Vergeltungswaffe V1 (WW 2): books - Germany - history

German V-Weapon Sites 1943–45 (Osprey)

Designed to change the course of the war, the V weapons required ambitious plans to defend their expensive and complicated launch sites. Steven J Zaloga describes the configuration and planned deployment of heavy missile sites, as well as the unique Allied tactics developed to counter this threat, including a remote-control version of the B-17 bomber.

From the V-1 ski sites to the mobile basing employed by the V-2 units and the other secret weapons bases like the 'V-3' high-pressure gun at Mimoyeques, this book examines the impact of these weapon systems and defences not only on the war but on modern weaponry. With many of the sites described still surviving today, this is a perfect companion for a tour of the V weapon sites built during World War II.

Contents: Introduction - The V-weapon programs - Design and development - The Allies intervene - The sites at war - The missile sites in retrospect - The sites today - Further reading - Index.

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V-1 Flying Bomb, 1942-52 - Hitler's Infamous 'doodlebug' (Osprey)

The first deployment of the V-1 was in June 1944 when, following two years of tests, Hitler gave the order to attack England. Known to the Allies as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, the V-1 was the world's first cruise missile.

This book explores the V-1 in detail, from its initial concept, first use in 1944, the various Allied counter-measures, and the later use of the V-1 during the Battle of the Bulge. The major foreign derivatives, including the US copy JB-2 Loon and numerous post-war Soviet variants, are also covered.

Contents: Introduction - Design and development - Operation - In combat - Variants and derivatives - Allied counter-measures - Color plate commentary - Bibliography - Index.

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Deutsche Raketen und Lenkwaffen - bis 1945 (Typenkompass)

Until the end of the Second World War, Germany was far ahead in the development of missiles and rockets - it was not for nothing that after the capitulation, wagonloads of material were shipped to the USA and the USSR and scientists were more or less voluntarily obliged to work for the victorious powers.
Unprecedented material from Griehl's extensive archive is published for the first time in this book.

Each type is presented with a photo, a historical description and a technical sheet.

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