The V-2 Rocket: The Controversial History of the First Ballistic Missile during and after World War II

The Germans laid the groundwork for the era of ballistic missiles to follow with the “Vengeance Weapons” program. The advent of relatively advanced liquid and solid fuels for rocket weapons made them viable again after a period during which rifled artillery overshadowed them. An additional factor creating German interest in military rockets came from their complete omission among the restrictions placed on Germany's army by the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. This major loophole led the Germans to hope improved rocketry could replace artillery, which the Treaty nearly banned. 

To counter the V-weapons, the Allies implemented Operation Crossbow, which aimed to find ways to stop or at least reduce the number of V-weapons reaching their targets, and to reassure the population of Allied nations that these terrifying new weapons could be understood and overcome. The importance of Operation Crossbow was high enough that, despite being involved in massive military operations in Sicily and preparing for the Normandy landings, the Allies diverted manpower and resources to counter the V-weapon threat. This decision was made at the highest level, and those in charge were determined to ensure that Operation Crossbow would not fail.

All of the Allies recognized the immense strategic value of these technologies and wished to secure their benefits for themselves. As the Soviets contemplated additional expansion following the “Great Patriotic War” and the U.S. military came to understand the putative allies of today would emerge as the enemies of tomorrow, the men possessing knowledge of the V-2 rockets and other Third Reich military technology programs became seen as crucial pieces in the incipient standoff between the two new superpowers.