Thread: Wasserfall EWM
View Single Post
  #13  
Old 29th May 2013, 23:07
Nick Beale's Avatar
Nick Beale Nick Beale is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Exeter, England
Posts: 6,221
Nick Beale is a jewel in the roughNick Beale is a jewel in the roughNick Beale is a jewel in the roughNick Beale is a jewel in the rough
Re: Wasserfall EWM

If the Wasserfall was used operationally then it would have been necessary to constitute a parent Flakabteilung or Regiment, as was done with the V-1. Each launch site used (I believe) two radars, a command post, a generator and radio gear. In that case it should be possible to identify the Abteilungen concerned and possibly their commanders. The radars and other equipment are likely to have been found by Allied Technical Intelligence teams, even if wrecked by their owners. Failing that, personnel associated with the programme

If Allied bombers were on the receiving end, then I would expect there to be mission reports and associated intelligence assessments. The rough location of launch sites would have been known and the likelihood is that a photo-reconnaissance search would have ensued. A quick look at the National Archives catalogue shows Wasserfall files apparently opened in January 1944, so the weapon was clearly an intelligence target.

Given all that, how likely is it that a major development like the use of a guided AA rocket would have missed by historians?
__________________
Nick Beale
http://www.ghostbombers.com
Reply With Quote