Ridiculous History CLASSIC: Uncle Sam Tried to End World War II With Bat Bombs
Nov 8, 2025
Discover the bizarre tale of how the U.S. military nearly launched bats as incendiary bombs during World War II. Lytle Adams pitched his wild idea, inspired by nature and wartime urgency. From selecting the right bat species to devising a transport mechanism, the logistics were strangely fitting. Tests indicated success with fires in mock cities, but the project was ultimately scrapped due to competing priorities. The episode also highlights Adams' other quirky inventions, including a fried-chicken vending machine!
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Military Pursued Bat Bombs Seriously
- The U.S. military seriously funded a plan to arm bats with incendiaries during WWII.
- The hosts note the idea was bizarre yet might actually have worked under certain conditions.
Adams' Road-Trip Inspiration
- Dr. Lytle Adams conceived the bat-bomb plan after watching bats leave Carlsbad Caverns and hearing of Pearl Harbor.
- He mailed the White House his proposal on January 12, 1942, hoping to use bats for retaliation.
Targeting Japanese Architecture
- Planners believed Japanese wood-and-paper architecture made bat bombs effective at starting hidden fires.
- The strategy relied on bats roosting in eaves and attics to ignite interior fires unnoticed.
