The Plane That Was Too Creepy For Hitler

This extreme suggestion was unprecedented. Even the Japanese did not carry out kamikaze attacks until October 1944. Yet, with Germany facing imminent defeat, the idea of a piloted V-1 found supporters, including Hanna Reitsch, who saw it as a chance to turn the tide.

Convincing Hitler

In late February 1944, Reitsch traveled to Hitler’s Berchtesgaden retreat to convince him to implement the plan. She argued that it would require men ready to sacrifice themselves for their country. Initially reluctant, Hitler was concerned about the psychological impact on the German populace. However, Reitsch eventually persuaded him to approve the project.

Development Challenges

Development of the Reichenberg began in secret in 1944. The project faced numerous challenges, including transforming a purely mechanical flying bomb into a controllable aircraft. Modifications included adding a cramped cockpit directly in front of the pulse jet intake, putting the pilot in a precarious position.

The cockpit contained only basic flight instruments, and there was no ejection seat. The chances of survival were so low that such a feature was deemed unnecessary. To make room for the cockpit, one of the V-1’s fuel tanks had to be relocated, and the aircraft’s controls were modified for manual operation.

Variants of the Reichenberg

The Reichenberg came in several variants:

1. R-I: An unpowered glider for initial pilot training.
2. R-II: An unpowered glider with a second cockpit for instructor training.
3. R-III: A dual-control trainer powered by a pulse jet engine.
4. R-IV: The operational version intended for combat missions.
5. R-V: A shorter-nosed training aircraft for the Heinkel He 162 jet fighter.

The Psychological Aspect

As news of the project spread, volunteers began to come forward. The idea of a noble sacrifice appealed to many young Nazi pilots. By October 1944, about 70 pilots were in training, known as the “Leonidas Squadron,” named after the Spartan king who led his soldiers in a desperate fight.

Training was unorthodox, involving simulated attack runs. Pilots had to prepare for one-way missions, requiring a level of fanaticism that went beyond the sacrifices already demanded of German soldiers.

Testing and Challenges

Testing of the Reichenberg began in autumn 1944, but results were not encouraging. The first two test flights ended in crashes, revealing the aircraft’s challenging handling characteristics. Hanna Reitsch conducted many subsequent trials herself, bringing valuable publicity to the project.

Despite her efforts, the Reichenberg’s inherent dangers persisted. Reitsch experienced multiple accident landings but emerged unharmed. Another skilled test pilot, Heinz Kensche, faced a severe incident when intense vibrations caused a wing to separate from the fuselage.

Opposition and Cancellation

As the war situation deteriorated, practical problems mounted. Fuel shortages and Allied bombing disrupted production. By the end of 1944, only about 175 Reichenbergs had been manufactured.

The final blow came in March 1945 when Werner Baumbach argued against the Reichenberg, stating that such missions contradicted the German warrior tradition. Hitler, who had never been comfortable with the project, agreed to its cancellation.

Legacy of the Reichenberg

Though never seeing combat, the Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg stands as a testament to the desperate measures contemplated by the Nazi regime. Its legacy is complex, representing both fanaticism and the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists under totalitarian regimes.

While the project showcased the regime’s disregard for human life, it also contributed to technological advancements that influenced post-war aviation. Today, a handful of Reichenbergs survive in museums worldwide, serving as powerful reminders of the horrors of war and the dangers of unchecked ideology.