The Heavy Water War: Stopping Hitler's Atomic Bomb In-Person
The race for the atom bomb began in 1938 when German scientists took a commanding lead by splitting the uranium atom and releasing potentially explosive energy. Heavy water (D2O) was necessary to turn this discovery into a decisive weapon for Hitler. A fertilizer plant in Norway was already processing D2O and the Nazis ordered all available stocks and demanded increased production. Their invasion of Norway in April 1940 put the Nazis in a position to take a commanding lead in the production of an atom bomb.
This is the start of the “Heavy Water War,” the years-long Allied attempt to thwart Germany’s efforts to develop a nuclear device. It is a story about science and scientists, forgotten heroes, failed commando-style raids, and an air attack of 700 bombs that missed the target. If you have seen the movie “Oppenheimer” you know how concerned the Allies were that Germany would get the bomb first. This is the story of why that never happened.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Hamden Library. Seating is limited. Registration is recommended.
Timothy Boyce, a Connecticut native,
practiced law for many years, most recently serving as the Managing Partner of the Charlotte, NC office of Dechert LLP, a global law firm. He holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of Finance, and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He received a B.S. from Georgetown University. Tim's articles have appeared in The Quarterly Journal of Military History, World War II Magazine, The Scandinavian Review and Viking Magazine. Tim, who lives in Tryon, NC, retired in 2014 to devote full time to writing and speaking. Find out more about Tim and his work at https://timboyce.com