Walther Johannes Riedel (January 23, 1903 - November 16, 1974) was a rocket engineer who worked on the German V-2 and Wasserfall rockets before later working for North American Aviation.
Walther Johannes Riedel (January 23, 1903 - November 16, 1974) was a rocket engineer who worked on the German V-2 and Wasserfall rockets before later working for North American Aviation.
In 1929, Riedel graduated from the Technische Hochschule in Berlin (now Technische Universität Berlin); From 1936 to 1946, he directed development of liquid-fueled rockets at Peenemünde. [1] [2] In 1942, Reidell was chief of design on the V-2. [3]
During the US occupation of Germany, Riedel was arrested and jailed. [4] German rocket scientists including Riedel were sent to the United States as part of Operation Paperclip. [5] In 1946, he was profiled for cooperating with authorities at Fort Bliss, Texas. [6] One article featured Riedel's complaints that American food was tasteless compared to that of his native Germany. [7] [8] On December 30, Albert Einstein and the American Federation of Scientists authored a letter in protest. [8] Riedel was employed by North American Aviation which sought to recreate and improve upon the V-2. [9]
In 1949, the United Press quoted Riedel's prediction of space ships in 25 years. [10] He was against profiled in 1949 for his work at North American Aviation's plant in Downey, California. [11] [12] Letters to the editor featured a complaint about the piece's positive treatment of Riedel. [13] [8]
In 1953, he was denounced by fellow NAA employee Victor Black, leading to an interview with the CIA. [14]
He returned to West Germany and died in Hamburg in 1974. [15]
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