August 13, 1946🇬🇧Military Encounter
CongressionalHistorical
London, Stockholm: Military Intelligence Coordination on Ghost Rockets
US Army intelligence leadership requests comprehensive ghost rocket documentation from European military attachés across multiple capitals. Multiple potential launch sites in Eastern Europe are identified and evaluated.
Background
Intelligence Coordination Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Chamberlin, Army assistant chief of staff for intelligence, initiated top-secret requests to military attachés in London, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, and Copenhagen following a Hungarian report from August 6. The requests sought comprehensive listings of all ghost rocket sightings and information on V-3 and V-4 missile programs.
Reported Evidence The Oslo military attaché reported that a Soviet vessel in the north Baltic Sea transmitted coded communications to shore stations regarding the phenomena. Intelligence gathered from Moscow and other European officials suggested multiple possible origins.
Suspected Launch Sites Analysts proposed several potential launch locations: Hiiumaa island, Estonia; Latvia; Peenemünde, Germany; Parikkala, Finland; and Łeba, Poland. Gen. Joseph T. McNarney of US Forces in Europe Theater identified Peenemünde as likely, noting the site had been recently refurbished. The Stockholm naval attaché favored Łeba as the launch site.
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