The Tunnels Of Cu Chi A Harrowing Account Of Americas Tunne, De Mangold, Tom. Editorial Presidio Press, Tapa Blanda En Inglés, 2005

Descripción

"The Tunnels of Cu Chi: A Harrowing Account of America's Tunnel Rats in the Vietnam War" es un relato detallado y emocionante de la red de túneles subterráneos que se extendía desde la provincia de Cu Chi hasta el borde de Saigón. Durante el apogeo del conflicto en Vietnam, estos túneles fueron utilizados por el Viet Cong para almacenar armas, atender a sus heridos y prepararse para atacar. Los soldados estadounidenses que eran lo suficientemente pequeños y ágiles para maniobrar a través del estrecho dominio de los guerrilleros eran conocidos como "ratas de túnel". Armados únicamente con pistolas y cuchillos K-bar, estos valientes se adentraban en la oscuridad húmeda donde les esperaban todo tipo de horrores: balas, trampas explosivas o una granada lanzada.

Este libro proporciona una mirada interna fascinante a este temible combate, utilizando relatos de primera mano de hombres y mujeres de ambos bandos que lucharon y mataron en estas batallas subterráneas. Los autores Tom Mangold y John Penycate ofrecen una tensión insoportable y héroes inolvidables en una obra clásica de la guerra.

Tom Mangold ha sido reportero de investigación con la BBC TV y reportero para el Sunday Mirror y el Daily Express. Como corresponsal de guerra, cubrió Vietnam, dos guerras en Medio Oriente y la invasión rusa de Afganistán. Su primer libro, "The File on the Tsar", fue un bestseller internacional.

John Penycate es un periodista que ha informado regularmente para los programas de asuntos públicos semanales de la BBC TV, "The Money Programme" y "Panorama", y ha entrevistado a importantes líderes políticos y empresariales. Da conferencias en las escuelas de periodismo de las universidades de Londres y Westminster. Residente en Londres, Penycate participa activamente en institutos y sociedades relacionadas con los medios de comunicación y los asuntos públicos.

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1 War Underground

He heard the tracks of the armored personnel carriers long before the malignant clouds of dust came into view. Nam Thuan lay very still, trying to count the number, but in his eyes and ears was only the fusion of squeaky steel belts and the approaching halo of dirt as the American armor moved busily out of the early morning sun and straight toward him. As Communist party secretary of Phu My Hung village with its six small hamlets, Nam Thuan was automatically political commissar of the village defense force, a small unit already much depleted by action and promotions to the regional fighting forces. His small platoon that morning comprised a good deputy commander and a couple of village farm boys. His orders had been simple enough: He was to delay any American thrust on Phu My Hung by luring the enemy into engagement. He would destroy them if possible; if not, his diversionary battle would allow ample time for the village to be evacuated and the arms and guerrillas to be hidden. It was August 1968; the war against the Americans was three years old. The great Tet offensive seemed to have taken many lives, yet South Vietnam had still not been reunited with the North. If anything, Thuan thought, the Americans seemed more confident and more powerful than ever. But at least they were predictable-it was a necessary consolation as the small armored column rattled nearer; the Americans always came when expected, came noisily, and came in strength. He counted thirteen M-113 carriers. It was a larger force than he had expected. Thuan needed to move quickly if he was to draw the column toward him and toward the tunnels. To fight with he had just two remote-controlled mines which he would detonate, and a boxful of captur