Punji sticks were sharpened bamboo branches that were used by the Viet Cong. Sometimes the sticks were smeared with fecal matter in order to spread infection throughout the wound. On the show, punji sticks were placed in a pit where a falling pig carcass fell on top of the sharpened sticks inflicting many wounds. It was also placed on a ball of mud to form a huge morning star. When the wire was tripped, the "mace" will fly towards the enemy and kill him. However, the Flammenwerfer 41 used by the Nazi SS was given the edge over the punji stick booby traps.
Trivia
- Punji Sticks were also used against the Mongolian Invasions of Vietnam. They varried from normal sizes to some large enough to disable ships (these were used underwater). This helped the Vietnamese under the leadership of General Tran Hung Dao defeat the superior Mongol Army in the many attempted invasions.