How many Tunnel Rats were there in Vietnam?
As Harold Roper, a tunnel rat in the early days of 1966, recalled: “I felt more fear that I’ve ever come close to feeling before or since.” There were only around 100 Army tunnel rats in Vietnam and most either died in the tunnels or in ambushes on the surface.
What was it like being a tunnel rat in Vietnam?
Tunnels were terrifying. If their occupants found you, they would kill you or worse. The tunnels could collapse, could be booby trapped or flooded; you could become lost or trapped. Booby traps could be sharpened sticks, snakes, scorpions or poisoned gas.
How many soldiers were bitten by snakes in Vietnam?
The United States Archives and other sources suggest that between 25 and 50 American soldiers a year were bitten by snakes during the war in Vietnam. Some 10,786 American soldiers died of non-combat causes, including 9,107 by accidents and 938 due to illness. Snake bites were not specified.
Are there any Tunnel Rats still alive?
Today, some of the tunnels used in the war still exist, preserved and maintained by the Vietnamese government. Visitors can crawl through sections of the tunnels used by Vietcong troops and Tunnel Rats alike – but now, at least, there are no mines, booby traps or poisonous snakes to contend with!
What was the mortality rate of Tunnel Rats?
33 percent
A tunnel rat checks out a possible ventilation shaft. Marrett reportedly spent weeks in the bush locating and disarming mines, “During that period 36 of us were killed and around 200 were wounded, giving us a casualty rate of 33 percent, high even by Vietnam War standards.
Did the Marines have Tunnel Rats?
Congratulations, you’re a tunnel rat! Trimnal was assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 26th Marines. “When I got off the chopper, this big old gunnery sergeant kept looking at me and scratching his head. I said, ‘PFC Trimnal reporting as ordered sir,’ and he said, ‘Congratulations, Private Trimnal!
What guns did Tunnel Rats use?
However, this gun too was ultimately a failed experiment, and only four QSP revolvers were made. So, in the end, tunnel rats mostly ended up using an M1911A1, a knife, and an angled handheld flashlight when they went into the darkness—and whatever other sidearms they could scrounge.
What branch of the military were Tunnel Rats?
For the most part, the job of tunnel rat was a catchall name for the work that we did as combat engineers. We were trained at the Australian Army’s School of Military Engineering, located 20 miles west of Sydney.