Germany had been experimenting with rockets prior to World War II. The army had developed the V2, a rocket with a range of 450 kilometres, and the air force developed a cheaper version, the V1.
Flying bombs
The V1could be fired from a fixed launching device. This was a flying bomb and an unreliable weapon: approximately 25% failed. Launching devices were stationed in the woods in the Overijssel region, near Lettele and Rijssen in the east of The Netherlands. Fired from here, the bombs flew directly over Rozendaal on their way to the port of Antwerp.
Rozendaal
On 16th December 1944, the first V1 landed in the woods near Rozendaal. A few days later, another flying bomb exploded in the village, causing considerable damage. Expecting to encounter German resistance as they approached Rozendaal in April 1945, the British liberators opened fire on the village, causing extensive damage. The April of 1945 saw the liberation of a ravaged village.
