[@terencewinters2154]

Probably one of the most dangerous jobs ever . Welcome home Mike M.

[@_spacegoat_]

Mad respect. At the very least, I'll never let one of these men pay for a drink while I'm around.

[@MJBOGAN]

I'm an Australian, we don't have ferrets, I've only ever heard of them being called tunnel rats. I think the ferrets label has come from somewhere ferrets exist.

[@joecoonan3931]

I read the book "The Tunnels of Cu Chi" by John Pennycate, and it told both sides of the Vietnam tunnels, and my respect for what the Vietnamese faced in the tunnels, as well as what the Tunnel Rats faced, were all increased tenfold thereby. The Vietnamese also endured incredible hardships in the tunnels, for months on end, without reprieve. Those tunnels were hard on everyone involved therewith, and the mutual respect between those who experienced both sides of the tunnel warfare is profound. The last words of one mortally wounded American military leader strike profoundly upon this theme, when he said: " .... Before I die, I wish I could speak with the incredible man who controls those tunnels....."

[@chakko007]

Yet only one side built the tunnels, booby trapped them with all sorts of death, and had the advantage of being on the defense, rather than not knowing what to face around every corner.

[@joecoonan3931]

@@chakko007 True, but one must also consider that the Vietnamese stayed in the tunnels 24/7, sometimes for months on end. That, in itself, tested them to their limits also, albeit in a different manner....

[@joelee6565]

​@@chakko007😂 tone deaf to the post

[@90sstreetz23]

“Hope you live to tell your side of the Story”

[@adamfrazer5150]

I'd never heard about the ethnicity of a lot of US tunnel rats - quite an intriguing piece of information 👍

[@Plumbump]

Im do not even suffer from claustophobic, hell I was a Tanker US 03+, but I knew I would could suddenly develop it.. if the situation was wrong.. my hair is standing up on end watching this, just like it did anywhere near water, like over a bridge.. ugh..

[@michaelhowell2326]

I'm glad to see you uploading again. I worries something might have happened to you.

[@evilfluff6634]

I knew a tunnelrat. Never really talked about the war. My mother dated him for sometime and had a daughter. I did like him like a father he was a good man with the alcohol. I really think those tunnels and a P.O.W camp really broke him. His best friend he meet in the camp.

[@tankc6474]

Very brave soul's indeed, respect to all of them from ireland 💚

[@stephendean2896]

I can't even imagine the courage necessary to crawl into an enemy tunnel with just a pistol and flashlight.