Did modern biological warfare begin in a Chevy Chase, Washington DC basement? Uncover the shocking story of Dr. Anton Dilger, a seemingly loyal U.S. citizen who, in 1915, secretly waged germ warfare on American soil during World War I. Dr. Dilger, a physician on 33rd Street, NW, Washington, D.C., used his house as a front while cultivating deadly bacteria in his basement lab. His mission? To disrupt the supply of horses and mules to the Allies, a major headache for German leaders during the war.
Dilger then passed vials of these deadly germs to German operatives, who, from Hansa Haus in Baltimore, orchestrated a sinister plan to poison horses and mules in East Coast ports. Thousands of infected animals succumbed to the deadly germs. Though most made it to Europe unharmed, the lab marked a chilling turning point in the history of biological warfare and bioterrorism. It signified the beginning of a new era where germs could be systematically cultivated and weaponized.
Dr. Dilger's lab in Chevy Chase only came to light years after the war but he escaped punishment from the U.S. government. That's because he supposedly died from Spanish flu in 1918. But some family members believe Dilger was silenced by the Germans for knowing too much about their descent into germ warfare.
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“Boundary Stones” is an animated history series from WETA which brings the rich histories of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to life. Using historic photos and archival footage, “Boundary Stones” tells the stories of the past: pivotal events, strange-but-true tales, and the myths and legends from the DMV. From Black history to unique D.C. protests, true crime to civil rights, and more — “Boundary Stones” is your home for D.C. history.
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