Vorschläge für den Einsatz der Fernrakete A4
nach dem Entwicklungsstand vom Frühjahr 1942
Heeresanstalt Peenemünde EW
We may guess that it was drawn about February - March 1942
This document concerns a proposal how the future V2 rockets could be tactically operated.
I would like to repeat - that I don't like weapons myself, but technology. Technology, however, needs a context and here history, with all its insanity, is to be dealt with.
This document concerns a proposal how the future V2 rockets could be tactically operated. It is my opinion: that this plan lacked realism.
Dealt with is firing 5000 V 2 rockets a year from the territory of France
Estimated demanding:
Liquid Oxygen at least 70,000 tons annually. Pointing that actually (likely late 1941) 40,000 tons are available. Including the necessary stock of 14,000 tons for the prototype trials (Entwicklung der 0-Serie des A 4 Gerätes). Leaving actually 26,000 tons/year.
Followed by the estimation that 5000 V2 launchings would necessitate 44,000 t/y. Followed by the conclusion that 3 new large O2-plants similar to HAP/VW should be build. Somewhere in the text the author estimate a construction time of 1 to 2 years to come. It was foreseen that the oxygen and alcohol was to be produced not too far from the location of launching sites.
Vorschläge für den Einsatz der Fernrakete A 4
Please click on this hyperlink as to open it
This document is clearly showing that the future strategy went beyond reality, as nowhere is taken into account that great enemy effort might be provoked and heavy bombardment being executed. On the other hand, this plan goes back to early spring 1942 and Germany was not yet being attacked heavily. Rather soon the war fortune turned in favour of the Allied Forces.
Feuerstellung einer FR-Batterie (FR-Fernrakete)
However, when we look to the illustrations, we can clearly see that the A4 or, as it later was called, V 2 as a weapon system was rather well planned for in advance. When I remember well, the first A 4 prototype flew successfully in early October 1942 for the first time. Even then, it should take just not yet two years to come before the system became operational.
