photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Wintermeer | all galleries >> Germany >> Summer Escape 2016 > The Secret beneath Haigerloch Castle
previous | next
20-AUG-2016

The Secret beneath Haigerloch Castle

Haigerloch Castle gained notoriety for an experiment conducted in 1944. Due to the allied forces advancing towards Berlin, the research group around Werner Heisenberg moved to far-off-the-grid Haigerloch to continue their research in nuclear physics. This experiment, called "B8", was set up in a beer cellar underneath the castle. B8 was a subcritical set up to measure neutron flow- it is not a "reactor" in truest sense of the word, since it was never designed to go critical, i.e. to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. In fact the experiment B8 never even got as far as the work done by Fermi in Chicago in 1942.In 1945 Haigerloch was a target for the famous ALSOS- missions. Nowadays the cellar contains a model of the B8 set up together with a small exhibition on the topic.
While the idea of Nazi super weapons, ( a la Captain America) being developed in a secret cavern makes exciting movie plots, I have to say this is all they have ever managed. And as a child of the 80es I have to say I am damn glad that the Nazis never got their hands on a working nuclear weapon


other sizes: small medium original auto
Buz Kiefer07-Mar-2017 15:18
Great piece of little known WW II history and a beautiful photo of this deadly step. Very nice highlights. Vote.
Bill Miller05-Mar-2017 19:43
It makes a nice chandelier...
laine05-Mar-2017 16:53
It could have been an entirely different outcome...a scary thought.
Tom Munson05-Mar-2017 16:17
Terrific image and interesting commentary.
Walter Otto Koenig05-Mar-2017 16:04
Fascinating to see this. I had no idea that they did this at Haigerloch. In fact, before you posted an image a few days ago, I was not even aware of the castle. I am with you, glad that they did not get nuclear weapons, because they would have used them for sure.
janescottcumming05-Mar-2017 15:39
Some fascinating information to go along with this photo. I think we could all use some history lessons to make sure we are not going down roads we have been down before. Yes, a very good thing the Nazis never got their hands on nuclear weapons.
Marcia Colelli05-Mar-2017 12:58
Wonderful capture and excellent history lesson. I am so glad they never got their hands on the Nuclear Weapons also. V
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment