Folks, I have been reading this thread with interest, as I proposed a similar POD a while back. As tempers seem to be flaring a bit, I thought I would submit a “one act play” to calm things a bit. In the POD I had originally proposed, the V1 as we know it, is successfully tested in the fall of 1939. The Nazi leadership envisions the “V1” as a terror weapon to be used on Paris, to repeat their terror bombings of Warsaw. However just as the weapon begins to arrive in numbers, the French surrender. Then in August, a new opportunity presents itself to the Nazi leadership - London! The plan is to have the Luftwaffe destroy the RAF while the V1 smashes London.
So here is the back story I came up with for the V1 to get the political support, that enables it to be a deployed weapon in 1940.
Ric350
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He hated Berlin! There was something about the city that always had a gray cast, no matter how sunny the day. Now even with the recent victory over the Poles, Berlin seemed more oppressive than ever. Of course his colleagues would argue he was only happy in his lab or on the test range, (and they were right). At the end of September, they had run several successful tests of the “Project P 35” with the new engine design, and within days, he had been summoned to Berlin to give a presentation to “high ranking officials”. What unnerved him the most was the timing of this “invitation” so soon on the heels of the successful tests. It was obvious that government informants had infiltrated the facility, and/or members of his team were willingly (or otherwise), providing test results to Berlin. He shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was unnerving.
He glanced at the clock. It was time to begin his presentation, but a look around the conference room gave him pause. Across the table to his left sat representatives from the Wehrmacht; a Colonel and two Majors. To his right sat the Luftwaffe contingent; two Captains. A decidedly mediocre attendance given the expedient tone of his summons. The two groups talked quietly amongst themselves, hardly giving him any notice.
He was about to get their attention and begin, when the double doors of the conference room burst open and four soldiers entered the room: two on each side of the doorway. He immediately noticed their SS badges, and his mouth went dry. The officers at the table turned as one and he could see their reaction reflected his own.
The room remained frozen for several seconds. The Wehrmacht Colonel looked like he was about to speak, when loud talking and laughter came from the hallway. The four SS soldiers snapped to attention, and in walked Field Marshall Göring!
The officers in the room bolted to attention, one of the Luftwaffe Captains doing so with such zeal that the his chair flew backwards, to be caught by one of the SS soldiers, and returned to the table. The Captain flushed red but didn’t move.
Göring was accompanied by five Luftwaffe officers including a General, to whom Göring continued to talk and laugh. Then after scanning the room, Göring said, “be seated gentlemen, and do continue Herr Doctor.” (Ric350 - I will refer him as “HD” in the remainder of this play)
Once everyone had been seated, (and after a calming pause to drink some water), HD was about to start the presentation, when another figure quietly entered the room: Reichsführer-SS Himmler! Again, the original groups of officers came to attention, but HD noticed that none of Görings’ entourage did. Göring only gave Himmler a sidewards glance. HD saw Himmler give the officers permission to sit with a slight hand motion. Himmler nodded to the SS men, who closed the conference room doors. Then Himmler stared at HD and simply said “continue.” HD realized all eyes were on him, taking another sip of water, and with a cold sweat soaking his shirt, HD began the presentation.
“And that gentlemen concludes my briefing. I will take any questions or observations you may have.” The presentation had only taken 45 minutes, and with the exception of one question early in the meeting by the Wehrmacht Colonel, no other questions or comments were given during the presentation. During the meeting Göring would whisper comments occasionally to his entourage followed by laughter, while Himmler stood the entire time in silence, staring at HD from across the table.
After a few awkward seconds Göring spoke. “So Herr Doctor, if I understand your briefing correctly, your machine, while having an impressive top speed, has an impact accuracy of; let me see here in your paper; ah, it’s measured in kilometers!?” “That seems ludicrous to the point where the word accuracy shouldn’t be used at all!” Göring laughs at his joke, joined by the rest of attendees (except Himmler and the four SS men). Göring continued, “Any of my Stuka pilots could easily put a bomb through that window (pointing)!” “That my dear doctor is accuracy, as the Poles found to their dismay!”(more laughter). “Even our comrades in the Wehrmacht artillery” (waving a hand toward the Wehrmacht officers, and smiling at the their unease), “can put their shells in the general vicinity of their target.” “Perhaps they would be interested in your device.” Then in a booming voice Göring stood and said, “We in the Luftwaffe find the suggestion of our sponsorship of this device inappropriate and frankly insulting; it doesn’t even have a pilot!”
HD endured Goring’s tirade trying not to show his disappointment and fear. HD watched silently as Göring, his entourage, filed out of the conference room, with Göring’s loud voice and laughter receding down the hall. HD felt as though he would be physically sick. HD reached for his chair, when he realized that the four SS soldiers were still there.
“Some people are very short-sighted.” With a start, HD turned to see Himmler standing almost at his elbow. HD had focused so much on Göring, he hadn’t noticed Himmler come around the table and stand next to him. HD began to sweat again, and tried desperately not to let Himmler see his hands shake. Himmler motioned to the SS soldiers, and they closed the conference room doors. Himmler continued; “The fat one is still living his glories of the last war.” “He hasn’t realized that warfare has changed.”
“Herr Doctor, I noticed here in your report that your group acknowledges the potential of your device to, and I quote, terrorize the populace or even undisciplined troops, unquote.” Our recent experience in Poland demonstrated the usefulness of such terror. Our analysis of various campaigns there showed that groups of terrorized civilians, trying to escape areas of shelling or bombing, created blockages of roadways that had detrimental effects on Polish military withdrawals and counter attack. Even just the sound of the Stuka sirens caused panic. As a result, the Poles lost the initiative at several crucial points, to our advantage, and ultimate victory.” “Terror is a weapon to be wielded, as useful as bullets or bombs.”
HD didn’t know if Himmler expected a response, so he remained quiet. Luckily HD guessed right, as Himmler began to speak again. “Per your report, the Project P 35 requires minimal strategic resources, and unskilled labor to manufacture, is that correct?” “Yes, I mean, partially Reichsführer.” Himmler's’ stare hardened, so HD explained quickly; “Only the pulse motor requires skill to manufacture, as does the guidance system.” “However the main fuselage and wings are simple constructions using basic wood and metal materials, and could be made by semi-skilled or even unskilled labor.”
Himmler was quiet for a few seconds, then asked, “if you are provided the required materials, could your team build 1000 motors and guidance systems in 6 months?” SD responded, “yes Reichsführer, that should not be a problem, given that we are provided the necessary materials.” “However we do not have nearly enough semi-skilled or unskilled labor to produce that number of airframes.” Himmler’s stare softened somewhat, “My office will ensure you received whatever materials you need.” “As for the labor, my office will provide that as well.” HD thought he detected a slight smile on Himmler’s face as he said that, which somehow was more sinister than his stare.
Himmler continued, “I want a detailed production proposal submitted to my office by the end of the week.” “My office will begin shipment of materials to your facility within 30 days of your report.” “The labor force and airframe assembly facility will be ready within 60 days.” “I expect full production to begin no later than January 1st.” “I will speak to the Wehrmacht and get their support as well, as you can expect nothing from the Luftwaffe.”
HD was about to question the rapid schedule plan given Poland’s recent surrender, but immediately thought better and stayed silent. Himmler turned and walked around the table to the conference room doors. Himmler paused there for a second, then turned to HD and said, “Herr Doctor, I am going to update the Fuhrer regarding your proposal.” “You would do well not to disappoint him, or me.” With that Himmler walked out, followed by the two SS soldiers. HD slumped into a chair. The full weight of what had just occurred seemed to rob him of his breath, and sapped the strength from his muscles.
He hated Berlin!