UK Considered Using Biological and Chemical Weapons
More than a year before the United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, British officials had reviewed academic evaluations of conducting chemical warfare against Tokyo. The two chemical agents considered were phosgene and mustard gas, and Tokyo was suggested for its temperature in the summer, high population density, and political importance. There were also recommendations on delivery techniques, for example:
As the consideration of poison attacks were revealed by the United Kingdom's National Archives, detailed plans for the usage of darts containing poison were also made public. They were designed to be dropped by Royal Air Force bombers on German troop concentrations. This plan, drawn up in late 1941, predated the chemical attack considerations on Tokyo by more than two years as the British feared a possible invasion of the UK by German troops.
For more information:
Times Online: Britain considered chemical attack on Tokyo in 1944
BBC: WWII poison darts secret emerges
Back to Main | Back to 2009 News Index
Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Share this article with your friends: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
- » WW2DB's 19th Anniversary (29 Dec 2023)
- » Looted Painting "Madonna with Child" Returned to Poland (2 Jun 2023)
- » Wreck of USS Mannert L. Abele Found (29 May 2023)
- » Wreck of Montevideo Maru Found (25 Apr 2023)
- » Accidental Detonation of a WW2-Era Bomb in Great Yarmouth (10 Feb 2023)
- » See all news
- » 1,145 biographies
- » 336 events
- » 43,415 timeline entries
- » 1,237 ships
- » 349 aircraft models
- » 207 vehicle models
- » 372 weapon models
- » 123 historical documents
- » 259 facilities
- » 468 book reviews
- » 28,364 photos
- » 432 maps
Winston Churchill, on the RAF
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!
Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!