Plan For A 3-Way Attack By Biological Agents on the Sugar Beet Crop of Axis Nations in Europe in 1943

Item Details

Title

Plan For A 3-Way Attack By Biological Agents on the Sugar Beet Crop of Axis Nations in Europe in 1943

Topics

Contextualizes drop diseases as potential biological weapons based on recent history of blights. Reviews three crop diseases that show promise for deployment against European adversaries. Discusses practical and technical procedures that could be employed to develop these diseases as weapons.

Date

1942

Conclusions

Identifies sugar beets as the most vulnerable staple crop of the Axis powers, naming Sclerotium rot, Relworm Disease, and Curly top disease as viable candidates for crop destruction in military contexts in Europe. Provides guidance on production and dissemination of these agents in the field.

Files

Source

Weiss, F., et al. Confidential Memorandum to Admiral William D. Leahy; "Plan For A 3-Way Attack By Biological Agents on the Sugar Beet Crop of Axis Nations in Europe in 1943." August 4, 1942.

Citation

“Plan For A 3-Way Attack By Biological Agents on the Sugar Beet Crop of Axis Nations in Europe in 1943,” Collection of Biothreat Risk Assessments (COBRA), accessed January 15, 2025, https://cobrabiosecurity.org/items/show/333.