For Roy C. Raisor, the hazards of Vietnam were not always easy to see. Soldiers could face danger from enemy fire, but there were also hidden threats waiting along the paths they traveled. Booby traps became one of the most difficult parts of moving through the jungle because the danger could be concealed until a soldier was already standing over it.
Roy describes several types of traps that the Viet Cong used. These were designed to injure or kill soldiers and, just as importantly, to create fear and uncertainty among the men moving through the area.
Grenades Hidden Along Paths
One type of trap used a hand grenade, a tin can, and a thin wire. The can was positioned so that when a soldier caught the wire, the can would fall over and the grenade would slide out.
Normally, a thrown grenade has a delay after the handle leaves it. In this arrangement, a soldier who noticed the grenade might have time to dive for cover. But Roy explains that sometimes firing caps from smoke bombs were used to change the grenade so it would explode immediately.
This was one of the hazards that made ordinary movement through the area dangerous. A soldier could be walking along a pathway without knowing that something had been placed there specifically to catch him.
The Thread Spool Trap
Roy also describes a trap made from ordinary items that would not appear dangerous at first. It consisted of a thread spool, a bullet, and a firing pin.
The bullet was placed in the center of the spool with the firing pin underneath. The device could then be buried along a path with only the very tip of the bullet visible. If a soldier stepped on it, the pressure could activate the firing pin and send the bullet upward into his foot.
The danger was not always immediately obvious. Something that looked like part of the ground could actually be one of the hidden hazards waiting for a soldier.
Punji Pits
Another trap Roy discusses is the punji pit. These were deep holes filled with bamboo rods sharpened to a point.
According to Roy’s account, the Viet Cong went further by covering the spikes with human waste. A soldier who fell into one could suffer cuts or puncture wounds and then face the possibility of blood poisoning from bacteria in the waste. Such an injury could mean being taken out of Vietnam for treatment.
For soldiers moving through unfamiliar ground, the punji pit represented another of the many hazards that demanded attention with every step.
Bouncing Bettys
Roy also describes what were known as Bouncing Bettys. These bombs were buried underground with three pins sticking above the surface. When one of the trigger pins was disturbed, the bomb would shoot upward before exploding.
The explosion sent small ball bearings in different directions. Roy explains that these weapons could be lethal at considerable distance, making them another serious danger for soldiers operating in the field.
The presence of these traps meant that soldiers could not simply assume that a path was safe because nothing appeared to be happening.
The Effect on Soldiers
The hazards created by booby traps went beyond individual injuries. Roy explains that they created chaos within the companies because soldiers frequently had to stop their operations to recover wounded or dead men.
The enemy wanted to take soldiers out of action. A wounded soldier also meant that other men had to respond, provide assistance, and help get him out of the area.
Roy’s account shows how these hidden dangers became part of everyday life in Vietnam.
During the third day of the Tet Offensive, his unit encountered casualties from booby traps while searching the area. They also lost men to a sniper, showing how different dangers could appear during the same operation.
Living With the Uncertainty
For Roy and the other soldiers, the most difficult part of these hazards was the uncertainty. A soldier could be moving through the jungle, following the company, and have no idea what was hidden beneath or beside the path.
The book’s account of booby traps shows another side of Roy’s Vietnam experience. Combat was not only about the enemy that soldiers could see. Sometimes the greatest danger was something they could not see at all, waiting quietly for the next person to take a step.
For more about Roy’s story and latest updates, visit his official website: Roy C. Raisor.
Get your copy of his memoir here on Amazon: Boy to Man in 365 Days.
