Kummersdorf

Coordinates: 52°05′50″N 13°21′26″E / 52.0971°N 13.3571°E / 52.0971; 13.3571
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Barracks ruins in Kummersdorf Gut in Brandenburg

Kummersdorf is the name of an estate near

German Army which ran a development centre for future weapons as well as an artillery
range.

Early history

In 1871, the Prussian ministry of war decided to move the artillery test range at

Hitler visited for the first time.[1]

Aircraft and rocket history

In 1929, the German

A2s were successfully launched from the North Sea island of Borkum.[2][1]
: 47–61 

The first casualties in rocket development occurred in March 1934, when Dr. Wahmke and 2 assistants were killed, and another assistant was injured. A propellant fuel tank exploded, while experimenting with mixing 90% hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, before combustion.[2]: 35 [1]: 52–53 

In 1935, work commenced on using rocket motors to power aircraft. In 1936, a rocket motor was installed in tail of a

wheels-up landing and having the fuselage on fire due to an unpredicted area of low aerodynamic pressure drawing alcohol fumes back into the airframe which then ignited.[3][2]: 114–116 [1]
: 57 

In May 1937, Dornberger, and most of his staff, moved to Peenemünde on the island of Usedom on the Baltic coast which offered much greater space and secrecy. Dr. Thiel and his staff followed in the summer of 1940. Test Stand VI at Pennemünde was an exact replica to Kummersdorf's large test stand.[2]: 56, 60 [1]: 57 

Hitler visited Kummersdorf West in March 1939, accompanied by Walther von Brauchitsch, witnessing the test firing of the 650 and 2200 pound thrust rocket motors, and viewed components of the A-3 and A-5. He also enquired how long it would take to develop the A-4.[2]: 65–68  Hitler was skeptical of the rocket's potential.[1]
: 57 

After 1938 Kummersdorf was used for nuclear research.

Armored fighting vehicle history

Kummersdorf was also the location for the analyses, studies and testing of various German-captured Allied tanks and armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs). Many

Carro Armato P40 heavy tank
was present at Kummersdorf.

The

Panzerkampfwagen Maus
super-heavy tank.

Albert Speer refers to the tanks testing station at Kummersdorf during the 1942 offensive against the Soviet Union. The station showed that the treads or motor of a heavy tank need repairs every 400–500 miles. This was a limiting factor in the offensive as supply lines became stretched and spare parts carried by the tanks were consumed.[4]

In late 1944, a unit was formed, and at a meeting in the Fuhrer's headquarters it was referred to as tank company "Kummersdorf". This unit consisted of three tank platoons (mostly still mobile), one recon platoon of armored vehicles, an infantry (Grenadier) platoon and one tank platoon, consisting of a

VK 4501 (P) took part in combat south-east of Kummersdorf, where they and workers, civilians and other people at the facility were thrown together to make a makeshift grenadier unit. By the battles end, the VK 4501 (P) had destroyed a single T-34 and the Grenadiers had destroyed several others, a nearby 88 mm (8.8 cm) flak gun
destroyed another advancing T-34. The entire unit failed in their mission and dispersed into the nearby woods.

Another tank unit was formed at Kummersdorf and participated in combat on April 21, 1945. The fighting took place to the south in the direction of

Panzer V Panther
. During the fighting near the settlement of Baruth, the entire unit was destroyed by the Russian forces.

The fate of the tanks left at the facility is unknown, though some information suggests that several American made tanks were sent to

Panther, which was taken on the outskirts of Berlin, these were believed to be from Kummersdorf. On March 9, 1945 the commander of Army Group Vistula signed the order for all tanks still at Kummersdorf to be sent away in parts to the occupying defences around Szczecin
. What became of these tanks is still unknown.

See also

52°05′50″N 13°21′26″E / 52.0971°N 13.3571°E / 52.0971; 13.3571

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9780764302732
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e Dornberger, Walter (1954). V-2. New York: The Viking Press, Inc. pp. 27–42.
  3. ISBN 0-674-77650-X
    , pages 58-59.
  4. ISBN 9781842127353
    .

Bibliography

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kummersdorf&oldid=1213931287"