Bat Bomb: World War II's Other Secret Weapon - Hardcover

Couffer, Jack

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0292707908 ISBN 13: 9780292707900

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 1992

Synopsis

It was a crazy way to win World War II in the Pacific—

All the United States had to do was to attach small incendiary bombs to millions of bats and release them over Japan's major cities. As the bats went to roost, a million fires would flare up in remote crannies of the wood and paper buildings common throughout Japan. When their cities were reduced to ashes, the Japanese would surely capitulate...

The plan made sense to a handful of eccentric promoters and researchers, who convinced top military brass and even President Roosevelt to back the scheme. It might have worked, except that another secret weapon—something to do with atoms—was chosen to end the war.

Told here by the youngest member of the team, this is the story of the bat bomb project, or Project X-Ray, as it was officially known. In scenes worthy of a Capra or Hawks comedy, Jack Couffer recounts the unorthodox experiments carried out in the secrecy of Bandera, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; and El Centro, California, in 1942-1943 by "Doc" Adams' private army. This oddball cast of characters included an eccentric inventor, a distinguished Harvard scientist, a biologist with a chip on his shoulder, a movie star, a Texas guano collector, a crusty Marine Corps colonel, a Maine lobster fisherman, an ex-mobster, and a tiger.

Not to be defeated by minor logistical hurdles, the bat bomb researchers risked life and limb to explore uncharted bat caves and "recruit" thousands of bats to serve their country. Through months of personality conflicts, military snafus, and technical failures the team pressed on, certain that bats could end the war with Japan. And they might have—in their first airborne test, the bat bombers burned an entire brand-new military airfield to the ground.

For everyone who relishes true tales of action and adventure, Bat Bomb is a must-read. Bat enthusiasts will also discover the beginnings of the scientific study of bats.

About this title

About the Author:

Since World War II Jack Couffer has pursued a career in film as a director,writer, producer, and cameraman. His work has appeared in numerous popular films, including Out of Africa, Ring of Bright Water, and Never Cry Wolf.

From Library Journal:

One of World War II's more improbable projects was the plan to release myriads of bats bearing incendiary devices over Japan's cities. The concept worked all too well, but the whole thing came to an end shortly after the nocturnal raiders immolated a remote New Mexico air base. Couffer's account is smoothly written but not glib, and the natural humor is buttressed with official documents saved from his months on the project. More than just a funny wartime memoir, this book illustrates how the wartime military establishment handled an offbeat idea that just might have been useful. Best of all, it provides marvelous insights into the social ethos that prevailed during the wartime years. Recommended for public libraries.
- Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Los Angeles
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0292707908
• ISBN 13: 9780292707900
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 284