Throughout the Second World War, prominent politicians were the subject of assassination plots. While often unsuccessful, they were a way for everyday civilians, Resistance fighters, and even members of the military and government to remove people from power. One such political leader at risk of assassination was Winston Churchill, with the Germans looking to get rid of the British prime minister in a rather unusual way: exploding chocolate.
What did the assassination plot entail?
The primary figure involved in devising the assassination plot against Winston Churchill was none other than the Führer himself. It was then passed to only the most trusted of German agents and bomb-makers. The plan was set into motion in 1943.
From the outside, the assassination plot sounded ludicrous – and, to be fair, it was. The bomb-makers coated explosive devices with a thin layer of rich dark chocolate (because who can resist the allure of such a delicacy?), then wrapped the bars in expensive-looking black and gold paper. They were branded as “Peter’s Chocolate” and made to look like a luxurious treat only those in high society could enjoy.
Once prepared, the explosive chocolate bars were to be smuggled into the dining room used by Churchill and his War Cabinet, where the assassination would, for the German High Command, hopefully take place. They were well aware the British prime minister had a sweet tooth, and it had been assured that there were enough explosives in the confectionary to eliminate anyone standing within a few feet of the blast.
How was the assassination plot uncovered?
The assassination plot was uncovered by Lord Victor Rothschild, a senior intelligence officer in MI5‘s counter-sabotage unit. He and his team, including artist Laurence Fish, had been tasked with identifying any and all enemy threats and neutralizing them.
The team was able to intercept information that hinted at the existence of the explosive-laden chocolate, which was designed to detonate seven seconds after an attempt was made to break off a slab. This led Rothschild to draft a letter to Fish, requesting he create poster illustrations that detailed the danger posed to both the public and to political personnel.
“I wonder if you could do a drawing for me of an explosive slab of chocolate. 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,” he wrote.
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It wasn’t long before these details were disseminated among intelligence officers, who remained on high-alert. Thanks to the quick thinking of the MI5 team, the plot was foiled and the deadly chocolate never made its way to the British prime minster.