[SAMWolf]

Good Afternoon EOD.

Henschel Hs 293

This was the first guided missile that entered service in large numbers. The Hs 293 was a glide bomb of aeroplane configuration, with a underslung rocket engine. It was carried by bombers like the He 111, He 177, Do 217 or Fw 200. A radio command link was standard, and a flare in the tail burned to help the operator sighting. There were also versions with wire guidance, and the experimental Hs 293D had TV guidance. The sloop HMS Egret, on 27 August 1943, had the dubious honour of being the first ship sunk by a guided missile. Many other victims followed, including five destroyers. Over 2300 Hs 293 missiles were fired.

[U S Army EOD]

On the ball as usual Sam. The only draw back the Germans had was the controlling aircraft was vunerable. If they have had air superiority, we may have had a lot of problems. Just think what would have happened at Normandy if they still had an effective offensive airforce.