V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history

The V-2 rocket or Vergeltungswaffe 2 (Vengeance weapon 2) was an early ballistic missile used by the German Army during the later stages of World War II against mostly British and Belgian targets. It's real claim to fame is as the progenitor of the rocket race that developed during the Cold War, and ultimately put men on the moon and probes that have left our solar system. V-2 rocket - Introduction. Rockets were seen as having the potential to out-range artillery, capable of bombarding targets at ver ...

Including:

• V-2 rocket - Introduction
• V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history
• V-2 rocket - Technical Details
• V-2 rocket - Launch sites
• V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44
• V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence
• V-2 rocket - V-2 production
• V-2 rocket - Operational history
• V-2 rocket - Countermeasures
• V-2 rocket - Assessment
• V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans
• V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage
• V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology
• V-2 rocket - Model rockets
• V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components
• V-2 rocket - United Kingdom
• V-2 rocket - United States
• V-2 rocket - Germany
• V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia - V-2 rocket

As early as 1927 members of the Verein für Raumschiffahrt (VfR) ("Spaceflight Society") had started experimenting with liquid-fuelled rockets. Rockets using a solid propellant had been used as weapons by all sides in WWI, and as a result, the Treaty of Versailles forbade solid fuel rocket research in Germany. By 1932 the Reichswehr started taking notice of their developments for potential long-range artillery use, and a team led by General Walter Dornberger was shown a test vehicle designed and flown by Wernher von Braun. Although the rocket was of limited ability, Dornberger saw von B ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history

As early as 1927 members of the Verein für Raumschiffahrt (VfR) ("Spaceflight Society") had started experimenting with liquid-fuelled rockets. Rockets using a solid propellant had been used as weapons by all sides in WWI, and as a result, the Treaty of Versailles forbade solid fuel rocket research in Germany. By 1932 the Reichswehr started taking notice of their developments for potential long-range artillery use, and a team led by General Walter Dornberger was shown a test vehicle designed and flown by Wernher von Braun. Although the rocket was of limited ability, Dornberger saw von B ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history

Like the V-1, the V-2 was immune to electronic countermeasures. Unlike the V-1, however, the V-2's speed and trajectory also made it invulnerable to anti-aircraft guns and fighters, as it dropped from an altitude of 100–110 km (60–70 miles) at up to four times the speed of sound. The only defences against the V-2 campaign were to destroy the launch infrastructure—expensive in terms of bomber resources and casualties—or to cause the Germans to "aim" at the wrong place through disinformation. The British were able to convince the Germa ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Countermeasures

The first unit to reach operational status was Batterie 444. On September 2, 1944 they formed up to launch attacks on Paris, recently liberated, and eventually set up near Houffalize in Belgium. The next day the 485th moved to The Hague for operations against London. Several launch attempts over the next few days failed, but on the 8th both groups fired successfully. This was the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few months the total number of V-2s fired were at least 3,172, distributed over the various targets as follows: See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Operational history

Dornberger had always wanted a mobile launch platform for the missiles, but Hitler pressed for the construction of massive underground blockhouses from which to launch them. According to his plans, V-2s should have arrived from a number of factories in a continuous stream on several redundant rail lines, and launching should have been almost continual. Construction of the first such site started at Éperlecques, near St Omer in the Pas-de-Calais area in 1943. The British spotted it almost immediately and started a massive bombing campaign that eventually forced the Germans to abandon it, although the large 10 ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Launch sites

The V-2, despite being the most advanced weapon in WWII, was militarily ineffective. Its guidance systems were too primitive to hit specific targets, and its costs were approximately equivalent to four-engined bombers, which were more accurate (though only in a relative sense— see discussion in strategic bomber), had longer ranges, carried many more warheads, and were reusable. Moreover, it had diverted resourc ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Assessment

A submarine towed launch platform was tested successfully, effectively making it the prototype for submarine launched ballistic missiles. The project codename was Prüfstand XII. If deployed, it would have allowed a U-boat to launch V-2 missiles against American cities, though only with considerable effort (and likely limited effect). Twelve dismantled V-2 rockets were shipped to the Japanese. These left Bordeaux in August 1944 on transport U-boats U-219 and U-195 reaching Djakarta in December 1944. A civilian V-2 expert was also a VIP passenger on the U-234 bound for Japan in May 1945 when the war ended in E ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans

The short overview below includes only ten of the at least 20 V-2s still existing as of 2005. For a presumably complete list, consult V2ROCKET.COM's "Surviving A4/V2 Rockets Around the World". Most, but not all, of the listed examples are available on public display. V-2 rocket - United Kingdom. one V-2 at the Science Museum, London one V-2 at the RAF Museum, London one V-2 (painted bright green, and cut through to display the engine and some other interior parts) at the Im ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components

At the end of the war, a race between the United States and the USSR to retrieve as many V-2 rockets and staff as possible began. Three hundred trainloads of V-2s and parts were captured and shipped to the United States, added to this 126 of the principal designers, including both Wernher von Braun and Walter Dornberger were in American hands. In the midst of this, in October 1945 as Operation Backfire, the British assembled a small number of V-2 missiles and launched three of them from a site in northern Germany. However the e ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage

The V2 was an unmanned, internally guided, ballistic missile. At launch it would propel itself for a short time on own power, and its navigation system would direct it towards its target during this period. After engine shutdown it would continue on what is basically a free-fall trajectory (hence the term ballistic). The V-2 had an operational range of about 300 km (200 statute miles) carrying a 1000 kg (2200 lb) warhead. The V-2 had an accuracy circular error probable (CEP) of 11 miles (17 km). This means at a 200 mile (300 km) range, the V ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Technical Details

Dornberger had always wanted a mobile launch platform for the missiles, but Hitler pressed for the construction of massive underground blockhouses from which to launch them. According to his plans, V-2s should have arrived from a number of factories in a continuous stream on several redundant rail lines, and launching should have been almost continual. Construction of the first such site started at Éperlecques, near St Omer in the Pas-de-Calais area in 1943. The British spotted it almost immediately and started a massive bombing campaign that eventually forced the Germans to abandon it, although the large 10 ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Launch sites

The V-2, despite being the most advanced weapon in WWII, was militarily ineffective. Its guidance systems were too primitive to hit specific targets, and its costs were approximately equivalent to four-engined bombers, which were more accurate (though only in a relative sense— see discussion in strategic bomber), had longer ranges, carried many more warheads, and were reusable. Moreover, it had diverted resourc ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Assessment

Like the V-1, the V-2 was immune to electronic countermeasures. Unlike the V-1, however, the V-2's speed and trajectory also made it invulnerable to anti-aircraft guns and fighters, as it dropped from an altitude of 100–110 km (60–70 miles) at up to four times the speed of sound. The only defences against the V-2 campaign were to destroy the launch infrastructure—expensive in terms of bomber resources and casualties—or to cause the Germans to "aim" at the wrong place through disinformation. The British were able to convince the Germa ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Countermeasures

A submarine towed launch platform was tested successfully, effectively making it the prototype for submarine launched ballistic missiles. The project codename was Prüfstand XII. If deployed, it would have allowed a U-boat to launch V-2 missiles against American cities, though only with considerable effort (and likely limited effect). Twelve dismantled V-2 rockets were shipped to the Japanese. These left Bordeaux in August 1944 on transport U-boats U-219 and U-195 reaching Djakarta in December 1944. A civilian V-2 expert was also a VIP passenger on the U-234 bound for Japan in May 1945 when the war ended in Europe. The fat ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans

At the end of the war a race between the United States and the USSR to retrieve as many V-2 rockets and staff as possible began. Three hundred trainloads of V-2s and parts were captured and shipped to the United States, added to this 126 of the principal designers, including both Wernher von Braun and Walter Dornberger were in American hands. In the midst of this, in October 1945 as Operation Backfire, the British assembled a small number of V-2 missiles and launched three of them from a site in northern Germany. However the en ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage

The V2 was an unmanned, internally guided, ballistic missile. At launch it would propel itself for a short time on own power, and it's navigation system would direct it towards it's target during this period. After engine shutdown it would continue on what is basically a free-fall trajectory (hence the term ballistic). The V-2 had an operational range of about 300 km (200 statute miles) carrying a 1000 kg (2200 lb) warhead. The V-2 had an accuracy circular error probable (CEP) of 11 miles (17 km). This means at a 200 mile (300 km) range, the ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Technical Details

The short overview below includes only ten of the at least 20 V-2s still existing as of 2005. For a presumably complete list, consult V2ROCKET.COM's "Surviving A4/V2 Rockets Around the World". Most, but not all, of the listed examples are available on public display. V-2 rocket - United Kingdom. one V-2 at the Science Museum, London one V-2 at the RAF Museum, London one V-2 (painted bright green, and cut through to display the engine and some other interior parts) at the Im ...

See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components

The first unit to reach operational status was Batterie 444. On September 2, 1944 they formed up to launch attacks on Paris, recently liberated, and eventually set up near Houffalize in Belgium. The next day the 485th moved to The Hague for operations against London. Several launch attempts over the next few days failed, but on the 8th both groups fired successfully. This was the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few months the total number of V-2s fired were at least 3,172, distributed over the various targets as follows: See also:

V-2 rocket, V-2 rocket - Introduction, V-2 rocket - Pre-operational history, V-2 rocket - Technical Details, V-2 rocket - Launch sites, V-2 rocket - Peenemünde test launches 1942–44, V-2 rocket - Photo gallery: The V-2 and Polish Intelligence, V-2 rocket - V-2 production, V-2 rocket - Operational history, V-2 rocket - Countermeasures, V-2 rocket - Assessment, V-2 rocket - Unfulfilled plans, V-2 rocket - Post-war V-2 usage, V-2 rocket - Lesser known influences on culture and technology, V-2 rocket - Model rockets, V-2 rocket - Surviving V-2 examples and components, V-2 rocket - United Kingdom, V-2 rocket - United States, V-2 rocket - Germany, V-2 rocket - France

Read more here: » V-2 rocket: Encyclopedia II - V-2 rocket - Operational history