#Story
V1 Launch Site Joppe
Several V1 launch sites were located in and around Joppe, including one along the Dortherdijk. The V1s, unmanned jet aircrafts, were launched towards the port of Antwerp between December 1944 and February 1945 in an attempt to strike the Allies.
The launch sites were well camouflaged, making them difficult for Allied aircraft to detect. One site became operational in the week before Christmas, but the weapon proved unreliable, with many V1s exploding prematurely or veering off course. Nearby villages, including Eefde, were hit by crashed V1s, resulting in fatalities. Although the V1 was regarded as a terrifying weapon, camouflage and local resistance efforts hindered the Allies from effectively preventing the launches. The V1 played a significant role in the war, but suffered from numerous technical flaws.