V-Weapons was the term given by the British to the weapons developed by the Germans as a form of retaliation for the destructive Allied bombing raids on German cities.

The first of these was the Vergeltungswaffe 1 (Revenge Weapon No 1), or V1 as it is more commonly known.  The V1 was a pilotless aircraft, overall length 25 feet with  wing-span of 16 feet.  Its original range was 160 miles but this was later extended to 250 miles, allowing missiles to be launched at London from sites in Holland.  The V1 was usually launched from a ramp although they could also be launched from aircraft.

The V2 rocket, also known as the A-4 Bombardment Rocket, measured 46 feet in length.  In its standard form its range was two hundred to two hundred and twenty miles.

If you are interested in reading more about V-Weapons during the Second World War click here for details of how to visit the Department of Printed Books.

Source:
Civil defence by Terence O'Brien. - London : HMSO and Longmans, 1955. (History of the Second World War : United Kingdom civil series / edited by Sir Keith Hancock).