Drugs played a role in WWII. One of the world leaders was a drug addict. Adolf Hitler had a personal physician (quack) who injected him daily with a variety of drugs. One was Eukodel which was a combination of oxycodone and speed. Some believe that Hitler’s erratic behavior in the Bunker at the end was because he was no longer getting his Eukodel. His second in command, Hermann Goering, was hooked on morphine since being wounded in the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923. Behind his back he had the nickname “Moring” in reference to morphine. But the drugs were not limited to the leaders. The German army liberally dispensed Pervatin, which was a type of methamphetamine. In just the two-month period of the invasion of France, 35 million of the pills were given out. The drug was effective in the short run in keeping exhausted soldiers alert. The British and Americans preferred to give out millions of doses of Benzedrine, which is an amphetamine. Eisenhower ordered half a million just for the North Africa campaign. Considering that all armies frown a lot at falling asleep on duty (it is an offense that might get you executed), soldiers were happy to take these drugs and worry about the long-term effects later.
Categories: Anecdote
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