Operation Crimp Tunnels War

DATE: 29/12/2022

TIME (GMT): 19:00

ERA: Vietnam

MAP(S): Khe Sanh SOG

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Aris for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 78 / 92

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RATING: (14)

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In addition to providing underground shelter, the Cu Chi tunnels served a key role during combat operations, including as a base for Communist attacks against nearby Saigon. VC soldiers lurking in the tunnels set numerous booby traps for U.S. and South Vietnamese infantrymen, planting trip wires that would set off grenades or overturn boxes of scorpions or poisonous snakes onto the heads of enemy troops. To combat these guerrilla tactics, U.S. forces would eventually train some soldiers to function as so-called “tunnel rats.” These soldiers (usually of small stature) would spend hours navigating the cramped, dark tunnels to detect booby traps and scout for enemy troops.

In January 1966, some 8,000 U.S. and Australian troops attempted to sweep the Cu Chi district in a large-scale program of attacks dubbed Operation Crimp. After B-52 bombers dropped a large amount of explosives onto the jungle region, the troops searched the area for enemy activity but were largely unsuccessful, as most Communist forces had disappeared into the network of underground tunnels.

In the north, Royal Australian Regiment RAR was inserted into its new landing zone LZ March 3 kilometres to the south-west.With B Company securing the site, the battalion moved on foot to the line of departure but not before they were mistakenly engaged by US helicopter gunships and artillery fire. However, after the Australians established communications, the shelling was halted and they began their advance.No sooner had the lead elements D Company under the command of Major Ian Fisher emerged into the cleared area that was originally to have been used as the battalion's LZ, when the forward platoon came under fire from Viet Cong positions in the tree-line on the north-east corner.In the action which followed, six Australians from 12 Platoon were wounded, including platoon commander Lieutenant Jim Bourke, who was shot through the jaw but remained in command until he passed out from loss of blood.Meanwhile, two medics who attempted to move forward to treat the casualties were themselves shot and killed.

The process of breaking into and exploring the communist tunnels began on 9 January, with the objective now switching to the location, clearance and destruction of the tunnel complexes.Whereas standard US Army practice was to seal, blow up or otherwise attempt to render tunnel systems unusable with smoke, tear gas and explosives before quickly moving on, the Australians spent the next few days laboriously searching and mapping the complexes they found using military engineers.Led by MacGregor, the Australian sappers from 3 Field Troop systematically tackled the tunnels, using telephone line and compasses to plot the subterranean passages. Small scale contacts between the communists and the Australians continued and MacGregor was later awarded the Military Cross for his leadership.

It is January 8^th 1966 Royal Australian Regiment RAR Land with Helicopters at LZ March starting Operation Crimp a search and destroy mission against Vietcong Tunnels in the Ho Bo Woods, north of Saigon, during which the battalion conducted an air assault and uncovered the Cu Chi tunnel complex which was serving as the underground hideaway for a VC higher command element.

In this mission the battlefield Medics have only the basics to stitch up a soldier.They have no Blood or Epinefrine.Only Air Corps Medics have the ability to give blood nand stabilize until arrive at Base Hospital.But if they want to Revive a very seriously injured soldier, they have to take him to Base Hospital because only there is Epinephrine and Adenosine.
No soldier will be left behind all bodies must be returned by helicopters to Base in Bodybags.