The 19 sites of the historical and memorial hiking route
There are two types of V1 flying bomb launching site : the "first type" sites (sometimes called "heavy" sites) and the "modified" sites, also known as "light" sites, which are distinguished by progressive simplification of the base layout, including a reduction in the number of concrete structures.
The "first type" sites are created first, the construction start during the summer 1943. Each base includes twelve buildings, they are necessary for the different stages of the weapon preparation. These structures are connected to each other by a vast network of concrete trails. The sites are located in areas with potential for camouflage, often in woods, sometimes in the courtyards of castles or in farms. Nevertheless, because of their characteristic appearance, these bases are quickly spotted by the British Air Force and undergo intense bombing, sometimes even before the construction is completed. In the winter 1944, the Germans undertake the construction of the second type of base : the "modified" sites. The structure of the bases is simplified, the number of buildings is reduced, only the essential buildings in the preparation process of the V1 (including the launching ramp and the non-magnetic platform) are kept. These modifications are linked with technical requirements : simplifying the layout of the site makes it possible to reduce construction costs (the quantity of concrete required being less) and to speed up the commissioning process of the base. The "modified" sites also have the advantage of blending into the landscape more easily because they are much smaller. They comprise a maximum of six buildings, which only three are entirely concreted. Unlike the "first type" sites, none V1 is directly stored on the so-called "modified" bases, we speak of a "just-in-time" supply.
Some sites of the historical and memorial hiking route are on private estates, entry can be prohibited.
Below you will find the provisional maps before the publication of a definitive document.
The "first type" sites
Campneuseville - Ferme Prestaux | Site n°672
Private property and entry forbidden,
the last existing building is visible from the public road.
GPS coordinates :
Distance to London :
Saint-Léger-aux-Bois - Mesnil Allard | Site n°673
Aerial photograph from the 9th Octobre 1945, we clearly distinguish the different buildings that form the site, located near the village. In particular, we can see the three "ski" storage buildings and the netword of concreted trails. The bomb impacts testify to the intensity of Allied bombing
An other view of the water tank
The "modified" or "light" sites
Aumale - Bois de la Vierge | Site n°192
The Dampferzeuger rinsing platform (the steam generator), on the left the storage building for the compressor
The location of one of the storage building for chemical reagents
The non-magnetic platform
The slab located at the beginning of the launching ramp, where fixes the base of the catapult to fire the V1
The non-magnetic platform
Campneuseville / Hodeng-au-Bosc - Bérémont | Site n°171
GPS coordinates : 49° 51' 27,00" N
01° 40' 32,00" E
Distance to London :
Campneuseville - La Houssaye | Site n°179
The compressor garage
The storage building for chemical reagents
The rinsing platform
A signature inscribed during the site construction
The compresor garage with one of the water tanks in the foreground on the left and the assembling platform in the background on the right
The non-magnetic platform
Guerville - Poteau de Montauban | Site n°161
GPS coordinates : 49° 56' 40,70" N
01° 30' 00,70" E
Distance to London : 206,2 Km
The generator building
The muzzle brake of the replica of the launching catapult
The non-magnetic platform
The generator building
The non-magnetic platform
The non-magnetic platform
The non-magnetic platform
The assembling platform covered by vegetation
The firing bunker on the left and the beginning of the lauching ramp on the right
The replica of the launching catapult
The firing bunker with the launching ramp in the background
The access to the non-magnetic platform
The slab located at the beginning of the launching ramp, where fixes the base of the catapult to fire the V1
Two water tanks
The generator building and the rinsing shop in the background
The launching ramp
Nullemont - Le Bois Cailleux | Site n°193
Private property and entry forbidden,
the site is visible from the public road.
GPS coordinates : 49° 46' 27,67" N
01°39' 30,53" E
Distance to London : 218,3 Km
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