A chill wind sweeps across the Bavarian Alps as Hanna Reitsch, Germany’s most famous test pilot, arrives at Hitler’s mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden. It is February 28, 1944, and the tide of World War II is quickly turning against the Third Reich. Inside the dimly lit study of the Berghof, Reitsch stands before the Führer, her eyes gleaming with determination.
Key Takeaways
- Hanna Reitsch proposed a manned version of the V-1 flying bomb to Hitler.
- The project, codenamed “Reichenberg,” aimed to turn desperate times into a last-ditch effort for victory.
- The Reichenberg was designed for one-way missions, requiring pilots to sacrifice themselves.
- Despite initial enthusiasm, the project faced numerous technical and ethical challenges.
Hanna Reitsch gestures to blueprints spread across Hitler’s desk. The designs depict a strange, tiny flying machine, more like a missile than an aircraft. As she lays out her ideas, it becomes clear that the mission she envisions is unprecedented—an extreme plan that would demand more from German aviators than ever before.
At first, Hitler is taken aback; this drastic proposal is too gruesome, even for him. As Reitsch describes potential targets—Allied shipping, power plants, even Buckingham Palace—his interest grows, but he remains unconvinced. The price to pay would be too great.
Yet Reitsch refuses to give up, arguing that this might be their last chance to save the Fatherland. After a long moment of silence, Hitler nods his assent. The Nazis are about to embark on what will become the Fieseler Fi 103R, codenamed “Reichenberg”—their most desperate gambit yet.
The Roots of the Reichenberg Project
The controversial Reichenberg project traces back to the early years of World War II. As the conflict intensified, both Allied and Axis powers raced to develop new weapons for a decisive advantage. Germany invested heavily in advanced technology, resulting in a series of innovative but often impractical “wonder weapons.”
One such creation was the V-1 flying bomb, part of Nazi Germany’s Vergeltungswaffen or Vengeance Weapons program. The V-1 was designed for terror bombing of Allied targets, particularly London. However, concerns about its accuracy arose even before its first launch, as testing revealed its inability to hit precise targets.
As Germany’s chances of winning the war began to deteriorate after the Battle of Stalingrad in February 1943, Nazi leadership frantically sought solutions, even considering the most outlandish suggestions.
The Idea of a Manned V-1
Among those attempting to improve the V-1 was Otto Skorzeny, a Waffen-SS officer known for his unconventional operations. From his twisted imagination sprang the audacious concept of a manned version of the V-1. By adding a cockpit, a skilled pilot could guide the 2,000-pound warhead to its objective with greater accuracy. Theoretically, the pilot would bail out moments before impact, but survival chances were virtually non-existent.
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:
- R-I: An unpowered glider for initial pilot training.
- R-II: An unpowered glider with a second cockpit for instructor training.
- R-III: A dual-control trainer powered by a pulse jet engine.
- R-IV: The operational version intended for combat missions.
- 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.
