Double ionization of He and Ne by charged particle impact was explored in kinematically complete experiments measuring the final momenta of the two emerging electrons ({ital P}{sub {ital e}1}{sup {ital f}},{ital P}{sub {ital e}2}{sup {ital f}}) and of the recoiling target ion {ital P}{sup {ital f}}{sub {ital R}}. The momentum transfer from the 3.6 MeV/{ital u} Se{sup 28+} projectile to the electrons is found to be negligibly small. Thus distinct patterns observed in the {ital P}{sub {ital e}1}{sup {ital f}}-versus-{ital P}{sub {ital e}2}{sup {ital f}} spectra sensitively reflect the details of the electrons{close_quote} correlated motion. Classical calculations reasonably describe the data only when the ({ital e}{minus}{ital e}) interaction during the ionization reaction is included. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}