V1 Feuerstellung Camping Twente

There seem to have been four V1 runways in the area between Haaksbergen and Enschede. The runways were completed, but were never used because the war had ended.

It concerns the following locations:
1- runway in the Assinkbos (then and now owned by the L. van Heek family).
2- runway near the Helmerhoek
3- runway on the road to Enschede, the current Enschedesestraat behind the Ziepe farm. This farm can be found at Enschedesestraat 188. There are still various remains in the ground here, including the concrete track and well for cooling water. The concrete track starts directly behind the farm and goes a long way into the forest. It can also be reached via a forest path from the Molenbeltenweg.
4- runway near the Rutbeek area (now camping Twente).

Also called ''Recreation Center Twente''. It is located close to the main road from Enschede (8 km) to Haaksbergen (5 km).

A foundation block from the V1 launch pad, showing the distinctive square hole. This piece of foundation is located in the gravel road near the toilet block that is located directly behind the canteen. The launch track runs under the canteen and under the toilet block; it has been built over. This V1 runway was a so-called ''avoidance runway''. This meant that it was in relation to the runway at Enschedesestraat 188. They are about 1.5 km apart, and so if something were to happen to Enschedesestraat 188, the V1s could also be seen from the fire swerve trajectory, with the same settings. So there was no need to correct for distance or direction.

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Source

• Text: Alex Ossel & Laurens Mentink
• Photos: Laurens Mentink