Feldgrau Forum Photo Riddle ?

Aristaeus · Post by **Aristaeus** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:20 am

Doktor Krollspell wrote:So, how and where was this supposed to be used?

Regards,

Krollspell

The Wurfgerat 41 launcher was intended to launch rockets from submerged U- Boat's . The target was to be the U.S. East coast.

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:57 am

So, finally a winner in Herr Aristaeus!

All the images where taken from http://www.prinzeugen.com

Your turn, Aristaeus!

Krollspell

Aristaeus · Post by **Aristaeus** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:57 pm

What is this weapons name and use.

Aristaeus · Post by **Aristaeus** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:58 am

Did I not give enough clues, or did u guys quite playing?

lol

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:17 pm

I never quit playing, Aristaeus! I just haven't been able to identify the darn thing yet...

Well, the fight continues... I've tried rockets and guided missiles and so far nothing, or maybe I'm just barking up the wrong tree...

I'll be back...

Krollspell

Aristaeus · Post by **Aristaeus** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:01 pm

~S~ Krollspell
This is against my better judgement lol, it won't be ofton that I will be able to stump a community such as this on matters of weapons ( patting myself on the back lol) but I will give u a few clues.
WWII, PTO, United States.
Also look at the weapon, it looks like a min plane but look closely. No prop and no exhaust, or funnell for rocket propulsion.
This weapon has no propulsion other then gravity, but it is guided.
hope this helps and welcome to the wonderfull world of U.S. secret weapons.

IRONHORSE · Post by **IRONHORSE** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:30 pm

THE WEAPON ON THE WING OF THE B-17 IS A ASM-2 BAT
AN EARLY GYROSTABILIZED GLIDING BOMB THAT HOMED IN ON THE TARGET BY AN EARLY S-2 RADAR.
CHUCK
PS NOT I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WHAT IS IT? SO CARRY ON.

http://WWW.CENTURY-OF-FLIGHT.FREEOLA.COM
JETAGE/ GUIDED BOMBS

Aristaeus · Post by **Aristaeus** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:10 pm

Thats the one

below is a bit of info on this weapon.

The Bat Missile

http://museum.nist.gov/panels/batmissile/index.html

The Bat was a glide bomb carried by a Navy PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bomber or other aircraft and was designed to destroy ships and offshore enemy targets.Visual contact with the target was not required.

Launching Characteristics:
Launching altitude: 15,000 to 25,000
Launching speed: 140-210 knots
Range: 15 to 20 miles from its target
Payload: a 1,000 pound general purpose bomb warhead.
Steering Mechanism
The Bat was steered by controllable wing-mounted elevons driven by autopilot servomotors linked to the radar guidance system. The missile had fixed tail surfaces and was gyro-stabilized.

Dimensions
Length: 11 feet 11 inches
Span: 10 feet
Empty weight: 600 pounds
Loaded weight: 1,600 pounds.
Why a Bat?
When hunting or traveling in environments where visibility is poor, several species emit sound waves, then use their auditory systems to interpret reflected waves from prey or objects in their travel path. This ability is termed echolocation. By emitting a series of ultrasounds that either sweep from a high to low frequency or vary around a frequency, bats can distinguish, locate, and target prey.

The same idea applies to the Bat Missile. By transmitting radio waves, then interpreting the reflected waves with its radar receiver, the weapon guides itself to the target, even if the target moves after launch.

the Bat went overseas and eventually saw combat service in 1945, and destroyed several Japanese ships off the coast of Borneo including a destroyer. Several Bat Missiles were also fitted with modified radar systems and destroyed Japanese-held bridges in Burma and other areas. Thousands of Bat missiles were produced and went through several modifications.

max painless · Post by **max painless** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:19 pm

What is this puppy?

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 7:53 am

Hello Max!

I see that we're back to german missiles again.

This is the Ruhrstahl/Kramer X-4 wire-guided air-to-air missile. It was never used in combat since the BMW rocket engine factory was bombed and delayed production and delivery. Here's a nice pic on a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 equipped with two X-4 missiles for a test run in November 1944.

http://www.luft46.com

Regards,

Krollspell

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:50 am

Well, since Max is off celebrating Christmas, here's the link (and source) to verify that his provided picture indeed is the Kramer X-4: http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/arm/arm29.htm

Now enough of missiles and such things and back to persons involved in the war... Next (Christmas) question is as follows:

Who was this Gentleman in civilian clothes and wearing the Knight's Cross around his neck? Name, and what did he do to earn this high award?

Merry Christmas!

Krollspell

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:24 am

Hm... It's all the Christmas food maybe? Anyhow, time for a little clue then!

As you can see in the photograph, the Gentleman is saluting a Baton-waving officer in a maritime environment (the boat in the background) so yes, it has something to do with the Kriegsmarine... (I suppose you all see/guess who the Officer is?)

Regards,

Krollspell

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:08 am

Last clue then...

And this makes it real easy!

Osorno

Regards,

Krollspell

Doktor Krollspell · Post by **Doktor Krollspell** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:19 am

Well, I give up since it's a new year and all...

The answer to my riddle is Paul Hellmann, who was a Handelsmarine Kapitän on the MS "Osorno", a blockade breaker. Kapitän Hellmann recieved the Knight's Cross on 06.01.1944 from Grossadmiral Dönitz and was the first civilian, as a member of the Merchant navy, to recieve this prestigeous award. He later recieved the rank as Oberleutnant z. See in the Kriegsmarine.

Source for picture: http://presentations.uib.no/pls/portal/ ... _PART.show

I leave the field free for anyone to pose a photo question...

Regards,

Krollspell

Nordwest · Post by **Nordwest** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:40 am

Who is the Man in Civilian Clothes, receiving a very special Sword from H. Göring...?

Michael