US ''Bat'' Bomb

By Crusader1307

World War II saw the rise of many unusual and exotic weapons. Truly War can be the real ''Mother of Invention''. Perhaps one of the most unusual World War II Military Projects was ''Project X'' – or known simply by the weapons system called The ''Bat Bomb''. Developed by a Civilian Dentist (and friend to US Presidential First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt), the Plan was so ''impressive'', that The President accepted it – with full scale testing and device creation in effect by 1942-43. In theory, The ''Bomb'' involved large 1,000-pound munitions (emptied), into which was placed dozens of cylindrical shaped catch traps (48-inches long) made of aluminum. Inside these were placed (3) Mexican Free-Tail Bats. The bats were to in their hibernation cycle. Attached to each bat was a small incendiary explosive device (pressure activated). The Bomb carriers were to be deployed via USAAF Bombers high over Tokyo, Japan. Once dropped, The Carriers were timed to open at a certain altitude and deploy thousands of the catch canisters – which in turn would release The Bats. Again in theory, The Bats would (as their nature) – fly into house eaves, attics and other related spaces. The majority of Japanese homes were constructed of rice walling and wood. The ignition of which (thanks to The Bats), was to be the end result of The Mission. Tests determined that such fires could destroy over 300,000 civilian homes and thus effect The Japanese War effort. The Project was abruptly ended in early 1945 when other military options were decided upon.