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  4. 5
  5. Operation Crossbow

Events on December 5 in history

Operation Crossbow
1943Dec, 5

World War II: Allied air forces begin attacking Germany's secret weapons bases in 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 main V-weapons were the V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket – these were launched against Britain from 1944 to 1945 and used against continental European targets as well.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 futile, and every raid against a V-1 or V-2 launch site was one fewer raid against the Third Reich. The diversion of Allied resources from other targets represented a major success for Hitler.


References

  • Operation Crossbow

Choose Another Date

Events on 1943

  • 11Feb

    Dwight D. Eisenhower

    World War II: General Dwight D. Eisenhower is selected to command the allied armies in Europe.
  • 30May

    Auschwitz concentration camp

    The Holocaust: Josef Mengele becomes chief medical officer of the Zigeunerfamilienlager (Romani family camp) at Auschwitz concentration camp.
  • 19Jun

    Pittsburgh Steelers

    The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL merge for one season due to player shortages caused by World War II.
  • 6Nov

    Kiev

    World War II: The Soviet Red Army recaptures Kiev. Before withdrawing, the Germans destroy most of the city's ancient buildings.
  • 4Dec

    Josip Broz Tito

    World War II: In Yugoslavia, resistance leader Marshal Josip Broz Tito proclaims a provisional democratic Yugoslav government in-exile.

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