Episode 78 - Operation Crossbow, V2 rockets and, a road trip to Peenemunde

In this latest episode of "Battling with Business," Chris and Gareth take listeners on the road as they visit Peenemünde in northern Germany. The episode captures their reflections from various locations, including the car on the autobahn, the grounds of the Peenemünde site, and inside some of its buildings.

Chris and Gareth delve into the dark history of the German 'Wonder Weapons' programs, highlighting the suffering and loss of life endured by prisoners of war forced into slave labour. They also explore the technological advancements of the rocket programs, debating their tactical, operational, and strategic impacts. This leads to a broader discussion on how organizations can assess the value of investing in high-risk programs. Gareth draws comparisons between the V1 and V2 rocket programs and the Manhattan Project, noting the differences between the authoritarian, stovepiped approach of the former and the collaborative, dispersed nature of the latter.

The episode also covers Operation Crossbow, the successful Allied efforts to thwart the German super-weapons program. As the conversation shifts to the post-war period, Chris and Gareth address the moral and ethical complexities surrounding the exploitation of German rocket science during the Cold War. They discuss Operation Paperclip, the US initiative to recruit German scientists, which ultimately contributed to the NASA space program and the Apollo moon landings.