Aerial views of Peenemünde, before and one after the 1943 raid

These press cutting were collected by Group Captain John Henry Searby, of No. 83 Squadron, who commanded Operation Hydra.

Operation Hydra was a precision nighttime raid on the V-weapons research facility at Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943. These press cuttings, from unknown sources, show the destruction achieved by the RAF. The attack was regarded as a success in delaying the development of V2 rockets, which targeted civilians in Britain and mainland Europe, until September 1944.