
Bat Bomb
World War II's Other Secret Weapon
Jack Couffer(Author)
University of Texas Press
Published on 19. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
284 pages
978-0-292-71872-2 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Austin, TX
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
442 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-292-71872-2 (9780292718722)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2010
1st Edition
University of Texas Press
from
€32.99
Available for download
Person
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.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. This Man Is Not a Nut
2. Secrecy Is Obviously Essential
3. The Suggestion Is Returned as Impractical
4. The Army Air Forces Will Cooperate
5. Flamethrower
6. No Questions Will Be Tolerated
7. They Can Fly!
8. Chemical Warfare Concludes
9. The Bat-Shit Man
10. Ozro
11. Osaka Bay
12. Muroc
13. Carlsbad
14. Bandera
15. Project X-Ray
16. The Other War
17. The Hibernation Equation
18. The Fistfight
19. Dugway
20. It's a Bit "Sticky" in El Centro
Epilogue
References
Index
Acknowledgments
1. This Man Is Not a Nut
2. Secrecy Is Obviously Essential
3. The Suggestion Is Returned as Impractical
4. The Army Air Forces Will Cooperate
5. Flamethrower
6. No Questions Will Be Tolerated
7. They Can Fly!
8. Chemical Warfare Concludes
9. The Bat-Shit Man
10. Ozro
11. Osaka Bay
12. Muroc
13. Carlsbad
14. Bandera
15. Project X-Ray
16. The Other War
17. The Hibernation Equation
18. The Fistfight
19. Dugway
20. It's a Bit "Sticky" in El Centro
Epilogue
References
Index