Werhner von Braun on Michael von Konshak

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

You know Im picturing Mr. Obama Grabbing Art Hoag, and turning all of us into slave labor to build his designs……hmmmm

Funny, or not so funny, true story. The Germans used ethanol (drinkable alcohol) as fuel, so… the Russian prisoners of war used to sneak some off and drink it, until the Germans denatured it. But they kept drinking it anyway. And, yes, blindness, etc. followed. Ironically, von Braun and his group positioned themselves to be captured by the Americans instead of the Soviets who had the reputation of being brutal to their POW’s. Wernher was a childhood hero of mine, but even a reluctant member of the Nazi party always bothered me. Very complicated. In fact, he didn’t want to join the party, but his “boss” Dornberger said he’d better, if he wanted to continue to build “Rakete.”

[SCOTT EVANS]

You know Im picturing Mr. Obama Grabbing Art Hoag, and turning all of us into slave labor to build his designs……hmmmm

Funny, or not so funny, true story. The Germans used ethanol (drinkable alcohol) as fuel, so… the Russian prisoners of war used to sneak some off and drink it, until the Germans denatured it. But they kept drinking it anyway. And, yes, blindness, etc. followed. Ironically, von Braun and his group positioned themselves to be captured by the Americans instead of the Soviets who had the reputation of being brutal to their POW’s. Wernher was a childhood hero of mine, but even a reluctant member of the Nazi party always bothered me. Very complicated. In fact, he didn’t want to join the party, but his “boss” Dornberger said he’d better, if he wanted to continue to build “Rakete.”

I am a bit of a war history buff. I try to learn as much as I can. Battles, Politics Ect of all wars. And I am well aware of the migration west in Europe near the end of WW2.
What amazes me in todays age, is the ignorance of some people in our Country, and thier (passion) to persue and critisize and find fault with the USA and thier Allies and thier policies. I could go on and on about that. But like you said, there was a reason they were surrendering West.

[slipstick]

I’m glad this thread proved fun and intellectually stimulating and appreciate those who took the time to do the poll. Great fun!

To support Wernher’s motives, he was a staunch believer in God. One of his quotes “…But I can’t help feeling at the same time that this space effort of ours is bigger even than a rivalry between the United States and Russia. The heavens beyond us are enormous beyond comprehension, and the further we penetrate them, the greater will be our human understanding of the great universal purpose, the Divine Will itself.”
—Dr. Wernher von Braun, This Week Magazine, 01/01/1961.

More at: http://www.creationsafaris.com/wgcs_4vonbraun.htm

My re-creation of this bird is hampered by some very bad back problems keeping me from doing any work in the garage. I was barely able to get the motors I borrowed cleaned up, so everything is sitting stagnant. I’m sorry for my lack of participant at present.

FYI, Jürgen Nestler who’s family made Nestler slide rules in Germany, is sending me the models of slide rules for my museum that von Braun and his Russian counterpart, Korolev used, The Nestler 23R. This is for a display I am wanting to make that replicates the ones at NASA.

Take time to visit http://www.sliderulemuseum.com/

Sergei Pavlovich Korolev (1906-1965) Chief Designer Of Soviet Spacecraft

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Very nice, Mike. I have been meaning to call you for weeks now! Another thing about von Braun, when “his” first V-2 (A-4) hit London, he was asked to comment. Was it a sucess?! He responded, yes, but it landed on the wrong planet… and that it was the darkest day in his life. I doubt if he said that to the S.S. Most likely to friends and family.

[Author]

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