German V-Weapon Sites 1943-45 by Steven Zaloga

Author:Steven Zaloga
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: German V-Weapon Sites 1943–45
ISBN: 9781782002154
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

A V-1 missile is seen here loaded on the Walter catapult and ready for launch. The gasgenerator trolley is in place as is the Anlaßgerät on the left rear side of the fuselage, which contained the electrical controls and air pressure attachments to start the launch. (NARA)

To make up the shortfall of large launch bunkers, in March 1944, the Luftwaffe decided to reinvigorate construction of the proposed Army Ölkeller Cherbourg, a series of tunnels near Brécourt in the Cherbourg suburbs that had been intended for storing A-4 ballistic missiles. The A-4 was not yet ready for production, instead the tunnels would serve as the preparation and storage area for the FZG-76 missiles, while two protected launch ramps were added to turn the facility into a gigantic protected launch site. This new configuration was called Wasserwerk No. 2, and the Brécourt site was variously codenamed the Minenlager (mine storage) or Ersatz B8 since it was intended to replace the ill-fated B8 Waterworks at nearby Couville. The Minenlager was expected to be able to contain 300 FZG-76 missiles, enough for about six days of launches. As expected, the Minenlager attracted far less attention than the more obvious early configurations and even though only 40 percent of the concrete work was ready by mid-May 1944, the work progressed so well that most of the main construction was completed in the week after D-Day. In March 1944, a second FZG-76 site of this type was considered for the Roche de Tronquet tunnels near Nardouet. These tunnels were in use by the Kriegsmarine, but could be modified with four sheltered launchers emanating from the tunnels. It did not progress beyond the design stage.

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