Rockets and rocket carriers

We had come into Swinoujscie rather than Rostock so we could more easily visit Peenemunde, the Nazi rocket testing facility. We were surprised by the area as it is filled with resorts all along the coast and in the summer holidays it must absolutely heave!

Jellyfish and algae spoiled the beach, but may not be permanent features

I think this a warning about bits of phosphorous (burnstone?) from wartime ordinance. I like that it has a large amount about the threat then one line saying "For the normal bathing there is no danger"

Our camp was next to a maritime museum. The site was sprinkled with old boats, some of which were converted to accommodation.

Peenemunde (the mouth of the Peene river) harbour was part of the testing complex during the war, and also an important port for the East German people's navy. After reunification much of the fleet was tied up here. The big building is an ex-power station, but more of that later.

We had to remind ourselves that this was East Germany and the military stuff belonged to the 'bad guys'. This Mig-21 trainer was sold off after the Sovs left.

This is a Soviet anti-shipping missile, known to NATO as AS-1 Kennel. 

We took a guided tour of the complex ruins (it was comprehensively destroyed by the Sovs after the war). Our guide (who owns the Mig pictured above) spoke mostly German so we missed out on all his jokes which seemed to be quite funny, judging from the laughs he got from the rest of the group. Mostly at the expense of his family members I think, though there was a routine about sea eagles...

This was the site of one of the test launch pads for an anti-aircraft rocket I think.

This was launch site VII, the A-4/V-2 test site. The water filled pool back-left was where 'hot tests' took place.

Commemoration stone. Is that the right word? This is where the A-4/V-2 test rockets were launched from. The Germans had intended to build the rockets in this complex but Allied bombing raids forced them underground elsewhere in Germany. No rockets were fired in anger from here - it was only testing

A Sov Juliet class sub, the last of its class.

A Sov designed, ex-East German Taruntul-1 missile corvette. They sure packed a lot of bang in these relatively small ships.

Coal loading crane

Used for harbour cruises

The power station coal loading system

Another sub - how many is that? 

Cruise missile launchers. These were intended to destroy American coastal cities if push came to shove. There's a direct line of descent from the the Nazi testing at Peenemunde to these missiles. 

That appears to be a Dalek on the third tower.

Sand sculpture

Showerometer :17 Should be minus another for the distance from the campsite - about 200m!