PBS Video - "Nazi Mega Weapons: Jet Fighter Me 262"

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Dan,

Markus Gleichmann provided the underground tour of the Walpersberg. His group wrested control of the mountain from Patrick Brion's group in a bitter fight a few years back.

Rudi Haunschmied, who spoke about St. Georgen/Bergkristall, wrote, along with 2 other authors, a well-researched book entitled St. Georgen - Gusen - Mauthausen, Concentration Camp Mauthausen Reconsidered.

Gleichmann was viewed by both Brion and Dr. Klaus W. Müller as not well versed on the subject of the Walpersberg. Müller, who is still alive and who had helped build the runway on top of the Walpersberg, wrote, along with Willy Schilling, the book Deckname LACHS: Die Geschichte der unterirdischen Fertigung der Me 262 im Walpersberg bei Kahla 1944 / 45.

The other film spokespeople I'd never heard of myself.

The major problem with the documentary is in its production, which is childish, at best. It shows a great lack of depth. The film editor did a real hack job. One technique used was to take someone supposedly in the know and act as a tour guide for someone who'd never been involved with the subject and bringing the information presented down to grade school level. For instance, there was the revelation to be slowly unveiled as to how the Germans got the Me 262's up from the perimeter buildings to the top of the Walpersberg. Brushing away some leaves, they "discover" a bit of the remains for the rail system. It's "Wow!, would you look at that! We've just unearthed something fantastic!" It would have been a whole lot better if the audience had been treated as adults. The "late" decision for Fritz Sauckel to decide to build an airstrip on the top of the Walpersberg was laughable.

And then there is the disjointed placement of historical film footage. While discussing Bergkristall, they show high domed tunnels, as if these had been built at Bergkristall. But, similar high domed tunnels were seen being built at the Walpersberg earlier. Frankly, I have no idea where either set of footage was actually taken and, because of the very poor presentation, I couldn't trust what was being presented.

It's like finding a worm in an apple. Once you find one, how many others are there? And, this presentation was loaded with them.

Regards,
Richard