Von Braun joined the German Army Ordnance Department, where he was tasked with developing rockets for military purposes. This marked a turning point, as his dreams of space exploration became intertwined with the military ambitions of the Third Reich.

Von Braun received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Berlin. His dissertation, although classified at the time, focused on theoretical and experimental aspects of liquid-fueled rockets.

Von Braun became the technical director of the rocket development center at Peenemünde. This remote location on the Baltic coast provided the space and resources needed to develop large-scale rockets.

The first successful launch of the A-4 rocket, later known as the V-2, marked a significant milestone. While a technological achievement, it also represented the potential of rockets as weapons of war, under Nazi command.

A British bombing raid significantly damaged the Peenemünde facility, highlighting the Allied awareness of the German rocket program and prompting relocation of some operations.

The V-2 rockets were used to bombard London, Antwerp, and other Allied cities, causing significant damage and casualties. This solidified von Braun's association with the Nazi war effort.

Von Braun was briefly arrested by the Gestapo on suspicion of prioritizing space travel over military applications. This indicates some friction between his personal ambitions and the demands of the Nazi regime.

Recognizing the imminent collapse of the Nazi regime, von Braun and his team surrendered to American forces, seeking to continue their work under a different banner and with different goals.