Did you know that during the Cold War, the UK had a top-secret plan called Blue Peacock? This plan aimed to defend against a potential Russian invasion through northern Germany by burying a nuclear mine in the region. The idea was to create radioactive contamination to deter any invaders.
The Blue Peacock project was developed in the 1950s, and it involved burying a 10-kiloton nuclear mine that could be detonated remotely or on a timer delay of up to 8 days. However, one of the main challenges faced by the researchers was keeping the bomb warm and operational in the harsh climate of northern Germany.
To solve this problem, an unusual solution was proposed – using chickens. Yes, you read that right. The plan was to encase a group of chickens within the bomb to generate enough heat to keep it functioning. The warmth from the chickens’ bodies would ensure that the bomb remained operational.
Although prototypes of the nuclear mines were created, the Blue Peacock project was ultimately canceled after a single test. The details of the project were declassified by the UK National Archives in 2004, causing some confusion as it was revealed on April 1st, leading many to initially think it was an April Fool’s joke. However, it was later confirmed that the project was indeed real and not a hoax.
“It is not an April Fool. These documents come straight from the archives at Aldermaston. Why and how would we forge them?” Professor Peter Hennessy, curator of the Secret State exhibition, clarified. “The Civil Service does not do jokes,” added Tom O’Leary, head of education and interpretation at the National Archives.
Despite its bizarre nature, the Blue Peacock project serves as a stark reminder of the extreme measures countries were willing to consider during the Cold War to safeguard themselves against potential threats.