WW2 map "VANNES - ANGERS" + ST NAZAIRE - SECRET BASE INK STAMP (V1 & V2 ROCKETS)

Description: An original WW2 British War Office map of FRANCE entitled "VANNES - ANGERS" which also includes ST. NAZAIRE, LAVAL, CHATEAUBRIANT etc It's one of a large collection from the archives of the "GUIDED PROJECTILE ESTABLISHMENT" (G.P.E.). This highly secretive research project was set up in the immediate aftermath of WW2 to harness the expertise of top Nazi scientists responsible for long range weapons such as the V1 Flying Bomb and the V2 Rocket. Captured examples of these iconic weapons were even held at the establishment for research and development purposes. The programme was set up at the newly vacated airbase 'RAF Westcott' between August 1945 and April 1946, and a number of key German scientists were housed on site in order to carry out their work. Early testing facilities (such as the concrete 'standings') were even based on designs used at the Nazis' top missile development base at PEENEMUNDE. In November 1947, one of the scientists, Dr Johannes Schmidt, was decapitated in a testing accident that also killed two British technicians. (Given the secrecy surrounding the work at G.P.E. Westcott, suspicions of foul play were rife when another of the German scientists was later killed in a hit and run accident during a brief visit to Soviet-controlled East Berlin.) The fledgling organisation was renamed the "ROCKET PROPULSION ESTABLISHMENT" in 1947, and despite its constant evolution, vital work continued at the base throughout the Cold War until the late 1980's. The collection of maps was acquired from a source less than 10 miles from Westcott, suggesting that they had remained in the local area since the closure of the facility. Will be shipped as per its existing fold lines. Please see my other WW2 (and WW1) maps, photos, documents, kit etc. (Seller's Ref - CL1123 / 182)

Price: 44.99 GBP

Location: Ipswich

End Time: 2024-02-09T13:08:02.000Z

Shipping Cost: 15.18 GBP