The Defense of Antwerp Against the V-1 Missile

Résumé du livre

The successful defense of the port of Antwerp, Belgium, by U.S. Army antiaircraft artillery units against the vaunted German V-1 missile is generally regarded as unsurpassed during World War II. The attrition percentage achieved by the Antwerp defenders was over twice as great as attained by other typical World War II antiaircraft defenders. The small number of V-1's which landed in the defended port area and the relatively insignificant amount of damage inflicted is evidence of the success. The purpose of the thesis is to provide a clearer understanding of the reasons for this victory. The defensive techniques used, the equipment employed and the characteristics of the V-1 are analyzed in terms of the air defense engagement functions: detection of potential threat objects; identification of unknown objects; interception of enemy forces; and destruction of the threat.