USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -By helping to covertly move supplies and house troops, the tunnels of Củ Chi allowed North Vietnamese fighters in their area of South Vietnam to survive, help prolong the war and increase U.S. costs and casualties until the eventual withdrawal in 1973, and the final defeat of South Vietnam in 1975.

Detailed explanation-2: -Between 1959 and 1975, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) used a series of trails running through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to transport weapons, supplies and reinforcements to the North Vietnamese Army and other sympathizers within South Vietnam.

Detailed explanation-3: -Some complexes ranged up to 40 miles long; the Cu Chi tunnel complex contained 130 miles of passageways. Having begun construction during their fight for independence against the French, the Vietnamese had incorporated a number of unique, battle-tested design features in their tunnels.

Detailed explanation-4: -Tunnels were particularly useful in the insurgency and a series of tunnel networks provided the Viet Cong with manufacturing, resupply, and planning space within easy striking distance of their targets. Few Soldiers could fit into the tunnels and follow the guerillas into their lairs.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a military supply route running from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam. The route sent weapons, manpower, ammunition and other supplies from communist-led North Vietnam to their supporters in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.