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Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Browse our products on Amazon: This War Department bulletin from 1947 shows captured German V-2 Rockets being tested at White Sands, New Mexico. German scientist Wernher von Braun designed and helped develop this “vengeance“ weapon at Peenemunde during WWII. This was the first long-range ballistic guided missile. The film opens with images of the V-2 rocket at White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico (:46). The V-2 is assembled from German parts (2:31). The alcohol tank is lowered (2:52) and supply lines are connected which will deliver the alcohol to the motor (3:05). The oxygen tank is lowered into position (3:13). The center section has its skins attached (3:18). Metal bulk heads are installed (3:37). The combustion chamber is comprised of welded pressed steel (3:59). Fuel tanks (4:05) and propulsion units are then viewed (4:29). Within the tail housing, the rudder mechanism is installed (4:46). Radio antennas are set into place (5:48). After completion, the missile is weighed (6:30) and sent to the firing range (7:27). The launching platform is moved into position by the ground crews (8:21). The V-2 is erected onto its platform (9:39) as cables are attached to the rocket (9:52). A specially design gantry crane was developed specifically for this missile (10:44). Grain alcohol is loaded into the upper tank (11:18). Liquid oxygen is added to the lower tank (11:44). The pyrotechnic device is installed (12:18). Technicians who are to launch the rocket meet with the Chief Proof Officer (12:29). Final wind and weather checks are conducted (12:42). A long line of electrical control cables run to the block house (13:04). The Commandant of the Proving Ground conducts final checks on the launching preparations (13:40). A flare is fired signifying the three minute warning (13:50). The countdown from twenty seconds (14:32) leads to the highly anticipated launch (14:52). Radar tracking devices swing into action (15:09). The V-2 is captured in the sky (15:24). Telescopic cameras follow the course of the missile (15:27). At twenty miles up the rocket is clocked at 3,000 mph (15:35). The missile is sighted at its highest point; 100 miles over Earth (15:52). A forecast is made of the missile’s point of impact (16:08). Liaison pilots are to search for the fallen V-2 (16:17). An observer spots fragments of the missile (16:44) and alerts the ground recovery crew (17:03). After hunting for all the instruments (17:54), the parts are delivered to the Proving Ground Lab (18:07). A conference is then held of supervisory personnel (18:18). The film concludes with a final launching of the V-2 (19:16). We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
