Roger, I misquoted, Cherwell did not believe a rocket would not work unless it was cordite or gunpowder propelled. Yes indeed a serious case of thinking that if we can't do it no one else can. The German rocket prograame was known from before WW II. Jet engine development was as a multi national thing, not just in one country. The main problem being material technology not a failure of the concept
Regards
Air pig