16
In the early years of the war Germany introduced its infamous V-Weapons, the German name being Vergeltungswaffen which translates as Vengeance Weapons. The first type was appropriately named V1 with its distinctive humming sound coming from the engine, a flying bomb which would drop from the sky when it ran out of fuel; the engine and the noise coming from it would stop, which was the only warning people on the ground got. Many of these flying bombs have been launched in the direction of most major cities in Britain causing death and destruction. Dozens of these flying bombs failed to reach their targets and dropped from the skies shortly after they were launched, some dropping on neighbourhoods in cities of the occupied countries, causing the same death and destruction.
The later model V2 was a self-propelled rocket meant for longer distances. These rockets came down from greater height and without a sound, so no warning could be given to those in the target areas.
One casualty in 47 Royal Marine Commando was caused by one of the V2 rockets. On 16 December 1944, Marine Guymer who was still on the island of Walcheren, requested leave to see a film in Antwerp’s ‘Ciné Rex’. His request was granted and so he was just able to catch the last ferry going from Flushing to Breskens, where he was able to get a ride with a jeep to Antwerp, arriving just in time for the film. Not long after the programme started, a V2 fell on top of the building causing many fatalities—including Marine Guymer. The total number of casualties from that single blast was 217 civilians and 296 military personnel killed and 300 wounded. Marine Guymer lies buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery in Antwerp, Plot V, Row A, Grave 73. Several others killed in that same blast found their final resting place in this cemetery plot.
PoW Mne Fred Batt’s diary continues:
Christmas:
My Christmas began with a Carol Service at 2000 hours on 24 December and a Nativity Play at 2315 for both of which I was singing bass harmony. On Christmas Day there was nothing really to record. In the morning I felt a dread of anyone wishing me a ‘happy Christmas’ but fortunately no one had to be waved off. As Christmas usually includes a large amount of food, we did our best to feed up, and as the parcel representative decided to bring forward the week of issue of parcels, we really had a whole parcel for Christmas week. At breakfast we had fried potatoes and meat roll. At noon, bread, cheese and cake, at four o’clock fried potatoes, fried fresh meat and swede, followed by cake and cream, and at 7 o’clock cocoa and biscuits.
My greatest wish is NOT to spend another Christmas in captivity and this was confirmed after seeing the pantomime ‘Robinson Crusoe’ on Boxing Night. The music and songs were excellent but palter was very poor.
The destruction at Cinema Rex after the V2 attack. (Photo courtesy of Mrs. Tina Vermeylen)
German V2 rocket with its mobile firing installation.