Von Braun, Hero of the People: A TL

Excerpt from Von Braun and the Reds:

To understand properly the contribution of Wernher von Braun to the various ambitions of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, we must go back to the beginning. We must understand that by early 1945, reports of Soviet and Allied progress were in short supply at Peenemünde. Von Braun and his planning staff soon became under the impression that attempting to defect to the Americans would be futile, although in hindsight it has transpired that such an act would be perfectly viable. An interview with a local guard in 1997 revealed that in order to discourage any defections, all information seeped down to the planning staff was to emphasize any Soviet proximity to the facility.

Owing to the success of the Soviet advance into Eastern Europe, there was truth to this information anyway. Forbidden to leave the facility officially, as Nazi command began to crumble, Von Braun and his staff managed to leave on the 30th of January. On the 2nd of Febuary, they were met by a squad of soldiers from Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front. They were able to avoid being brutalized by the soldiers by essentially bribing them with watches and other trinkets.

Zhukov himself was informed of the capture of the German scientists a few days later, and relayed this information to Moscow. Although it was considered to simply execute them, Von Braun and his staff were temporarily transferred to the Lubyanka while the necessary personnel debated over their fates.

With the fires of war now dying now, the Soviets began looting what they could from German technological programmes. Sergei Korolyov, tasked with analysing captured V2 apparatus, eventually felt that co-operating with Von Braun would yield better results, and asked the Soviet authorities for permission to allow the captured scientists to aid in this.

**

Thoughts?
 
Excerpt from Soviet War Science:

As it became evident that the Soviet Union would now be in domination of a good portion of the European continent, Stalin began to turn his attention to incarcarated German science teams, most prominent among them Von Braun, and considered simply executing them, believing them to 'possess the fascist taint'.

Soviet scientists such as Mikhail Yangel and Korolyov, who were hoping for some experianced minds to exploit for future programmes, tried to arrange for the scientists to be put to work. Koroylov contacted Von Braun in the Lubyanka at some point in 1945, and managed to convince him to stand before a Soviet court. In said court, Von Braun denounced fascism and Nazism and claimed to have been a closet communist all along, claiming that he had been forced to work for the Nazis on pain of death, and bragged about reading the works of Marx and Engels countless time. He also promised to pledge allegiance to the Soviet state and its people.

We can deduce from reports at the time that Von Braun was simply spouting rhetoric to survive. This much is obvious. Nevertheless, Stalin began to change his mind, and when news of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki came in Stalin eventually concluded that Von Braun's talents would be wasted in a Siberian gulag or in front of a firing squad.

Therefore, Von Braun was tasked with aiding in the reverse-engineering of captured Nazi rocket technology and other items seized from their laboratories. Stalin ordered that he be kept under strict NKVD supervision at all times, and kept him under close survelliance. In this time, Von Braun began establishing a rapport with Korolyov, who covered himself by claiming that this was strictly for work purposes only. It is not clear of their opinions on one another, which probably evolved over the years.

At this point, we can establish the beginning of what would be a remarkable journey for Soviet science.
 
I'd assume Stalin would announce Van Braun's "execution" to the west, possibly with forged photos as "proof", in order to keep the secret.

Man, the west is in for a nasty surprise!
 
Excerpt from Soviet War Science:

As it became evident that the Soviet Union would now be in domination of a good portion of the European continent, Stalin began to turn his attention to incarcarated German science teams, most prominent among them Von Braun, and considered simply executing them, believing them to 'possess the fascist taint'.

Soviet scientists such as Mikhail Yangel and Korolyov, who were hoping for some experianced minds to exploit for future programmes, tried to arrange for the scientists to be put to work. Koroylov contacted Von Braun in the Lubyanka at some point in 1945, and managed to convince him to stand before a Soviet court. In said court, Von Braun denounced fascism and Nazism and claimed to have been a closet communist all along, claiming that he had been forced to work for the Nazis on pain of death, and bragged about reading the works of Marx and Engels countless time. He also promised to pledge allegiance to the Soviet state and its people.

We can deduce from reports at the time that Von Braun was simply spouting rhetoric to survive. This much is obvious. Nevertheless, Stalin began to change his mind, and when news of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki came in Stalin eventually concluded that Von Braun's talents would be wasted in a Siberian gulag or in front of a firing squad.

Therefore, Von Braun was tasked with aiding in the reverse-engineering of captured Nazi rocket technology and other items seized from their laboratories. Stalin ordered that he be kept under strict NKVD supervision at all times, and kept him under close survelliance. In this time, Von Braun began establishing a rapport with Korolyov, who covered himself by claiming that this was strictly for work purposes only. It is not clear of their opinions on one another, which probably evolved over the years.

At this point, we can establish the beginning of what would be a remarkable journey for Soviet science.

The Soviets iOTL captured many rocket engineers and put them to work. Yes, they missed out on von Braun and the higher echelons because the US made a raid into the Russian zone to capture them. Why would they want to execute them? Or did the same question come up iOTL?


Oh, and why is von Braun "Reverse"engineering his own designs.
 
The Soviets iOTL captured many rocket engineers and put them to work. Yes, they missed out on von Braun and the higher echelons because the US made a raid into the Russian zone to capture them. Why would they want to execute them? Or did the same question come up iOTL?


Oh, and why is von Braun "Reverse"engineering his own designs.

The Soviets considered executing many POWs that could have helped them. Also, Von Braun surrendered to the Yanks--there was no raid, unless you're referring to someone else.

And it did say 'aiding'. What I tried to say is that he's basically showing them how the stuff works. ;)
 
Oh, and why is von Braun "Reverse"engineering his own designs.

Well, AFAICT, it seems that he is helping the Soviets reverse-engineer his designs, show them how they work, what the purpose of the different components are...

Really, it's hard to see a bigger commie-space wank than OTL without modifying the political structure of the mid-60s USSR. The key factor that led to the comparative decline of the OTL Soviet program was lack of political will and funding, and to a smaller extent the poor quality of Soviet industry and management compared to the US. If they had been going for the Moon since 1961, they would have put up a hell of a lot more fight than they did.

EDIT: My point is, they had damn good space people, so adding Von Braun to the mix won't affect the technical side much; unless he becomes as political as he was in the US (which seems unlikely), he just won't have much of an effect.
 
Well, AFAICT, it seems that he is helping the Soviets reverse-engineer his designs, show them how they work, what the purpose of the different components are...

Really, it's hard to see a bigger commie-space wank than OTL without modifying the political structure of the mid-60s USSR. The key factor that led to the comparative decline of the OTL Soviet program was lack of political will and funding, and to a smaller extent the poor quality of Soviet industry and management compared to the US. If they had been going for the Moon since 1961, they would have put up a hell of a lot more fight than they did.

Space wank? Why do people think so small? There are more applications for rocket tech than that...;)
 
Space wank? Why do people think so small? There are more applications for rocket tech than that...;)
What? :confused: What other applications beyond ballistic missiles or military tech *are* there? Rocket-powered aircraft are nuts, commercial rocket use is not really practical...there really isn't much else he can *do* besides space flight. Besides, space isn't "small", it's the biggest thing there is!
 
What? :confused: What other applications beyond ballistic missiles or military tech *are* there? Rocket-powered aircraft are nuts, commercial rocket use is not really practical...there really isn't much else he can *do* besides space flight. Besides, space isn't "small", it's the biggest thing there is!

I meant military tech precisely. Rocket artillery, RPGs, etc...and I was meaning thinking small in terms of use. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

Oh, and fireworks. ;)
 
I meant military tech precisely. Rocket artillery, RPGs, etc...and I was meaning thinking small in terms of use. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

Oh, and fireworks. ;)
Fireworks are not exactly a "practical" application :p

Anyways, the Soviets were quite good at most of the fields you mentioned (I mean, the most well known rocket artillery systems are the Katayusha, and the RPG--well, look at the RPG-7)
 
Excerpt from report by Sergei Korolyev to the Soviet Politburo, later half of 1945

Having been convinced that Comrade Von Braun is a genuine and devout communist, I hereby would like to announce that we have made, with some contribution from him, better work than expected in duplicating and understanding the processes of the German rocket components seized.

Von Braun has suggested that better progress would be made in the event of a unified design and development body for this work. I believe that improved rocket technology may be able to provide us with an advantage of the enemies of the Union. I also should suggest that in the case that Comrade Stalin and the politburo rejects such a suggestion, a specialized committee should be set up for the case of Braun and his team.

Response from the politburo:

Comrade Stalin and all others with authority in this matter are undecided as to your request. Some of us believe the taint of fascism may still remain. Nevertheless, we agree that this is a valuable asset that cannot be squandered.

Comrade Stalin believes that the best application for Von Braun's science lies in the military and defence of the People. He believes that if we can gain a superior equalivent to his V2 weapon, we can again an advantage over those who would make themselves enemies of the people.

Nevertheless, we recognize that firstly we must process all we can from what we already have. The Soviet government commends your science and will be watching your progress in anticipation.
 
Excerpt from Von Braun and the Reds:

By late 1945, the Soviets had acquired significant understanding of Nazi rocket technology and under the guide of Von Braun had replicated all necessary components. Despite the NKVD watching over all projects, Korolyev sought to gain Von Braun's co-operation and enthusiasm by discussing with him the possibility of communist party membership and all the benefits that entailed. Von Braun announced that he would consider it, as he was being announced a traitor in the west.

Stalin, who was bent on gaining some advantage of the atomic-equipped West while the Soviets worked on their own nuclear projects, decided that Von Braun could be useful in producing ballistic missiles to put the pressure on the west, inspired by the man's contribution to the V weapons. Von Braun was reluctant, but out of self concern decided to play along, believing, if his diary entries are to be correct, that he may as well leave some legacy to history.

Von Braun drew inspiration from the Nazi Aggregate series of rockets, specifically the A9, which was designed to be used against the American coast. Work had been progressing on the A9 when Von Braun had surrendered to the Soviets, which he resolved, in collaboration with Korolyev, to continue.

Nevertheless, Von Braun was concerned with the shoddy Soviet facilities and equipment provided for him, and expressed concerns that the USSR may simply not have the resources or the expertise required to produce such a weapon, even if he set down a perfect plan. Stalin dismissed all such concerns, and gave him a maximum deadline of December 1950 to give the Soviet Union the edge in rocket technology.

With only Korolyev and his old team to take solace in, Von Braun reluctantly complied.
 
Despite the NKVD watching over all projects, Korolyev sought to gain Von Braun's co-operation and enthusiasm by discussing with him the possibility of communist party membership and all the benefits that entailed. Von Braun announced that he would consider it, as he was being announced a traitor in the west.
'would consider it'? von Braun?
Mr. "Ooo, you'll let play with rockets, Ja sure I'll sign anything" von Braun?
I suspect that's a "Da Tovarischtscht, gib' mir ein federhalter, bitte." (assuming I got the word for pen right).

Von Braun was reluctant, but out of self concern decided to play along, believing, if his diary entries are to be correct, that he may as well leave some legacy to history.
reluctant? He gets to play with rockets, why's he reluctant?
Von Braun drew inspiration from the Nazi Aggregate series of rockets, specifically the A9, which was designed to be used against the American coast. Work had been progressing on the A9 when Von Braun had surrendered to the Soviets, which he resolved, in collaboration with Korolyev, to continue.

Nevertheless, Von Braun was concerned with the shoddy Soviet facilities and equipment provided for him, and expressed concerns that the USSR may simply not have the resources or the expertise required to produce such a weapon, even if he set down a perfect plan. Stalin dismissed all such concerns, and gave him a maximum deadline of December 1950 to give the Soviet Union the edge in rocket technology.

With only Korolyev and his old team to take solace in, Von Braun reluctantly complied.
 
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