Bat Bomb: World War II's Other Secret Weapon

By Jack Couffer

Book Overview

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 anentire 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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292707908
• ISBN13: 9780292707900
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A must-read for history buffs

An unknown but funny and very well-written chapter in history. The bat bomb carried zillions of bats, each of which had an incendiary device tied to it. The goal was to burn down Japanese towns. During its first test, it accidentally burned down the building housing the project! Talk about just desserts. This will cure anyone who thinks history is boring.

I think this is my favorite book ever

This book contains the funniest line I have ever read, already quoted by another reviewer: "We got a sure thing like the bat bomb going...." But there is much more to this book. The writing is incredible. For example, the author describes what happens when they use movie lights to illuminate the inside of one cave for the first time in its history. The description of almost being suffocated by clouds of bats so thick is first rate. Also, the tender retelling of his romance with Arlie is top notch. Who would have expected such deft handling of first love in a book about bat bombs? It made me want more of this material. I also treasured the retelling of the tiger mascot, "Top Sarge." Or when our hero tries to beat the cowboys at their own game in calf-roping. I could go on and on. I think the key to the success of this book is how the author treats all the characters with upmost respect. There is nothing snarky about how the author treats the self-important Patsy, who was Capone's driver, or the guano salesman. Read this book. You won't be disappointed.

A truly crazy story!

I read this at about the same time I discovered Richard Rhodes' "The Making of the Atomic Bomb". The contrast between the seemingly insane bat bomb and the almost farcial nature of it's builder's quest contrasted wonderfully with the serious and dark tones of the Manhattan project. This book has parts that made me laugh out loud, which is something that few history books can do.The story of prospecting the cave is priceless, and it gives me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it...

Fantastic

BAT BOMB covers a quite unknown but important part of World War II history. It got good reviews, but the public seemed to neglect it (I don't know why). This book is not only an important history lesson, it is also a wildly entertaining read. Don't YOU neglect this book. Read it. You'll love it.

A wonderful look at a quirky moment in U.S. defense history.

Bat Bomb is the story of a small group of people shortly after the beginning of World War II, involved in an unlikely scheme to defeat the Japanese. The plan is to strap small incendiary devices (napalm) to millions of bats and drop them at dawn over Japanese cities. Written by a young member of the team, the story of their eccentric scientist leader, how money was obtained from Washington, and their first encounter with the now-famous bat caves in the Carlsbad area is sometimes sobering, often hilarious, and always fascinating. For example, they were particularly disturbed to find out that the government was spending millions on atomic research in the same part of the country. To quote the bat scientist, "We got a sure thing like the bat bomb going, something that could really win the war, and they're j--ing off with tiny little atoms. It makes me want to cry." A wonderful and mostly overlooked book.