Armed Forces: Cut Holes and Sink 'Em

For two tense days the twin strings of steel cars loaded with deadly nerve-gas rockets cautiously wove through seven Southern states. On board, teams of chemical specialists rummaged amidst the exposed cargo testing for dangerous emissions. A dozen pigeons and rabbits —living alarm systems in the event of escaping gas—flopped in wire cages. Overhead, helicopters monitored the tracks ahead for rockslides and other dangers. In Waxhaw, N.C., a picket met one of the trains with a sign saying NERVE GAS MAKES ME NERVOUS. The biggest event of the twin odysseys came when one of the rabbits, named Panic, gave...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!