To See The King

Chapter 2

It was the summer of 1942 when the chartered Fokker Tri-plane was flying from Berlin to the Island of Usedom at the mouth of the Odder on the Baltic coast. Twelve Luftwaffe Stukas escorted the converted transport whose passengers were the two most powerful men in Germany. At the port window sat Reichsfeurer's Herman Wilhelm Goering. Across to the right sat the Fuehrer himself, Adolph Hitler. They were flying to the Peenemunde Rocket Range to inspect a ceremonial launching of the V-1 flying bomb. This was a proud event for Goering. His Luftwaffe was in charge of the V-1 production and he felt that on that day he could successfully persuade Hitler to divert more funds to his project. He further hoped this diversion would be at the expense of V-2 production, which was at the control of the army.

Goering continued his argument, "By the time it takes to make one V-2, we can produce 50 V-1s. Just consider the price. A V-2 runs 15 to 20 times the cost. Fuel for the V-1 is domestic, while fuel for the V-2 must come from outside sources. With these vast advantages, you would think that the V-1 would be equated by carrying a smaller payload. Not so. The V-1 and V-2 payloads are equal. It makes every sense to scale down V-2 production and enhance that of the V-1."

Hitler, whose nose was pressed against the glass, signaled with his hand for Goering's silence. He was aware that Goering's statistics were accurate but his credibility was considerably tarnished having been unable to eliminate the R.A.F. as promised.

The Fuehrer had ultimate plans for the V-2. While observing the rows of Rocket derricks and launching pads his thoughts drifted beyond the expected surrender of England to America. Hitler had often said that on deployment of land and air forces he was a genius. When it came to the sea he was befuddled. Rocketry and other scientific gadgetry were downright confusing. Yet, through this confused mind, Hitler foresaw the V-2 graduating into the ultimate weapon, the New York Bomb.

While the fortunes of war were turning against Germany on all fronts, no one in the high command could even consider that Hitler might ultimately loose. This was especially true of the officers, two thousand troops and a special detachment of SS who stood guard at the runway at Usedom as the Fokker was on final. They were too far removed from the misfortunes of North Africa and especially the Russian Front where a million and a half German soldiers had died since the 1941 offensive.

The two top officers who met the German Leaders at the aircraft were Lieutenant General Schneider, head of the army testing office and Major General Dornberger, head of Rocket Research Development. They clicked their heels and raised their hands in smart Nazi salute. Hitler and Goering simply raised their palms in leadership fashion.

Goering, who stood behind Hitler, gestured to Dornberger who then announced, 'Welcome my Fuehrer. You will witness a launching of the great V-1 Rocket, which will cause the total destruction of London and the ultimate surrender of England. We at Research Development...

Hitler simply looked at Goering and cut off the General. Dornberger was sick to his stomach with his recent utterances. His praise of the V-1 was on the previous orders from Goering. Dornberger actually considered the V-X a looser. After a quick troop inspection they drove in the open track car to the launching ramp, which was a track about 300 feet long, the distant end raised thirty-five degrees. At the Iowa end rested the V-l, poised for flight.

Dornberger started to explain, 'Here you see the first Vergeltungswaffe. The weapon that will be responsible for the demise of England.

Hitler raised his hand, which signaled silence throughout the compound. He stated most definitely, ' I did not come here to listen to the Reichsfeurer's politics. Please be brief. E1 Duce will be waiting for me this evening in Berlin with a most important communiqué.'