DEVELOPMENT OF THE TROMMSDORF ROCKET

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2013
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: January 1, 1947
• Content Type: REPORT

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
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DATE: wEwEn? 006514
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COMM: Germany/Russian Zone
602.L.ZT: Development of the Troonsdorf ro
1170EMATICN Jamuary 1947
ZMUATIOIN C-3
1111;1C41010 TI-6451
1. Shortly before the end of the war, it was decided to drop all work on
the rocket which had been developed by Dr. Trommedorf during the third phase of
the war. The reason behind this decision was that definite shortcomings hat been
detected and th:t the Trommedorf construction had been supplanted by more recent
constructions, developed by Remschel. For sone unknown reason, it VAS later On
decided to continue the development of this rocket, though no groat asthenia's
was shown. Following the Germs* collapse. the Russians were undecided whether or
not they should cantina the project, but after Dr. Trommedorf had accepted a
position with the Russians, he was asked to continue to work on his rocket and to
follow the same principles as heretofore. It Decant, however, obvious in the
course of tine that the wort could not ltd to !nooses, and Dr. Trommadorf was
asked to apply basic changes. This decision VAS taken around Ioveaber, 1946;
Dr. Tromnedorf left soon afterwards for Russia.
2. The Trommsdorf rocket was tested about summer, 1944, in the wind-tunnel,
set un in the test-station of the German Air Forces in Feenemnends. The results
were veryunsatisfactory; the in shortcomings had to do with faulty steering.
The wind-tunnel which served for these tests was at that time the only *mistime
vif wind-tunnel of its kind; with it, a speed no to 2,000 kilometers an hour could be
measured. This wind-tunnel wne rut foray before the rrrival of the Russian any,
and it is certain th:t it never fell into Russian hands.
E. The Trommsdorf rocket was allegedly launched once at lemenneada by
Professor ILLOSX,Ift the late summer of 1944, rt a time when Dr. Tromnsdorf was
serving at the front. The launching required a special fuel which could not be
used for Isselialy line prodnotion. It is very well possible that Professor /lose
WS the person who tested the rocket in the wind tunnel. VT. Trommsdorf alleges
that the rocket was launched In his presence; however, information given by
collegues of his doss not herr out the truth of this statement. It is generally
believed thr4 Ur. Trommsdorf ands this statement, in order to get greater brains
from the aussians. Informant was unable to give dettiled technical inform-tion
about the test launching, although he ezserts that corlets Schlieren photon:tubs
have been found.
4. ',Urine the a me period (svmKer. 1944), the project 0Schmetterlinge under-
went tests In 44enemnende (rub-project named "Rheintochtee). The results,
obtained with ISchmetterline, showed u7 I:Lector/4,1y the shortcomings of the
CONFIDENT' C
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
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CONFIDENTIAL
Trommsderf roast; its constructor. pr. Bromestorf, full is disgrace with the
ILK (highest authority); he was left to continue to work practically on his
construction un to the end of the war; however, he received very little encourage-
meat.
D. By the time Bromnsdorf left for %USIA, the project, with modifications,
had been entirely deVelopet on paper. Up to then, no tests whatsoever hril been ?
mato. According to calculations, the cruising radius of the rocket is lE0 kilometers.
this modified version wrs a com,romise between Bromstsdorf's **Rabat rhantastle
conception (he either tried to ignore critical problems or tackled them
reluctantly) and the Russia wishes. Judging from the trite number of rectired
fittings. II seems unlikely that the rocket could he manufactured in large cambers.
d. It is most unlikely that Brosmsdorf should be working on this project in
Russia; this does, however, not seas %Mt he might not he working on tr weapons.
Dr. Trommettorf and other specialists in the field of rocket wes*ons work in a
Dada IUStittall In 110110010, but live outside of Bosco,. At the site Dr. Trot:uteri
left for Bessie sorsa close co-workers went along.
T. It is sot known if this project is at present continuing In Germeigr. It
is, however, known that the constractton work for remote control for atelier
projects (Schmetterling) is being conducted in Germany. The actual rockets are
apparently being mate II Russia.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
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CONFIDENTIAL
ORB, scientific Stanch
Transmission of Report
10 July 1947
1. There is forwarded herewith for your informption and re-
tention a copy of Report 21 - 6451 which deals with the develop-
ment of the Tromnsdorf rocket.
End.
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Nil G-13 Th2PV1
CONHDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP78-01617A005700010016-1
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