False signal rocket
False signal rockets were used in German night-time systems during the Second World War in order to recreate the illuminated markings ("Christmas trees") set by the allied " pathfinder " planes in the wrong place. Far from the “correct” target, the night light system was to be marked as a target and the approaching bomber formations were misled.
history
As a false signal rocket (contemporary official abbreviation SSR) the 15 cm rocket false signal projectile (15 cm R-SsGs) was developed and used from around 1942. The approximately 2 m long 15 cm R-SsGs consisted of the rocket motor (a solid rocket) with a stabilizing tail unit, the flare housed in a cardboard tube and the ballistic hood (tip) painted in the same color as the flare. The rocket motor and flare were ignited electrically at the same time, the drive being instantaneous and the flare via a delay detonator. The actual flare was then ejected at a height of around 2000 m after the time delay had expired and slowly floated to the ground, identical to the Allied "Christmas trees". The spent rocket motor fell to the ground without braking, and with a weight of around 20 kg it certainly represented a danger to the population.
The rockets were delivered in a transport box which, in conjunction with a wooden frame, also served as a launch pad. For effective target marking, four false signal rockets had to be aligned in such a way that the flares formed a large square in height, and the rockets were then ignited at the same time. The ignition was carried out by a glow ignition device, as it was also used in mining or by the pioneer troops, common types were the glow ignition devices 37, 39 and 40. The ignition could also take place via another suitable power source, for example an anode battery.
The deceptive concept of the false signal rockets had two decisive disadvantages: The height of the rockets, at 2000 m, was much lower than the dropping height of the "real" Christmas trees. For the Christmas trees, changing "day colors" were agreed that were not known. So the color chosen could be wrong. So the bogus rockets will have added more to the confusion.
Museum reception
Only a few false signal rockets or parts of them have been preserved in museums, but some are not on public display:
- Museum for historical defense technology in Röthenbach / Pegnitz
- Overloon War Museum , Netherlands
- National Air and Space Museum , USA
From the non-public, privately kept historical collection of the Krupp night glow system, a false signal rocket with transport box and starting frame as well as the associated glow ignition device is shown on the occasion of events and guided tours. The rocket itself consists of some original parts of used bogus signal rockets, which have been completed with partial reconstructions, the transport box and launch frame are complete reconstructions based on original templates. This exhibit was also shown from September 2018 to February 2019 in the special exhibition "Velbert in the Air War 1939–1945", which was organized by the Bergisches Geschichtsvereinteilung Velbert-Hardenberg e. V. in cooperation with the museums of the city of Velbert in the German Castle and Fittings Museum Velbert. Here it established the historical context between the dummy systems and Velbert as the former location of the Krupp night glow system.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Feldgrau - Mitteilungen einer Arbeitsgemeinschaft , Issues 1 to 3/1966 , three-part article False signal rockets in the air defense by Friedrich Schirmer, in excerpts: Provisional SSR service instructions , Provisional SSR combat instructions from September 16, 1943, leaflet for the use of secret markings from November 15, 1944.