Operation Backfire (World War II)
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Operation Backfire was a military scientific operation during and after the Second World War that was performed mainly by British staff.[1] The operation was designed to completely evaluate the entire V-2 rocket assembly, interrogate German personnel specialized in all phases of it, and then to test and launch missiles across the North Sea.
Background
With the end of the war, the Allies scrambled to acquire German technology. Several operations were set by the British, including the Fedden Mission and Operation Surgeon. With the consent of U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the operation was orchestrated by Major Robert Staver of the Rocket Section of the Research and Development branch of the Ordnance Office, which had been tasked in directing the effort to find and interrogate the German rocket specialists who had built the V-2. Since 30 April 1945, Major Staver had been in the Nordhausen area searching the smaller laboratories for V-2 technicians. Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) Junior Commander Joan Bernard also played a role in this operation.[2][3]
Backfire
For this operation, three or possibly four
The Americans had already taken away most of the V2 rocket technology from the German underground
The handling and launch procedures were unknown, so German personnel were ordered to perform these, which for the most part they did willingly.[5] The launches were filmed and because the personnel wore their original uniforms and the rockets were painted as in their original livery, this footage (often used for documentaries) has been mistaken for footage of wartime German launches.[citation needed]
Launches
Date | Time | Maximum height | Length of flight | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 October 1945 | 14:41 | 69.4 kilometres (43.1 mi) | 249.4 kilometres (155.0 mi) | |
4 October 1945 | 14:16 | 17.4 kilometres (10.8 mi) | 24 kilometres (15 mi) | Engine failure shortly after launch. |
15 October 1945 | 15:06 | 64 kilometres (40 mi) | 233 kilometres (145 mi) | Some sources indicate the launch took place on 14 October. |
According to the Report on Operation Backfire, there were three Cuxhaven launches. Backfire Rocket One was prepared for launch on 1 October 1945, but did not function. Backfire Rocket Two was prepared for launch on 2 October 1945 and was launched without difficulty. The second Cuxhaven launch took place on 4 October 1945 with Backfire Rocket One. A third and final rocket was launched for representatives of the press and Allies on 15 October 1945 under the name Operation Clitterhouse.[6] According to one site, there was a fourth launch on 17 October 1945 that reached an altitude of about 80 kilometres (50 mi).[7]
Aftermath
For these launches, the British recruited German personnel, even those transferred from US custody and due to be returned, to assist with this missile programme.
The technical aspects of the operation were detailed in a five-volume report.[8]
At the site of the former launchpad there is a trough and some remnants of shelters.
See also
- Arthur Rudolph
- Operation Paperclip
- Remnants of launchpads in Germany
- Rocket experiments in the area of Cuxhaven
References
- S2CID 213143168.
- ISBN 92-9092-550-7. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Operation Backfire Tests at Altenwalde/Cuxhaven". V2Rocket.com. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-84529-727-5
- ^ Report on Operation "Backfire", Vol One, Section 3 The German Personnel Employed, p. 12
- ^ Report on Operation Backfire, Vol One, Section 7, paras 100-106
- ^ "Sounding Rocket Launches 1944-1949". rocketservices.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 September 2004.
- ^ Report on Operation "Backfire", The War Office, London 1946