"Cyclone B": history, features, chemical and physical properties

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

"Zyklon B" is an extremely strong poison, which is now used in various sectors of agricultural production.

However, he gained the greatest fame as a weapon for the mass extermination of people by the Nazis during the Second World War. The chemical has since been produced under a different name to avoid the horrific associations.

Basic information

"Cyclone B" is a unique pesticide. This category of chemicals is commonly used in agriculture. Since the nineteenth century, they have been used to control pests and parasites. Pesticides kill many bacteria that are harmful to food crops. They can also protect the wood from being eaten away by various insects. "Cyclone B" is made on the basis of hydrocyanic acid.

By itself, it is contained in many plants, industrial gas and even cigarettes. However, in large quantities, the acid is extremely dangerous to human he alth. It is based on hydrogen and cyanide. The latter has active chemical properties. Hydrocyanic acid is colorless, but has a strong smell. Poison molecules are lighter than air molecules, due to this the acid is very volatile and moves quickly.

Start research

Active use of chemicals as weapons began during the First World War. Many poisons, such as mustard gas, are named after the site of their first combat use. After the war, Germany could not have its own armed forces. Therefore, it was decided to send the main forces to study methods of mass destruction of the enemy. The leader of these studies was Fritz Haber, who had received the Nobel Prize four years earlier. Fritz from 1911 was engaged in secret developments under the personal supervision of the Kaiser.

Gaber, along with other German chemists, tried to create a new poison that would surpass all existing ones. During the Great War, Germany actively used chlorine. However, it was too heavy and slow. After the first successful attacks, the Allies equipped their forward units with chemical defenses. So the soldiers had time to put on gas masks as soon as they saw a creeping white cloud. Scientists took into account this shortcoming and drew attention to hydrocyanic acid.

Creation of "Cyclone"

Cyanide, which formed the basis of this poison, became very "popular" in Germany at that time. He found a wide variety of applications. Luftwaffe pilots always had an ampoule in their first aid kit so as not to be taken prisoner alive. And all the prominent figures of the Nazi regime by the forty-fifth year wore such ampoules literally in their teeth. Gaber began experimenting with cyanide and deduced its new properties. So, in the twenty-second year they created "Cyclone B".

His advantage was in the state of aggregation. All previously existing combat poisons were gaseous, and "Cyclone" was an adsorbent. Gypsum granules were saturated with hydrocyanic acid, then stabilizing agents and methyl ester were added. The pellets emitted a poisonous colorless gas for several hours.

"Cyclone B": effect on the human body

Poison affects the human body in different ways, depending on the dosage. In case of damage in the open air, a lethal outcome can be avoided by providing timely medical care. Even with severe poisoning, the first symptoms appear after fifteen to sixty minutes.

This form of poisoning is called delayed. Mild intoxication involves nausea, dizziness, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Severe muscle fatigue leads to severe shortness of breath when performing even minor physical exertion. All symptoms with mild intoxication disappear after three days. With an average form of intoxication, the following symptoms are added: hallucinations, frequent loss of consciousness, convulsions, decreased pulse, reddening of skin pigments. Symptoms can last up to a week, and with medical intervention, loss of consciousness can be avoided.

The action of "Cyclone B" in a confined space leads to death. When poisoned with a large amount of poisonous gas, a person develops a lightning-fast form of intoxication. Immediately after the defeat, the person loses consciousness. Then breathing and heart rate increase. Constant convulsions almost do not stop. Breathing stops after a few minutes and this leads to death.

Nazi use

The effect of Zyklon B gas on humans was first tested in 1941. In the Auschwitz concentration camp, it was used against Soviet prisoners of war and other prisoners.

The initiator of the poisoning was Karl Fritsch. The gas acted very quickly and did not require special expenses. Zyklon B was produced by the German company Degesch, which produced chemicals for pest control. Four kilograms of "Cyclone" is enough to kill a thousand people. This method of assassination was approved by SS-Obersturmbannführer Rudolf Höss. He personally stated this at the Nuremberg trials of war criminals.

At first it was used only for groups of suicide bombers. Then the camp doctors began to select prisoners who had been ill for more than four weeks. Also, prisoners unable to work were exterminated in the gas chambers. The effect of hydrocyanic crystals was liked by the Nazis. In Auschwitz, gas chambers were created that can accommodate up to two thousand people at a time.

After that, this experience was extended to other concentration camps.

Group "Cyclone B"

Contrasting associations of poison arouse interest in it from many radical currents. In particular, the Russian thrash rock band took the name Yada as their name. Group "Cyclone B"adhered to right-wing nationalist views. Interest in Nazi aesthetics, most likely, led to the choice of just such a name.

The musical group was very popular among nationalists and right-wing skinheads. However, in 2007 it broke up. Many of the group's songs are included in the register of extremist materials and banned. Nevertheless, the band members managed to avoid arrest. In 2016, they announced the creation of a new musical project. The theme of the songs remains the same, but the title has been changed to "Opposition".