Comments on: Wernher von Braun: It Isn't Rocket Surgery

By: Mermoz

Mermoz — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 09:32:23 +0000

Bock, I'd highly recommend a book called The Griffin (by Arthur Kramish), which tells the true story of Paul Rosbaud. He was a high profile scientist with connections to the very top scientists of his time including Neils Bohr, Cockroft, and of course Von Braun and the very elite of Nazi society. From that position, he actively and secretly fought against Naziism and his efforts led to the leaking of the blueprints for the V2 rocket and detailed analysis of it's design and manufacture at Peenamunde. He was also critical to Germany not developing nuclear weapons in advance of the Allies. Rosbaud is a largely forgotten hero of the fight against fascism in Europe.

By: dragging canoe

dragging canoe — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:18:56 +0000

Interesting discussion.

I think Von Braun can be described as someone with a noble dream who made a deal with the devil to get it. He did not round up and enslave the political/ethnic prisoners, but he used them to complete his work. Would they have ended up with the same fate at some other concentration/work camp? Probably. However, that does not excuse his collaboration with the Nazi slavers. He was a brilliant man, but he was also a man who compromised doing what is right with what served his personal goals. Many of us are guilty of that same sin over our lives at some point. Of course, I hope most of us would not be so selfish as to achieve our goals using slave labor.

I don't think Von Braun should be treated with the kind of comptempt we normally reserve for the truly evil like Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Khan. Von Braun can be admired for his brillance with the realization that his hero status is diminished by his weakness of pursuing a goal at all cost including using slave labor. Of course if the man had left Germany as soon as the Nazi's took control and later achieved rocket success in a free country, he truly would be a hero. However, not many people turn out to be true heros. Most people have dark marks on thier record. For example, Franklin Roosevelt is one of the greatest U.S. presidents in my opion. He tried to give work to the poor in the Depression, greatly aided conservation of natural resources, and led the U.S. in the joint effort of the Allies against the Axis powers. However, he incarcerated thousands of Japanese Americans in concentration camps based on nationality rather than evidence of enemy colaboration. Most were released in healthy condition after the war, but they had lost their land and business during the internment. That stains his legacy but not as much as Von Braun's is stained by the use of slave labor. I still view FDR as hero who had some significant faults. Von Braun can not be considered a hero, but he can be admired as the man who got humanity to the moon and helped give us the spinoff technology.

I live fairly close to the Marshal Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama USA. Von Braun designed rockets there for many years and is revered there. I think a healthy addition to the local visitor center would be an exhibit discussing the man's mixed legacy including discussion of his use of slave labor.

By: America’s ‘Progressive’ Angels of Death

America’s ‘Progressive’ Angels of Death — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:05:32 +0000

[...] Most famously, Wernher von Braun—who went from launching V-2 rockets in Peenemünde, Germany, to heading up NASA’s space program for the US. The V-2 rockets he worked on, killed or injured thousands of people in England—mostly civilians. Thousands died working as slave labor making the rockets, as well. (Link) [...]

By: America’s “Angel(s) of Death” « Marions space

America’s “Angel(s) of Death” « Marions space — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:59:34 +0000

By: Ken

Ken — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:23:18 +0000

I make a point of making my audiences (older ones-high school/college, anyway) aware of the 'minds behind the mission' that put us on the moon in 1969-1972. For all of you, three simple words: knowledge is power.
Right or wrong, it is what it is. Terrorist, or 'backseat buddy' in a motorcade w/ the US President?
Depends on who is writing the history, I suppose. And whose propaganda is blasted into your ears and heart.
Final clip-part six of the TV program 'Mars and Beyond', which shows Von Braun/Von Stolinger detailing the plans for a large scale mission to Mars. Funny how both Goering and Von braun ended up with fibers around the neck…

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:21:41 +0000

Just wanted to make it clear that I am not the Steve who made the retarded remark at #36, as a semi-regular ranter on these forums I'd hate to be confused with someone else, time for a new handle methinks.

By: C'est La Craic

C'est La Craic — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:39:59 +0000

Could be worse John, it could be Gay jewish propangda and I've a feeling that would really set someone like you off.

By: Bock

Bock — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:17:00 +0000

That's right. Jewish propaganda about the Jews murdered at Dora Mittelbau in support of Braun's rocket project.

There's only one answer to people like you. Fuck off.

By: John rochefort

John rochefort — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:44:55 +0000

well this article is Straight jewish propaganda if you really did know anything about Von Braun you would know he is the farurthest thing from a nazi

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:22:52 +0000

You flatter yourself with the word "write"- that is all I am saying.

I am beginning to think I should give this blogging stuff a go – because it must be a dawdle if you can get away with putting up stuff like this.

In fairness, not all of your articles are this bad.