V2: The Nazi rocket that launched the space age - Page 2

Mush Martin · 09-09-14, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

that sense of self-importance in his younger years could also explain why American colleagues in his later career often found him "pompous and arrogant."

If you are posting on this thread your spouse and several of your best friends
have said this about you.

STEED · 09-10-14, 07:28 AM

V2 as a weapon was a joke but as a stepping stone to the moon well that is different.

vanjast · 09-10-14, 07:29 AM

I read (or saw) somewhere that von Braun 'technically sabotaged' the V2 program, thus delaying it's deployment. IIRC he purposely was slow in solving the problems, until he was threatened with a firing squad. What choice could anyone have ?

If this is true then credit to him.

Anyone saying that he should have defected, is a bit naive. Goverments can be very efficient on deception and clamp downs. Just look to the west

.
Hitler kept all his dirty work under wraps, and was seen as the 'German saviour' considering where Germany was and where it came from. Very few take notice of the warnings, preferring not to believe until it's too late.

STEED · 09-10-14, 07:41 AM

Read this book years ago, worth a read if you want to know more.

The Rocket and the Reich
Peenemunde and the Coming of the Ballistic Missile Era

By Michael J. Neufeld

Wolferz · 09-10-14, 08:21 AM

One could say that Von Braun started the Cold War. His creation ultimately led to the ICBM.

Bilge_Rat · 09-10-14, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanjast

I read (or saw) somewhere that von Braun 'technically sabotaged' the V2 program, thus delaying it's deployment. IIRC he purposely was slow in solving the problems, until he was threatened with a firing squad. What choice could anyone have ?

As I recall, there is some controversy about that. Von Braun after the war downplayed his role, not unlike a lot of other former Nazis, but most of the historical evidence supports the thesis that he was a diligent supporter of the regime.

Yes, he was arrested by Himmler, but there was a lot of that going on in the final years as all the top Nazis were trying to expand their power base.

09-10-14, 07:28 AM	#17
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	V2 as a weapon was a joke but as a stepping stone to the moon well that is different. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

09-10-14, 07:41 AM	#19
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Read this book years ago, worth a read if you want to know more. The Rocket and the Reich Peenemunde and the Coming of the Ballistic Missile Era By Michael J. Neufeld __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

09-10-14, 08:21 AM	#20
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Hit or missile? One could say that Von Braun started the Cold War. His creation ultimately led to the ICBM. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

09-10-14, 07:29 AM	#18
vanjast Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere else now Posts: 1,741 Downloads: 827 Uploads: 4	I read (or saw) somewhere that von Braun 'technically sabotaged' the V2 program, thus delaying it's deployment. IIRC he purposely was slow in solving the problems, until he was threatened with a firing squad. What choice could anyone have ? If this is true then credit to him. Anyone saying that he should have defected, is a bit naive. Goverments can be very efficient on deception and clamp downs. Just look to the west . Hitler kept all his dirty work under wraps, and was seen as the 'German saviour' considering where Germany was and where it came from. Very few take notice of the warnings, preferring not to believe until it's too late.