Was WW2 in Europe Justified?

[bmolsson]

A point on the Chemical weapons usage. Wasn't the main reason for not using chemical weapons that they where unpredictable and not very efficient against military units ??

[Red Harvest]

A point on the Chemical weapons usage. Wasn't the main reason for not using chemical weapons that they where unpredictable and not very efficient against military units ??

Not from what I've read. It was primarily feared that the same weapons would be employed against the attacker. Apparently, German documents suggest that they didn't use their new discoveries for that reason. Chemical weapons were viewed with widespread disgust after WWI and the Geneva Protocol was signed by 16 nations to prohibit their use.

If the military command can prevent introduction of a weapon that will terrify their own men (assuming the enemy has the same) then they are likely to do so. It adds a layer of complexity to warfare to use chemical weapons, and it also makes it more difficult for the attacker to occupy the ground after the attack. I suspect it was "convenient" for everyone not to use chemical weapons as it has negative consequences on one's own forces as well.