[syockit]

Isn't a clock and a gyroscope precisely two things that are needed for the missile to know where it is at all times? Like, it can then know where it isn't by subtracting where it is from where it isn't, or where it isn't from where it is, to get the positional deviation. Combine that with the clock deviation, it can get the velocity and acceleration and then use all three information to generate corrective commands.

[jacquesm]

In principle, yes. That's called inertial navigation and while it works, for a while, the errors involved are big enough that without a feedback loop you'll be happy if it lands anywhere near the target area. And with the size of the payloads of the day 'near' isn't nearly precise enough. So these were only usable as a terror weapon. Unfortunately, not much seems to have changed in 80 years in spite of our ability to target much more precisely.

[sharikone]

Yes but not precisely. There is an uncertainty that is difficult to remove.

However, if you combine it with modern image recognition and you know your target it will be probably enough