On September 8, 1944, Germany ushered in a new era in warfare, firing the first guided ballistic missiles against Paris and London. The V2 A4 carried a warhead with 1-ton of explosives, flew at the speed of sound and reached an altitude of 50-60 miles; it was impossible to detect or attack in flight. Designed as a highly mobile weapons system, road and rail transport were closely coordinated to deliver rockets, warheads, fuel and other components. This allowed a V2 to be fired almost anywhere within 200+ miles of a target.
 
This heavy-duty transporter carried the V2 to the firing site after the warhead was attached. It was also fitted with hydraulic equipment to raise the rocket into place on the firing platform, while built-in piping simplified fueling.