US-WD: "Use of Radioactive Materials as a Military Weapon" (EIDM D-1-a, 30 ottobre 1943)


SECRET

This document consists of 2 pages.
Copy No (...) of 4, Series A.

WAR DEPARTMENT
United States Engineer Office
Manhattan District
Oak Ridge, Tennessee

30 October 1943

MEMORANDUM to: Brigadier General L. R. Groves.

IN REPLY
REFER TO:
EIDM D-1-a

1. Inclosed is a summary of the report written by Drs. James B. Conant, Chairman, A. H. Compton, and H. C. Urey, comprising a Subcommittee of the S-1 Executive Committee on the "Use of Radioactive Materials as a Military Weapon." It is recommended that a decision be obtained from competent authority authorizing additional work pertaining to the use of radioactive materials in order that this country may be ready to use such materials or be ready to defend itself against the use of such materials. The following program is recommended:

a. Immediate formation of a research and study group at the University of Chicago under supervision of the present Area Engineer. Assignment to this group of competent individuals now working on dust and liquid disseminating munitions and field testing of chemical warfare agents from the National Defense Research Council.

b. Assignment of a competent Chemical Warfare Service officer to the Chicago Area Engineer, who would become familiar with, and work on, the problem under study by the University of Chicago. This officer should be experienced in the practical use of gas warfare.

c. The responsibility of the above organization would be:

(1) Develop radiation indicating instruments, expand present facilities of the Victoreen Company, and prepare a trial order for instruments with this company.

(2) Make theoretical studies pertaining to the methods, means and equipment for disseminating radioactive material as a weapon of warfare.

(3) Conduct field tests in isolated locations, such as Clinton Engineer Works or Hanford Engineer Works, using a non-radioactive tracer material.

(4) Prepare an instruction manual for the use of, or the defense against, radioactive weapons. This manual would be similar to that now used by the Chemical Warfare Service for gas warfare.

d. Formation of a mobile group at the University of Chicago under the supervision of the present Area Engineer, which could be moved quickly to the scene of any radioactive attack in case a city in the United States is attacked by the enemy. This group would be equipped with radiation detection instruments and trained to instruct local defense groups, civilian and military authorities on protection against radiation, decontamination and evacuation of civilian populations.

e. Preparation by the University of Chicago group, under supervision of the Chicago Area Engineer, of stories for newspapers and news services of proper explanatory and instructive nature to be released to civilian populations in the event of a radioactive attack, these stories to be submitted promptly and to be approved by proper military authority for release in case of emergency.

f. Radiation detection equipment and the radioactive warfare manual to be prepared with the idea that ultimately one officer located in each division embarking for any Theater of Operation wherein radioactive warfare might be encountered would have an understanding of radiation hazards, operation of radiation detection equipment, and be in a position to advise in troop movements in such a way as to detect and avoid exposure to harmful radiation. No large-scale orders for radiation detection equipment would be placed nor would the manual be printed until approved by you.

2. There is inclosed a draft of a letter to the Chief of Staff pertaining to this program.

K. D. NICHOLS,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
District Engineer.

2 Incls.:
Summary of Report, in quad.
Draft of Ltr.