V-2
Germany 19331942 (Courtesy of Grolier Interactive)
The V-2, or Vengeance Weapon 2, was a liquid-propellant rocket developed at Peenemünde, Germany, between 1938 and 1942 under the technical direction of Wernher von Braun. The rocket was part of a development series known as Aggregate, begun under the auspices of the German army at Kummersdorf in 1932. The V-2, fourth in the series, was also known as the A-4. Originally intended for battlefield use, it was eventually used to bomb Britain and other countries.
The V-2 stood over 14 m (46 ft) tall and at liftoff weighed 12,873 kg (28,380 lb), including a 998-kg (2,201-lb) warhead. It reached a maximum speed of about 5,705 km/h (3,545 mph) and had a range of about 320 km (200 mi).
Although the first successful V-2 test occurred on Oct. 3, 1942, it was not until July 27, 1943, that Adolf Hitler authorized full-scale development of the rocket. More than 4,300 were launched between Sept. 6, 1944, and Mar. 27, 1945, against London and southeastern England, Antwerp, and other targets. Many exploded before reaching their targets or were misdirected. Much postwar rocket technology was based on the V-2.
Kenneth Gatland
Bibliography: DeVorkin, David H., Science with a Vengeance (1995); Johnson, D., V-1 —V-2: Hitler's Vengeance on London (1991); Wegener, Peter P., The Peenemünde Wind Tunnels: A Memoir (1996).
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The Book Thief
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The Book Thief
by Markus ZusakLiesel Meminger, a foster child living outside Munich during World War II, scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist -- books -- in this unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
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books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 12 and Up
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Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust
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Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust
These are the true-life accounts of nine Jewish boys and girls whose lives spiraled into danger and fear as the Holocaust overtook Europe. In a time of great horror, these children each found a way to make it through the nightmare of war. Their legacy of courage in the face of hatred will move you, captivate you, and, ultimately, inspire you.
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