Operation Aphrodite: top secret missions against Hitler's vengeance weapons

About this episode

This episode explores Operation Aphrodite and its missions against Hitler's V1 and V2 weapons during World War II.

In this episode, we tell the story of Operation Aphrodite – the top secret missions against Hitler’s vengeance weapons – the terrifying V1 flying bombs and V2 rockets which devastated London in 1944 and 1945. Join us as we take you on the journey – from beginning to end – right up to the present day. And discover the somewhat surprising legacy of the weapons themselves – and the fight against them. Visit the site of a V1 flying bomb attack in central London, a top secret WW2 airfield in eastern England and an English church with a memorial to the brother of an American president. An eye-witness account of the Aldwych V1 blast can be read on the BBC People's War website ; more information about RAF Fersfield can be found on Wikipedia ; there is also a website for Blythborough Church – the Cathedral of the Marshes . With very grateful thanks to London historian and award-winning author Jerry White , Emeritus Professor of Modern London History at Birkbeck, University of London. Jerry's book The Battle of London 1939-45, which we talk about in this episode, can be purchased via Amazon in both the USA and the United Kingdom . Thanks also to actor and professional voiceover artist Tim…

People in this episode

Hosts: Johann Tasker, Mike Peters

Topics covered

• World War II
• Operation Aphrodite
• V1 flying bombs
• V2 rockets
• London history
• military missions
• historical legacy

Keywords

• Operation Aphrodite
• V1 bombs
• V2 rockets
• London
• World War II
• military history
• Jerry White
• Tim Wells
• historical legacy
• RAF Fersfield

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, Amazon

Books & works: The Battle of London 1939-45

Places: London, Birkbeck, University of London, RAF Fersfield, Blythborough Church

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