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mrerick · 01-12-2011, 09:30 PM

I heard it like this:

May 2, 1945

Early that morning, Werner noticed that the SS Guards that were protecting him had all disappeared. He'd been holed up for a week at the abandoned ski lodge "Haus Ingeburg" high in the Bavarian Alps – and this made it clear that something had changed.

Werner, who'se arm was broken, asked his brother to help find the Americans since the last thing he wanted to encounted today was a Russian patrol. Magnus was only 26 years old, but he spoke better English than anyone else in the family. As Magnus rode his bicycle down the mountain road he thought about the amazing events that had led to this. Just as he crossed the Austrian boarder, he found himself staring down the barrel of an American private's M-1 Garand rifle...

Pfc. Fred Schneikert of the Anti-Tank company in the 324th Infantry spoke German well. He listened to the young man's story and thought he was a little crazy. Lieutenant Charles L. Stewart realized that Magnus' story was legitimate, and he gave him safe conduct passes to return to the scientists and bring the back to American lines. Magnus left and returned a short time later with Maj. Gen. Walther Dornberger of the German General Staff, and a dozen scientists including Werner Von Braun.

The German rocket scientists were quite valuable to the Americans. Major General Doctor Dornberger wasnt. What he did have was a beautiful German Luger, in dirty but unfired condition. As the scientists left the camp, he was relieved of his valuable, if muddy firearm.

Von Braun and his team brought supplies from Peenemunde that could establish their identity as rocket scientists. When the team discovered these stores, and started going through them, several cans of liquid were encountered. Upon opening a couple, it was clear that they were some kind of rocket fuel components. One smelled like naptha. The other like fuel oil.

Thinking it was good luck to find solvents like this, the Luger was washed with the fuel oil. Nothing seemed to happen. The dirt remained in place. Not wanting to scratch the beautiful Luger, rather than brush it, it was removed from the fuel oil, and the naptha was pored on it. The beautiful Luger immediately started smoking and burst into flames.

The result, less several ounces of hardened steel, is what you see before you today. Proof that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to clean a Luger!

Marc

01-12-2011, 09:30 PM	#18
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	I heard it like this: May 2, 1945 Early that morning, Werner noticed that the SS Guards that were protecting him had all disappeared. He'd been holed up for a week at the abandoned ski lodge "Haus Ingeburg" high in the Bavarian Alps – and this made it clear that something had changed. Werner, who'se arm was broken, asked his brother to help find the Americans since the last thing he wanted to encounted today was a Russian patrol. Magnus was only 26 years old, but he spoke better English than anyone else in the family. As Magnus rode his bicycle down the mountain road he thought about the amazing events that had led to this. Just as he crossed the Austrian boarder, he found himself staring down the barrel of an American private's M-1 Garand rifle... Pfc. Fred Schneikert of the Anti-Tank company in the 324th Infantry spoke German well. He listened to the young man's story and thought he was a little crazy. Lieutenant Charles L. Stewart realized that Magnus' story was legitimate, and he gave him safe conduct passes to return to the scientists and bring the back to American lines. Magnus left and returned a short time later with Maj. Gen. Walther Dornberger of the German General Staff, and a dozen scientists including Werner Von Braun. The German rocket scientists were quite valuable to the Americans. Major General Doctor Dornberger wasnt. What he did have was a beautiful German Luger, in dirty but unfired condition. As the scientists left the camp, he was relieved of his valuable, if muddy firearm. Von Braun and his team brought supplies from Peenemunde that could establish their identity as rocket scientists. When the team discovered these stores, and started going through them, several cans of liquid were encountered. Upon opening a couple, it was clear that they were some kind of rocket fuel components. One smelled like naptha. The other like fuel oil. Thinking it was good luck to find solvents like this, the Luger was washed with the fuel oil. Nothing seemed to happen. The dirt remained in place. Not wanting to scratch the beautiful Luger, rather than brush it, it was removed from the fuel oil, and the naptha was pored on it. The beautiful Luger immediately started smoking and burst into flames. The result, less several ounces of hardened steel, is what you see before you today. Proof that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to clean a Luger! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.