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ALS in German,, four pages, 8 x 10.5, March 11, 1948. Handwritten letter to "Herr Dr. Dornberger," Walter Dornberger—formerly the head of the V-2 rocket program in Nazi Germany, who also emigrated to the United States under Operation Paperclip—sent from Fort Bliss. Three years earlier, in September 1945, von Braun and other members of the Peenemünde team signed a work contract with the United States Army Ordnance Corps and were transferred from Germany to the United States in 'Operation Paperclip.' Von Braun and much of his team were stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas, training personnel on rockets and missiles while studying potential future rocket applications. Dornberger was attached to the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, working on the development of guided missiles.
In part (translated): "For weeks on end I have been suffering from a very guilty conscience because I have not yet answered your long and very nice letter from the 20th of December. But I laughed heartily yesterday when your letter of 5 March (postmarked 8 March) arrived. The conclusion from my lack of communication that I, thank God, have not changed was 'best old Dopey style.' So I boldly come to the same conclusion: that you, too, remain unchanged—'the old man.'
I have recently have had some trouble here that has driven my arrears of correspondence sky high. This is my tired excuse. The trouble was not of a technical nature, as it so often the case with technical endeavors. Rather it stemmed from the cramped working conditions in our shop. Strange, in view of all the headaches we had to have—men behind the wire with families facing great uncertainty to some degree, inadequate communication by mail, etc.—our shop has been our heart and soul: a good body of men coalesced in good and bad, in hardship and alcohol. Since we have ladies among us, there has been gossip, envy, and resentment. And to get the situation under control is more difficult than flying to the stars.
Now, thank God, the storm clouds have blown over somewhat and we can breathe easier. Let's hope that nice weather awaits us. I am enclosing your questionnaire for the history book, which I filled out as my memory allowed.
Now to your latest letter. Today I discussed the question of your coming here with our commanding officer, Major James P. Howell, and gave him your letter to read. As it turned out, Washington had just brought the matter to his attention. He thinks very positively in this regard and asked me my opinion. Naturally I replied very positively as well. He will doubtless answer Washington, and what decision will come of it remains to be seen. I certainly hope, however, that things will work out and that we will be able to greet you here soon. It goes without saying that you will stay with Maria and me, at least for a time. Right? Maria is very much looking forward to this and will prepare the room set aside for our first child (yet to arrive) for your arrival.
Concerning the possibility you implied that I might be worried, in light of your earlier position, that difficulties could arise between us, I believe I need say very little. We stuck together for 13 years through thick and thin, and that is a lot longer than the crisis years (seven) that people attribute to a marriage. I feel rather that your personal authority can be a strong stabilizing factor for our men in the shop, this can only lighten the situation for me if we stand firmly together like we always have. Hoping that we will really see each other again soon." In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing and staining, primarily on the first page.
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