'Ski jump' launch ramp being built for V-bomb attacks on London

A young man's war - 6

June 18 1944. 30 AU searches out V-bomb sites and a harrowing day for Royal Marine R. Collins

08 July 2020

With offensive progress slowed, 30 AU are assigned to Operation Crossbow. The new objectives are the launch sites of the V-bombs which have recently started to land on London.

This post is part of a series: A Young Man's War

Operation 

Crossbow targetted the hidden and disguised launch and preparation sites of the V bombs that were now being launched at London. June 18th sees 'A' troop uncovering a rocket site in a French field, Collins turns 20 and hears news of his brother.

All photographs are from the 30 AU regimental archive held at the National Archive in London.

30 AU France operations Crossbow site
Launch sites were disguised to look as inconspicuous as possible in aerial reconnaissance images
30 AU France operations Crossbow site camouflaged entrance
Much of the launch site had been camouflaged to conceal the installation
30 AU France operations Crossbow site camouflaged rail lines
Turf was used to hide rail tracks
Crossbow railway Nehou 3
30 AU France operations Crossbow site railway lines
30 AU France operations Crossbow site camouflaged bunker
A heavily camouflaged entrance to an underground bunker

June 18th was Ralph Collins' 20th birthday

In a field near La Haye du Puits while searching the Crossbow sites, he was informed of his brother's death twelve days previously on D-Day at Port En Bessin.

Ralph's older brother James had gone ashore on June 6th with the 47 Royal Marine regiment at Arromanche.

James Collins is buried in Bayeux.

JW Collins
JWC in 47 RM
James Washington Collins
Letter from Crown tif
A young man's war - 7
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A young man's war - 5
Older