Wednesday 10 February 2010

D is for...

Doodlebug

The official name of this contraption was the V-1 and it was used by the Germans during WWII. The V stands for 'Vergeltung' or Retaliation. It was an early cruise missile and it was used to bomb population sites like London and Antwerp.

It was launched using what looked like an inverted ski-slope, mainly from the French and Dutch coastlines, until they were taken by the allied forces. It was propulsed by a simple pulse jet engine which pulsed about 50 times a second, giving it a buzzing sound, hence the name 'Buzz Bomb' or Doodlebug.

About 10.000 V-1's were launched at London and about a quarter of those reached London, Croydon being the area where most fell. British Intelligence then started giving out false location and correct times to upset the system: with a location north of London and a time for the south of London, the Germans made corrections causing most doodlebugs to land short of London.

For more D words from around the world, please check out ABC Wednesday and join in the fun!

PS: I am looking for the perfect winter dessert (so no ice-cream!). Strawberry Jam Anne sent me a yummy Lemon Surprise. So do you know of an absolute great and scrumptious dessert that contains no coffee or nuts (not too fond of those)? Please send a recipe to the address mentioned below. I promise to make and taste (hey, it's for science!) every single recipe sent to me at busdriver1971@gmail.com and make photos and write a post. So do you know of an absolute great and scrumptious dessert that contains no coffee or nuts (don't like those too much), please send a recipe to the above address.

22 comments:

  1. Very interesting post about the cruise missiles. I remember very well how and where they were used. But you had some interesting info that I wasn't aware of. Great read! Hope your week is going well!

    Sylvia

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  2. Thanks for the interesting info about the Doodlebugs. Its fascinating how many diverse topics come from ABC Wednesday. I guess that's why I enjoy it so much.

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  3. Thank you for this little history lesson! I had no idea! : )

    Desserts? I eat a lot of good ones, but I don't make many! I will ask my Mama! She is the best cook in the world : )

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  4. Charles tells of a narrow escape in his adventures with a Doodlebug while visiting his brother in England. Charles was stationed in northern England and had no close contact with the Dratted things, but luckily his bro pushed him into a Ditch and they escaped.

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  5. I learned something more about the Doodlebugs. Thanks!

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  6. I'm not quite old enough to remember hearing the Doodlebugs but my parents told me about them. The noise cut out shortly before impact! Scary if you were living in those times. Great D post and I learned more about them. A

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  7. The weapon is from a time when evil darkness fell across the world. A lot of people made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the right side won. I am thankful to everyone of them.

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  8. I have heard so much about the Doodlebugs from my mother, who lived in London during the war, but till now I had never seen one!

    Mum told me tales of how everyone used to listen to them coming over with dread that the engine would cut out, because it was then that they'd fall out of the sky and explode. She had a few near misses, including one time when she was showered with broken glass from my brother's bedroom window. She was leaning over his cot to shield him and got most of it in the back of one arm - so she was very lucky!

    On behalf of the team, thank you for taking part in ABC Wednesday this week! :)

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  9. You found a good word. You usually do.

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  10. I'd heard the term but was totally unfamiliar with the vehicle and its history. Thanks!

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  11. Very interesting historical information; I enjoyed being educated!

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  12. Hey! I've heard about doodlebugs but never actually seen one, so thanks for this! :)

    Desserts? Well I can recommend Caramel Croissant Pudding. Although it's hugely calorific it's *gorgeous*. Not for the feint hearted however! Recipe is over at my other Wordpress site here:

    http://voixdouce.wordpress.com/2009/01/31/caramel-croissant-pudding/

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  13. Thanks for the info I am not familiar of this one though!


    D is for Dad

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  14. What an interesting post for D!!

    Dessert?? The only one I can make out of scratch is tiramisu, but it does have coffee...

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  15. I remember, not the doodlebugs themselves, but all the stories about them. It seems important to me to preserve these stories, "lest we forget". Great post!

    thanks for your visit to mine. :)

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  16. I am impressed with you knowledge but not a bit surprised, you are neat!

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  17. Thank you for the history lesson.
    Very interesting. But I thought D was for Debby!

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  18. That is a fascinating name they gave it! How interesting. ~

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  19. Very cute name for such a destructive device. A friend of mine names her Chiwawa Doodlebug! Go figure.

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  20. I always get mixed feelings when I read or hear about war machines.

    On one hand, I am discouraged by the depravity of minds that create and use such things, and on the other, I am encouraged by the fierce determination of those who have fought on my behalf, to protect me and keep me safe.

    Very interesting post.

    And it is never too cold for Ice Cream. That's why God invented hot fudge and hot caramel toppings.

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  21. She was leaning over his cot to shield him and got most of it in the back of one arm - so she was very lucky!

    Work From Home

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Any weighty (and not so weighty) comments are welcome!