The Germans called it V-1, the British the “buzz bomb” or “doodlebug.” Over the following year, thousands of V-1s would rain down on London and other cities, killing and injuring many thousands in turn, and forcing the British to turn to increasingly desperate measures to stem the tide – including one of the boldest and most badass tactics in the history of aerial warfare. When you fired at that range and the thing exploded in front of you, you were travelling at 400 mph or more and you’d have no time to avoid the explosion, and as soon as you saw it you were in it and you’d go through the centre of the fireball and come out the other side and always come out upside-down. The only adverse effects were fire damage to the outside of the aeroplane – the rudder and the elevator of the Tempest were fabric-covered and quite often this used to burn…”
Author: Gilles Messier
Published at: 2025-12-21 21:06:53
Still want to read the full version? Full article
