Implications of Recent Intelligence Regarding Alleged German Secret Weapon - Supplementary Report

Implications of Recent Intelligence Regarding Alleged German Secret Weapon - Supplementary Report

This report is in response to specific questions from the Joint Committee on New Weapons and Equipment.

1944

The agents causing botulism and anthrax are confirmed as possible biological weapons. Research into several other agents as potential weapons is occurring, across agents that infect man, animal, and plant. Biological warfare does pose a significant threat to naval operations, especially in amphibious warfare and in an island setting. In terms of improving intelligence, there is some clarification of the rules surrounding classification: plant quarantine and related subjects are unclassified, the anonymity of the War Research Service is maintained, all offensive research remains Secret, and defensive matters are reduced to restricted.