Content Warning: Nuclear, chemical and biological warfare; human experimentation; global war
World War 2 was a war marked by rapid advancement of technology, newly destructive weaponry, and changes in tactic as the militaries of the nations involved learned to adapt to a new era of warfare. Some of the atrocities of the war are well publicized - such as nuclear weapons, firebombing, and concentration of labor camps - while others aren't.
In particular, chemical and biological warfare had a much larger presence in the second world war than is commonly acknowledged. One of the most shocking examples is Japan's Unit 731, a Covert Research group which engaged in highly secretive chemical and biological experimentation on human subjects. Surgeon General Shiro Ishii of Unit 731 believed that these types of warfare had strategic value, and planned to use them against American Forces at several points. But the largest and most audacious plan was Operation Cherry Blossoms at Night: an attack plan which involved sending submarines across the ocean to US shores to launch bomber planes which would drop plague bombs over American populations.
Many don't realize that this operation was just five weeks away from being enacted when the war was ended. Although it's a matter of speculation whether or not the plan would have worked, it's a great thing that we never had to find out.
Discussion around weapons of mass destruction today often means nuclear devices. But, I think it would be hard to argue that the deliberate spread of something as insidious as plague would easily fall in the same category.
I hope you enjoy this video essay/mini documentary
Further reading on the Subject:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operati...
https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us...