Booby Traps

What are some examples of the sort of booby traps, used by the Viet Minh

in the Vietnam War?

What is a Booby Trap?

• Used in warfare to kill or seriously injure• Generally consist of a trip wire• Usually triggered unknowingly by the

victim• Hidden from eyesight• Easy to conceal and simple to set up

In the War in Vietnam, the Viet Minh’s use of booby traps proved very useful in their campaign against the Allied forces. Many underestimated the Viet Minh during the war however their ability to create intelligent booby traps showed the world how innovative they could be. Their use of booby traps was more so used in the war to injure, rather than kill invading soldiers. This was because they believed it took more people out of the war effort to look after an injured soldier, rather than just taking out the one.

GrenadeTraps

Grenade Trap in River Bed

• Hidden beneath the surface of shallow riversor creek beds

• Involving trip wire• Blast radius – 10-20m

Grenade Trap in Jungle

• Similar to grenade trap in river bed• Safety pins completely removed• US’s litter cans• Trip wire used• Explosions from both

sides• Blast radius – 10-20m

Many soldiers lost limbs as a result of grenade explosions.

They also experiences large wounds and death.

Traps Suspended in the Jungle Trees

Above

Mace Trap• Takes out a large number

of soldiers in one hit.• Concrete ball, drum, box orlarge log – spikes hammered

in to outside.• Suspended in threes

above and concealed.• Triggered by trip wire.

• Harsh wounds and broken bones sustained

Spike Traps

Side-Closing Panji Trap (1)• One of the most commonly

used booby traps.• Dug into the ground

so victims fall into it.• Covered in leaves

and sticks to hide from eyesight.

• Wounds to feet and ankles

(There are two versions of a side-closing Panji trap)

Side-Closing Panji Trap (2)• Bear trap instead

of spike board.• Two holes, one

below the other.• Bear trap would

close in around foot andankle, then be pushed further into the skin by

the second hole.

Side-Closing Trap

• Two spiked wooden slats.• Large hole below.• Trap held together by large rubber bands.• Concealed by leaves and sticks.• Rubber bands trigger trap to close in on victims body.

The Spike Board

• Trigger – treadle board (is stepped on)

• Spike board causes the injury.

• Concealed by sticks and leaves.

• Strikes victim in the face or chest.

The majority of spikes on spike traps were

covered in animal faeces. This would further harm

the soldiers as harsh bacteria would get directly into their

wounds. Many soldiers

were taken out of the war

effort because of these

infections, e.g. gangrene.

Trap Markers

Guerrilla Tactics

When the enemy advances - we retreat.Able to still attack once retreated.

When the enemy halts – harass.Psychologically harassing Allied soldiers through the fear of hidden booby traps.

When the enemy avoids battle – we attack.Could still attack when Allied soldiers retreated.

When the enemy retreats – we follow.Allowed for continuous attacks and more likelihood of Allied casualties.

Traps used in Vietnam War – derivative of hunting traps.

• Perch Spear Trap (similar to spike traps used)- Spikes attached to sticks held together

with string.- When trip wire is triggered, spikes fly up

and wound the animal, killing it.

Alternative uses for trap – animal hunting

Thankyou. (:

SACE Stage 1 Modern History

Types of Warfare used in the Vietnam War

Nicole Halsey 11R2011