Tunnels

Memories of PO2 Nathaniel Townsend,
American Navy, Construction Battalion

May 7th, 1952

Back in the Pacific, the Japanese would use tunnels to move around in secret. The massive cave systems had to be cleared out somehow, and the brass ordered us to clear them. Explosives, flamethrowers, we had to use a number of things. The problem was many of the tunnels were completely empty when we cleared them, but you really didn't know until you tried. I used my flamethrower to light the dark tunnel, and more than once lit a man on fire still inside. The screams are something that never leaves you, but you have to manage. It was war.