Self-sacrifice

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The Reichenberg device intended for self-sacrifice as a manned version of the Fieseler Fi 103

The term self-sacrifice refers to a German military project that was planned during the final phase of the Second World War to develop a pilot-controlled “intelligent weapon” intended for attacks on strategic targets such as bridges and command centers . However, planes were also to be directed into enemy bomber pods and exploded there. The pilot should sacrifice himself in each case.

The advocate of the project was the well-known test pilot Hanna Reitsch , who submitted the proposal to Hitler on February 28, 1944. This was not done, but allowed the preparation of such attacks. Around 70 volunteers were selected and attached to the 200 Combat Squadron . The negative tests with the Me 328B led to the idea of using the Fi 103 by providing it with a small cockpit on top so that it could be controlled by a pilot.

Robert Lusser designed the corresponding changes to the cell and controls. The modified airframe was built at Segelflug Reichenberg GmbH , which is why the machines were also called Reichenberg devices . A total of about 175 modified V1s were built, most of them at the Neu Tramm air ammunition facility .

Unlike the partially similar Japanese Tokkōtai - ("Kamikaze") - airplane Ōka , the pilots of the new Fi 103 R would theoretically have been able to jump off shortly before impact and detonation, even if this would have been difficult in practice, since that would have been Cockpit was located directly below the entrance of the pulse jet engine .

As part of the training, Fi 103 Rs were towed to their starting height by the Heinkel He 111 bomber . Due to the poor slow flight characteristics, there were repeated accidents. It was no longer used.

Officially, the euphemism “total commitment” was preferred and volunteers were examined for the absence of suicidal tendencies. The project was probably discontinued because it would have given the psychologically unfavorable impression of desperate measures.

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