V-1 Bomb Strikes at Brill

In the early hours of the morning of 29th August 1944, German gunners launched a V-1 flying bomb from Pas-de-Calais (France).

The bomb - which was over six metres long, and armed with a 1000kg warhead - crossed the English Channel. One of the many anti-aircraft guns positioned at Dover attempted to shoot it down, but they failed; just twelve minutes after it had been launched, the V-1 was making it's way towards the southern part of London.

Whether it was a miscalculation, or a mere fluke, no one can say - but instead of dropping on England's capital, the bomb continued on until its engine finally gave out. It slammed into the side of Brill Hill, tunneling itself into the clay, before exploding, shattering most of the windows in Brill as it did so.

Thankfully, there were no casualties, although one local man - Bill King - burnt his hands as he examined the wreckage later that day.

The photograph below shows German troops moving a V-1: the very first pilotless/operational cruise missile.