Bat bomb - Definition

In the United States, there was a serious World War II proposal to drop bats carrying tiny incendiary bombs over Japan, hence creating bat bombs. The idea was for the bats to roost in the buildings, followed by the timed ignition of the incendiary devices which would set the buildings on fire. The concept advanced to the point of the testing of devices, the assessment of bat weight-carrying ability, and to the destruction by fire of military facilities by an accidental release of bats with live devices attached. The concept was never used operationally.

The book "Sunwing" written by Kenneth Oppel was inspired by this incident.

Further reading

• Bat Bomb: World War II's Other Secret Weapon, by Jack Couffer, ISBN 0292707908

See also

• Project Pigeon
• Japanese Balloon Bombs