Numerous types of Viet Cong booby traps were in circulation during the Vietnam War. While it is difficult to provide an exact count, given the vast range and variations, here are some of the most prominent types:
Punji Pit Traps: These traps involved camouflaged pits dug into the ground, often with sharpened bamboo stakes or other spikes at the bottom, intended to impale or injure soldiers who fell into them.
Tripwire Explosives: Tripwire-based traps utilized thin wires connected to explosives hidden nearby. When a soldier unknowingly triggered the wire by tripping over it, it would detonate the explosive, causing severe injuries or death.
Bouncing Betty Mines: These mines were pressure-activated and launched into the air before detonating. Buried in the ground, they targeted the lower body of soldiers, causing devastating injuries and reducing the chances of survival.
Toe-Popper Mines: These small, pressure-activated mines were typically buried just below the surface, designed to injure or disable soldiers. Stepping on them would trigger an explosion, inflicting severe damage to the victim’s foot or leg.
Bamboo Whip Traps: Bamboo stakes, often tipped with poison, were bent and secured under tension. When triggered, the stakes would whip out, causing deep puncture wounds and potential infection due to the poison.
Snake Traps: Containers or bamboo tubes were the primary tools to hold venomous snakes, each strategically placed to surprise and attack soldiers, causing panic and distraction.
Grenade Traps: Hand grenades came with tripwires or other triggering mechanisms designed to explode when disturbed, injuring or killing anyone nearby.
Punji Stick Traps: Similar to Punji pit traps, Punji stick traps involved concealed stakes or spikes, often coated with toxic substances, hidden in foliage or along trails to injure or infect soldiers.
Rolling Log Traps: Guerillas positioned large logs to roll down hills or slopes upon triggering, aiming to crush or injure soldiers caught in their path.
Booby-Trapped Ammo and Supplies: Viet Cong forces sometimes rig ammunition or other supplies to explode when picked up or used by enemy forces, causing unexpected casualties.
