V-1 flying bomb

The Vergeltungswaffe 1 Fi 103 / FZG-76 (V-1), known as the Flying bomb, Buzz bomb or Doodlebug, was the first modern guided missile used in wartime and the first cruise missile. Vergeltungswaffe means "reprisal weapon", and FZG is an abbreviation of Flakzielgerät ("anti-aircraft aiming device"), a misleading name.

Related Topics:
Missile - War - Cruise missile - Reprisal weapon - Misleading

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The V-1 was often called the Buzz bomb because of the characteristic buzzing sound of its engine. As the V-1 entered its terminal dive the engine would cut out, and people along the bomb's flight path would listen intently for the silence that heralded the V-1's impact.

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The V-1 was developed by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War and was used operationally between June 1944 and March 1945. It was used to attack targets in southeastern England and Belgium, chiefly the cities of London and Antwerp. V-1s were launched from "ski-jump" launch sites along the French (Pas-de-Calais) and Dutch coasts until the sites were overrun by Allied forces. A small number were air launched from German aircraft over the North Sea. The V-1 was later complemented by the more sophisticated V-2 rocket. The last V-1 attack struck British soil on March 29, 1945, two days after the final V-2 attack.

Related Topics:
German - Luftwaffe - Second World War - 1944 - 1945 - England - Belgium - London - Antwerp - Pas-de-Calais - Allied - V-2 rocket - March 29

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