The V1

Hitler's V1 rockets, called buzz bombs or doodlebugs as they flew over the British landscape, were unstoppable at first.

Inserting the firing piston

Ready for launch

V1 control box

Launch

Not all V1s were launched from rails

The people of London saw only this:



People had some advance warning from spotters, and they could be heard from a ways off. Go here to listen to a V1 (sound plays automatically). Interestingly, the British discovered an unexploded V1 in July 2007. See the BBC story here.

The defense against the V1 were anti-aircraft guns, and eventually allied fighters, including the Spitfire, were tuned to catch the 400 mph bombs. A pilot would draw alongside the V1, touch wings, and "tip" it out of control. The technique became known as tipping. Hitler was giddy when the V2s began flying, as he knew there was no defense against a warhead descending from the edge of space at over 3,300 mph.

Spitfire beside a V1

Tipping