From mid 1944 to early 1945, the German Luftwaffe fired rockets at Britain, with the aim to harm and intimidate the population. Many thousands of people were killed and many more injured, while the loss of property reached colossal proportions. Still, the British people suffered through the attacks, knowing that the allied forces were hard at work to repel the Germans from France and the Benelux countries.
V-1 rocket campaign
The name of the rockets, V, came from the German word Vergeltungswaffen, which means weapons of reprisal. The first generation, the V-1, was developed by German scientists at the Peenemünde research facility on the Baltic Sea, under the direction of Wernher von Braun. The V-1 rocket was outfitted with an explosive warhead weighing one tonne. These bombs caused considerable damage. The attacks against London began on June 13, 1944, a week after the D-Day landings. At the beginning, up to 100 V-1s fell every hour on London. Over an 80 day period, more than 6,000 persons were killed and over 17,000 were injured. A million buildings were wrecked or damaged. The attacks occurred around the clock in all types of weather which caused terror among the population.
V-1 rocket campaign
The name of the rockets, V, came from the German word Vergeltungswaffen, which means weapons of reprisal. The first generation, the V-1, was developed by German scientists at the Peenemünde research facility on the Baltic Sea, under the direction of Wernher von Braun. The V-1 rocket was outfitted with an explosive warhead weighing one tonne. These bombs caused considerable damage. The attacks against London began on June 13, 1944, a week after the D-Day landings. At the beginning, up to 100 V-1s fell every hour on London. Over an 80 day period, more than 6,000 persons were killed and over 17,000 were injured. A million buildings were wrecked or damaged. The attacks occurred around the clock in all types of weather which caused terror among the population.
V-2 rocket campaign
In September of 1944, the Nazis introduced the more sophisticated and more deadly V-2 rocket, with an over one tonne explosive warhead. Over a thousand V-2 rockets were fired between
September 8, 1944 and March 26, 1945. However, the rockets only reached London
for ten days, or until September 18, when the allied forces pushed the German
forces out of range of London. The bombings then continued on other parts
of the country, mostly to the south and west of London.
Astrology of the events
In the 16° Virgo
rising horoscope for the UK, the Saturn - Jupiter period was operating from 16
June 1943 to 28 December 1945. The major period of 6L Saturn in infancy and
badly placed in 12H is consistent with the UK being involved in conflict abroad
while enduring significant losses. Indeed, the UK was attacked from the air in
1940-41 and again in 1944-45. The nation sacrificed its young men to the war
and despite the best efforts of the military, the nation lost its status as the
preeminent military power in the world during WW II. The USA quickly moved in
and usurped that role. The UK also lost some major colonies in Asia, Africa and
the Middle East, as these countries became independent. By comparison, when the
more favourable major period of Mercury -- as 1L in the sun-like 3H -- began at
the end of 1945, the UK soon felt the benefits of the Allied victory in Europe Nevertheless,
it took the country roughly two decades to wind down its foreign currency
imbalances as the widespread use of the Pound Sterling around the world was
phased down.
It is fitting that the sub-period of Jupiter as 4th lord of real estate and communal harmony was operating. Natally, Jupiter is well placed and
exalted at 11° Cancer and 11H. This means that real estate and communal harmony is favoured.
However, as Jupiter is weakened by the placement of it‘s dispositor, Moon, in
old age at 28° Gemini and 10H, there can be setbacks. While the trend influences are linked to the aspirations of the people with regard to real estate and communal harmony, these may suffer
setbacks when transits are adverse.
At the start of the
V-1 rocket bombings on June 13, 1944, transit 6L Saturn at 6° Gemini was in
aspect to natal 6L Saturn at 2° 17‘ Leo and 12H. The transit nodes had been
stationary over natal 4L Jupiter in the first part of the year, imparting stress on the communal harmony. At the time of the commencement of the V-1 campaign, transit 4L Jupiter was at 29° Cancer where it was conjunct natal 6L Saturn at 2°
Leo and about to enter the 12H of losses. Indeed, at this time,
horrendous destruction of British homes took place and the population endured not only significant casulaties but also outright terror. The natal nodes were also
afflicting transit 1L Mercury and 2L Venus, which was also combust transit 12L
Sun at the time, reflecting the substantial loss of life. Finally, natal Rahu in 7H was afflicting transit 8L Mars in debilitation in 11H.
At the start of the
V-2 rocket bombings on September 8, 1944, transit 6L Saturn at 15° Gemini and
10H MEP was aspecting transit 4L Jupiter at 16° Leo and 12H MEP, as well as the
12H, 4H and 7H. Saturn would remain stationary in the 10H MEP through January 1945.
Hence, conflict was a prominent fact of national life that winter. Fitting the
bombings, transit 8L Mars was at 13° Virgo and 1H MEP when the bombings started,
from where it also aspected 4H owned by Jupiter, 7H and its own 8H. During the
winter, the nodes became stationary at 25° Gemini, thus afflicting the weak
natal 11L Moon in the 10H. Indeed, the bombings introduced an element of terror
into the life of the English, as the V-2 rockets could not be intercepted and
struck at random times and locations. When the bombings
ended on March 26, 1945, the transit afflictions of 6L Saturn and the nodes had
lifted.
Summary
The episode highlights the trend influences of a weak sub-period lord, 4th lord Jupiter, which rules over housing and communal harmony. Moreover, Jupiter transited the 12th house of losses while the bulk of the attacks took place, where it was afflicted by both natal Saturn as 6th lord of conflict and transit Saturn. Like the USA, the UK got involved in WW II during the major period of its 6th lord (Saturn).
References
The History Place:
World War II in Europe.
Sites of V1 or V2 bomb
explosions in London in WW II
Video: V-2 bomb damage
in London (21 secs)
Flying bombs and
rockets.
