Hidden figures.
The VC was as careful about camouflage as they were in preparing attack or defense plans and turned camouflage into an art; from simple things like always walking in the shade on open trails to having their uniforms fitted with hooks for fastening branches, fauna, and other means of concealment.
When on long marches any natural camouflage they changed regularly and came from the flora in their immediate area of operation. In fields of bushes, the VC covered their bodies with a cone-shaped rush mat that was similar to our issue ghillie suit but had an opening for the head, and someone passing within a few yards would be unable to see them.
For ambushes on highways or roads bordered with little or no shrubbery, the VC prepared artificial bushes, which they planted before an attack. Their method for hiding in rice fields, swamps, or canals was a simple one, they used hollow rush stalks to breathe under water. A VC grunt could remain below water for a surprising amount of time in that way without discovery.
They concealed weapons in hollowed out tree trunks and large depots in jungle clearings that could not be seen from the air; such depots were covered with leaves and other fauna that were replaced almost daily due to the foliage withering quickly in the intense heat, and similar methods were used in building the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
One-time observer planes suddenly discovered a new stretch of road running from the Sekong River to the jungle village of Chavane. That area they flew over daily, but no one had seen even the slightest sign of construction and people never spotted in that region. On completion of the road the camouflaging fauna was cleared away and the pilots suddenly discovered a jungle “red ball” supply road that was ten yards wide in some places.
Chucks ability to camouflage was for sure impressive, and something that made our sides attempts to defeat the enemy all the much harder.
When on long marches any natural camouflage they changed regularly and came from the flora in their immediate area of operation. In fields of bushes, the VC covered their bodies with a cone-shaped rush mat that was similar to our issue ghillie suit but had an opening for the head, and someone passing within a few yards would be unable to see them.
For ambushes on highways or roads bordered with little or no shrubbery, the VC prepared artificial bushes, which they planted before an attack. Their method for hiding in rice fields, swamps, or canals was a simple one, they used hollow rush stalks to breathe under water. A VC grunt could remain below water for a surprising amount of time in that way without discovery.
They concealed weapons in hollowed out tree trunks and large depots in jungle clearings that could not be seen from the air; such depots were covered with leaves and other fauna that were replaced almost daily due to the foliage withering quickly in the intense heat, and similar methods were used in building the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
One-time observer planes suddenly discovered a new stretch of road running from the Sekong River to the jungle village of Chavane. That area they flew over daily, but no one had seen even the slightest sign of construction and people never spotted in that region. On completion of the road the camouflaging fauna was cleared away and the pilots suddenly discovered a jungle “red ball” supply road that was ten yards wide in some places.
Chucks ability to camouflage was for sure impressive, and something that made our sides attempts to defeat the enemy all the much harder.
No comments have been added yet.
Author of Southlands Snuffys Series.
Life’s anecdotes and observations.
- Sergeant Walker's profile
- 15 followers
