Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Nebraska Omaha Site of a Japanese Balloon Bomb Explosion

Site of a Japanese Balloon Bomb Explosion

These experimental weapons brought World War II to Nebraska as well as 26 other U.S. states.

Omaha, Nebraska

Added By
Andy Manhart
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Completed Japanese balloon is inflated for laboratory tests at a California base, recovered in 1945.   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:34...
A plaque in the Dundee neighborhood commerates the event.   Larsey
The U.S. military reinflated this Japanese balloon bomb after it was shot down Jan 10, 1945   U.S. Army photo
Corner of Underhill and 50th where the bomb exploded.   Map Data © 2017 Google 
  Declan M Martin
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In the closing months of World War II, a Japanese balloon bomb exploded in the quiet of the evening sky in the Dundee neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. These so-called "fire balloons" were filled with hydrogen and carrying bombs varying from 11 to 33 pounds, and were part of an experimental Japanese military offensive.

The bomb that exploded in Omaha on April 18, 1945, was one of more than 9,000 balloons launched during a six-month period at the end of the war, and one of the nearly 300 that were found or observed in the United States.  

These experimental weapons brought the Second World War closer to home than most Americans realized. But the Dundee explosion, and the larger plan it was a part of, are one of the many little-known incidents marking our time at war.

Few people knew a bomb had gone off. Some saw a flash of light and others heard noises they thought were fireworks. But by the next morning, nearly everyone in the neighborhood knew something had happened. Some residents heard the explosion and several others saw it flash as it ignited, according to newspaper reports at the time. One witness described “a ring of fire” in the sky. The plaque commemorating the incident notes: "the incendiary device flared brightly in the night, but caused no damage."

Japanese military leaders deployed these balloon bombs with the hopes of creating panic and widespread media attention, which would allow them to chart courses for future attacks. There were a few reports of explosions published in various outlets, however the U.S. Office of Censorship—a wartime agency set up to censor communications coming in or out of the U.S.—sent messages to all media outlets asking them not to publish news of the balloon bombs. The Dundee explosion, as well as several others, was not reported until after the war had ended.

Beyond Nebraska, Japanese balloon bombs were dropped in 26 other states and Mexico. Most of the attacks caused no severe damage or injuries, but one explosion in Oregon two weeks after Dundee resulted in the deaths of a woman and five children when they discovered an unexploded bomb in the woods. Remains of the fire balloons continued to be found after the war, with the most recent discovery made in 2014 in Canada.

Related Tags

War History World War Ii Weapons Plaques Bombs Military History Explosions Military

Know Before You Go

The plaque is publicly accessible, mounted to the outside wall of a commercial building on the south side of the street.

Community Contributors

Added By

manharta

Edited By

declanmar, Meg, Ashawnta

  • declanmar
  • Meg
  • Ashawnta

Published

September 27, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.historicomaha.com/histsite.htm
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3171
  • http://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/monday-marks-day-of-bombing-in-omaha/article_06c8ae08-60fb-5c77-90f8-daa6a0ba1e7b.html
  • http://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-was-bombed-during-wwii/7593511
  • https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Dundee,_Nebraska
Site of a Japanese Balloon Bomb Explosion
5003 Underwood Ave
Omaha, Nebraska
United States
41.264865, -95.990466
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Joslyn Castle

Omaha, Nebraska

miles away

William Thompson's Scalped Scalp

Omaha, Nebraska

miles away

The Museum of Shadows

Omaha, Nebraska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Omaha

Omaha

Nebraska

Places 6
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Joslyn Castle

Omaha, Nebraska

miles away

William Thompson's Scalped Scalp

Omaha, Nebraska

miles away

The Museum of Shadows

Omaha, Nebraska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Omaha

Omaha

Nebraska

Places 6
Stories 1

Related Places

  • The guard tower.

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Thorp Building Navy Guard Towers

    During World War II the Thorp building was guarded by the OSS, FBI, and US Navy because of the top-secret bombsight being produced there.

  • Bomb damage and bullet holes at Hickam Air Force Base.

    Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii

    Hickam Air Base Scars

    The air force base preserves its scars from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

  • The tower.

    Friskney, England

    RAF Wainfleet Control Tower

    The control tower at the historic weapons range is now available as a highly unusual vacation rental.

  • The Berm, Western Sahara

    Mauritania

    Moroccan Western Sahara Wall

    This fortified sand barrier dividing a contested territory is the longest minefield in the world.

  • A floating Valentine tank, note the turret in the middle of the canvas

    Dorset, England

    Valentine Tank Wrecks

    The site of a dress rehearsal for D-Day that ended in disaster.

  • Helfaut, France

    La Coupole

    This bunker in northern France was built by Nazi German forces with the intention of launching up to 50 V2 rockets at London each day.

  • Nazi Bunkers, Houvig Beach, Denmark.

    Ringkøbing, Denmark

    Hvide Sande Nazi Bunkers

    Remnants of the Nazis' occupation of Denmark linger along the sand.

  • Warrenton, Virginia

    Cold War Museum

    This museum sits on the site of a decommissioned military communications base.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.