A slim booklet, stamped "Top Secret," was distributed in late August 1944 to the troops assigned to fire the long-range rocket. It was a technical manual, called A-4 Fibel (Primer), and its authors had gone to some pains to simplify its instructions, which were imparted through short sentences, little homilies, and stanzas of jaunty verse [perhaps limericks?]. The primer was enlivened with cartoons of bosomy girls attired in bathing suits and negligees and drawings of German villages covered with Christmas snow. The first chapter set the tone:
LISTEN EVERYBODY!
Here, dear Reader, is
the new A-4 primer.
This dry material is presented
in an easy manner
So that it will become part
of your flesh and blood.
However, always remember one thing
ALL THIS MATERIAL ABOUT THE A-4 IS TOP SECRET. REMEMBER THAT!
... on this planet where you live
In an age of guided missiles
A sky ship in the universe--
A long dream of mankind--
May someday fascinate our century.
But today you must master a weapon still
Unknown because it is classified top secret.
It is called, for short, the A-4 Device....
Whoever talks about it commits treason
and damages himself and the State.
First of all, remember, do not enter
into any debate.
Should an outsider, an informer or
a wise-guy question you
Tell him with a stupid expression on your face
I don't know anything.
[...]
FASTER THAN SOUND
Only five minutes will elapse between launching and impact. In those five minutes, however, everything must operate perfectly. Every single element of the A-4 has to be tested carefully and set prior to launching to insure that the missile hits its target. Little things may cause misfiring....
REMEMBER:
Every miss will help the enemy, damage us through the loss of valuable materials, and endanger the lives of you and your comrades.
MORAL:
The A-4 will hold it against you if you don't study this manual carefully. If you do, the enemy will be troubled by each of your well-placed shots.
