# Peenemünde Army Research Center

> World War II weapons research center

**Wikidata**: [Q897509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q897509)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peenemünde_Army_Research_Center)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peenemunde-army-research-center

## Summary

The Peenemünde Army Research Center was founded in 1936.

## Summary
The Peenemünde Army Research Center was a German military weapons research facility established in 1936 on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom. It served as the primary development site for advanced rocket and missile technology during World War II, most notably the V-2 rocket.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1936.
- Located in Peenemünde, Germany.
- Dissolved in 1945.
- Parent organization was the Waffenamt.
- Classified as a launch site, military installation, and research institute.
- Coordinates: Latitude 54.15, Longitude 13.8.
- Heritage designation: Architectural heritage monument in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- Aliases include HVP and Пеенемюнде.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Peenemünde Army Research Center?
A: It was a dedicated military research facility focused on developing advanced weapons technology, particularly rockets and missiles, for the German Army during World War II.

### Q: What major weapon was developed at Peenemünde?
A: The center is most famously associated with the development and testing of the V-2 rocket, the world's first long-range ballistic missile.

### Q: What happened to Peenemünde after World War II?
A: The facility was captured by Allied forces in 1945 and subsequently dismantled. Its key scientists and technology were taken by the US, USSR, and UK, influencing post-war rocket programs globally.

### Q: Is the Peenemünde site still active?
A: No, the research center was dissolved in 1945 and is no longer an active military or research facility.

## Why It Matters
The Peenemünde Army Research Center represents a pivotal moment in military technology and scientific history. It was the birthplace of the V-2 rocket, the first human-made object to reach space and the progenitor of modern ballistic missiles. Its development fundamentally changed warfare by introducing long-range guided weapons, setting the stage for the Cold War arms race and the space race. The center's legacy is twofold: it demonstrated the devastating potential of ballistic missiles in warfare and laid the essential groundwork for space exploration, making it a critical site in the history of both military technology and astronautics.

## Notable For
- Being the primary development and test site for the world's first operational ballistic missile, the V-2 rocket.
- Hosting extensive launch facilities, including Test Stand VII, for large-scale rocket testing.
- Serving as a major hub for advanced weapons research during World War II, particularly in rocketry and guided missiles.
- Its dissolution in 1945 led to the dispersal of key scientists and technology, profoundly impacting post-war rocket programs in the US, USSR, and UK.
- Its designation as an architectural heritage monument in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, preserving its historical significance.

## Body
### Establishment and Purpose
Established in 1936, the Peenemünde Army Research Center (Heeresversuchsanstalt Peenemünde) was a dedicated military research facility. Its primary purpose was the development and testing of advanced weapons technology for the German Army, with a major focus on rocketry and guided missiles. It operated under the authority of the Waffenamt.

### Location and Facilities
The center was located in Peenemünde, Germany, on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom. Its precise coordinates are Latitude 54.15, Longitude 13.8. The site included extensive testing infrastructure, notably Test Stand VII, designed for large-scale rocket engine and vehicle testing. It functioned as both a research institute and a military installation, incorporating launch capabilities.

### Operations and Dissolution
The center was operational during World War II, playing a crucial role in German weapons development. It was dissolved in 1945 following the defeat of Nazi Germany and the capture of the facility by Allied forces. Key personnel and technology were subsequently acquired by the victorious powers.

### Classification and Recognition
The Peenemünde Army Research Center is classified as a launch site, a military installation, and a research institute. It holds the heritage designation of an architectural heritage monument in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is also recognized by various international identifiers including ISNI (0000000106862865), GND (7735944-6), VIAF (130315928), and FAST (660420).

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology