Hitler’s Secret Weapon

For the first time since the beginning of the Second World War, Hitler was in a subordinate position. While the Allies in 1943, bombed German cities, Firer saw the solution for his problems in gun V-3, which was supposed to be the largest in the world. Impressive weapon, however, was never tested and had numerous technical deficiencies.

The principle of operation of German Super- gun is shrouded in secrecy today, because the weapons were mostly destroyed and very few photos that we could use to learn something more about this “super weapon”.

V-3 was made in giant bunker deep beneath the limestone in the north of France. According to the original concept, 25 tubes were turned towards London - located about 160 kilometers - where would be fired one bomb per minute and thus reverse the situation in Hitler’s favor.

Dr. Hugh Hunt from Cambridge University, who analyzed the photos of a cannon says that, according to the estimates of his team, a missile would hit London at a speed of 1,500 meters per second. Pipes of Hitler’s cannon were 130 meters long and they stood at an angle of 50 degrees - the ideal for reaching London.

The acceleration of the projectile was supposed to provide a range of filling the pipe. Very important was the precise timing of these additional charges, which, as it was assumed, should be achieved electrically.

Photos from that time, however, does not indicate the existence of electric cables or missile delivery systems, and experiments of Hunt's team suggests that the charging heat activated gas behind the projectile.

Hitler's engineers took pains to perfect timing, as Hunt assumed, probably due to leakage of hot gas behind the projectile. They were confronted with problems concerning the design, especially when training forms projectiles that was supposed to be streamlined at supersonic speeds.

They had another problems with the stability of the projectile (tube had grooves), but the first tests showed that the projectile jump around. It is known that this problem has not been solved.

The Allies did not know about super canon until Canadian forces not trampled place after the Normandy invasion, but they knew that the Germans are investing enormous resources at this place. The Americans planned to attack by "drone" heavy bomber, with 12 tons of explosives on the remote control. The plan was to overthrow the plane directly to the Nazi military complex near Calais. The mission, dubbed "Project Anvil", was, however, unhappy ended.