Posts: 797
From: Salzburg, Austria
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-14-2023 02:15 AM               

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The first A-4 flight test model exploded during a static firing.

According to the German Wikipedia this happened on 16 March 1942, according to English Wikipedia it happened on 18 March 1942. Does anybody know what is true?

Posts: 58
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023

posted 07-14-2023 04:07 AM            

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I have reviewed all my notes, and I have four sources for this event, one primary and three secondary.

Dornberger doesn't mention this specific incident ("V2," published 1954), neither does Gregory Kennedy ("Germany's V-2 Rocket," published 2006).

Both Astronautix (current webpage), and Neufeld ("The Rocket and the Reich" p158-160, published 1995) have 18th March 1942 for when A4/V1 exploded on test stand vii at Peenemunde East.

As you can see, I have no date from a primary source, but two of my secondary sources (both reliable, but neither infallible) give 18th March 1942. Given that your only source for the 16th March date is a secondary source with no primary quoted I think it most likely that this is a typo.

Posts: 797
From: Salzburg, Austria
Registered: Jun 2003