The arsenal of the absurd
Welcome to the bizarre world of military technology, where the lines between innovation and madness are often as blurred as the camouflage patterns on a combat uniform. Over the last century, armies from around the world have fielded sometimes ingenious, often grotesque creations. Here’s a round-up of the seven strangest and most exotic weapon systems and vehicles ever conceived (or at least in the last 100 years):
The Panjandrum – Rolling Rockets of World War II
Let’s start with a bang – the Great Panjandrum. This was a British project in World War II, designed to break through German defences on D-Day. Imagine two huge wheels fitted with rockets, attached to an axle, with a massive explosive charge sitting in the centre. Sounds crazy? It was. In practice, the Panjandrum tended to become uncontrollable and the project was abandoned due to its unpredictability.
Bat Bomb – Flying bats of fire
During the Second World War, the USA experimented with a “Bat Bomb”, in which bats were to be fitted with small incendiary bombs and dropped over Japanese cities. The idea was that the bats would hide in the wooden structures and start fires when the bombs were detonated. However, the project was abandoned in favour of the Manhattan Project.
The Tsar Tank – the tricycle of terror
Russia, during the First World War. The Tsar Tank looked like a bicycle on steroids – with two gigantic front wheels and a small rear wheel. This incredible vehicle was intended to roll over trenches and wire entanglements, but failed due to its own impractical design and was never used in battle.
Project Habakkuk – The iceberg aircraft carrier
During the Second World War, Great Britain had the idea of building an aircraft carrier made entirely of pykrete (a mixture of ice and wood fibre). This was to be stationed in the Atlantic to fend off submarine attacks. The project was cancelled due to its enormous cost and logistical problems, but remains a fascinating example of creative military engineering.
Krummlauf – The curved weapon
During the Second World War, the Nazis developed the Krummlauf, an attachment for assault rifles that allowed them to shoot around corners. Despite its innovativeness, the wear and tear on the weapon was high and the accuracy rather moderate, which severely limited its actual usefulness.
The rail zeppelin – a train from the future
The Schienenzeppelin was a German invention of the 1930s, a train driven by a propeller at the rear. It looked like something straight out of a science fiction film and reached impressive speeds. However, it was extremely dangerous to everything and everyone in the vicinity of the huge, exposed propeller and was never used commercially.
The Aerowagon – The Soviet Death Train
After the revolution, the Soviet Union experimented with an Aerowagon, a rail-based vehicle with an aeroplane engine and propeller designed for the rapid transport of officials. Unfortunately, its first use led to a fatal accident that cost the lives of several high-ranking Bolsheviks.
The absurd in the service of war
These examples show that in times of war, the boundaries between genius and madness are often blurred. Many of these inventions may seem quaint or even humorous today, but they epitomise the indefatigable human urge to push boundaries and think the unthinkable. In a world dominated by conventional weapons and warfare, these strange creations offer a fascinating insight into the often bizarre history of military innovation.
