The Germans began their military rocket research in 1931 near Berlin, but were soon looking for a more isolated site. So it was that, in 1936, work began around the small fishing village of Peenemünde, perched on a narrow North Baltic peninsula. In 1938, a vast rocket factory and research facility had been built there, mostly with slave labour. By 1942, nearly 5000 people were working at Peenemünde, including the young and brilliant Dr Werner von Braun. It was here that both the V1 flying bomb and the V2 rockets would be developed and tested, and although Hitler was initially sceptical, he came to rely heavily on the success of these Vergeltungswaffen - the V (Vengeance) Weapons. But it was not Hitler’s hope of decisive victory that was to prevail – it was von Braun’s vision of space exploration.

The significance of Peenemünde had remained largely unknown to the Allies until, in May 1942, a routine reconnaissance mission by a lone RAF Spitfire brought back photographic evidence of strange circular emplacements. Early in 1943, Peenemünde’s real purpose started to emerge - it was not only a centre for rocket research, but also a vast factory building rockets for dispersal to launch sites close to the French coast. And since there could be only one target - the English mainland – there was now an urgent need to destroy both the source of the rockets - Peenemünde – and their launch sites.

On this tour, led by your guide, John Grimwood, we visit the huge Peenemünde museum complex and discuss the history of the V1, V2 and the America Rocket, the role of von Braun, and the development of the weapon systems, telemetry, guidance and launch facilities. Operation Hydra, the RAF raid on Peenemünde on the night of 17/18 August 1943, caused considerable damage to the site, but there is still much to see. The raid was a particularly dangerous mission; flying at long range from home, the bombers were required to drop their bombs in full moonlight from 8,000 ft rather than the normal altitude of 19,000 ft. Many RAF aircrew and aircraft were lost that night.

Not far from Peenemünde, on the island of Rügen, we will also visit the ‘Colossus of Prora’, Adolf Hitler’s ‘Strength through Joy’ Hotel, one of the complexes designed to give the German worker a week’s holiday every year. Three miles long, with 10,000 rooms, this huge construction was almost complete by 1939 and has had many uses since, by the Nazis, the Russians and the East Germans. We visit the hotel, harbour and documentation building.

There is also time at leisure with options for walking the Peenemünde site, a boat trip to Poland, or a visit to the Golm Memorial on the Polish border.

On our return to Berlin we pay our respects at the Heerstrasse CWGC cemetery where Airmen lost on the Peenemünde raid in August 1943 are buried.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Monday): Fly London Heathrow – Berlin Tegel. Following a lunch break we drive north to our hotel at Heringsdorf on the Baltic Coast. Dinner and overnight (4 nights).
Day 2: Depart hotel for a full day at Peenemünde including the Karlshagen Memorial, cemetery, museums, harbour, airfield and technical complex. Lunch break at Peenemünde. Own dinner arrangements.
Day 3: Drive to Rügen Island with a lunch break in the beautiful seaside resort of Binz. Visit the ‘Strength through Joy’ complex and documentation centre.
Day 4: Morning at leisure with optional visits. Afternoon optional walk to the Peenemünde launch site and test stand area.
Day 5: Depart south to Berlin with a lunch break en route. Heerstrasse CWGC cemetery. Return flight to London Heathrow.