The Nazi Plot to Kill Churchill with Chocolate
In a shocking revelation from World War II, Nazi Germany devised an audacious plan to assassinate British Prime Minister Winston Churchill using an unlikely weapon – an exploding chocolate bar.
This deadly confection was no ordinary treat. Designed to look like a luxury item, the bar was coated in real dark chocolate and elegantly wrapped in black and gold paper. However, beneath its appetizing exterior lurked a sinister surprise – a high explosive device with a 7-second delay mechanism.
How the chocolate bomb worked
The mechanism was simple yet effective. When a piece of the chocolate bar was broken off, it would pull a piece of canvas embedded in the chocolate. This action would initiate the delay mechanism, causing the bomb to explode within seven seconds. The explosion was powerful enough to kill anyone within several meters, making it a deadly weapon disguised as an innocent treat.
British intelligence, ever vigilant, uncovered the plot before it could be carried out. Lord Victor Rothschild, a senior MI5 intelligence chief, was alerted to the threat. On May 4, 1943, he wrote a letter to illustrator Laurence Fish, requesting detailed drawings of the explosive chocolate to warn the public.
“We have received information that the enemy are using pound slabs of chocolate which are made of steel with a very thin covering of real chocolate. Inside there is high explosive and some form of delay mechanism…”[3]
Lord Victor Rothschild, a senior MI5 intelligence chief, writing to illustrator Laurence Fish, requesting these crucial illustrations
The Nazi plan was to use secret agents in Britain to smuggle these deadly treats into the War Cabinet’s dining room, where Churchill often spent time. The explosion would have been powerful enough to kill anyone within several metres.
This “sweet” assassination attempt never made it past the planning stages, allowing Churchill to continue leading Britain through its darkest hour.
The story of the exploding chocolate bars remained secret for decades. It only came to light in 2009 when Laurence Fish’s wife discovered the correspondence while sorting through her late husband’s belongings.
Why dark chocolate?
The explosive chocolate bars were ingeniously designed to prey upon Churchill’s known fondness for luxury items, including fine food and drink. The choice of dark chocolate for this deadly device wasn’t arbitrary. Dark chocolate’s tempering properties made it better suited for the task than milk chocolate. When tempered correctly, dark chocolate has a glossy appearance and a crisp, clean snap when broken – ideal characteristics for triggering the explosive mechanism.
The Role of the SOE
The Special Operations Executive (SOE), a British World War II organization, played a crucial role in countering Nazi sabotage efforts. The SOE was responsible for conducting espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in occupied Europe. Their efforts were instrumental in uncovering various Nazi plots, including the explosive chocolate bar scheme.
The Legacy of Lord Victor Rothschild
Lord Victor Rothschild, who played a key role in foiling the chocolate bar plot, had a fascinating background. He was a member of the famous Rothschild banking family and used his wealth and influence to support the British war effort. After the war, he continued to serve in various intelligence and scientific roles, contributing significantly to Britain’s national security.
Bonus fact: The Rothschilds are richer than Elon Musk
The Rothschilds are one of the richest and most influential families in the world. The family began its meteoric rise in the 18th century as a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family in Frankfurt. They played a pivotal role in financing Britain’s war effort against Napoleon in the 19th century. No-one knows exactly how much they are worth as the assets are widespread and not concentrated in an individual. While individual Rothschild family members do not appear on Forbes’ billionaire lists, the family’s collective wealth is believed to rival or exceed that of Jeff Bezos ($200 billion) or Elon Musk ($250 billion), with some sources suggesting it could be in the range of $350 billion to $1 trillion.
Bonus fact #2- Chocolate used to be medicine
When chocolate first arrived in Europe from the Americas in the 17th century, it was considered an exotic and medicinal substance. It was initially classified more as a drug than a food, with recommended dosages prescribed by pharmacists and physicians. This period saw chocolate being used to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, lung diseases, and even as an aphrodisiac.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Long_Jump
https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/in-the-media/churchill-in-the-news/death-by-chocolate-plot-to-kill-churchill/
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/death-by-chocolate-nazi-plan-to-blow-churchill-away/HYALXHDHMMUNQ325VQJFEOMM2M/
https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/07/nazis-planned-to-assassinate-winston-churchill-with-exploding-chocolate
https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/ridiculous-history-the-curious-nazi-plot-kill-churchill-chocolate.htm
therichest.com – The Rothschild Family Net Worth, Ranked By Their Individual Fortunes
