Many thanks to the continuing efforts of John Pridige of the UK, who has checked and crossed referenced much of the existing info with new data. John has made many corrections and additions, and is responsible for the rapid growth and accuracy of this list. This page last edited February 9, 2013 |
| September 1944 By order of the Reichsführer SS, the date of the initial employment of the A-4 was set for September 5, 1944. Two officers are provided with the necessary authority to bring the two groups North and South into action. Leader of Group North is Major Mertin. Leader of Group South is Major Schulz. Shortage of time and the problems of bringing a new weapon into action, as well as the uncertainty of activities at the front, will hinder these plans. The staff of the supply platoon was divided. Oberst zum Eschenhoff remains in Group North, Major Jester is transferred to Group South for the supply task. Group South receives a greater number of vehicles, for the transport platoon 899. In another meeting Major Mertin is charged with the task to determine the transfer of the units of the former Harko 191 and Gen.Kdo. LXV. A.K. to the A-4 troop. On Saturday, September 2, Battery 444 traveled to Euskirchen with orders to proceed south to attack Paris. On Sunday, September 3, Batt. 485 moves into Den Haag (The Hague) to set up operations against London. The influential suburb of Wassenaar is chosen as the first launching location.
Wednesday Sept. 06, (09.00 hours) - Battery 444, St. Vith, 18 km southeast of Malmedy (Belgium), rocket misfire. Sept. 06, (09.40 hours) - Battery 444, St. Vith, 18 km southeast of Malmedy (Belgium), rocket misfire. Both rockets came up to full power, lifted a few feet and then set back down on firing table, still vertical, when engines cut off. The intended target for each rocket was Paris. Battery 444 also suffered its first combat losses this same day when the unit was attacked by partisans. On Thursday,
September 7, Battery 444 moves to a new
Site (17 miles southeast of former Site) near
Houffalize (Belgium). It was a place between
Baraque de Fraiture et Houffalize, in an area
(very little village, only a few houses) called
Petites Tailles. This is about 3 km south of
Barraque de Fraiture.
Meanwhile, Batt.
2./485 in Wassenaar
experienced a storm that uprooted trees (one tree fell on the
test tent). Also problems with the new ground
equipment delayed the launches. The launches on September 8 from Wassenaar lifted off simutaniously and were performed using the I-Gerät. However, confusing radio signals were transmitted during the launches and the reactions of the enemy observed. On Saturday,
September 9, the RAF located the first
launching Sites in Wassenaar and attacked. A heated
battle ensued with anti-aircraft batteries. Later
that night, troops of Batt. 1./485 set up operations in the
Wassenaar area near The Hague. Group North
is reorganized: Major
Mertin is charged with special
tasks. Major von Ploetz now
is leader of Group North. Oberst
Hohmann is again leader of Battalion 485. Also on this
day Battery
444 leaves Houffalize
and started moving towards city
park in Middelburg (Walcheren). At this time
the unit was also designated now as a part
of Gruppe Nord. On its way
to Walcheren, first stop of
Battery 444
is Reichswald
south of Kleve/Cleves on September 11. There
Major Paschmeyer examines the route to
Walcheren and determines the launch sites. Command post of
Generalleutnant Kammler is set up at Berg
en Dal near Nijmegen. Transfer
of weapons and equipment
from Versorgungsführer I
to new troop
Art.Ers.Abt.271 in
Schneidemühl
The first
elements of Battery 444 and
3./Techn.Art.Abt.(mot)91 arrive at Bergen op
Zoom. Preliminary
troops proceed to Walcheren during the night
to establish the launch site
ahead of the main force.
Intensive
enemy air activities in Group North,
especially against traffic junctions. 150 aircraft bomb near a
launch site north of Den Haag,
without causing any damage to the
rocket troops. Bulk
of Battery 444
moved to Walcheren during the night. From
there the distance to
the center of London is
265 km. Meanwhile, Group South received
clearance for targets Tourcoing and Lille.
General Kammler had traveled to Walcheren and
was present when the first launches were
performed against London. However, the
preparations for the next round of launches were
hampered by intensive air activities of the
enemy. The supply line was interrupted for 12 or
more hours due to the bombings of the road
Bergen op Zoom/Middelburg between 19.00 and
20.00 hours. Just after noon on September 17, 1944, 12 Spitfires of No. 229 Squadron RAF took off from their base at Coltishall. Their mission was to scan a stretch of the Dutch coast looking for evidence of rocket activity. While patrolling at 12,000 feet over North Holland, they witnessed a V-2 rising in the distance at terrific speed. The rocket impacted several minutes later in greater London at Coulsdon. The Spitfires were too far away to discern the exact location from which the rocket had been fired. They could only report the general location, which was near the coast, possibly The Hague. Battery 444 launched their final rocket of the day that evening, which came down at Adelaide Road, Brockley, Lewisham, killing 14 people and injuring another 41.—T Dungan, V-2: A Combat History of the First Ballistic Missile, 2005 Later that evening, 27 Lancaster bombers and 5 Mosquito's, acting on a tip from the Dutch underground, attacked the surrounding area near Beukenhorst between Raaphorstlaan and Eikenhorstlaan. The attack took place between 18.38 hrs and 18.48 hrs. 169 tons of Brisant high explosive bombs and twenty-four 250-pound marker-bombs were dropped. Sighted visually, the target was well marked and the attack was concentrated with many bombs falling directly on target. These heavily wooded areas southeast of Wassenaar were suspected as V-2 supply depots but in fact were not.—Bomber Command; info supplied by Bert Koopman Very
intensive enemy air activity around
Nijmegen and Arnhem
during the start of Operation Market
Garden. Allied paratrooper
landings near the
command post of SB.2 near Nijmegen. After September 18-19 there were no V-2 troops near The Hague. Because of the Allied invasion of Operation "Market Garden," both the 1./485 and 2./485 moved to positions in the area Burgsteinfurt –Münster-Coesfeld with the new target area Belgian and northern French industrial area, while Battery 444 moved overnight to Dordrecht and supply site Blasig to east of Utrecht, then to Rijs in Gaasterland. Command post of SB.2 and Group North move to Darfeld. On September 22 General Kammler and General Dornberger were both concerned about the low amount of liquid oxygen, only 200 cubic meter a day, which could be used for only 24 rockets. On this day Batt. 3./836, moved to Hachenburg in Westerwald (Germany) to reopen operations. Targets would be: Lille, Tourcoing, Arras, Cambrai, Hasselt, Mons and Maastricht, with an average of 4 rockets fired per day.
On
September 29 Batt.
2./836, moves to Merzig (30 km south of
At Rijsterbos (Rijsterforest), because of the
explosion, the Mirnserleane (Mirnser road) was no
longer suitable for launches so they went to the
Middenleane (Midden road), and continued there. |
October 1944
Sunday
Batt. 2./485
moved from Burgsteinfurt and returned for
operations in The Hague. Batt. 3./836 joins Batt. 2./836 in Merzig, starting on Oct. 05. Between Oct. 4-12, 1./485 reports to have launched 10 times on Luttich from Burgsteinfurt. In total 27 impacted in the surroundings of Luttich.
On October 9-10 Batt. SS 500 arrives in Burgsteinfurt to begin operations near Heek and Darfeld.
On Oct. 18, at 08.15 hours, an air attack took place on Ockenburgh and Bloemendaal in Den Haag. 6 dive-bombers dropped their bombs.
During Oct. 21-22, elements of Battery 444 were moving from Rijs to Den Haag on these days. Batt. 3//485 opened fire against Antwerp on Oct. 21 from sites in Burgsteinfurt. Already operating in Burgsteinfurt since Oct. 10 was Batt. SS 500 During
the previous three weeks in Den Haag /
Wassenaar, usually one or two rockets were
launched on a day. But now with the Battery 444 troops from
Gaasterland, no less then 6 rockets were
launched per day. The new launch Site was the
Rijswijkse Bos, several meters away from a
monument to peace made in 1697.
On Oct. 24, there were 6 rockets fired from Sites at Wassenaar and Rijswijk. On Oct. 26, a new launch record was achieved by Battery 444 - a total of nine (9) rockets were fired this day from Wassenaar and Rijswijk, of which three within 25 minutes. On
October 27 Batt. 836 begins
operations against
In October, in total the Sonderkommando’s Batt. 485 and Battery 444 launched
83 rockets of which 5 failed. |
November 1944 Wednesay Nov. 01, (02.10 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 69), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Woolwich. 7 Dead, 11 seriously injured. 6 Houses demolished. (*JP) Nov. 01, (03.06 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 69), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Camberwell. 24 Dead, 17 seriously injured. 6 Houses demolished. (*JP) Nov. 01, (10.04 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (site unknown), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (11.17 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (11.24 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (11.43 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact Merksem. (*JP Nov. 01, (11.47 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact either Merksem or Broechem. (*JP) Nov. 01, (12.40 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired, impacted SW of Sint-Truiden. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Debris fell on the areas of Velm and Attenhoven. 4 Persons seriously injured. Serious damage to 15 houses. (*JP-RD) Nov. 01, (13.54 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (site unknown), V-2 rocket fired. There is evidence that this rocket impacted in the Antwerp area, although exact location unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (14.25 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, impacted SW of Brasschaat. (*JP) Nov. 01, (15.16 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired. Possible impact Moffenhoeve, Wommelgem, otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (15.18 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired. Possible impact Moffenhoeve, Wommelgem, otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (15.40 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired. Probable impact De Bosschaertstraat, Antwerp. 2 Dead. 58 Properties seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 01, (15.45 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired. Possible impact Antwerp (see previous entry) otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (15.47 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (16.46 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (17.10 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (17.31 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dom. Ternesse, Wommelgem. (*JP) Nov. 01, (18.26 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Deptford (31 dead, 62 seriously injured, 18 houses demolished) or Wanstead (open land, no damage or casualties). (*JP) Nov. 01, (18.26 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Deptford (31 dead, 62 seriously injured, 18 houses demolished) or Wanstead (open land, no damage or casualties). (*JP) Nov. 01, (18.30 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, Possible impact E of Wommelgem, otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (18.30 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, Possible impact E of Wommelgem, otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (18.42 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (19.13 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (19.54 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (21.06 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 01, (22.35 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 168), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dartford, Kent. Fell in gravel pit. Moderate damage to one house. 1 Person seriously injured. (*JP) Nov. 01, (23.13 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired. There is evidence that this rocket impacted in the Antwerp area, although exact location unknown. (*JP) Nov. 01, (23.18 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 39), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wilrijk. (*JP) Thursday Nov. 02, (00.06 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bredabaan, Merksem. (*JP) Nov. 02, (03.20 hours) - Nov. 02, (09.52 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (09.52 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (10.00 hours) - Nov. 02, (11.20 hours) - Batt. 3./836, V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (12.20 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (12.30 hours) - Nov. 02, (12.33 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact Oudebaan / Mechelsesteenweg, Mortsel. 1 House partially demolished, 30 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 02, (14.30 hours) - Batt. 1./836, V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (14.53 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (15.02 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (15.42 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (15.44 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (16.55 hours) - Nov. 02, (17.49 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Appelkantstraat, Boechoet. 3 Dead. (*JP) Nov. 02, (18.47 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 02, (19.22 hours) - Batt. 1./836, V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (19.27 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 02, (20.05 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Laar / Kattenberg, Borgerhout (3 dead, 2 properties demolished) or on open field in Berchem (30 properties damaged). (*JP) Nov. 02, (20.06 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Laar / Kattenberg, Borgerhout (3 dead, 2 properties demolished) or on open field in Berchem (30 properties damaged). (*JP) Nov. 02, (20.52 hours) - Nov. 02, (21.15 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Melselepolder, Zwijndrecht. No casualties. (*JP) Nov. 02, (22.14 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Ieperstraat, Antwerp. 9 Dead, 6 properties demolished. (*JP) Nov. 02, (23.58 hours) - Friday Nov. 03, (00.08 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, impacted E of Lillo-Fort. (*JP) Nov. 03, (00.50 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornchurch, Essex. Fell in field. Very slight damage to houses. 1 Person injured. (*JP) Nov. 03, (03.02 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Merksem. (*JP) Nov. 03, (04.35 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Lewisham. Fell on railway sidings. 20 Rail wagons wrecked, tracks displaced. 1 Person seriously injured. (*JP) Nov. 03, (04.48 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Vlaamskunstlaan / Edgard Casteleistraat, Antwerp. 3 Properties destroyed, 32 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 03, (06.38 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired. There is evidence that this rocket impacted in the Antwerp area, although exact location unknown. (*JP) Nov. 03, (07.08 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired. Possible impact W of Kapellen, otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 03, (10.07 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Linkeroever, Antwerp (8 Dead. 2 Properties demolished, 22 others seriously damaged), or Grotesteenweg, Berchem (2 Dead 25 properties seriously damaged). 2 Confirmed impacts correspond with this launch. Therefore either an additional launch was not recorded, or otherwise a V-1 impact was misreported as V-2. (*JP) Nov. 03, (10.30 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted River Thames, near Barking. 1 Person seriously injured. (*JP) Nov. 03, (11.00 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted SE of Schoten. (*JP) Nov. 03, (11.58 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 03, (12.30 hours) - Batt. 2./836, (Site 202), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 03, (13.10 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (site unknown), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 03, (13.22 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired. There is evidence that this rocket impacted in the Antwerp area, although exact location unknown. (*JP) Nov. 03, (14.39 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Paulus Beyestraat, Deurne. 19 Dead. 18 Properties destroyed, 32 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 03, (14.53 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Merksem. Power Station damaged and taken offline. (*JP) Nov. 03, (15.10 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 03, (16.12 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired, impacted SE of Kontich. (*JP) Nov. 03, (17.27 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 03, (17.43 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted E of Leuven. (*JP) Nov. 03, (18.50 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 03, (20.14 hours) - Batt. 1./485 (Site 112), V-2 rocket fired, impacted dock area, Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 03, (21.58 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Borsbeek. (*JP) Nov. 03, (23.15 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired. There is evidence that this rocket impacted in the Antwerp area, although exact location unknown. (*JP) Saturday Nov. 04, (02.30 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Heistraat, Wilrijk. 18 Dead, 13 properties demolished. (*JP) Nov. 04, (10.14 hours) - Batt. 1./836, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rijnkaai (Hanger 28) Antwerp. 1 Dead, 45 properties seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 04, (10.51 hours) - Nov. 04, (13.40 hours) - Batt. 1./836, V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 04, (14.07 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (14.35 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact Fort 6, Wilrijk. No damage or casualties. (*JP) Nov. 04, (14.46 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact Merksem. (*JP) Nov. 04, (14.51 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact Houtemstraat, Berchem. 19 Dead. 18 Properties demolished, 125 others damaged. (*JP) Nov. 04, (14.57 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (16.31 hours) - Batt. 1./836, V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (17.37 hours) - Nov. 04, (18.00 hours) - Nov. 04, (18.04 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wilmarsdonk, Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 04, (18.11 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (18.25 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (19.02 hours) - Batt. 1./836, V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (20.44 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 04, (21.42 hours) - Nov. 04, (23.36 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted NW of Merksem. (*JP) Sunday Nov. 05, (00.31 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Romford, Essex. Fell in field. 1 Person injured. No damage. (*JP) Nov. 05, (01.10 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 135), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (01.25 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Penshurst, Kent. Fell in hop field. No casualties. Slight damage. (*JP) Nov. 05, (07.04 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Leopolddok, Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 05, (07.40 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Wandsworth. Fell on Tooting Bec Common. Slight damage to hospital. No casualties. (*JP) Nov. 05, (10.30 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (10.42 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (10.48 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bermondsey. Direct hit on girder-type railway bridge over Southwark Park Road. 1 Dead, 36 seriously injured. Bridge collapsed, 250 feet of rail track damaged. This bridge was previously damaged by a nearby V-2 strike on 26th October. (*JP) Nov. 05, (10.49 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted a few kilometers SE of Schilde. (*JP) Nov. 05, (12.30 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 19), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Rainham, Essex. Fell on waterlogged land. No damage or casualties. (*JP) Nov. 05, (13.40 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (14.05 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (14.45 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (15.10 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Burcht. 1 Property seriously damaged. Local archive states this as V-1 impact, but ‘Crossbow’ data confirms it as V-2. (*JP) Nov. 05, (15.16 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Kielsevest, Antwerp. 5 Dead. 24 Properties seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 05, (15.30 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (15.46 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (15.56 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, impacted a few kilometers S of Kalmthout. (*JP) Nov. 05, (16.37 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornchurch, Essex (airburst). 1 House damaged by falling fragment. Further fragments fell in nearby Dagenham. 1 Person seriously injured. (*JP) Nov. 05, (16.39 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (16.48 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (17.11 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Islington. 31 Dead, 84 seriously injured. 10 Properties demolished. (*JP) Nov. 05, (18.05 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (18.17 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Deurne. (*JP) Nov. 05, (19.15 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Schoten. (*JP) Nov. 05, (19.52 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 324), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Schoten. (*JP) Nov. 05, (20.45 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 05, (22.35 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Monday Nov. 06, (03.26 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 204), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 06, (09.43 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Luton, Bedfordshire. Direct hit on cottages adjacent to Commer Motor Works. 16 Dead, 31 seriously injured. 4 Cottages demolished, another 21 seriously damaged (including partial demolition). Moderate damage to factory. (*JP) Nov. 06, (10.40 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Yalding, Kent. Fell in field. 1 Person seriously injured. Slight damage to property. (*JP) Nov. 06, (11.16 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact a few kilometers SW of Charleroi. (*JP) Nov. 06, (11.22 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 06, (13.04 hours) - Batt. 2./485, (Site 158), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 06, (13.45 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Gasstraat, Antwerp. 28 Dead. 12 Properties demolished, 90 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 06, (14.53 hours) - Battery 444, Loosduinen (Site 18), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Bexley. 3 Properties seriously damaged. 2 Persons seriously injured. (*JP) Nov. 06, (15.19 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Simonsstraat, Antwerp. 6 Dead. 61 Properties seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 06, (15.44 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Schoten. (*JP) Nov. 06, (16.05 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 06, (16.25 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 06, (17.45 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Little Warley, Essex. Fell in field. 4 Properties seriously damaged. 4 Persons injured. (*JP) Nov. 06, (18.07 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 06, (18.30 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 06, (19.59 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, impacted S of Deurne. (*JP) Nov. 06, (21.13 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 06, (21.40 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact a few kilometers SW of Kontich. (*JP) Nov. 06, (21.42 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Schoten. (*JP) Tuesday Nov. 07, (00.42 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 07, (01.03 hours) - Battery 444, Den Haag, Site 47 N of Waterpartij (Scheveningse Bosjes), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Weeley, Essex. Fell in field. No damage or casualties. Rocket disintegrated before impact. (*JP) Nov. 07, (02.38 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 95), V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 07, (06.37 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 07, (06.38 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 95), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 07, (09.00 hours) - Battery 444, (Site Unknown), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Canvey Island, Essex. Fell on marshland. No damage or casualties. (*JP) Nov. 07, (14.40 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Buurtspoorweglei, Borgerhout. 2 Dead. 30 Properties seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 07, (14.45 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Dokken 43B, Antwerp. 1 Dead. (*JP) Nov. 07, (15.09 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Edegem. (*JP) Nov. 07, (16.50 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Zandvliet. (*JP) Nov. 07, (16.58 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 07, (17.15 hours) - Batt. 2./485, (Site 158), V-2 rocket fired, impacted E of Kontich. (*JP) Nov. 07, (18.06 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Burgsteinfurt, Site 117 (Strönfeld), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact a few kilometers SE of Sint-Oedenrode, Netherlands. (*JP) Nov. 07, (20.56 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Sint-Antonius. (*JP) Nov. 07, (22.35 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (failure). Flew off course. (*JP) Nov. 07, (23.24 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Wednesday Nov. 08, (01.20 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact Edisonlaan, Antwerp. 1 Property destroyed, 14 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 08, (02.22 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (failure). Flew off course. (*JP) Nov. 08, (14.51 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (failure). Flew off course. (*JP) Nov. 08, (16.45 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 08, (17.13 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Boomsesteenweg, Wilrijk. 1 Property destroyed, 8 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Nov. 08, (19.58 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 08, (22.08 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, Probable impact near Nachtegalenpark, Antwerp. (*JP) Thursday Nov. 09, (06.35 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 09, (10.54 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact a few kilometers E of Wommelgem. (*JP) Nov. 09, (16.15 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Linkeroever, Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 09, (17.05 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Mechelsesteenweg, Lier. No damage or casualties. Rocket disintegrated before impact. Commander of AA battery in nearby Anderstad reported that the warhead impacted unexploded in a nearby field, and lay for 2 days before retrieval. (*JP) Nov. 09, (17.45 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either in or near the Schelde, Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 09, (18.05 hours) - Batt. 2./485, (Site 158), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 09, (21.03 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 09, (21.43 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 09, (21.52 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 09, (22.51 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 09, (23.05 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Berchem or SW of Broechem. (*JP) Nov. 09, (23.06 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Berchem or SW of Broechem. (*JP) Nov. 09, (23.58 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Van Duyststraat, Duerne. 13 Dead. 17 Properties demolished, 72 others seriously damaged. (*JP) Friday Nov. 10, (00.36 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 133), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 10, (05.25 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 10, (06.38 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 178), V-2 rocket fired, impacted North Sea off Clacton. (*JP) Nov. 10, (06.54 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 174), V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 10, (08.10 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornsey. Fell near entrance to railway station. 8 Dead, 20 seriously injured. 12 Properties demolished. (*JP) Nov. 10, (10.02 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Linkeroever, Antwerp. (*JP) Nov. 10, (10.12 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Kontich. (*JP) Nov. 10, (10.24 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Schilde. (*JP) Nov. 10, (11.45 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Erith. 2 Dead, 17 seriously injured. 6 Properties demolished. (*JP) Nov. 10, (11.59 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, impacted S of Deurne. (*JP) Nov. 10, (12.07 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired (failure). (*JP) Nov. 10, (14.12 hours) - Battery 444, Wassenaar (Site 68), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Stepney. Direct hit on tenement block. 23 Dead, 93 seriously injured. 1 Five-storey block demolished, another partially demolished. (*JP) Nov. 10, (14.48 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 10, (15.00 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Fulbourne, Cambridgeshire. Fell in ploughed field. No damage or casualties. (*JP) Nov. 10, (15.52 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact near Puurs. (*JP) Nov. 10, (17.36 hours) - Battery 444, Wassenaar (Site 68), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 10, (17.57 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact Blijde Inkomstraat, Borgerhout (1 Dead. 1 Property demolished, 74 others seriously damaged). Otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 10, (17.58 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact Blijde Inkomstraat, Borgerhout (1 Dead. 1 Property demolished, 74 others seriously damaged). Otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Nov. 10, (18.56 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 175), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Nov. 10, (19.29 hours) - Batt. 1./836, (Site 601), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Antwerp-Kiel. (*JP) Nov. 10, (20.06 hours) - Batt. 3./836, (Site 603), V-2 rocket fired, impacted near Hoogstraten. (*JP)
On Monday, November 13 the SS Werfer Battery
500 begins transfer from Burgsteinfurt
(Germany) to the areas around Ommen, Hellendoorn, Archem (Holland).
In November of
1944, a new unit was sent to The Hague: Artillerie
Ersatz Abteilung 271 (Artillery Replacement
Detachment 271). Detachment 271 was
originally formed to act as a buffer for the
operational V-2 units. Throughout the greater
part of 1944, they were responsible for training
the new recruits in V-2 field operations, while
at the same time, their members were available
to supplement the existing operational units. On
November 23, 1944, Detachment 271 was
incorporated into Battery 444, its
additional members helping to finally bring the
unit to full strength. Battery 444 now
comprised three operational firing platoons, a
technical troop section, a fueling section, and a
target acquisition and radio section.
After moving from
Hermeskeil, elements of Batt. 836 prepare for
launching at Hachenburg. They stayed until the end
of the war. |
December 1944 Friday Dec. 01, (00.10 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired, impacted in the Schelde, Antwerp, near Hangar 24. 20 Properties suffered light damage. (*JP) Dec. 01, (02.09 hours) - Batt. 2./485, (Site 163), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (05.43 hours) - Batt. 2./485, (Site 163), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (03.54 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (07.58 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Enfield (airburst - 2 persons seriously injured, slight damage to property) or Woolwich (1 dead, 8 seriously injured, I property demolished). (*JP) Dec. 01, (07.58 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Enfield (airburst - 2 persons seriously injured, slight damage to property) or Woolwich (1 dead, 8 seriously injured, I property demolished). (*JP) Dec. 01, (08.56 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 73), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Barking. Fell on marshes. Slight damage to sewage works. (*JP) Dec. 01, (09.26 hours) - Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt - Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Brentwood, Essex. Fell in field. 1 Dead, 1 seriously injured. 1 Property partially demolished. (*JP) Dec. 01, (09.28 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Hellendoorn, Site 400 (Eelerberg - first period), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Castershoflaan, Merksem. 6 Dead. (*JP) Dec. 01, (10.19 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Barking (gas holder damaged and ignited, moderate damage to buildings. 9 seriously injured including 2 in neighbouring East Ham), or Leyton (3 dead, 32 seriously injured, 10 properties demolished). (*JP) Dec. 01, (10.19 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted either Barking (gas holder damaged and ignited, moderate damage to buildings. 9 seriously injured including 2 in neighbouring East Ham), or Leyton (3 dead, 32 seriously injured, 10 properties demolished). (*JP) Dec. 01, (10.57 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Hellendoorn, Site 400 (Eelerberg - first period), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (11.17 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (12.48 hours) - Batt. 2./485, (Site 163), V-2 rocket fired, possible impact Speelpleinstraat, Antwerp (8 dead, 15 properties demolished) otherwise impact unknown. (*JP) Dec. 01, (12.56 hours) - Battery 444, (Site 73), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornchurch, Essex. Fell on allotments. Moderate damage. 33 Persons suffered light injuries. (*JP) Dec. 01, (13.03 hours) - Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt - Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Laindon, Essex. Fell in field. Slight damage to farmhouses. 1 Person suffered slight injuries. (*JP) Dec. 01, (13.54 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Hellendoorn, Site 400 (Eelerberg - first period), V-2 rocket fired, probable impact in Sorbenlaan, Wilrijk. 2 Dead, 3 properties demolished. Allied radar tracking confirms this impact at 13:44 hours, however there were no other known launches around this time and it is therefore possible that the launch time was incorrectly recorded. (*JP) Dec. 01, (15.43 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired, impacted E of Sint-Gillis-Waas. (*JP) Dec. 01, (16.22 hours) - Batt. 1./485, (Site 152), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (18.10 hours) - Batt. 3./485, (Site 131), V-2 rocket fired (impact unknown). (*JP) Dec. 01, (18.20 hours) - Battery 444, Wassenaar, Site 74 (Duindigt - Rennbahn), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Hornsey. 92 Feet of railway track demolished. 14 Persons seriously injured. (*JP) Dec. 01, (21.12 hours) - Battery 444, Hoek van Holland, V-2 rocket fired, impacted Paglesham, Essex. Fell in River Roach. No damage or casualties. (*JP) Dec. 01, (21.40 hours) - Battery 444, Scheveningen (Site 96), V-2 rocket fired, impacted Walthamstow. 12 Dead, 35 seriously injured. 6 Properties demolished, factory damaged. (*JP) In The Hague the V-2 firing Site at Ockenburgh is in the surroundings of the summerhouse, launching from the Monsterscheweg and from grounds close to the clinic.
On 09 December Batt. 1./836 begins operations at forest near Hillscheid and Hachenburg. Only target was Antwerp. Until December 14, Batt. SS 500 never succeeded in launching more than 4 rockets within 24 hours, but on this day for the first time 6 rockets were fired. After this day Batt. SS 500 repeatedly succeeded in launching more than four rockets.
On December 14 Batt. 3./836 sets up operations near Hachenburg at Hillscheid and Gehlert. Only target was Antwerp. |