| Last updated : 16th October 2008 |
The V1 Flying bomb and V2 Rocket attacks on London between June 1944 and March 1945 were the last great
challenge of World War II that the people of London were to face. 2419 V1's, otherwise known as Doodlebugs,
were to wreak chaos and carnage. Later over 500 of Hitler's Rockets, the V2, were to strike. In total appx.
8938 died 25,000 seriously injured, many maimed for life. The major disasters such as the Guards Chapel,
Aldwych,New Cross Woolworths,Hughes Mansions and Lewisham Market are well documented. There are,
however countless domestic tragedies where people died in their own homes, were grievously injured, lost
loved ones, or suffered the loss of all they owned.The aim of this site is to detail those that occurred in many
parts of South London, as well as a selection of major incidents across the capital.
Over 2,000 British and US Airmen lost their lives attacking the Flying bomb and Rocket sites. Without their
sacrifice the death toll in London and the South East would have been much much higher. They saved
London from far worse levels of destruction and also saved tens of thousands of lives. The original plan by
the Luftwaffe was to fire 200 flying bombs an HOUR at the capital .Because of the efforts of the allies the
maximum achieved was only ever about 200 a day. The V1 Flying bombs (or Doodlebugs ) were the
forerunner of the modern cruise missile. A small, jet powered pilot- less plane that flew low at 350mph
before delivering its 1 tonne warhead on to London. The V2 Rocket, was the first ballistic missile and the
forerunner of the technology that put men on the moon. Both of these weapons caused death,serious
injury,fear and large scale material destruction. Fortunately the last V weapon V3 was never fired. This was
destroyed by the 617 squadron before it could be used against London.
challenge of World War II that the people of London were to face. 2419 V1's, otherwise known as Doodlebugs,
were to wreak chaos and carnage. Later over 500 of Hitler's Rockets, the V2, were to strike. In total appx.
8938 died 25,000 seriously injured, many maimed for life. The major disasters such as the Guards Chapel,
Aldwych,New Cross Woolworths,Hughes Mansions and Lewisham Market are well documented. There are,
however countless domestic tragedies where people died in their own homes, were grievously injured, lost
loved ones, or suffered the loss of all they owned.The aim of this site is to detail those that occurred in many
parts of South London, as well as a selection of major incidents across the capital.
Over 2,000 British and US Airmen lost their lives attacking the Flying bomb and Rocket sites. Without their
sacrifice the death toll in London and the South East would have been much much higher. They saved
London from far worse levels of destruction and also saved tens of thousands of lives. The original plan by
the Luftwaffe was to fire 200 flying bombs an HOUR at the capital .Because of the efforts of the allies the
maximum achieved was only ever about 200 a day. The V1 Flying bombs (or Doodlebugs ) were the
forerunner of the modern cruise missile. A small, jet powered pilot- less plane that flew low at 350mph
before delivering its 1 tonne warhead on to London. The V2 Rocket, was the first ballistic missile and the
forerunner of the technology that put men on the moon. Both of these weapons caused death,serious
injury,fear and large scale material destruction. Fortunately the last V weapon V3 was never fired. This was
destroyed by the 617 squadron before it could be used against London.
| Flying Bombs and Rockets |
| Flying Bombs and Rockets |
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