Tour of rocket sites in Europe

[SG500]

For many years I’ve wanted to visit some of the V1 and V2 sites in Europe so earlier this month we did just that. Through the channel tunnel for an overnight stay in Arnhem, then up to Peenemunde, down to Nordhausen and the Dora Mittelbau, with a slight diversion to Buchenwald and then across to the Blockhaus and La Cupole in Pas –de- Calais. A total of 2300 miles driven over 6 days but highly recommended.

The tour was quite logical as the rockets were developed in Peenemunde but following the destruction of the site following British bombing the production was moved to Dora Mittelbau, some of the launch sites being in the Pas-de Calais region.

Rather than attaching hundreds of photos I’ve included some useful links. This really is a trip worth doing if you don’t mind driving.

I wouldn’t say it was enjoyable, but it was 100% worth doing even if you only have a vague interest in such things. I certainly got a lot out of it after all, it is so important for us not to forget about this time in history. Would I do it again?……….Oh yes!

Arnhem
Hotel https://www.bastionhotels.com/en-gb/hotels/hotel-arnhem
Airborne museum recommended https://www.museum.nl/en/airborne-museum-at-hartenstein
War cemetery https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-...tails/2063800/arnhem-oosterbeek-war-cemetery/
Photos



Peenemunde
Hotel https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...Usedom_Island_Mecklenburg_West_Pomerania.html
Museum https://museum-peenemuende.de/?lang=en
U461 http://www.warmuseums.nl/gal/129gal.htm
Missile boat http://lpsphoto.top/en/marine/hans-beimler-missile-boat
Photos


Dora Mittelbau
Hotel https://www.nordhaeuser-fuerstenhof.de/de/hotel-in-nordhausen.html
The site https://www.dora.de/en/
Photos



Buchenwald concentration camp
The site https://www.buchenwald.de/en/
Photos


Blockhaus
Nearby hotel. https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-clos-boutenelle.en-gb.html
Also on bocn http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/84317-The-Blockhaus-at-Eperlecques?highlight=blockhaus
The site https://www.leblockhaus.com/en
Photos


La Cupole
Also on bocn http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/84380-La-Coupole-V2-bunker?highlight=Coupole
The site https://www.lacoupole-france.co.uk
Photos

 

[justin]

What a trip!

 

[HAZORD]

What a great trip! I was able to see a few similar items in the Delft museum back in 2000. They have a V1 with a cockpit also.

I really love the V2 Combustion chambers! Brings back memories of my visits to NASA!

 

[SG500]

What a great trip! I was able to see a few similar items in the Delft museum back in 2000. They have a V1 with a cockpit also.

I really love the V2 Combustion chambers! Brings back memories of my visits to NASA!

Thanks. I'm with you on that, I nearly bought a V2 combustion chamber a few years back, wish I had, prices for anything V2 related seem to have........rocketed over the last few years.

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

A little over 10 years ago my wife and I stayed in a small village near the site of the famous Battle of Crecy and I noticed the ruins of a V1 site on the outskirts. Please see https://www.bocn.co.uk/threads/museum-at-crecy-en-ponthieu.87641/ for more info (currently on the 20th page of this topic).