tell me what you know about the Ballon Bombs of 1940?

Question

i just found out recently and would like to know more

Answer 1

the japs rigged firebombs and put them on ballons and released them to follow trade winds to America and hoped they would fall and burn our forrests in the NW...they killed a family picnicing and burned a few acres thats about it..a terror weapon was all they were...burning innocent American civilians that were not participating in the war in any way.....

Answer 2

The japanese used the jet streams found in the troposphere to deliver bombs fastened to ballons to the US.
With conventional bombs it had not much if any military use but was a terror weapon. The US feared that those bombs might be used to deliver biological weapons on which the japanese were working though. (That never happened)
The most remarkable thing about this issue most likely is the discovery of the jet stream itself which was an unknown phenomenom until then and is vital to todays avionics.

Answer 3

It was most likely part of the Red Scare led by Senator Joe McCathy. It was supported by senior Republicans and targeted all 'commies' in American society. Since Eisenhower was the President and republican it was approved. I'm far too young to remember it though =)

Answer 4

Japanese sent bombs on balloons knowing some would make there way to western US shores. I believe 1 or 2 made it.

Answer 5

I just saw this on the History or Military channel last night. 300 made it on to US soil. I don't know how much damage or casualties were inflicted.

Someone also tried to make bat bombs but they kept flying in to airplane hangers or something.

Answer 6

There's a fairly detailed history at the site listed below in source(s).

Answer 7

yeah,..incendiaries rigged to fall to earth when the balloons collapsed over America...terror weapons from a terroristic people