The V1 launch site Val Ygot lies in the Eawy forest near Ardouval and Pommerval. It was set up in 1943 together with several other Launch sites in the same forest. The target for the V1 flying bombs launched from this site was London.
Layout of Val Ygot
The V1’s were brought in by truck and were delivered to the first concrete building. After arrival, the V1 missiles were lifted from the truck and placed on a trolley in the first concrete reception building. From here they were driven further onte the site to one of the three ski shaped bunkers. Before launch they were assembled and fueled in the assembly building and transported to the demagnetization building where they were adjusted and aimed at their target in England.
At this location the Germans built three large storage facilities (Ski bunkers), an assembling building, a power supply, a water basin and water bunker, personnel buildings, fuel storage, detonator storage, a launch / fire command bunker and used a small train to transport the V1 missiles. The V1 Ski bunkers, look like a Ski from above, the Allied pilots named the Ski bunkers. On Val Ygot they were never finished, the foundations can be found but before they were complete the site was discovered.
There were nine V1 Launch sites in Eawy forest with 7 of nine active launch ramps, only the launch sites near Muchedent and Val Ygot near Ardouval never came into action. Val Ygot was finished and ready to launch by Christmas 1943, but was bombed during Operation Crossbow in August 1944. It was severely damaged and never launched a V1 missile.
Visit
The Val Ygot V1 launch site is open every day and admission is free. The site is open without guides. There are information signs all over the premises and on the buildings.
