The threat to get enemies “out of the ground” sounds weighty and means that the plan will be implemented in any case, even at the cost of incredible efforts.
Having made submarines a reality, humanity began to think about subterins. At the same time, the history of the creation of underground boats is full of secrets and detective twists.
Where did Peter Rasskazov go?
What happened to the inventor of subterins is not fully known.
In 1904, he submitted an article to a British magazine describing the idea of a mobile underground apparatus. Further information about the fate of Rasskazov is contradictory.
According to one of them, Rasskazov in 1918 was shot by a German spy who stole his development. There is a version that this happened a year earlier, when the engineer disappeared without a trace. The rebellious 1905 is also blamed, when Rasskazov allegedly died on the street from a stray bullet … And the drawings disappeared with him.
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Why are "underground boats" called "moles"?
The figure of the next developer, already Soviet, is also shrouded in mystery. His name was Alexander Trebelev, and according to German archives - Trebelevsky. He was posted to pre-war Germany and worked with another engineer, Horner von Wern.
Trebelev conceived the creation of a peaceful machine - for geological exploration and laying communications. The basis of his "subway" was a biological model - a mole; using X-rays, the scientist watched a mole dig a tunnel.
This is how the "Steel Mole" was born - with a drill at the head end, ground abduction with the help of spiral screws and "hind legs" - giving support and direction of movement.
Where did the joint development go?
Trebelev was recalled from a business trip and convicted of espionage. His colleagues were also repressed. The Trebelev-Verne project itself was classified and archived - in the USSR and in Germany.
The Germans took the project off the shelves in 1940, on the wave of ideas for crossing the English Channel. Already one - Verne has created an experimental apparatus with a crew. At an hour, he walked up to 10 kilometers, carried a load and could commit sabotage.
During the war years, the "mole" grew into the dangerous "Midgard Serpent" - a giant underground train.
The remains of the blown-up "snake" were discovered by Soviet troops in a secret tunnel - not far from the Konigsberg they had taken, present-day Kaliningrad.
What is the fate of the Soviet project?
In the promising military developments of the USSR, priority was given to nuclear weapons, and they did not talk about subterins until the tests of 1948.
It turned out that the "mole" became an "underground torpedo", and it developed a speed of up to a meter per second.
With the beginning of the Khrushchev era, they decided to revive the pre-war project, to work on which he returned … Alexander Trebelev. The peaceful "Steel Mole" was replaced by the "Battle Mole".
What is known about late Soviet developments?
The atomic subterrine with a crew of up to five people began testing after the death of the inventor of the "mole". Its targets were deep mines with nuclear weapons, command posts.
The first series of dives was successful, but then … Nikita Sergeevich let slip.
During his visit to the United States, Khrushchev said that he would be able to get everyone out of the ground.
The following tests of the "Battle Mole" were the last: together with the crew, the car was buried under the settled rock layers. Possible reasons include engine shutdown, sabotage by foreign special services, and even "getting into an anomalous zone."
What makes new projects different?
Modern developments of subterins are classified. It is impossible to say which of the countries possess such weapons, and what they are.
For this reason, do not be surprised if one day you see a periscope or an underground boat emerging from the depths in the middle of the steppe.
DINA KIRSANOVA