The V1 Campaign 1944-1945
Included in Germany’s development of modern weaponry before and during the war was the V1 rocket. Initially called the Fieseler Fi 103, the V1 got its name from the word Vergeltungswaffen; retaliation weapon. Although the V1, as well as the rocket propelled V2, were under development in the years prior to the war, they were given priority following the Allied bombing of German cities. Under the authority of the Luftwaffe, the V1 was developed by top scientists at Peenemunde. It was essentially the world’s first cruise missile, and was designed to deliver nearly 1,900 pounds of explosives to, primarily, targets in England. The first tests were “air-launched” in late 1942 and were later set for launching from various grounds sites (via catapult) on the French coast. By 1943, the German High Command hoped and expected that the V1 would be ready for “retaliation” attacks against England as part of a “terror bombing” campaign.
As the V1 program came closer to implementation, a test unit was developed for the eventual launching of missiles across the Channel. Responsibility for the new command was assigned to Oberst Max Wachtel, an artillery veteran of the First World War and experienced flak officer in World War II. The new unit was given the name Lehr- und Erprobungskommando Wachtel and was formed Zempin, not far from the development site at Peenumunde. Wachtel’s command was to train troops in the handling and firing of the V1 and to handle logistics related to working with the development and supply offices of the flying bombs. The newly trained unit, made up four Abteilung (I-IV) would go on to be called Flak Regiment 155 (W) in an effort to disguise their actual role. Under their elusive title, they completed their first test fire as a unit in October 1943. In December, Wachtel’s unit began deploying to France and was subordinate to the newly formed LXI. Armeekorps, under Generalleutnant Erich Heinemann. The hierarchy was unusual in that a Luftwaffe unit was specifically subordinate to an army corps and staff; a setup made possible only by the political importance of the V1 and Hitler’s determination for retaliation.
Despite the unit’s progress, the construction of launch sites in France fell behind schedule. Massive technological delays, along with Allied bombing of the V1’s development areas, caused setbacks for the weapon’s deployment. The first bombing attacks on the actual launch sites took place almost immediately, on December 5, 1943 and mainly due to improvements in Allied Intelligence. Further attacks were launched throughout the month and the headquarters of Flak Regiment 155 (W) was forced to move farther inland; near the town of Creil. Along with the physical move, Wachtel changed the name of his unit to Flakgruppe Creil in order to facilitate more secrecy due to increasing Allied gains in the fight against the V1.
Allied attacks continued through 1944, keeping the Germans from launching any concentrated attack/offensive. Launch sites were intended for numerous areas, including the Cherbourg peninsula. However, the pressure of the Allied campaign against the V1, Operation Crossbow, limited launch sites to areas between Dieppe and Calais. Despite their intent, the Germans were still unable as of the spring of 1944 to launch the V1 as part of a retaliation campaign for the bombing of German cities. As the expected Allied invasion came closer and closer, there was increased interest among various Heer and Luftwaffe personnel that the V1 be used against the Allied beachheads as well as the port areas in southern England. Hitler, however, insisted on sending the missiles to London, to bring the attack to the British people.
The first deployment of the V1 took place on June 13, 1944 with multiple attacks on London. Despite initial setbacks, Wachtel’s unit ultimately launched roughly one hundred missiles a day, with almost 10,000 by October. The success rate was mixed as substantial numbers of “buzz bombs” malfunctioned or never reached their target. And, many of the missiles that did, fell somewhat aimlessly in and around London. British intercepting capabilities become increasingly effective with barge balloon and anti-aircraft defenses, and fighters were deployed to both shoot down the bombs, and “tip” them while flying next to them at high speeds. Nevertheless, the Allies were forced to exhaust consider resources in attacking the V1, both by bombing their launch sites from the air, and by directing ground forces to overrun their locations. And, casualty rates in Britain reached almost 23,000 people, causing a sense of fear and terror among the civilian population.
As the V1 program came closer to implementation, a test unit was developed for the eventual launching of missiles across the Channel. Responsibility for the new command was assigned to Oberst Max Wachtel, an artillery veteran of the First World War and experienced flak officer in World War II. The new unit was given the name Lehr- und Erprobungskommando Wachtel and was formed Zempin, not far from the development site at Peenumunde. Wachtel’s command was to train troops in the handling and firing of the V1 and to handle logistics related to working with the development and supply offices of the flying bombs. The newly trained unit, made up four Abteilung (I-IV) would go on to be called Flak Regiment 155 (W) in an effort to disguise their actual role. Under their elusive title, they completed their first test fire as a unit in October 1943. In December, Wachtel’s unit began deploying to France and was subordinate to the newly formed LXI. Armeekorps, under Generalleutnant Erich Heinemann. The hierarchy was unusual in that a Luftwaffe unit was specifically subordinate to an army corps and staff; a setup made possible only by the political importance of the V1 and Hitler’s determination for retaliation.
Despite the unit’s progress, the construction of launch sites in France fell behind schedule. Massive technological delays, along with Allied bombing of the V1’s development areas, caused setbacks for the weapon’s deployment. The first bombing attacks on the actual launch sites took place almost immediately, on December 5, 1943 and mainly due to improvements in Allied Intelligence. Further attacks were launched throughout the month and the headquarters of Flak Regiment 155 (W) was forced to move farther inland; near the town of Creil. Along with the physical move, Wachtel changed the name of his unit to Flakgruppe Creil in order to facilitate more secrecy due to increasing Allied gains in the fight against the V1.
Allied attacks continued through 1944, keeping the Germans from launching any concentrated attack/offensive. Launch sites were intended for numerous areas, including the Cherbourg peninsula. However, the pressure of the Allied campaign against the V1, Operation Crossbow, limited launch sites to areas between Dieppe and Calais. Despite their intent, the Germans were still unable as of the spring of 1944 to launch the V1 as part of a retaliation campaign for the bombing of German cities. As the expected Allied invasion came closer and closer, there was increased interest among various Heer and Luftwaffe personnel that the V1 be used against the Allied beachheads as well as the port areas in southern England. Hitler, however, insisted on sending the missiles to London, to bring the attack to the British people.
The first deployment of the V1 took place on June 13, 1944 with multiple attacks on London. Despite initial setbacks, Wachtel’s unit ultimately launched roughly one hundred missiles a day, with almost 10,000 by October. The success rate was mixed as substantial numbers of “buzz bombs” malfunctioned or never reached their target. And, many of the missiles that did, fell somewhat aimlessly in and around London. British intercepting capabilities become increasingly effective with barge balloon and anti-aircraft defenses, and fighters were deployed to both shoot down the bombs, and “tip” them while flying next to them at high speeds. Nevertheless, the Allies were forced to exhaust consider resources in attacking the V1, both by bombing their launch sites from the air, and by directing ground forces to overrun their locations. And, casualty rates in Britain reached almost 23,000 people, causing a sense of fear and terror among the civilian population.
Included among the crew tasked with launching the flying bombs, was Obergefreiter Hans Wolter of 13. IV./Flak-Regiment 155 (W). In recognition of his participation in firing the “buzz bombs” at London, he was decorated with the Iron Cross on August 6, 1944. His award came via the authority of LXV. Armeekorps and his award document includes the signature of General der Artillerie Erich Heinemann.
Included among the crew tasked with launching the flying bombs, was Obergefreiter Hans Wolter of 13. IV./Flak-Regiment 155 (W). In recognition of his participation in firing the “buzz bombs” at London, he was decorated with the Iron Cross on August 6, 1944. His award came via the authority of LXV. Armeekorps and his award document includes the signature of General der Artillerie Erich Heinemann.
By October, the majority of the V1 sites were overrun by the advancing Allies as the Germans retreated to the east. Flakgruppe Creil became known as Flakgerätepark West and the various units, by the end of the year, deployed to locations in Germany and Holland. In November, another organizational change was made as 5. Flak-Division, which had been recently destroyed in Romania, was re-formed to control all V1 as well as V2 units.
As London became too far to attack due to the V1’s limited range, the Germans concentrated the majority of their attacks on Antwerp. The goal was to offset the Allies’ main port facilities for moving men and material into mainland Europe. Antwerp suffered considerably, both from the V1 and V2, and the Allies continued to push and expend resources to neutralize missiles’ launch sites. As the Allies pushed farther east, the effectiveness of 5. Flak-Division disintegrated. The final V1 launch against Antwerp occurred on March 30, 1945. By early April, the last of the Luftwaffe troops serving with Flak-Regiment 155 (W) were disbanded and moved east to combat the Soviets. The war would be over in five weeks.
As London became too far to attack due to the V1’s limited range, the Germans concentrated the majority of their attacks on Antwerp. The goal was to offset the Allies’ main port facilities for moving men and material into mainland Europe. Antwerp suffered considerably, both from the V1 and V2, and the Allies continued to push and expend resources to neutralize missiles’ launch sites. As the Allies pushed farther east, the effectiveness of 5. Flak-Division disintegrated. The final V1 launch against Antwerp occurred on March 30, 1945. By early April, the last of the Luftwaffe troops serving with Flak-Regiment 155 (W) were disbanded and moved east to combat the Soviets. The war would be over in five weeks.
One of the soldiers serving with Flak-Regiment 155 (W) through the end was 36 year old Obergefreiter Arthur Zietz, of I. Abteilung. Born in Kiel in 1908, Zietz was ultimately captured by the Allies. Before the end, however, he was decorated with the Iron Cross Second Class. His award came on April 8, 1945, after the final cruise missiles were launched, but in the days where his and his unit’s actions were recognized by his authorities. His award came via 5. Flak-Divsion, and includes the signature of Wachtel, as division commander.
Note the award document has been processed via the authority of 5. Flak-Division, but has the authorizing stamp (Feldpost number) of LXI. Armeekorps; a testament to the administrative challenges these units faced during the great retreats of 1945.
Zietz is shown below in a post-war ID. The stamps with swastika-less eagles show that various German administrative units were intact and employed by the Allies during the months after the surrender.
