This article was originally published on natureworldtoday.com

The Vietnam War heralded a huge shift in culture and perspective of the American people, ripples that can be felt even to this day. Movies, songs, books, and everything in between all cover it and more. Our attitude toward life, the people in charge, and even wars are colored by this tumultuous time. But how much do we really know about the era that shook our generation to the core? With so many secrets and twists along the way, many details were accidentally (and sometimes deliberately) omitted. But not to worry–we have you covered. So read on, for the facts about Vietnam that we didn’t get to hear about.

1. Viet Cong Tricks

The Vietcong mastered the art of guerrilla warfare with cunning and resourcefulness that both bewildered and frustrated their opponents. Among their many ingenious tactics was the creation of sandals crafted from recycled tires. These weren’t ordinary footwear; the soles were designed to leave footprints that appeared to be facing the opposite direction, thus confusing any forces attempting to track their movements.

This deceptive practice was part of a broader strategy of psychological warfare, which also included removing their own casualties from the battlefield, leaving opposing soldiers perpetually uncertain and on edge.