Transcribe
Translate
W. Earl Hall World War II stories, 1944
Letter #17
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
slug-V-2 Robomb-4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 17 Cherbourg, France--(Air Mail Special)--I've Just looked upon the most impressive argument imaginable against future wars. It was a mass of concrete in a peaceful valley leading down to the sea just west of Cherbourg. From that spot, on a block-long platform supported by 2 18-foot thick cement walls, Herr Hitler was planning to launch rocket bombs which in their destructive fury would have made robot bombs look like harmless Fourth of July firecrackers. I stood in the buried control room from which these giant rockets, capable it is believed of leveling a hundred square blocks, would have been launched toward Bristol, 180 miles away in southwest England. I walked the length of the guiding platform. I inspected the network of tunnels in which the lethal bombs were to be stored, far removed from danger of our bombs. I picked up bits of equipment left by the workers on that devilish construction project when Americans approached Cherbourg.. I walked about on the network of camouflage designed to shield the work from our bombing planes as the work progressed. Once completed, it would have been immune to bombing attacks. Up to this time I've been somewhat disposed to pooh-pooh the claim that rocket bombs could be made to wing their way across the ocean to a target in America. Now I'm not so sure. It is estimated that the rocket installation here for the so-called V-2 bombs would have required about 5 or 6 months for completion. How far along like construction has progressed in the French area closest to London becomes more than academic. In moving about the city of Cherbourg, one is impressed by the lack of damage to buildings. The scene is in marked contrast with Montebourg, Valognes and St. Mere Eglise, not far away. But this impression is quickly erased as one proceeds into the dock area and the giant arsenal section, established by Napoleon. Here no building was left intact by the Germans as they evacuated. Docks have been left in ruins and the mine-filled harbor was littered with obstacles to shipping. Military men will tell you that it was one of the most amazing programs of demolition in history, comparable perhaps with France's destruction of her fleet at Toulon last year. But remarkable as that achievement was, it is surpassed by the allies in their progress toward achieving full use of the harbor facilities here. In both the methods and the results, this accomplishment must be listed among the miracles of this war. Beachheads have been transcendently important in the shipping picture incident to our successful invasion. But harbors, like the one here, seem destined to play an increasingly vital role as the war progresses. -- 30 --
Saving...
prev
next
slug-V-2 Robomb-4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 17 Cherbourg, France--(Air Mail Special)--I've Just looked upon the most impressive argument imaginable against future wars. It was a mass of concrete in a peaceful valley leading down to the sea just west of Cherbourg. From that spot, on a block-long platform supported by 2 18-foot thick cement walls, Herr Hitler was planning to launch rocket bombs which in their destructive fury would have made robot bombs look like harmless Fourth of July firecrackers. I stood in the buried control room from which these giant rockets, capable it is believed of leveling a hundred square blocks, would have been launched toward Bristol, 180 miles away in southwest England. I walked the length of the guiding platform. I inspected the network of tunnels in which the lethal bombs were to be stored, far removed from danger of our bombs. I picked up bits of equipment left by the workers on that devilish construction project when Americans approached Cherbourg.. I walked about on the network of camouflage designed to shield the work from our bombing planes as the work progressed. Once completed, it would have been immune to bombing attacks. Up to this time I've been somewhat disposed to pooh-pooh the claim that rocket bombs could be made to wing their way across the ocean to a target in America. Now I'm not so sure. It is estimated that the rocket installation here for the so-called V-2 bombs would have required about 5 or 6 months for completion. How far along like construction has progressed in the French area closest to London becomes more than academic. In moving about the city of Cherbourg, one is impressed by the lack of damage to buildings. The scene is in marked contrast with Montebourg, Valognes and St. Mere Eglise, not far away. But this impression is quickly erased as one proceeds into the dock area and the giant arsenal section, established by Napoleon. Here no building was left intact by the Germans as they evacuated. Docks have been left in ruins and the mine-filled harbor was littered with obstacles to shipping. Military men will tell you that it was one of the most amazing programs of demolition in history, comparable perhaps with France's destruction of her fleet at Toulon last year. But remarkable as that achievement was, it is surpassed by the allies in their progress toward achieving full use of the harbor facilities here. In both the methods and the results, this accomplishment must be listed among the miracles of this war. Beachheads have been transcendently important in the shipping picture incident to our successful invasion. But harbors, like the one here, seem destined to play an increasingly vital role as the war progresses. -- 30 --
World War II Diaries and Letters
sidebar
