[Huib Ottens]

Hi Ed,


In the booklet several quotes from letters between officers of the SS are given.
During 1944 the SS considered the Nurflügel (flying wing) concept as the ultimate solution for fighter aircraft. The SS was dreaming of its own elite (fighter) units called the SS-Flieger, and for that purpose wanted to bring a Nurflügel aircraft into production ASAP.
Internal SS correspondence of June 6th, 1944 states that the SS should "protect" the concept of Nurflügel aircraft.

After a meeting between the SS and the RLM (June 15th, 1944) the RLM ordered that 10 Horten 9 (H IX) were to be constructed by Möbelfabriken May in Stuttgart and 12 Horten 3 (H III) for training purposes. It was called the "H-Programm" (for Horten-program).
Already on June 22nd, 1944 it beame clear that Möbelfabriken May was not able to fulfil the order. The order was changed to the construction of the 12 Horten 3 (H III) aircraft only and this was approved by Himmler.

The order for producing the Horten IX (Ho/Go 229) was given to Gotha in August 1944.

From that point on the role of the SS is not mentioned anymore in the book, but it is my opinion that the SS continued to pull strings.

On March 17th, 1945 Kammler became "Reichssonderbevollmächtigter der Raketenwaffen und TL - Jäger", receiving all the power to direct the development of rockets and jet aircraft.

Just before that date the discussion raised by Gotha in wich it proposed its own P.60 flying wing concept above the further development of the Ho/Go 229 was ended abruptly. Before March 12th, 1945 the RLM favoured the Gotha concept, but on March 12th, 1945 it is stated that the Horten nurflügel concept was the only way to develop a successful Nurflügel aircraft and that it should receive all support to continue its development and bring the aircraft into production. For that reason it was to be included within the "Führer-Notprogramm". Furthermore it was announced that the Horten brothers were to be consulted in every flying wing and jet aircraft project!
What forced this sudden shift in opinion is not explained...

In February 1945 the Horten brothers finished their H XVIII intercontinental bomber design which was ordered in production by the SS in April 1945.

Hope this is giving you some of the information you were looking for.