**v1 ‘buzz bomb’ strikes london c.1944**

Introduction

During the later years of World War II, Germany developed the V-1 and V-2 weapons, often referred to as "Vengeance weapons." These weapons were designed as a response to the allied bombing of German cities and represented a desperate attempt by Hitler to turn the tide of the war.

The first launch sites were constructed in Northern France in 1943, along the coastal areas of Calais and Le Havre. In close proximity to Southeast England, particularly London, these weapons caused significant destruction and large numbers of civilian casualties, leaving a lasting legacy even after the war ended. In this case study, Artios explores the development and impact of these deadly weapons, as well as their enduring legacy in relation to unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk management.

The V1: The First of Hitler’s Vengeance Weapons

The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the "buzz bomb" or "doodlebug," was the first of the vengeance weapons to be deployed. Officially called the Vergeltungswaffe 1 (Vengeance Weapon 1), it boasted cruise missile capabilities; powered by a pulsejet engine. The V1 was designed to be a simple, inexpensive weapon that could be mass-produced and launched in large numbers. The V1 had a range of approximately 150 miles, allowing for it to be launched from Northern France across the channel to strike targets in the southeast of England. The V-1 travelled at speeds of up to 400 mph and carried a 1,870-pound warhead. Launched from specially constructed ramps, it used a rudimentary guidance system that kept it on course toward its target. Upon reaching its destination, the engine would cut out, and the bomb would dive toward the ground, detonating on impact.

Between June 1944 and March 1945, more than 9,500 V1s were launched at England, with around 2,400 reaching London. Although numerous V1s were shot down by anti-aircraft fire, intercepted by fighter aircraft, or failed due to mechanical issues, those that did reach their targets caused widespread devastation, resulting in over 6,000 deaths and more than 17,000 injuries in London alone.

The V2: Speed and Accuracy

Officially designated the Vergeltungswaffe 2, the V2 was the world’s first long-range guided ballistic missile. Unlike the V1, the V2 was a true ballistic missile, powered by a liquid-fuel engine that burned a mixture of ethanol and liquid oxygen. This allowed the V2 to reach altitudes of over 50 miles and speeds of up to 3,500 mph, making it virtually impossible to intercept.

The V2 had a range of about 200 miles, allowing it to be launched from sites in the Netherlands and Belgium toward targets in England. It carried a one-ton warhead and could strike without warning, as it was supersonic and provided no advance sound to indicate its approach. From September 1944 until the end of the war in May 1945, over 3,000 V-2s were launched, with approximately 1,400 landing in England. London was the primary target, but other cities such as Norwich and Ipswich were also hit.

The destruction caused by the V-2 was significant, creating massive craters, obliterating buildings and infrastructure. The V-2 attacks killed an estimated 2,754 people in London and injured thousands more across the southeast of England. Despite the havoc they caused, however, the V-2s came too late to change the course of the war, as Allied forces were already closing in on Germany.

Launch Sites and Allied Response

The V1s were typically fired from specially constructed ramps in Northern France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. These sites were heavily defended, but many were destroyed by Allied bombing raids as part of Operation Crossbow, a campaign specifically targeting the V-weapon sites in 1944. The V-2 launch sites were more difficult to target because the V-2s could be launched from mobile platforms. The Germans used a system of mobile launchers and underground bunkers to protect the V-2s and their crews. Despite Allied efforts, the V-2s continued to be launched until the end of the war. Allied forces deployed fighter aircraft to intercept the V-1s, and anti-aircraft artillery was used to flak incoming raids. Radar-directed guns and barrage balloons also played a role in the defence against the V-2, however, few anti-aircraft methods proved successful against V-2s due to their speed and altitude, making them safe from interception.

Legacy and UXO Contamination

V-2 propulsion section (Engine) separated from its warhead, London, 1944

Many V-1s and V-2s failed to detonate upon impact, leaving live explosives buried underground. In the years following the war, numerous unexploded V-1s and V-2s were discovered and safely disposed of by bomb disposal teams. Although rare when compared to conventional unexploded bombs (UXBs), there have, in recent times, been discoveries of unexploded V-1s and V-2s across the southeast of England. Most recently in 2023 in Kent, a 12.5-ton V-2 was found in the Halstow Marshes.

Artios evaluates the threat from unexploded V-1s and V-2s alongside other sources of UXO contamination in the UK, such as wartime bombing. This involves meticulously reviewing detailed wartime records, taking into account the location of attacks, wartime density of V-1 and V-2 impacts, and likely German V-1 and V-2 targets. Additionally, Artios analyses the post-war development and land use at the site through a detailed assessment of historic images and maps; identifying areas of low post-war development when considering the planned intrusive works. These crucial factors directly influence the likelihood of encountering unexploded ordnance, including V-1s and V-2s, which may have fallen to the earth and remained undetected as UXO.

Why Artios?

Artios is a leading supplier of impartial UXO desktop survey risk assessments and mitigation plans in the UK, covering Stages 1 to 3 of the CIRIA C681 process.

As Artios do not provide on-site mitigations at Stage 4, our clients can trust that our assessments are completely unbiased and enable them to make well-informed decisions on how best to control UXO risks to a level that is As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).

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