Construction by the Todt Organization 1944 (≈ 1944)
Creation of light bases after allied bombing.
22 octobre 2024
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 22 octobre 2024 (≈ 2024)
Protection of the 8 archaeological works and remains.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The works of the light launching base of V1, vestiges of the Second World War, in full, located place-dite Château de Rochemont, as well as the land plates where they are preserved, including the archaeological remains buried or in known elevations or to be discovered, as delimited on the annexed plan, located on parcels No. 155 Le Clos de Beauvac, No. 159 Beauvac, No. 261 Ferme de Rochement, appearing in the cadastre section A, as well as the storage shelters of military equipment present on the uncadated public domain: inscription by order of 22 October 2024
Key figures
Organisation Todt - Military constructor
Head of V1 bases in 1944.
Luftwaffe - German Air Force
Site Operational Manager (No.140).
Origin and history
The light launch base of Saussemesnil V1, located between the castles of Rochemont and the Hermitage, was built in 1944 by the Todt Organisation to address the vulnerability of heavy installations systematically bombed by the Allies. Unlike fixed sites, these "light" bases were dispersed and discreet, consisting of a garage, storage niches, a concrete amagnetic platform, launch ramp pads, fire station, tanks and concrete tracks. Their design allowed for the rapid movement of "flying bombs" to the ramp, while minimizing the risk of aerial tracking.
This site is distinguished by its exceptional state of conservation: all 8 original elements remain, including an amagnetic platform considered a model of the genre. The concrete tracks, partly inherited from an ancient route, illustrate the adaptation of existing infrastructure to German military needs. In the Luftwaffe nomenclature, this database was numbered 140, highlighting its integration into a wider network of similar sites deployed in 1944.
Ranked among the Historical Monuments by order of 22 October 2024, the Saussemesnil base protects not only visible works (garage, tanks, ramp), but also buried archaeological remains and associated land plates. The parcels concerned (n°155, 159, 261) belong to both private and departmental properties, testifying to a conflicting heritage where collective memory and preservation stakes are mixed. Localization, noted as "passable" (5/10) by sources, reflects the challenges of precise geolocation in a rural environment.
