Where is Peenemünde located on the map?
Peenemünde sits at the westernmost tip of Usedom Island, where the Peene River empties into the Baltic Sea. This long sand spit forms a narrow peninsula jutting northward from the mainland coast.
Questions about Peenemünde
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Peenemünde first appear in historical records?
Historical records first mention the settlement in 1282 under Duke Bogislaw IV of Pomerania. The area previously belonged to Circipania and was inhabited by West Slavic tribes during the 10th and 11th centuries.
Who developed the V-2 rocket at Peenemünde during World War II?
German scientists including Wernher von Braun worked among the team known as Peenemünders to develop the V-2 rocket at this facility. Their engineering efforts produced the world's first functional large-scale liquid-propellant rocket.
What happened to Peenemünde during Operation Hydra on the night of the 17th of August 1943?
Five hundred ninety-six bombers attacked the research facility including three hundred twenty-four Avro Lancaster aircraft. One hundred twenty-three people died including scientist Walter Thiel while the prototype V-2 launch schedule delayed by approximately two months following the attack.
When did the Soviet Red Army capture the entire island of Usedom containing Peenemünde?
The Soviet Red Army captured the entire island on the 5th of May 1945. Post-war port facilities operated as a Soviet naval base until 1952 before transferring control to East Germany.
When did the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum open its doors to visitors?
The Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum opened its doors in 1992. Former power stations now house exhibits about World War II rocket development and display actual V-1 and V-2 rockets indoors.