Biological and Chemical Warfare in World War II Notes

Overview of Biological and Chemical Warfare in World War II

  • Historical Context

    • Natural poisons have been weaponized since ancient times.
    • Example: Enemies' wells poisoned with animal bodies.
    • Battlefield use of noxious gases by burning various materials.
    • Nineteenth-century advances in chemical research made poisons viable as weapons of mass destruction.
    • Use of biological and chemical weapons in World War II.

  • Veterans of Previous Conflicts

    • Soldiers from World War I vividly remember the horrors of chemical warfare.
    • Types of gases: Mustard gas, phosgene.
    • Chemical warfare caused suffering and instilled fear.
    • Anticipation of chemical weapons re-emergence in World War II.
    • Military advancements suggested weapons could be used in cities due to aerial bombardment.
    • Children seen with gas masks in urban areas, particularly London.
    • Gas masks became standard issue for soldiers.

  • The Absence of Chemical Weapons in World War II

    • Key question: Why was chemical warfare absent despite expectations?
    • Chemical weapons had been outlawed by treaties:
    • Brussels Convention of 1874.
    • Hague Convention of 1899.
    • Geneva Protocol of 1925 signed by 109 countries against chemical and bacteriological warfare.
    • Despite treaties, chemical weapons were used in conflicts such as:
    • Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1936)
    • Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) by Japan.

  • Definitions of Chemical and Biological Weapons

    • Chemical Weapons:
    • Defined as chemicals causing intentional death or harm via toxic properties.
    • Includes nerve gases (e.g., sarin, tabun), mustard gas, phosgene, and tear gas.
    • Munitions and devices specifically designed to deliver these toxins.
    • Biological Weapons:
    • Defined as microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi) or toxins released to cause disease and death.
    • Argument exists regarding water contamination as biological warfare.
    • Countries with access to biological weapons during this time:
    • Britain, United States, Japan.
    • Countries with access to chemical weapons:
    • Italy, Soviet Union, and others.

  • Political Opposition to Chemical and Biological Weapons

    • Key political figures publicly opposed the use of these weapons:
    • Joseph Stalin, Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler opposed use in combat.
    • Historical perspective on Hitler regarding chemical warfare:
    • Gassed during World War I; personally witnessed its effects.
    • Germany developed tabun and sarin nerve gases in 1937 and 1939.
    • Produced tens of thousands of tons of gas intended for combat use.
    • Ultimately, did not deploy against enemy forces but did use against victims in concentration camps.
    • Growing public and international unpopularity of chemical and biological warfare due to horrific effects.
    • Seen as cowardly and terrifying with long-term debilitating effects.
    • In 1939, Britain and Germany agreed secretly to abstain from using chemical and biological weapons unless first used by the other.
    • Roosevelt upheld this policy in 1943.

  • Japan’s Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons in China

    • Japan was one of the few nations to actively employ chemical/biological weapons in the conflict:
    • Used various gases against Chinese forces.
    • Types of gases used: Tear gas, nausea gas, mustard gas, and luicide.
    • Over 2000 recorded chemical attacks in China from 1937 to 1945.
    • Chinese forces often poorly equipped to defend against gas attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries.

  • Japanese Biological Warfare Research

    • Development of biological warfare in Japan led by Dr. Shiro Ishii in unit 731.
    • Covert research initiated in 1932 using Chinese and Manchurian civilians as test subjects:
    • Experiments included exposure to disease and physical trauma.
    • Major facility built in Pingfan, Harbin:
    • Designed for large-scale biological and chemical testing.
    • Techniques included dropping plague-infected fleas to create epidemics.
    • Japanese high command directed military use of chemical weapons, with Emperor Hirohito sanctioning their use against the Chinese.

  • Japanese Chemical Warfare Initiatives Neighbors

    • Japan’s intent to deploy biological weapons during conflicts, including attempting to contaminate rivers.
    • Recorded instances of epidemic spread caused by deliberate release of infected fleas and pathogens.
    • The impact of Japanese chemical weapons on civilians and soldiers:
    • Estimates of 270,000 victims.
    • Admission of approximately 10,000 Japanese soldiers contracting cholera, showcasing indiscriminate effects of biological warfare.

  • US Response and Chemical Warfare Development

    • US resistance to using chemical weapons influenced by:
    • Roosevelt’s personal stance against such warfare.
    • Concerns over retaliation and escalation of conflict.
    • Diplomatic alliances limiting chemical warfare deployment chances.
    • US invested heavily in chemical/biological weapons programs ($2.8 billion), producing over 140,000 tons from 1941 to 1945.
    • The relative geographic isolation of the US meant different strategic considerations compared to European nations.

  • Post-war Aftermath and Recruitment

    • After the war, many key figures involved in Japan’s biowarfare were given immunity and recruited by the US.
    • Dr. Shiro Ishii and his experiments provided crucial data for developing US biological weapons.
    • Evidence of war crimes was systematically eliminated post-war, with efforts to conceal the remnants of the research programs.