1939-1945: Environmental Aspects of the War in Europe

Abstract

World War II made it clear that the realization of the potential of existing military technology and methods for using it—along with the extraction of natural resources during the prosecution of the war—constitute a man-made burden for the environment threatening the sustainability of the ecosystems of the combatant countries. The discovery of this danger to the environment was made possible by the implementation of the doctrine of "total destruction" that was conducted under Hitler's direction.The subsequent sixty years have shown, however, that progress in society has been too slow with respect to the subordination of military expediency to environmental sensibility and the adoption of measures toward the ecologization of armed combat. An important strategic resource for resolving the environmental problem of armed conflicts—time—is being lost much more quickly than states are taking steps aimed at the elimination of the threat that was revealed by World War II and that has increased multifold in the six intervening decades.Using historical hindsight, the author proposes his own view of the problem from the perspective of international law.

Review: The risk of contracting anthrax from spore-contaminated soil – A military medical perspective

“…During World War II, an area of 3.3 million km 2 was affected by combat activities in Europe [ 125 ]. Grenade and bomb attacks as well as military vehicle movements caused considerable damage to the earth’s surface and structure.…”

“…Several billions cubic metres of earth were moved for the building of field fortifications (e.g. trenches, bunkers, shelters, roads, and wells) and soil-microflora was brought from deeper layers to the surface of the earth [ 125 ]. In World War I, years of trench warfare likely resulted in similar soil damage.…”

The Environmental Management System of the South African National Defence Force at the Grahamstown Military Installation

“…4 Any weapon attacking a target is capable of having a severe effect on the environment and of damaging it. 5 Thus, military activities induce both severe physical disturbances in ecosystems, and chemical pollutants within and around military sites. 6 Smit points out that modern-day defence forces should take the necessary action to reduce their adverse environmental impact.…”