Was chatting with gf’s grandad yesterday who was re-telling his stories about seeing V2 rocket launches from Peenemunde whilst he was in POW camp. However, he also mentioned that he’d often see formations of USAF aircraft going to and from target, and that sometimes he’d see smaller rockets/missiles clearly being launched at these formations. I know the Germans had experimental surface to air wire guided rockets (made by rheinmetall borsig), but wasn’t aware they were used in anger! I can’t find any reference that says they were but I believe what he’s saying – anyone able to shed light on this?
Cheers
Bob
By: JägerMarty - 27th July 2008 at 09:57
That was an anti shipping device I beleive, the “Fritz X”
By: mhuxt - 27th July 2008 at 03:37
I thought the Germans also had a wire-trailing rocket for defence against low-level attacks? Could have sworn a 605 Sqn aircraft made it back to base with a large chuck of one wing sliced neatly off.
By: JägerMarty - 27th July 2008 at 01:00
Might these “missiles” be Me163 Komets being launched? These things went up at a fantastic rate, were very small and could easily be mistaken for missiles.
Good point, would be no surprise that the Peenemünde staff would have tested their missiles on US boxes if/as they appeared
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th July 2008 at 23:28
Missiles?
Might these “missiles” be Me163 Komets being launched? These things went up at a fantastic rate, were very small and could easily be mistaken for missiles.
By: optimator11 - 26th July 2008 at 16:25
Natter and X-4
While we’re at it, here’s some nice clear video of the Natter and X-4.
By: Tom_W - 28th December 2006 at 08:55
Thanks for the info Chris, very interesting as I had started reading up on the subject after reading a short article in FP some time ago, unfortunately the book I bought seems to have gone awol.
Tom
By: CSheppardholedi - 28th December 2006 at 03:29
Sounds like possibly the Taifun or HS 217 Föhn
Taifun
This was an unguided anti-aircraft weapon. It was a simple, 1.93m long, spin-stabilized rocket with a 0.5kg warhead. Taifun was accelerated to Mach 3+, and could reach altitudes up to 15000m. It was intended to fire salvos of 30 rockets. At the end of the war it was in mass production.
more info here
www.astronautix.com/lvs/taifun.htm
though they say none were deployed
This one sounds more plausible(better size to be in a “car”
The Hs217-Föhn, the ground based AA rockets(same as those to be carried in Air to air use by the Natter, launched in 35 rocket salvos. This is declared “operational” at at least one web site.
here is a link to pics of a luncher and Föhn in flight
By: Tom_W - 27th December 2006 at 22:28
Recently read the Crowood book on the A-26 and this piece had been reproduced in the book, very interesting as I’d never heard of anything resembling a SAM other than the Wasserfall. Have a look at this page:
www.web-birds.com/9th/409/409th_experiences.html
…and scroll down until you find the following story:
LOW LEVEL A-26 MISSION FLOWN ON 1-23-45
Tom
By: italian harvard - 27th December 2006 at 20:02
i was very intrigued by the Rheintochter since i saw it in Cosford! It’s an incredible early SAM system with a two stages radio controlled rocket. The wingtips of the main stage had flares installed so that the launch director could see the rocket better and direct it to the target. There are other missiles like the Enzian, u can find a lot of info on the Internet or if u happen to make a quick hop to Cosford 😉 what’s really interesting is how rudimental the materials used were!! Iron, wood and similar for a radio controlled rockets!
Alex
By: CSheppardholedi - 27th December 2006 at 16:00
From what I’ve read, they had several different programs running and a couple of them at the late testing stage, getting ready to go to production. I can think of no better way to test them than to take a few pot-shots at the aircraft trying to blow you off the face of the earth! One of the key designers was killed in the bombings of Peenemünde.
Here is a link to one of the Wasserfall sites that states that it WAS deployed once successfully(though not confirmed by other sources).
http://www.luft46.com/missile/wasserfl.html
Any pilot logs out there that confirm odd weapons damaging their aircraft? Or would these be redacted “in the interest of national security”?
Any one have access to the logs of those squadrons that pounded Peenemunde?
By: Puukka - 27th December 2006 at 15:35
Here is an interesting page also regarding German rockets, no surfact to air as I can see. Take a look at “Flugkoerper”.
http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/Ausr%FCstung/web/new%20site/frames2/Ausr%FCstung.htm
Regards,
Herbert
By: Schorsch - 26th December 2006 at 17:09
The missile is called “Rheintochter”.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheintochter_(Rakete) (German)
Apparently htey have never been used in combat. In Berlin there is one in the museum of technology.
By: JG54 - 26th December 2006 at 16:39
I recall hearing of a “decisive victory” being achieved in early ’45 by a battery of Wasserfall missiles (which were certainly tested from Peenemunde) against a daylight raid but cannot provide any sources or evidence of this. It may only be propaganda but who knows?? Late war facts from the German side are often hard to pin down.
Horrido!
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December 26, 2006 at 2:53 pm