[BerryDingle]

sappers -- Skilled VC or NVA infiltrators sent to damage fixed defenses before an attack.

They carried petroleum based plastic explosives worn in a backpack which they placed the entire pack on or near a defensive position. pulled a delay fuse and "dee dee maoed" out of there. They were especially experts at remaining silent through seemingly impenetrable obstacles (layered static perimeter defenses) during darkness, and could disarm friendly mines during the process.

[Stoat]

sappers -- Skilled VC or NVA infiltrators sent to damage fixed defenses before an attack.

They carried petroleum based plastic explosives worn in a backpack which they placed the entire pack on or near a defensive position. pulled a delay fuse and "dee dee maoed" out of there. They were especially experts at remaining silent through seemingly impenetrable obstacles (layered static perimeter defenses) during darkness, and could disarm friendly mines during the process.

Thanks very much for the essential background....a vicious and determined enemy.

 

 

NVA Sapper

 "A photo I took circa April 1969 of an NVA snapper cutting the wire of defensive positions on 2/11 at An Hoa. The sapper had been captured the night before in an attack on 2/11 positions and he agree to show how easy it was for sappers to breach our defenses. "

Marine Corps BS - Vietnam

sappers -- Skilled VC or NVA infiltrators sent to damage fixed defenses before an attack.

They carried petroleum based plastic explosives worn in a backpack which they placed the entire pack on or near a defensive position. pulled a delay fuse and "dee dee maoed" out of there. They were especially experts at remaining silent through seemingly impenetrable obstacles (layered static perimeter defenses) during darkness, and could disarm friendly mines during the process.