The V-bombs

Hitler's last trump card was the flying bomb, the "Vergeltung Eins" (V-1) and "Zwei Vergeltung" (V-2). This weapon was in fact a flying bomb, an unmanned aircraft. Powered by a jet engine and reached a speed of 600 km / hour when sent to a target. The nose of the bomb carried almost 1000 kg. The effect was horrible.

http://www.regionaalarchieftilburg.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=181

Throughout the month V.1 flying bombs were frequently seen passing over the airfield and there were occasions when these and V.2 bombs exploded in the vicinity. On the 16th a wing effort was organized against a V.1 site at Puttershoek, fifteen miles south of Rotterdam. Some 24 tons of bombs were dropped on the target which was cleverly concealed amongst some factory buildings. The Wildcats took off first at 1335 hours followed by the Westmount Squadron and the Beavers. All were equipped with 1,000 lb. bombs. A large explosion and a great deal of smoke indicated that the target had at least been hit though it was not wiped out. “There was a great column of smoke from the target as I left,” said S/L James Hogg, D.F.C. of the Wildcats. “Just before that a big explosion shook us. I figure one of the bombs hit a rocket bomb or some other explosives.” For the rest of the day a routine order of rail cutting was carried out. On the next flying day, the 21st, two more V:1 sites, southwest of Rotterdam, were attacked, the three Canadian squadrons co-operating with other Typhoon aircraft. The rockets of the R.A.F. Tiffies and the cluster bombs of the Beavers took care of the heavy flak while the Wildcats and the Westmount Squadron dropped 1,00o pounders on the ramps at the two sites. WO G. R. Errington of the Wildcats was hit by flak but was seen to bale out safely on the German side of the lines.

source : THE R.C.A.F. OVERSEAS THE SIXTH. YEAR

The V1's were launched from a catapult-type ramp, the Abschussrampe. With a pressure generator and a spark ignited the jet after which the V-1 lwas launched by means of compressed air over a 46 meters long sloping rails at an angle of 6 °.

According to German data 8564 V-1's were launched to England and the port of Antwerp. Of these, approximately 57% hit its target, the rest were destroyed by the anti-aircraft, balloons or fighters. A lot were also lost due to defects at launch or in flight.

Puttershoek

One of the launchers was on the field of cooperative sugar factory in the South Holland Puttershoek Hoeksche-Waard. V1 parts were transported by barge over the "Oude Maas" and off-loaded at the quay of the factory. The V1's were assembled in the factory by a special unit that had nothing to do with the Wehrmacht unit that was stationed in the village.

The Puttershoek Abschußrampe was only briefly used, but in that short time it caused casualties in immediate vicinity. Probably because of sabotage during production in Nordhausen at least three V1's crashed shortly after its launch in the vicinity of the sugar factory. Two did not explode and disappeared in the clay soil at Puttershoek and were only 30 years later removed by the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and rendered harmless. One fell on a house in Maasdam, 2 km south of Putterhoek and exploded upon impact. One occupant was killed.

From the at that time already liberated Noord-Brabant an observer came over and moved into a farm nearby, a mile from the launch site. From there he reported by radio launches to London.

On February 17, 1945 the installation at Puttershoek was still completely undamaged after a failed Allied bombing. The bombs were thrown too high and fell on the land of the factory. One of the bombs missed at only a few dozen meters three children who were playing on the nearby dike. Almost 60 years later, these bomb craters are still visible and after heavy rainfall a pond in a field beside a storage silo to the plant can be seen.

This action led to anger with the local resistance movement, where one of the their members said: "If this is the way they want to destroy it, we better blow it up ourselves!" On February 22, 1945 an air strike put the V1 launch site out of action for good with several direct hits.

Unit

#

Hurricane IV

November 1943 - May 1944

Typhoon IB

June 1944 - August 1945

This Day In History

Summary of Events for No.. 439 (CAN) Squadron

as recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book

for

30 November 1944

B-78 Holland

Details of Sortie or Flight

F / O Smith Other with three pilots, all armed with 500 lb bombs (.025 fused tail) fired off to do a weather recce and strike if weather permitted. Once airborne They found a heavy layer of cloud (10/10ths) over the Maas and Extending to the east beyond the target area. This cloud was about 3000 feet and made conditions unsuitable for total assessment operations. They returned to base and Reported "sour oranges.

http://www.thisisme.ca/439squadron/334.htm

Seems PD476 Has Been in use with No. 439 Sqdn first before it was used and crashed on February 21st 1945 in the Netherlands near Piershil Flown by 438 Sqdn.