Rescue Under Fire

Abram Kamaras, a potato specialist, undertook a perilous mission to save rare potato specimens from the world's first seed bank during World War II. As the German army advanced towards Leningrad, Kamaras encountered the chaos of war, witnessing bodies on the roads and experiencing artillery fire up close. Despite the dangers, he meticulously collected and secured potato specimens, understanding that preserving this genetic material was vital for future food security. Kamaras's bravery enabled him to save at least one specimen of every variety held in the seed bank, ensuring the continuation of an important scientific legacy even in the face of war's devastation.