'Vengeance weapon' gives Hitler hope

7th July 1943: The 'A-4 rocket' programme, later known to the Allies as the V-2, is given approval - as Hitler enthuses over new possibilities

The A4 rocket was a true breakthrough. Over a decade of research had produced innovations in propulsion, stabilisation and guidance systems.

Hitler’s Armaments Minister Albert Speer¹ was only too happy to gain favour by proposing new projects. The Nazi rocket research - which had begun as far back as 1932 - was showing promising results. This was a technology that no one else had - and the scientists were now claiming they could move into full production soon.

This is the decisive weapon of the war, and what is more it can be produced with relatively small resources. Speer, you must push the A-4 as hard as you can! Whatever labor and materials they need must be supplied instantly. …