Sound beam as an energy weapon in WW2

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Hi there,

I am interested in a project that was sponsored by the Speer Ministry aimed at the production of a sound beam so intense it would render troops unfit for combat at ranges up to 15 kilometers.

Do you have any info on this?
 
Dazzle, once more the go to resource is Dr. Todd Rider's book, Forgotten Creators. You can download it for free at the following link:


From page 2832ff, Appendix C, Advanced Creations in Directed Energy:

Archival Citation: CIOS XXXII-77 = NavTecMisEu 198-45. The Production of Intense Audio Sounds by an Intermittent Flame. (CIOS was the "Combined Intelligence Operations Subcommittee" and NavTecMisEu was the US Navy's "Naval Technical Mission, Europe". -- WP)

SUMMARY

A project was sponsored by the Speer Ministry aimed at the production of a sound beam so intense it would render troops unfit for combat at ranges up to 15 kilometers. This project, which was pursued for two years, culminated in the development of an 800 cycle generator capable of producing a sound pressure of 1,000 microbars 60 meters from the source. Although this was a very loud source of sound, its effective range was found to be not over 100 meters. The details of the generator, which was based on an intermittent flame principle, is of some scientific interest.

1. Introduction

The information contained in this report was obtained during an interrogation of Dr. Richard Wallauschek who was a member of the Hochtal Laboratory at Lofer, Austria. This laboratory, which has been in existence since 1943, was a pet project of Reichsminister Speer and was originally known as Forschungsstelle-S. Major Barisani was director of the laboratory but during the closing weeks of the war Dr. Zippermayr was made a co-director. The laboratory employed about fifty people. The development of intense sources of sound was the first major project assigned to the Hochtal Laboratory. The project was based on ideas of Dr. Walkhoff who convinced the Speer Ministry that enemy troops could be rendered unfit for combat by intense sound beams at ranges up to 15 to 20 kilometers. Dr. Wallauschek, formerly of Telefunken, was relieved from the Army to head to the project. Realizing the absurdity of the basic assumption, he agreed only to develop the loudest source of sound he could and make such tests as were required, a job he succeeded in extending over a period of two years. The source of sound, finally evolved, was based upon the well-known principle of the intermittent flame. The frequency of the flame was controlled by a quarter wave-length resonant tube closely coupled to the combustion chamber. The sound was formed into a beam by use of a parabolic reflector. The best model built was capable of producing a sound pressure of 1000 microbars at 800 cps at a distance of 60 meters from the generator.

More to follow....
 
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2. Description of the Apparatus

The apparatus is composed of two parts: a sound generator and a parabolic reflector. The external appearance of the part is shown in Fig. 1a. An explanation of the operation of the sound generator will be made with the help of the schematic diagram, Fig. 2a. It consists of a combustion chamber and a resonant tube coupled together, plus a water jacket which surrounds the entire unit. The combustion chamber is shown at the left end of Fig. 2a. Oxygen at a pressure of 6 atmospheres is introduced into the combustion chamber through an axially located tube having a 6 mm orifice. Methane is introduced at the same pressure through a second tube located near the side of the chamber. This gas is made to pass through a set of vanes which causes it to assume a whirling motion before it reaches the combustion region near the orifice of the oxygen tube. The arrangement of the vanes is illustrated in Figure 2b.

The rate of combustion is made to vary by the use of a quarter wave-length resonant tube acoustically coupled to the combustion chamber. The resonant tube has a small conical flare. The exact rate of flare has no significant effect upon the action of the device as long as its valve is small. The tube acts as if the right end is free and the left end blocked so that the fundamental resonance of the pipe is such that its length is equal to a quarter of a wave-length. A standing wave within the pipe produces fluctuations in pressure within the combustion chamber, which fluctuations will cause the rate of combustion to vary at the same frequency. The periodic release of thermal energy serves to maintain the system in oscillation. In order to increase the thermo-dynamical efficiency of the unit, both the combustion chamber and the resonant tube are surrounded by a pocket through which water is circulated, thus cooling the combustion products as they pass through the combustion chamber. An approximate equal-pressure contour of the sound field produced by the generator above is shown in Figure 3. It is obvious that most of the sound is propagated radially from the sound generator, that is to say, a “disk” of sound is produced. The absence of propagation in the axial direction is caused by the well-known phenomenon of the scattering of sound by hot columns of gases. The purpose of the original project was to produce a beam of sound—not a “disk” of sound. In order to produce a beam, the sound generator is mounted along the axis of a parabolic mirror with the open end of the resonant tube located in the focal plane. When so mounted, the contour of the sound field is changed from the disk of Figure 3 to the conical beam of Figure 4. This beam is neither narrow (as shown by the 30o spread between the first minima) nor highly directive (as shown by the 3 to 1 ratio of amplitudes between the main beam and the first side lobe). Several models using the above principles were constructed which varied in operating frequency from 400 to 1000 cps. The most powerful unit built operated at 800 cps and used the larger of the parabolic mirrors shown in Figure 1b, the diameter of which was 320 cm. This unit was able to produce a pressure of 1000 microbars on the axis of the main beam 60 meters from the generator. The development thus culminated in a powerful source of sound radiating over 100 watts of acoustical energy.

Remarks

The device failed in its original objective, as might have been expected, for it was concluded that it would be of no military value at ranges greater than 100 meters. The project is of importance because it furnishes concrete evidence of the failure of an idea after proposed as a military weapon. Furthermore, this method of producing intense audio frequency sounds in air may be of some scientific interest.

Prepared by: H. M. TRENT, Technician.
 
Hi WilliamJPellas,

thank you very much indeed for your extensive answer on this, for providing the link to forgottenCreators and also the great pictures on this subject. I grealty appreciate.
 
Both Japan and Germany attempted to develop DEW (Directed Energy Weapons) during WWII, and both reached the laboratory / prototype stage. Japan had in mind to use its microwave beams to literally turn off American bomber engines in mid-flight, whereas Germany appears to have intended its sound wave emitters for use against enemy troops, though there is also evidence of German DEW's that would have been used against aircraft had they been sufficiently powerful.

Japanese DEW's were tested against monkeys and they were strong enough to kill them at short range. Germany used other monkeys as passengers on V-2's and shot them into space. Wonder what the Axis had against monkeys?!? ;)
 
Both Japan and Germany attempted to develop DEW (Directed Energy Weapons) during WWII, and both reached the laboratory / prototype stage. Japan had in mind to use its microwave beams to literally turn off American bomber engines in mid-flight, whereas Germany appears to have intended its sound wave emitters for use against enemy troops, though there is also evidence of German DEW's that would have been used against aircraft had they been sufficiently powerful.
Speaking about Japanese microwave beams, I think they would've gotten a much better result if they had realized that the targets should be radars, not engines. A strong microwave emitter at a certain frequency used by a certain radar is basically a radar jammer of that particular radar. IIRC, this development didn't happen and the US never encountered any Japanese radar jammer, according to US post-war reports of radar countermeasures.
 
Now, an early digest size Guinnese book had a 400 db device that could cut blocks at Marshall Space Flight. Phys.org had a story about sonic levitation. Maybe an acoustic sled in place of a magnetic one, perhaps?
 
Now, an early digest size Guinnese book had a 400 db device that could cut blocks at Marshall Space Flight. Phys.org had a story about sonic levitation. Maybe an acoustic sled in place of a magnetic one, perhaps?
Acoustic levitation is indeed a very interesting phenomenon.
 
Both Japan and Germany attempted to develop DEW (Directed Energy Weapons) during WWII, and both reached the laboratory / prototype stage. Japan had in mind to use its microwave beams to literally turn off American bomber engines in mid-flight, whereas Germany appears to have intended its sound wave emitters for use against enemy troops, though there is also evidence of German DEW's that would have been used against aircraft had they been sufficiently powerful.

Japanese DEW's were tested against monkeys and they were strong enough to kill them at short range. Germany used other monkeys as passengers on V-2's and shot them into space. Wonder what the Axis had against monkeys?!? ;)


From January 1945: Preliminary Report on Suspected Magnetic Ray. This was the result of a P-38 flying near a transmitter tower near Frankfurt of unknown type and experiencing engine and electrical system problems. The report was stamped Secret and produced by Headquarters, United States Strategic Air Forces Europe (Rear), Office of the Director of Intelligence. The Germans called this Motorstoppmittel. A document from June 1944 was titled Engine Interference by Electro-Magnetic Disturbances. It was subtitled: Project 1217, Investigation into German Possible Use of Rays to Neutralize Allied Aircraft Motors.

"In a Top Secret report entitled "Engine Interference Counter-Measures"
addressed to the Director, Air Technical Service Command, Wright
Field, Dayton, Ohio, reference was made to OSS discussions about a
German unit somewhere near Frankfurt/Main operating:

".....an influence interfering with conventional aircraft.....however
incredible it may appear to project from the ground to a height of
30,000 feet sufficient magnetic energy to interfere with the
functioning of the ignition system of an airplane, it must be
concluded that the enemy not only intends to interfere with our
aircraft by some immaterial means, but has also succeeded in
accomplishing this intention...."
 
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Ed, that is terrific information, thank you. You have done your homework, sir!

What are your thoughts regarding a possible connection between German DEW's and the "Foo Fighter" phenomenon?
 
Ed, that is terrific information, thank you. You have done your homework, sir!

What are your thoughts regarding a possible connection between German DEW's and the "Foo Fighter" phenomenon?

The story of the Foo Fighter is muddled. You may be familiar with electrostatic phenomena. It may be possible that a balloon with internal lighting was maneuvered using microwaves. I have seen a photo of a German balloon that had short, projecting antennas. This was likely used to study atmospheric conditions. There were reports of something similar in Japan. I have seen a published photo of a lighted object coming up to meet an American bomber stream.
 
Both Japan and Germany attempted to develop DEW (Directed Energy Weapons) during WWII, and both reached the laboratory / prototype stage. Japan had in mind to use its microwave beams to literally turn off American bomber engines in mid-flight, whereas Germany appears to have intended its sound wave emitters for use against enemy troops, though there is also evidence of German DEW's that would have been used against aircraft had they been sufficiently powerful.

Japanese DEW's were tested against monkeys and they were strong enough to kill them at short range. Germany used other monkeys as passengers on V-2's and shot them into space. Wonder what the Axis had against monkeys?!? ;)


From January 1945: Preliminary Report on Suspected Magnetic Ray. This was the result of a P-38 flying near a transmitter tower near Frankfurt of unknown type and experiencing engine and electrical system problems. The report was stamped Secret and produced by Headquarters, United States Strategic Air Forces Europe (Rear), Office of the Director of Intelligence. The Germans called this Motorstoppmittel. A document from June 1944 was titled Engine Interference by Electro-Magnetic Disturbances. It was subtitled: Project 1217, Investigation into German Possible Use of Rays to Neutralize Allied Aircraft Motors.

"In a Top Secret report entitled "Engine Interference Counter-Measures"
addressed to the Director, Air Technical Service Command, Wright
Field, Dayton, Ohio, reference was made to OSS discussions about a
German unit somewhere near Frankfurt/Main operating:

".....an influence interfering with conventional aircraft.....however
incredible it may appear to project from the ground to a height of
30,000 feet sufficient magnetic energy to interfere with the
functioning of the ignition system of an airplane, it must be
concluded that the enemy not only intends to interfere with our
aircraft by some immaterial means, but has also succeeded in
accomplishing this intention...."
Hi Ed, that might also be the reason why the Germans developed a fully shielded spark plug for their vehicles. In Germany there was this little company called Elemag, in Hildesheim (buildings of it are still standing) which looked into such devices. However the question is, what did the Germans really term "Magnetische Strahlung" at this time. Might it be a forerunner of E.M.P. devices?
 
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The Electro-Magnetic Pulse means being able to transmit enough electromagnetic energy to interfere with or disable an electronic device or system. The term radio jamming is used but what does that mean in practice? If the enemy is broadcasting on a certain frequency at a certain power level, you then broadcast on that same frequency at a higher power level with noise or static so that the transmission cannot be heard by the intended recipient. Microwave radar was also jammed. I have seen a photo of jamming equipment on an American bomber. "Electronic warfare" occurred during World War II but aspects of it are still classified, partly, I would think, because the same or similar eqipment could still be used today.
 
What are your thoughts regarding a possible connection between German DEW's and the "Foo Fighter" phenomenon?

The story of the Foo Fighter is muddled. You may be familiar with electrostatic phenomena. It may be possible that a balloon with internal lighting was maneuvered using microwaves. I have seen a photo of a German balloon that had short, projecting antennas. This was likely used to study atmospheric conditions. There were reports of something similar in Japan. I have seen a published photo of a lighted object coming up to meet an American bomber stream.
Sounds silly, but could 'Foo Fighters' have been 'genuine' weather / sounding balloons (*) AKA 'Sondes', still used to determine cross-winds etc at various altitudes ? Such prompt data would seriously reduce 'dispersion', enhance kill-rate of AAA...

To be tracked visually, eg by theodolite stations, they'd need to carry a flare or similar...

*) As opposed to the many 'Cold War' mega-Mylar 'Weather Balloons', their 'Classified' payloads such as fall-out sniffers and mapping cameras, and their oft-mischievous cover stories...
 
One USAAF bomber pilot decided that Foo Fighters, glowing balls of light, were sent up to increase flak accuracy. They could have been carrying a flare. Neither the British or the Americans would admit what they were - officially. But they were seen.
 
Renamed topic. It started dubiously and has only gotten worse. Sonic weapons were investigated several times and never turned out to be practical.
 
Renamed topic. It started dubiously and has only gotten worse. Sonic weapons were investigated several times and never turned out to be practical.
LRAD seems to work just fine as a way to get protestors and Dollar Store Somali sea pirates and the like to disperse.
 
If I recall correctly, reports of naval technical mission to Japan mention the Japanese attempt to develope a "direct action radar proximity fuze". I.e. the fuze in the shell was supposed to carry an antenna, directly energized by the very powerful ground microwave radar with large-diameter dish. As far as I could understood, the idea was that the ground radar tracked the target, and when shells entered radar beam, there would be enough current generated on their antennas to detonate them. Definitely not very practical.

Could it be mistaken by someone for "death ray" weapon, I wonder?
 
A better use might be as dialed up noise cancelation perhaps? Aim a beam of sound on a launch pad or similar noise makers to reduce vibration and increase service life? Perhaps flame trenchs themselves could have adjustable venturi to quiet launches.
 
One USAAF bomber pilot decided that Foo Fighters, glowing balls of light, were sent up to increase flak accuracy. They could have been carrying a flare. Neither the British or the Americans would admit what they were - officially. But they were seen.
Interesting thought. I know the Germans used also bright glowing objects, shot in the air, hanging on parachutes to light up the sky to see the bomber formations to shoot at.
 
The rounded wings like a van de Graff bell ionising the wing-tip vortices? Maybe radials generated them more than water cooled?
 
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If you do something with the purpose of annoying your neighbour: your neighbour is living rent-free in your head.
 

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