German Air Force

V2 in Peenemuende, 1943

Bundesarchiv

An A4 rocket (more commonly known as V2, or Vergeltungswaffe 2) preparing for launch in Peenemuende, North Germany.
The V2s were most commonly aimed at London and Antwerp, the Allies most important port during the Battle of France and the Bulge.
V2s were the first human made missile that reached orbit, and modified V2s were the basis of both the space program of the USSR and the USA.

As opposed to V1, V2s traveled at supersonic speeds, and the explosion usually occured before any kind of engine noise could be heard, having a severe psychological impact. (Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1978-Anh.026-01)