The bouncing bomb

The bouncing bomb was a specially designed explosive device used during World War II to target large dam reservoirs. Invented by British engineer Barnes Wallis, the bomb was crafted to skip across the water's surface, avoiding torpedo nets and minimizing splash. Once it reached the dam wall, it detonated, causing structural damage that flooded downstream valleys and hampered enemy operations. The technique required precise calculations of speed, altitude, and timing to ensure the bomb skipped correctly and exploded at the right moment, making it an innovative and effective weapon for disrupting critical infrastructure.