Peenemunde
In World War I, the Germans had developed long-range artillery and bombarded Paris from the German lines; because of this, the Treaty of Versailles forbade future German development of heavy artillery. The treaty, however, said nothing about rockets. During World War II, German rocketeers under the technical developed "V" weapons. The "V" was short for "Vergeltungswaffen", roughly translated "vengenace weapons".
In 1931, the German military established a rocket research facility at Kummersdorf Weapons Range, near Berlin. The first civilian employee at this facility was Wernher von Braun. In 1937 the German rocket facility was moved to Peenemunde on the Baltic Coast. Starting with about 80 researchers in 1936, the facility comprised nearly 5000 personnel by late 1942.
In 1931, the German military established a rocket research facility at Kummersdorf Weapons Range, near Berlin. The first civilian employee at this facility was Wernher von Braun. In 1937 the German rocket facility was moved to Peenemunde on the Baltic Coast. Starting with about 80 researchers in 1936, the facility comprised nearly 5000 personnel by late 1942.
The V-1 was a cruise missile that employed a gasoline-powered pulse-jet engine that could produce a thrust of about 1,100 pounds. V-1 test flights began in 1941 over the Peenemunde range. In May 1942, a lone Spitfire on a routine reconnaissance mission over northern Germany changed this. Flight Lieutenant D. W. Steventon brought back photographs of the Peenemunde airfield along the Baltic coast that revealed evidence of construction activity with circular emplacements on the ground. Photographic interpreters, however, were unable to locate anything out of the ordinary from the photographs. Intelligence reports months later disclosed that rockets at Peenemunde had been test-fired.
The first test flight of a V-2 rocket was made in October 1942.
Approximately 180 Germans were killed at Peenemunde, nearly all in the workers housing estate, and 500-600 foreigners, mostly Polish, were killed in the workers camp, where there were only flimsy wooden barracks and no proper air-raid shelters.
Hitler's concern for V-2 development after July 1943 peaked the interest of Heinrich Himmler, the commander of the SS, who conspired to take control of the rocket program and research activities at Peenemünde as a means to expand his power base.
At the end of August 1943, the first skilled prisoners arrived from Buchenwald to form a new subcamp with the undercover name of "Dora". Foreign workers under the supervision of skilled German technicians assumed an increasing burden; at Mittelwerk, ninety percent of the 10,000 laborers were non-Germans. Officials estimate that from 1943 until 1945, 60,000 prisoners worked in these factories. Of these, 20,000 had died from various causes including starvation, fatigue and execution.
Wernher von Braun was brought to the United States after the war; he went to work on rocket development for the US at a plant in Fort Bliss, Texas.
Wernher von Braun was brought to the United States after the war; he went to work on rocket development for the US at a plant in Fort Bliss, Texas.
Greetings Robert and Joel, Now while you are along the Baltic forget not to remove your boots roll up your trousers and wade into the Baltic Sea. You will find that the water is absolutely refreshing, that is, cold enough to take your breath away. Colder then the Pacific. Carlotta and I waded the Baltic along the Swedish shoreline. My comment is that the only water that I have invaded colder then the Baltic was when I stood in the South Nahanni river to soap and wash myself down. In the Nahanni I was standing directly on permafrost after my feet sank through the two inches of mud. Enjoy. Cheers - Complete Natural Control.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Robert and Joel, My recollection of the Peenemunde complex is that the V-1s and V-2s were built and assembled in a complex of underground caves. Over-flights by Spirfires, Mosquitoes and Tiger Moths would reveal little about what was really going on in and about Peenemunde. Did you get an opportunity to tour the caves, or buy postcards of the inner caves or even outer entrances???? Cheers. Complete Natural Control.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Robert and Joel, I have read accounts of a possible atrocity during the WWII period. The account I read that is endorsed by the Polish government is that the Russian military killed 20,000 Polish officers. The Russians meantime claim in self defense that the officers were exterminated by the Germans. What do the Poles have to say about this at the present time????????? Cheers. Complete Natural Control.
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