Operation Crossbow

Crossbow was the code name in World War II for Anglo-American operations against the German long range reprisal weapons (V-weapons) programme. The primary V-weapons were the V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket, which were launched against Britain from 1944 to 1945 and used against continental European targets as well.

For the 1965 film of the same name, see Operation Crossbow (film).
World War II
Operation Crossbow
Part of Strategic bombing campaigns in Europe

The La Coupole V-2 launch site at Wizernes in France was destroyed by bombing before it could be brought into use
DateAugust 1943 – May 2, 1945
Location
Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands
Result Delayed use of V-weapons but "limited effect" on production. Major diversion of allied resources
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Canada		  Germany
Strength

Sorties/bomb tonnage:
Total: 68,913/122,133
RAF: 19,584/72,141

USAAF: 17,211/30,350

V-1 launches: 9,251 (8000 targeting London, 2,448 targetting Antwerp)

V-2 launches: 1664
1402
76
19
11 (Ludendorff Bridge)
Casualties and losses

Airmen/aircraft:

  • more than 700 killed /at least 154 aircraft lost

British civilians killed/seriously injured:

  • V-1: 6,184/17,981
  • V-2: 2,754/6,523
French civilians: 3,600 killed, about 10,000 wounded by Allied bombing

V-1: 4,261 destroyed by AA guns (1,878)
barrage balloons (231)
and fighters (1,846)

V-2: 51/117 killed/wounded,
48/69 rockets/vehicles damaged

Initial intelligence investigations in 1943 into the progress of German long range weapons were carried out under the code name Bodyline. On 15 November, a larger operation was set up under the name Crossbow. Post-war, Crossbow operations became known as "Operation Crossbow" particularly following the 1965 film of the same name.

Crossbow included strategic operations against research and development of the weapons, their manufacture, transportation and attacks on their launch site, and fighter intercepts against missiles in flight.: 7  At one point, the British government, in near panic, demanded that upwards of 40% of bomber sorties be targeted against the launch sites.

The Crossbow attacks were not very successful, and every raid carried out against a V-1 or V-2 launch site was one fewer raid against other targets in the Third Reich. The diversion of Allied resources from other targets represented a major success for Hitler.

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