Chemical and Biological Weapons of World War II

by Sok Tea, Alex Smyth, and Nathalie de Leon

Chemical and biological weapons have been used in warfare since the beginning of time. In modern times, World War I witnessed the most extensive and widespread usage of biological and chemical weapons, resulting in the ban of their usage in the Geneva Protocol. During World War II, the European theater did not see any use of these weapons. However, there was extensive usage by Japanese forces in China and by Italian forces in Assyria. Furthermore, all major powers, including the US, UK, Germany, and the Soviet Union developed biological and chemical weapons programs leading up to and during the war as a deterrent.

Below, you will find the history of biological and chemical weapons, summaries of the programs of each country, and a database of many of the weapons developed and used.

History:

Pre-World War I

World War I

Geneva Protocol

Weapons Database

Source: http://www.csepp.net/images/155.jpg

Allies:

US

UK

Russia

Axis:

Japan

Germany

Italy

source: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/photos/WWII/Preps/WW2-Prep.htm