Sonderkommando Göttingen

[sveahk]

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

[Nick Beale]

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.

[Franek Grabowski]

Yes, a very famous institute.

[sveahk]

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

[Huib Ottens]

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

[sveahk]

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

Hans

[Jinglelady]

[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!

[Jinglelady]

Originally Posted by Franek Grabowski

Yes, a very famous institute.

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

[Steve Coates]

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.

[Jinglelady]

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