The Bat Bomb Project: The Craziest Military Proposal of World War II

In the annals of military history, few proposals have been as peculiar as the 'Bat Bomb Project' of World War II. This outlandish idea, born in the depths of Carlsbad Caverns, nearly turned the tide with unconventional warfare. In this article, we dive into the strange tale of how bats were nearly used as a weapon of mass destruction.

The Origin of the Idea

The Bat Bomb Project began with a chance observation by Dr. Lytle Adams, an acquaintance of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. During a visit to Carlsbad Caverns, Dr. Adams noticed that there were tens of thousands of bats roosting within the cave walls. This cold fact led him to a radical idea: tying bombs to the backs of bats and flying them over enemy territories. The goal was simple yet unconventional: to set fires in wooden structures using the bats' natural habits.

A Collaboration for Destruction

The First Lady, upon learning of Dr. Adams' idea, promptly brought it to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Impressed by the potential of this novel approach to warfare, FDR gave his blessing, and the military took the project under its wing. Early on, the Army Air Force was assigned the task, as they had the expertise to launch the project via aerial delivery. In 1942, the idea was officially given the green light, marked by the beginning of a fast-paced research and development (RD) phase.

The Development of the Bat Bomb

Under the supervision of the Army Air Force, a team began working on creating a small yet potent backpack bomb for the bats. The challenge was to design a mechanism that would allow the bats to carry and release the bombs with precision. The project gained momentum, and by 1943, the prototype was ready for testing. The USAAF dropped the bat bombs at the Carlsbad Test Range, where the bombs were designed to fall naturally from the bats and be deployed once the bats found suitable roosting sites. Miraculously, the bombs were successfully deployed, and the bats flew off as intended.

The Unintended Consequence

However, the project's success was short-lived. Instead of finding suitable roosting sites, the free-tailed bats chose to nest under a nearby gasoline storage tank. The military personnel had no idea that different species of bats have distinct roosting preferences. In a bizarre series of events, the ignition of the dry wood from the gasoline storage tank led to a massive fire, reducing the test range to ashes. Luckily, the fire didn't spread beyond the test area; otherwise, the entire range might have been destroyed.

A Failed But Historic Mission

Seemingly, the project could have been a success had it not been for this unfortunate coincidence. The Navy and the Marines picked up where the Air Force left off, eager to refine the idea and make it operational. They aimed to create an even more effective mechanism, with the potential to start wildfires over a broader area. The theory was that since each bomb would likely start a single fire, 10 times as many bombs would mean 10 times the impact. This approach was designed to overwhelm the Japanese authorities' ability to control the inferno.

The Cancellation and Reflection

Despite the innovation and potential of the bat bombs, the project ultimately met its downfall. In April 1945, Admiral Ernest King, the Chief of Naval Operations, canceled the project. He cited the project's slow progress as a key reason for its cancellation. In retrospect, the project might have been a one-off success, but the sheer cost and effort required to make it a routine operation were not justifiable after the development of more effective conventional weapons.

The Legacy of the Bat Bomb Project

Stanley P. Lovell, in his book 'Of Spies and Stratagems,' referred to the project as 'the Die Fledermaus Farce.' The humorous nickname reflects the absurdity of the proposal. The project's failure highlights the importance of thorough research and understanding of nature, especially in highly specialized and niche areas. Though the Bat Bomb Project never came to fruition, it remains a fascinating example of the lengths to which military minds will go in the pursuit of unconventional and innovative strategies.