Editing Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg (section)

== Operational history ==

=== Training ===
Trainees were initially prepared using ordinary gliders to get them used to handling unpowered flight; specially-adapted gliders with shortened wings would be used to provide more advanced training. Amongst other things, these adaptations enabled them to dive at speeds of up to {{convert|300|km/h|mph}}.<ref name = "chris 212"/><ref name = "Mantelli 47">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 47.</ref> Once sufficient proficiency had been demonstrated, the last stage of training would be conducted using the dual-control R-II.<ref name=hyland221 /> According to Christopher, there was no shortage of volunteers for the programme despite the open acknowledgement that the mission involved their near-certain demise.<ref name = "chris 212">Christopher 2012, p. 212.</ref>

Training began on the R-I and R-II and, although landing them on a skid was difficult, the aircraft handled well and it was anticipated that the Leonidas Squadron would soon be using the machines. On 28 July 1944, [[Albert Speer]] wrote to Hitler, stating his opposition to the wasting of both men and machines on the Allies in France and suggested their deployment to be more worthwhile against [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] power stations on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]].<ref name=hyland221 /><ref name = "Mantelli 47"/> These were not the only alternative targets that were proposed; other potential uses for the Fi 103R included ramming enemy bombers. Such was the interest in this latter role that formal evaluations were conducted in the final months of the conflict.<ref name = "renneberg walker123">Renneberg and Walker 1999, p. 123.</ref>

=== Test flights ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 141-2733, Neu Tramm, US-Soldaten mit V4.jpg|thumb|right|US troops inspect Fieseler Fi 103R at Neu Tramm 1945]]
During September 1944, the first real flight was performed at the [[Rechlin-Lärz Airfield|''Erprobungsstelle Rechlin'']], the Reichenberg being dropped from a [[Heinkel He 111]].<ref name = "chris 211"/> However, this flight ended in a crash, which was attributed to the pilot having lost control of the aircraft after accidentally jettisoning the canopy. The next day, a second flight was conducted that also ended in a crash. The technical department struggled to explain these losses, although there were suspicions that the Fi 103R's flight characteristics could make landing particularly challenging.<ref name = "Mantelli 478">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, pp. 47-48.</ref>

Seeking to avoid further accidents while also hoping to uncover the source of these difficulties, further test flights were carried out by Heinz Kensche and [[Hanna Reitsch]], both of whom were particularly accomplished test pilots.<ref name = "Mantelli 48"/><ref name = "bishop 320"/> Reitsch herself experienced several crashes, which she survived unscathed.<ref name=hyland221 /> On 5 November 1944, during the second test flight of the R-III, a wing detached from the aircraft due to the vibrations; Kensche managed to parachute to safety, albeit with some difficulty due to the cramped cockpit.<ref name=zaloga39>Zaloga 2005, p. 39.</ref> It was concluded that the Fi 103R had a relatively high [[stall speed]] and that pilots, unaware of this, had been attempting to land at speeds that were too slow for the aircraft to maintain stable flight.<ref name = "Mantelli 467"/><ref name = "bishop 320"/>

=== Cancellation ===
During October 1944, [[Werner Baumbach]] assumed command of KG 200, and quickly opted to shelve the Reichenberg in favour of the [[Mistel]] project.<ref name = "chris 2123">Christopher 2012, pp. 212-213.</ref> By this point, the Allies had consolidated their position in France and thus the value of attacking potential invasion fleets was no longer considered to be as pressing as dealing with land warfare.<ref name = "chris 212"/> On 15 March 1945, in a meeting between Baumbach, Speer, and Hitler, the latter was convinced that suicide missions were not part of the German warrior tradition; later that same day, Baumbach ordered the disbandment of the Reichenberg unit.<ref name=zaloga39/><ref name = "Mantelli 48">Mantelli, Brown, Kittel and Graf 2017, p. 48.</ref>