1st Air Cavalry Division Soldiers Destroy Viet Cong Caves and Tunnels, Vietnam Part 1

Description

OF NEWSFILM RELEASE OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) UNITED AMERICA WASHINGTON, D.C. - 20301 STATES OF PLEASE NOTE DATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 1967 OXford 75111 Number 130-67 Footage: 175' 16mm Color Master Room 2E771 1ST AIR CAVALRY DIVISION SOLDIERS DESTROY VIET CONG CAVES AND TUNNELS (Official U.S. Army film released by Department of Defense) This is a desolate area about 40 miles northeast of An Khe where soldiers of the U.S. Army's 1st Air Cavalry Division were airlifted to search out and destroy caves and tunnel complexes being used by the Viet Cong to store supplies and equipment. In order to secure a Viet Cong tunnel, there are many obstacles that must be overcome including locating and disarming hidden booby traps and bombs inside the underground facilities. This task is the job of "Tunnel Rats, 11 volunteer soldiers who chase the Viet Cong through tunnels 15 feet underground. "Tunnel Rats" are armed with flashlights and 45 caliber automatic pistols. They work in pairs, inching their way through the dark underground passage- ways, sometimes disarming up to a dozen Viet Cong bombs in a single cave. A Vietnamese civilian interpreter from a Civilian Irregular Defense Group accompanied the 1st Air Cavalry soldiers on this mission and assisted in searching out the caves and tunnels. Confident that the caves and complexes were empty, soldiers prepared and set off explosive charges in the underground facilities to deny their further use by the Viet Cong. - more - THE INSTRUCTIONS LISTED BELOW ARE SUPERSEDED EFFECTIVE l MAY 1967. SEE REVERSE SIDE. NOTE TO EDITORS: PLEASE CREDIT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN TITLE OR COMMENTARY This motion film released to DOD pool member designated is for duplication and distri- bution to interested TV and newsreel pool members. It is to be forwarded within 72 hours to: Army Motion Picture Depository, Army Pictorial Center, 35-11 35th Ave., Long Island, N.Y. 11106, telephone 937-0600. This agency will deliver a duplicating master to Deluxe Laboratories, 850 Tenth Ave., New York City, telephone Circle 73220, where it will be available to non-pool members and other authorized agencies which make satisfactory financial arrangements with Deluxe Laboratories. The original release film must not be cut in any manner.

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases