Back to the front page
Warfare History

15 Bizarre World War Two Tactics That Failed To Change The Battlefield

1762238269 article ai 690996291daff

6. Exploding Rats

6. Exploding Rats
British SOE’s innovative “exploding rat” sabotage plot aimed at disrupting German operations in WWII.

The British Special Operations Executive (SOE) developed a clandestine weapon during World War II known as the “exploding rat.” This involved filling dead rats with plastic explosives and placing them near German boiler rooms. The plan was that German workers would dispose of the rats by throwing them into the furnace, triggering an explosion. However, the first shipment was intercepted by the Germans, who exhibited the rats at military schools and conducted searches for more, leading the SOE to conclude that the operation was a success due to the disruption it caused. More details are available at the Imperial War Museums.

Written by

Keep reading

Advertisement