Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Hello

I have a report by a Oberstingenieur Schenk visiting the Fliegerhorst Finow, dated 1.3.45. There he states, among other things, that the resident Werftabteilung 11/III Finow are just finishing up a "Beuteflugzeug Hawker-Taifoon"(sic) to be used by the Sonderkommando Göttingen.

I haven't found any references to this Sonderkommando, so, did it really exist or was it just another desperate last minute brainchild with no practical importance??

Friendly yours

Hans

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Was Göttingen where the Hermann Goering Research Institute was? I seem to remember reading something about a highly advanced aerodynamic research facility with a high-speed wind tunnel and so on.

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Yes, a very famous institute.

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

There was the AVA (Aerodynamische Versuchsanstalt) in Göttingen, famous for its wind-channel testing possibilities, Me 163 for one was tested there. Still, was that the only reason they wanted the Typhoon there, in March 1945, for a "Sonderkommando Göttingen"? I'm not quite sure.
By the way, the AVA was situated at the northwest corner of the Fliegerhorst Göttingen, and, an interesting fact is that when the U.S. troops came there on the 8th of April 1945, they found in one of the hangars a P-47 and a P-51, both with German insignia.

Hans

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Hi Gruppe,

2./Versuchsverband Ob.d.L was founded in the summer of 1943 and was also known as "Beutezirkus Rosarius", named after its commanding officer Ted Rosarius.

The purpose of this unit was to introduce German fighter pilots to captured Allied fighter aircraft. Mock combats were flown and also pilots got the opportunity to fly the captured aircraft themselves.

From the end of 1944 until April 1945 this unit was stationed at Göttingen.
With this in mind it is more than probable that the Sonderkommando Göttingen was 2./Versuchsverband Ob.d.L.

For more information on this unit read:
ON SPECIAL MISSIONS : The Luftwaffe's Research and Experimental Squadrons 1923 - 1945
By J Richard Smith, Eddie J Creek and P Petrick
ISBN: 1903223334
Classic Publications

Also in published in the german language as:
"Geheimflüge" by Motorbuch Verlag

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

That must be it.
Huib, thanks for your information!

Hans

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

[quote=Huib Ottens;24529]


From the end of 1944 until April 1945 this unit was stationed at Göttingen.
With this in mind it is more than probable that the Sonderkommando Göttingen was 2./Versuchsverband Ob.d.L.

For more information on this unit read:
ON SPECIAL MISSIONS : The Luftwaffe's Research and Experimental Squadrons 1923 - 1945
By J Richard Smith, Eddie J Creek and P Petrick
ISBN: 1903223334
Classic Publications]

I have ordered this book thanks to your suggestion, above. Is it possible that this unit could have been in Göttingen as early as September 1944? Aside from the wind tunnel, do you know of specific research projects going on in that city at that time? Thanks so much for your help!

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Franet, Where can I find out more about this institute?

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

There's a little bit on the AVA Goettingen here in Volume 3 of these reports -http://www.governmentattic.org/TowardNewHorizons.html

The other volumes might have a few bits and pieces in them as well.

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Steve, So the Goering Research Institute and the AVA Goettingen are one and the same?

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Thank you so much, Steve. I'm interested to see your answer to my other question as well.

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

The Luftfahrtforschungsanstalt Hermann Goering was situated at Volkenrode on the outskirts of Braunschweig (Brunswick). Again it's separately referred to in the report I've directed you to. I have to confess the lines are a little blurred for me as to the exact responsibilities of the various research institutes in wartime Germany. I'd love to see something definitive in print.

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Another clue perhaps. Look under Manufacturer:

http://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/fl...nes/horten-iv/


A note to Steve Coates:

I do not have this title but if you use the 'click to look inside' feature, it may contain the details you are looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/Aeronautical-R.../dp/354040645X



Regards,
Ed

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Hi Hans,
Is the date 1 mar 45 or 3 jan 45, it is most interesting that a Beuteflugzeug hawker typhoon was being finished.
cheers
Jerry

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Ed - Thanks for this. It covers a lengthier time period than I would wish and it's a wee bit more expensive than is ideal but I'll definitely look a bit further into this.

Note for Jerry Brewer - The Instandsetzung von Feindflugzeugen @ 15.3.45 details two Typhoons which are passing through / have passed through W.A.Finow - BK429 and 145427.

Re: Sonderkommando Göttingen
 

Hans, I just found this in my research from an online source. I can't find the linke right now but thought you'd like to see it:

During November 1941 Galland left the famous fighter wing, JG 26, to take over from Molders as General of the Fighters. Shortly after consolidating his new command Galland asked that the technical officer of JG 26, Obit. Walter Horten, be transferred to his staff. Horten, with his elder brother, Reimar, had been working for about ten years on the development of all-wing aircraft, building several successful gliders to test his theories. Now, having the opportunity to converse with some of the Luftwaffe's leading generals (an opportunity further helped by the fact that he was married to Udet's secretary), Horten managed to elicit verbal agreement from Goring for him and his brother to set up a special group {Sonderkommando 9) at Gottingen to build more advanced all-wing aircraft. Of these, the most important was the Ho IX fighter of which two prototypes were to be completed, one as a glider, the other with twin turbojets.