V-2 Ballistic Missile 1942-52 (New Vanguard, Volume 82)
Steven J. Zaloga
Language: English
Pages: 50
ISBN: 2:00278078
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
The German A-4 ballistic missile, better known by its propaganda name of V-2, was the world's first successful ballistic missile, breaking through the atmosphere to reach its target quicker. It was a forerunner of Cold War ballistic missiles and its combat use in 1944-45 set the pattern for the use of Scud ballistic missiles in recent decades. The V-2 offensive lasted from September 1944 until March 1945 with over 3,000 rockets being launched. This book examines the combat record of the V-2 in World War II, with a special focus on how a German missile battalion actually prepared and fired its missiles.
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advantage of the high priority granted to the A-4 program by the industrial ministries. The first concern was roll control, which had been upset by the addition of the large wings. To speed the design along, von Braun suggested a “bastard” A-4b design that would use the existing A-4 tail controls with enlarged ailerons. No serious effort was made to develop control for the missile in the glide phase. The A-4b program was a hasty improvisation, done to placate Kammler and Hitler, with little
3–7, 34–6 Dornberger, Gen Walter 3–4, 5, 8, 10, 14 after the war 38, 40 engines 3–4, 9, 14, 19, 46 Equeurdreville missile bunker 11–12 exhaust chambers 6, 9, 46 fire control and guidance 5, 6, 18, 19–20, 24 fire control vehicles 15, 16, 17, 18–19, 47, 47, G fuel 3–4, 9–10, 12, 36–7 tank insulation 13 see also liquid oxygen (LOX) fueling 17–18, 20, 21, 41, 46–7, 47, F fuzes and fuzing systems 20–1, 24 Grottrup, Helmut 40 guidance see fire control and guidance The Hague 23, 24, 33, 34 Heidekraut 13
from both Polish and Luxembourger workers at Usedom. In April 1943 Duncan Sandys, MP, was appointed to head a special investigation, codenamed Bodyline, to examine the possible missile threat. The reports about the Baltic launch site led to special reconnaissance missions starting in late April 1943. These produced the first hard evidence of the A-4 missile. Sandys presented the evidence, and on 29 June Churchill approved an RAF Bomber Command strike which took place on the night of 17–18 August
vehicle/trailer team. The radio section was responsible for unit communications, and conducting the site survey to locate the launch batteries. The technical section was responsible for unloading missiles from the railroad supply point, and preparing and transporting them to the launch site. This section had three Vidal © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com The prescribed practice was to deploy the armored fire control vehicle in a revetment about 100m (330ft) from the missile launch
fuzing system on the missile was very © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com The Kessel-KW.3500 1. B-Stoff was the tanker used to provide alcohol to the missile during the fueling process. It was based on the standard Opel 3-ton KW Kfz 385 tanker used by the Luftwaffe for airfield refueling. (NARA) The Kessel-KW.2100 1. T-Stoff was the tanker for delivering the hydrogen peroxide oxidant for the engine turbopump, and was based on the Opel Blitz truck. (NARA) sensitive, and Allied
