[edwest]

Curiosity. This is the beginning of any research. Gradually, true investigative skills are developed. And one must presume there may be something to be found. Without this, one should just turn around and go home.

This is the approach I am taking toward Hitler's Miracle Weapons, The Secret History of the Rockets and Flying Craft of the Third Reich, by Friedrich Georg. English language edition published by Helion & Company Ltd. in the UK.

I will begin by quoting a footnote in Volume One which showed that the Americans knew that development of a special version of the V-1 designed to attack the U.S. was completed in 1944. "OSS Report A-44 316, report 5985 of 7 November 1944."

In this second volume, the author convincingly shows that treachery and betrayal played a part in delaying the deployment of miracle weapons. The history begins during the First World War with efforts to build glider bombs. However, the war ended before these glider bombs could be completed. The time-line continues to 1922 and reproductions of a microfilmed report released by the U.S. Air Force in 2001. The title: "Germans & Rockets - 1922." It describes a meeting between General Billy Mitchell, Alfred V. Verville and the Air Attache, Ben Foulois. They then go on to meet a Dr. Oberth, who is referenced as the man who taught von Braun. Dr. Oberth mentions that he is working on the same propulsion systems that would emerge during the Second World War. Mention is made of a Soviet effort to convert TB-3 bombers ino remote controlled flying bombs, which were unsuccessfull. An attempt was made by the Italians using an SM.79 (A.R.P.) but this also failed. This was followed by the outfitting of the Macchi C.202 but the armistice was called before they could be used.

Next, a revelation. The first binary computer in the world is made by Konrad Zuse in 1938. An enhanced model Z-3 was used for ballistic calculations for the V-2. There is one period photo showing the first model Z-1, and two showing the Z-4! And a photo dated 1941 showing the Hollerith computer used by the SS. Another photo shows the Magnetophon, described as the world's first audio/video tape recorder, dated 1942.

The question is then raised as to what else was going in Peenemunde and its sister stations during the war. That the SS was going to play a greater and greater role in all secret weapons development is made clear. This was inevitable as mysterious sabotage became apparent in V-1s reaching their launching ramps after being inspected by German authorities but still having damage in inaccessible places. And also, the removal of heavy flak from Peenemunde 14 days before the British air raid, and which were not returned even after a warning was issued about the impending attack a few days before. It was clear to everyone on the ground that it would be coming. And after the war, the American Colonel Keck said that secret information about the installation was relatively easy to get.

Then a startling drawing from a special supplement to the Wehrmacht periodical Signal dated 1945. It shows the impact of a rocket (?) and 4 zones of destruction. A small side view is shown indicating relative damage in each zone. It is highly reminiscent to atom bomb blast effects as shown in publications produced in the U.S. in the 1950s.

The author continues his theme that atomic bombs were available and that existing V weapons were being improved or modified to carry them. There is a copy of another recently discovered American microfilmed document about underground V-1 research at the Wilhelm-Gustloff-Werke in Erbach/Odenwald. It is claimed that at least ten "high speed cells" were fired from the Zempin troop excersize area. He mentions a photo of an improved V-1 on its way to Antwerp, suggesting its use in combat operations.

There is then a reference to an improved V-1 called FVt 3, with a multiple incendiary warhead containing N-Stoff. The author believes this same weapon is referred to as the V-3 in an Allied CIOS report. He further asserts that the V-1 observed by British fighter pilots in 1945 was considerably faster than earlier versions.

Next the author touches on planned developments to improve the performance of the A-4. Included with this is a sketch of a nuclear rocket propulsion system. A program, the author asserts, which was played down after the war. However, during the war it was given the highest level of priority: SS special priority. The loss of Dr. Thiel due to the bombing of Peenemunde may have delayed development. Post-war, the Americans and Russians were working on atomic powered rockets. The author wonders if they succeeded, and at the time of his book's original publication (2003), he did not know. However, in 2004, an American science magazine revealed that a nuclear powered missile, referred to as Project Pluto, had been successfully test launched.

The reader is then shown a brief chart showing planned developments of the A-4 and A-9, including a small capsule for animals, and identifying post-war American and Russian development. The subjects of bacteriological, poison gas, isotope and nerve agents for use in V-1 warheads is then touched upon. A copy of a document extract dated 9 December 1944, and released by the NSA in 1978, makes explicit reference to the V-3 and "atom-splitting bombs." Reference is also made to "An ULTRA/MAGIC secret document of 9 December 1944 addressed to the deputy chief of the US General Staff [that] indicates that the American military authorities (and also the British- author's note) had also warned 'that the eastern coast of America could be the planned target for a blind attack by a type of missile. It is said to be called the German V-3. To be more precise, this weapon is based on the principle of the explosion of nuclear particles in the atom...'" Another NSA document declassified in 1978 refers to extremely fierce fires in London between October and the 15th of November. The author wonders if some V-2 warheads contained the inextinguishable N-Stoff.

Yet another document, this one by the Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Air Forces Target Intelligence Section. Reference is made to an oxygen bomb with a destructive effect of several kilometres. A radiological warhead for the V-2 is also referred to and a related post-war development of a similar warhead by the Russians. The warhead was called Geran.

Then he tells the story of a development of Dr. Mario Zippermayr in which a mixture of pulverized carbon and gases would create a tornado-like effect. Two sketches are shown of a giant bunker called "Salamander Z," possibly to include nuclear isotope generators. And then the reader is shown color paintings of an atomic warhead V-1, an Ar-234-C-5 carrying an Fi-103 D-1 with nerve gas warhead and various V-2 color schemes and types, including one with a nuclear propulsion system. Also shown are V-2 rockets with a missile attached that is very reminiscent of the American "Hound Dog" cruise missile. Models are then shown of various rockets and a ballistic missile launching version of the Type XXI U-boat. One then sees a photo of a V-2 with a corset middle, implying a special purpose.

The rest of the book provides circumstantial evidence for all manner of warhead types for the V-2. Another photo shows a V-2 on a flatbed railway car with hydraulic lifting arms. And there is more, which I will not mention here.

What Herr Georg is doing here is publishing fragments, parts of a puzzle. He does speculate, but in raising certain questions, I think he is stimulating legitimate research. As documents continue to be declassified and others surface, a portion of the history of the Second World War may be rewritten. It is not my point to ask anyone to follow this line of research, but certain questions should be asked. Recently, a German book was published saying that traces of radioactivity were found in Germany at the site of an atom bomb test. Impossible? Perhaps. And I will accept whatever answer turns up. But I like solving puzzles.


Regards,
Ed West