Failure To Launch

Mittelwerk, Hitler's Rocket Factory: Part 1

Sep 25, 2025
Explore the dark beginnings of Nazi rocket technology with tales of the VfR amateur club and the political infighting that shaped Peenemünde. Discover how key figures like Walter Dornberger recruited talent from the VfR and navigated Nazi bureaucracy, all while Hitler's indifference shifted to obsession. Hear about the challenges faced in securing resources and manpower, and how the A4 project turned into a dangerous priority for the regime. Dive into the grim realities surrounding the birth of modern rocketry amidst war and moral dilemmas.
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INSIGHT

Amateur Clubs Fed Rocket Programs

  • Early amateur rocket clubs created the talent pipeline behind WWII and Cold War rocketry.
  • Many future key engineers started in clubs like Germany's VFR and then moved into state programs.
INSIGHT

Rockets And Politics Intertwined

  • The VFR was political from early on, with members split on Nazism.
  • Rockets' futuristic appeal meshed with Nazi technocratic propaganda, drawing enthusiasts politically closer to the regime.
ANECDOTE

Army Recruits VFR's Best

  • Walter Dornberger invited promising VFR members to work for the army after a failed public demonstration.
  • He offered pay and scholarships and effectively recruited von Braun, Rudolph, and Riedel into military programs.
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