Thanks for the posts about the Guards Chapel. Many of GAD saw rockets going overhead that day, just as they were loading their own gear etc for embarkation to Normandy. Vandeleur, A Soldier's Story:
Thanks for alerting me to this, Kevin. The publishers have asked me to expand on the project. I am adding the following: The location of all the ski sites and V2 launch sites in Europe (I expect to complete this in the next 6 weeks, and am actually working on it now). There is a lot of confusion with the numbering of the ramps (many were damaged and relisted with another number following repairs), and I am in touch with some of the leading experts in France, Belgium, Germany - and even Denmark. Records in all these countries show slight differences and anomalies, which are proving hard to fathom. Adding the 18,000 Crossbow aerial photos, taken over (mainly) France, Belgium and Germany (all done). This allows you to look, for example, on Google Earth at a launch ramp, in Pas-de-Calais, and see what aerial photos were taken (between 1943 and 1945). Adding 30,000+ PRU photos to the database - as above. This is complete. Adding Fire Brigade records to the Greater London strikes. I have copies (photos) of all the records, but have yet to start adding/linking them to the database. So while there will be a slight delay, I think the extra information will be appreciated by most. What you will get is a searchable spreadsheet - and some .kml files which you can drag into Google Earth. Your screen will then light up like a Christmas tree - and you can click on any one of the 60,000+ pins to see information on each location. I know the publisher also wants to do some printed material, but I don't know how this will be done - by area/county/city etc etc?
On Google Earth, you can slide back time (especially good around London and Kent) and see the devastating results of the V1 and V2 raids. This is the first V1 to hit London, at Grove Road. It is V1 number 3. You can then see the whitish area, to the north of number 3, where another V1 also landed, and see how the houses have had to be demolished (scarring the local landscape).
You may be able to make out that the entry, on the above report, states "Crashed aircraft." This has been later scraped away.... The early entries call a V1, a P.A.C. (pilotless aircraft). Later, on orders of Home Security, the V1s were described as 'Fly' (abbreviation for flying bomb).
Thanks very much for the update, I'm sure there is a lot of interest from other Pals as well. Can you diary a "Heads Up" to alert us all on here as to when you know when it will be available? Saves us continually nagging and disturbing you from completing it! Much appreciate the V1 Strike Map for my area.... now I'm puzzling how to get back to 1944!
Really top and important work Pete - well done. Look forward to seeing it online and in some sort of print form.
Almost two years on, any update about this project/its availability? I understand a new project is being launched by Wing Leader Books to produce a series of works charting every V1/V2 hit in Britain.
1608. North Harrow British Restaurant : Staff : That employees at the North Harrow British Restaurant, which Restaurant was demolished by enemy action on 30th June, 1944, be paid wages as for a normal working week in respect of the three weeks ending 18th July, 1941. https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/Data/Council/19440930/Minutes/003_emergency committee_21 july 1944.pdf
After the V2 Hit the gatehouse of the Pinner New Cemetery in 1944 , My father Ralph Harris ( aged 7) found the below cable connector in the wreckage which he believes to be from the V2. It is made from lightweight Aluminum alloy so it is definately of aeronautical origin.