Operation Backfire

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Operation Backfire A4 rocket near Cuxhaven (autumn 1945)

The mission of Operation Backfire was to give the western allies immediate access to basic technical knowledge and the operational handling of German A4 rocket technology immediately after the end of the war. This should also prevent the Soviets from accessing knowledge carriers, processes and materials. The highlight and learning objective control was a test and demonstration shooting by the British in October 1945 near Cuxhaven .

execution

Operation Backfire A4 missile on launch, 1945
Former launch system for missile tests in the Wernerwald near Cuxhaven

Under British supervision, German prisoners-of-war experts assembled three A4 rockets from the remains of components found and collected across the country. The approximately 600 Germans involved were only willing to cooperate on the condition that their activities had public accident insurance. The status of the German soldiers involved was changed to disarmed enemy armed forces of a non-existent state, which meant that they were not considered prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention. All civilians involved were given the status of employees under public law ( "civil servants" ).

The launch site required for the test was specially set up near Arensch ( 53 ° 50 ′ 50 ″  N , 8 ° 35 ′ 32 ″  E ) in the Wernerwald near Cuxhaven (on the grounds of the Altenwalde military training area ). Today, only a hollow in the ground and some remains of the bunker can be seen from the launch site.

Former launch system for missile tests in the Wernerwald near Cuxhaven

Result

The elaborate, technically very detailed and richly illustrated final report was drawn up after just a few months, and these conclusions were drawn:

  • completely new weapon with previously unknown mobility and invulnerability
  • disadvantageous is the very high production costs with comparatively small and imprecise military benefits
  • The technical progress achieved so far is by no means insignificant (target accuracy achieved: of 1,800 rockets aimed at Antwerp, 44% hit within a circle with a 10 km radius)
  • the psychological effect on the enemy is likely to have exceeded that of 1914/15 when military aircraft first appeared
  • Colossal military development opportunities, including civilian use conceivable ( “The Germans looked still further ahead; they were planning an A-9 to carry a pilot in a pressure cabin, with retractable wings to put out at the height of its trajectory so that when it came back into atmosphere it could glide to earth in safety. A mail service which could bridge the ATLANTIC in 40 minutes might be of more value than a weapon of war “ ).
  • Conclusion: Under all circumstances, the western allies must pursue further development ("There is need of all imagination, drive, and brains that can be mustered. For the sake of their very existence, Britain and the United States must be masters of this weapon in the future. ")

Missile launches conducted as part of Operation Backfire

date Time Altitude Flight distance Remarks
October 2, 1945 2:41 pm 69.4 km 249.4 km
October 4, 1945 2:16 pm 17.4 km 24 km Rocket engine failed shortly after launch.
October 15, 1945 3:06 p.m. 64 km 233 km Some sources also mention October 14, 1945 as the start date.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Command for Operation "Backfire" by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, June 22nd, 1945 : "The primary object of the operation is to ascertain the German technique of launching long range rockets and to prove it by actual launch . As complete, undamaged and fully-tested rockets are not available, it is necessary first to assemble rockets from the available components. In addition to the primary object, the operation will therefore provide opportunities to study certain subsidiary matters such as the preparation of the rocket and ancillary equipment, the handling of fuels, and control in flight ".
  2. Dr. Kurt H. Debus: Launching a Vision. (PDF; 3.2 MB)
  3. ^ Report on Operation "Backfire". The War Office, London 1946.
  4. [ibid., Volume 1, Section 8 conclusion, page 27, statements 107 to 113]