In this episode, we tell the story of Operation Aphrodite – the top secret missions against Hitler’s vengeance weapons – the terrifying V1 flying bombs and V2 rockets which devastated London in 1944 and 1945.

Join us as we take you on the journey – from beginning to end – right up to the present day. And discover the somewhat surprising legacy of the weapons themselves – and the fight against them.

Visit the site of a V1 flying bomb attack in central London, a top secret WW2 airfield in eastern England and an English church with a memorial to the brother of an American president.

An eye-witness account of the Aldwych V1 blast can be read on the BBC People's War website; more information about RAF Fersfield can be found on Wikipedia; there is also a website for Blythborough Church – the Cathedral of the Marshes.

With very grateful thanks to London historian and award-winning author Jerry White, Emeritus Professor of Modern London History at Birkbeck, University of London. Jerry's book The Battle of London 1939-45, which we talk about in this episode, can be purchased via Amazon in both the USA and the United Kingdom.

Thanks also to actor and professional voiceover artist Tim Wells, for being our voice of Winston Churchill and reading out the parliamentary statements included in this episode. Tim also narrates the audio visuals at the Blenheim Palace Churchill exhibition.

Do please like and subscribe to the Mighty Eighth Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit the Mighty Eighth Podcast website: mighty8thpodcast.com

To contact Johann and Mike, email johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Follow the Mighty Eighth Podcast on X - @mighty8thpod

Follow the Mighty Eighth Podcast on Facebook - @mighty8thpod

Follow the Mighty Eighth Podcast on Instagram - @mighty8thpod

Follow Johann on X - @johanntasker

Follow Mike on X - @mikehistorian

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.