Secret commando matter: Peenemünde-East

At the Heeres-Versuchsanstalt-Peenemünde (HVP) on the island of Usedom, a large liquid-fuelled rocket (A4) was planned, designed, built and successfully launched for the first time in aviation history on 3 October 1942. This day marked the beginning of the rocket age. The path of space travel was entered and a hitherto unknown dimension of automated warfare was introduced. The authors offer the reader a comprehensive overview of German rocket development based on current research findings, archive material and by analysing most of the publications on the topic that have appeared since the 1960s. The functions of surviving buildings and relics of the former HVP, which are freely accessible or accessible via guided tours, are explained. For the first time, all A4 (V2) rocket launches realised in Peenemünde between 1942 and 1945 are listed and published, based on the archives of the German Museum in Munich. The history of the GDR naval base at Peenemünde (1953-1990) is also included.