The German rocket program during World War II focused on developing advanced missile technology. Led by scientists like Wernher von Braun, the program aimed to create long-range weapons, including the V-2 rocket, which became the world's first operational ballistic missile. The program utilized innovative engineering and research, significantly advancing rocket technology. After the war, many German scientists, including von Braun, were brought to the United States through Operation Paperclip, contributing to the U.S. space program and the development of the Saturn V rocket that eventually took astronauts to the Moon.