8.24.99 U.K.'s Top-Secret Porton Down Chemical-Biological Warfare Facility Used Troops, Others in Nazi-like Experiments I guess both our goverment AND that of the United Kingdom tore some pages from the Third Reich's rulebook. NewsHawk Inc. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Porton Down Exposed Daily Mail: Saturday, August 21st 1999 Page 17 WE WERE GUINEA PIGS. Ex-soldier tells of tests at Porton Down that threatened their health By CHRISTIAN GYSIN FORMER servicemen described yesterday how they were used as guinea pigs at the secret germ warfare base, Porton Down. They spoke as police launched an inquiry into the death of an RAF aircraftman more than 40 years ago. Ronald Maddison died after the lethal nerve agent SARIN was dripped on to his arm in 1953 to test the protective quality of uniforms. It was acknowledged in Whitehall that should any allegations of wrongdoing at the Wiltshire establishment be proved scores of other ex-servicemen could launch compensation claims running into millions. Since the Porton Down volunteer programme was launched in the First World War, more than 20,000 volunteers from all three Services have taken part in experiments, including 5,000 in the past 30 years. Police plan to contact the 400 members of the Porton Down Volunteers Association. It is headed by Michael Roche, who was a 24-year-old corporal in the Royal Engineers when he volunteered for Porton Down 'out of patriotism'. He said at his home in Rochdale: 'I wanted to help. At that time I was as strong as an ox, I could carry two bags of cement on my shoulders. Now, I can't even lift two bags of sugar.' Mr Roche, 60, first underwent tests in 1962. One test involved nerve gas inhalation, which he said took place in an airtight cubicle containing a facemask. 'A loudspeaker informed us that the dosage was about to be administered and to inhale normally. The immediate reaction was a tightening of the muscles and the lungs. For some volunteers this lasted several seconds while others experienced it for several minutes ' Mr Roche's health deteriorated in his 40s, with high blood pressure and breathing difficulties. 'I firmly believe that the government of the time, and subsequent governments who have covered up the events, are guilty of war crimes,' said Mr Roche. He said other volunteers suffered 'horrendous' health problems including severe headaches, skin and eye cancers, brain tumours, paralysis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, nervous disorders and blistering. Gordon Bell, 61, who now lives in Canada, was recruited to test 'cold cures'. 'I volunteered to earn a bit of extra leave. In one test we had to stand in front of a stream of gas which I could not stand for more than a minute. My face was stinging, my throat was red raw and my lungs were burning. 'I was paid two shillings. It was a dirty trick, plain and simple. Peter Carpenter was a 19-year-old Lance Bombardier with the 37th Heavy Royal Artillery in North Wales when he volunteered. The 67-year-old from Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, said yesterday: 'We were taken into a field and told to go into a metal cone. I had a perforated can of flies and a rabbit in a cage. We were told that when we heard an explosion we had to go and stand near a wooden stake outside. 'They asked if we could smell anything. All the officers were rearing gas masks, but we didn't have them. 'The next thing we knew we were all in bed and my hands, wrists and ankles were all aching. They never told us we were open to any danger.' ===================================================== MOST SECRET AND DANGEROUS. PORTON DOWN, set in 7,000 acres of Wiltshire countryside, is one of the most secure and sensitive installations in the United Kingdom. The Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) was founded in 1916 to combat German gas attacks. Since then chemical warfare experiments have ranged from tests on bacterial cultures to the effects of nerve gases. Between the two World Wars intensive research was carried out to discover how best to protect troops from mustard gas. In 1942 a secret army of factory girls packed five million cattle cakes contaminated with deadly anthrax into boxes, which were to be dropped over German pastures. In the event 'Operation Vegetarian' was aborted. During the Sixties the effects of LSD were tested on soldiers to discover whether an LSD aerosol 'weapon' could weaken enemy units. In the Seventies Porton Down is estimated to have carried out 200,000 experiments a year on animals. Three years ago the establishment unveiled a �3.5m gas chamber as a 'defensive measure' to test the next generation of nerve gases and other lethal agents. Porton Down tests have involved [an estimated] 20,000 volunteers. END = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A criminal investigation has been launched into experiments carried out at a secret government chemical weapons centre. Wiltshire police are examining claims that unsuspecting volunteers were subjected to tests involving deadly nerve gas in the 1950s. (http://www.itn.co.uk/Britain/brit19990820/082001.htm?DTN) (http://www.itn.co.uk/Britain/brit19990820/082001.htm?DTN) Detectives probe 'secret nerve gas tests' A criminal investigation has been launched into experiments carried out at a secret government chemical weapons centre Wiltshire police are examining claims that unsuspecting volunteers were subjected to tests involving deadly nerve gas in the 1950s. It is claimed that thousands of servicemen took part in experiments at the complex in Porton Down in the belief they were involved in research into a cure for the common cold. Since then, many of the men have suffered ill health, including skin and eye problems, breathing difficulties and liver and kidney complaints. The inquiry began after a former serviceman Gordon Bell complained the tests had left him unwell. He claims he was duped into the experiments for a bit of extra money but was subjected to tests that could have killed him. Another ex-serviceman Douglas Shave says he also volunteered and was put in a gas chamber for five days without protection while an unidentified gas was pumped in. He later developed severe skin problems. Police are reportedly considering offences of corporate manslaughter, assault and administering noxious substances. The defence evaluation research agency (Dera), a branch of the ministry of defence that operates the complex has promised to make its archives available to investigators.
