Böblingen was one of the charming small towns around
Württemberg. It was founded by Count Wilhelm von
Tübingen-Böblingen in 1253. On October 7, 1943, 408
incendiary bombs and 35 high explosive bombs were aimed at the
small, militarily insignificant old town center, killing 44 civilians and
wounding 200. 1,735 people were left homeless, and 70% of the old
part of town was ruined. In July of 1944, another attack killed 36.
Württemberg. It was founded by Count Wilhelm von
Tübingen-Böblingen in 1253. On October 7, 1943, 408
incendiary bombs and 35 high explosive bombs were aimed at the
small, militarily insignificant old town center, killing 44 civilians and
wounding 200. 1,735 people were left homeless, and 70% of the old
part of town was ruined. In July of 1944, another attack killed 36.
| Boblingen, Bocholt, Böhlen, Bonn, Braunschweig, Breisach, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Breslau, Bruehl, Castrop Rauxel, Chemnitz. Colberg, Cologne, Cottbus and Cuxhaven |
The name Bocholt was first written about in 779, when
Charlemagne won a battle against the Saxons nearby. However,
the settlement was probably much older. Bishop Dietrich III
von Isenburg from Münster gave Bocholt city rights in 1222,
and by the 15th century the city flourished.
Charlemagne won a battle against the Saxons nearby. However,
the settlement was probably much older. Bishop Dietrich III
von Isenburg from Münster gave Bocholt city rights in 1222,
and by the 15th century the city flourished.
On March 22, 1945, Bocholt was 85 % destroyed when 98 British bombers dumped 180 tons of high explosive bombs
and over 171,000 incendiary bombs of 1.8 Kilos each. In just a few minutes, the entire city center experienced the
ungodly and terrible heat. According to the bomber crews the smoke rose to over four kilometers high. The ensuing fire
suction burned everyone alive in its path and sucked the air out of those trying to survive underground in cellars. Mutilated
corpses littered the roads leading out of the city center, and those found within the city later were completely shrunken.
and over 171,000 incendiary bombs of 1.8 Kilos each. In just a few minutes, the entire city center experienced the
ungodly and terrible heat. According to the bomber crews the smoke rose to over four kilometers high. The ensuing fire
suction burned everyone alive in its path and sucked the air out of those trying to survive underground in cellars. Mutilated
corpses littered the roads leading out of the city center, and those found within the city later were completely shrunken.
| Bocholt |
| Bonn |
| Braunschweig |
| Bremen and Bremerhaven |
| Breslau |
| Chemnitz |
In an Allied fire bomb attack of World War Two that struck directly into the heart of Bonn, these centuries were thrown
into an ash heap. 700 buildings were destroyed and 1,000 seriously damaged, with its university, many cultural and public
buildings and large residential area within the ancient city center totally destroyed with a great loss of life. So was the
organ in a church Beethoven practised on in his youth.
into an ash heap. 700 buildings were destroyed and 1,000 seriously damaged, with its university, many cultural and public
buildings and large residential area within the ancient city center totally destroyed with a great loss of life. So was the
organ in a church Beethoven practised on in his youth.
Roman soldiers first bridged the Rhine
at Bonn in the year 11AD, and the
name "Bonna" appeared in official
records by the 9th century. Bonn
developed into a beautiful and vibrant
cultural center. It was the birthplace of
Beethoven
at Bonn in the year 11AD, and the
name "Bonna" appeared in official
records by the 9th century. Bonn
developed into a beautiful and vibrant
cultural center. It was the birthplace of
Beethoven
The City of Braunschweig (Brunswick) is very old. Over one thousand years ago, merchants found a
quiet rest stop at the intersection of busy trade routes where the Oker river was navigable by way of
the Aller and Weser to Bremen and then to the sea. Because it was such a strategic location, Heinrich
the Lion choose Braunschweig as his residence in the middle of the 12th century, and it grew into a
large medieval city of five districts: Altstadt, Hagen, Sack, Altewiek, and Neustadt, each with its own
constitution, townhall, market and church. By the 13th and 14th centuries, Braunschweig was an
important and prosperous merchant city trading with Flanders, England, the Nordic countries and
even Russian regions. The resulting riches produced magnificent timber framed buildings.
quiet rest stop at the intersection of busy trade routes where the Oker river was navigable by way of
the Aller and Weser to Bremen and then to the sea. Because it was such a strategic location, Heinrich
the Lion choose Braunschweig as his residence in the middle of the 12th century, and it grew into a
large medieval city of five districts: Altstadt, Hagen, Sack, Altewiek, and Neustadt, each with its own
constitution, townhall, market and church. By the 13th and 14th centuries, Braunschweig was an
important and prosperous merchant city trading with Flanders, England, the Nordic countries and
even Russian regions. The resulting riches produced magnificent timber framed buildings.
Braunschweig
The independence of the city was lost when the absolutist Welf rulers
moved their place of residence in 1753 back from Wolfenbüttel to
Braunschweig, but soon trade and culture recommenced and the
Dukes formed a college in 1745 and a bank in 1765 to promote the
economy. The dukes also promoted science, art, music and theater,
turning the city into a glistening cultural center in the Enlightenment.
The dukes maintained law and order, and ran their duchies like tight
ships. The Filthy Weed The Bloody Silly Baron
moved their place of residence in 1753 back from Wolfenbüttel to
Braunschweig, but soon trade and culture recommenced and the
Dukes formed a college in 1745 and a bank in 1765 to promote the
economy. The dukes also promoted science, art, music and theater,
turning the city into a glistening cultural center in the Enlightenment.
The dukes maintained law and order, and ran their duchies like tight
ships. The Filthy Weed The Bloody Silly Baron
On the fifth British raid on Braunschweig by the RAF, October 15, 1944, 240 bombers dropped their lethal load which
produced an intentional fire storm that completely destroyed the old city center within the moat, and other large areas.
Hundreds of citizens lost their lives. 23, 000 people lost their homes.
produced an intentional fire storm that completely destroyed the old city center within the moat, and other large areas.
Hundreds of citizens lost their lives. 23, 000 people lost their homes.
Her 17th and 18th century stone buildings, her churches, schools and monuments would all vanish from the explosive
bombs followed by the incendiary bombs. The British-made firestorm raged for 2½ days. There were 202,284 city
citizens before the war, and only 149,641 by the war's end. 2,905 people later died from after effects and UXB's. The
city also lost 15,000 men during the war years. The lovely ancient city is but a small shred of her former self.
bombs followed by the incendiary bombs. The British-made firestorm raged for 2½ days. There were 202,284 city
citizens before the war, and only 149,641 by the war's end. 2,905 people later died from after effects and UXB's. The
city also lost 15,000 men during the war years. The lovely ancient city is but a small shred of her former self.
In what was called "sector bombing," the RAF used the cathedral as a reckoning point for the
master bomber in the lead plane who dropped a green marker on the cathedral dome to guide
the aimers in the following aircraft, who then flew over it from various directions in a fan-
shaped formation and dropped their deadly loads, in the case of Braunschweig about 200,000
phosphorus and incendiary bombs. Within the 24 hours of "Operation Hurricane," the RAF
dropped over 10,000 tons of bombs on Duisburg and Braunschweig alone, the greatest bomb
load dropped on any one day in the war. The old city's 800 half-timbered medieval houses
were ripe for the well planned British destruction of civilian residences and landmarks.
master bomber in the lead plane who dropped a green marker on the cathedral dome to guide
the aimers in the following aircraft, who then flew over it from various directions in a fan-
shaped formation and dropped their deadly loads, in the case of Braunschweig about 200,000
phosphorus and incendiary bombs. Within the 24 hours of "Operation Hurricane," the RAF
dropped over 10,000 tons of bombs on Duisburg and Braunschweig alone, the greatest bomb
load dropped on any one day in the war. The old city's 800 half-timbered medieval houses
were ripe for the well planned British destruction of civilian residences and landmarks.
Bremen, on the banks of the river Weser that flows into the
North Sea, was founded in the 9th century and was an
important and lovely member of the Hanseatic League. When
silt on the Weser began to reduce access to Bremen's docks,
Bremen's mayor purchased land 30 miles away near the mouth
of the river from Hannover in 1825 for use as a new port.
North Sea, was founded in the 9th century and was an
important and lovely member of the Hanseatic League. When
silt on the Weser began to reduce access to Bremen's docks,
Bremen's mayor purchased land 30 miles away near the mouth
of the river from Hannover in 1825 for use as a new port.
The new harbor of Bremerhaven received its first customer in 1830, the American schooner Draper.
Although a massive re-routing of the Weser above Bremerhaven eventually solved the problem of
accumulating silt, Bremerhaven remained the busiest emigrant port in Germany and soon became the
embarkation point for most emigrants leaving Germany through Bremen. Bremen Before and After
Although a massive re-routing of the Weser above Bremerhaven eventually solved the problem of
accumulating silt, Bremerhaven remained the busiest emigrant port in Germany and soon became the
embarkation point for most emigrants leaving Germany through Bremen. Bremen Before and After
On June 26, 1942, British attacked the heart of old Bremen City with one of their
infamous mega bombings called a "thousand bomber raid." Blockbuster bombs and
20,000 incendiary bombs were dropped in an hour, destroying hundreds of homes
and leaving thousands homeless. On August 18,1944, another massive attack on the
Hanseatic city was launched by both Americans and British. 273 British bombers flew
in five waves of attacks on the city, pounding her nearly to death, leaving so many
victims that they had to be put in mass graves.
infamous mega bombings called a "thousand bomber raid." Blockbuster bombs and
20,000 incendiary bombs were dropped in an hour, destroying hundreds of homes
and leaving thousands homeless. On August 18,1944, another massive attack on the
Hanseatic city was launched by both Americans and British. 273 British bombers flew
in five waves of attacks on the city, pounding her nearly to death, leaving so many
victims that they had to be put in mass graves.
While the harm to the civilian population was horrible, damage to military targets was rather light. As for Bremerhaven,
the goal of the Allies on September 18, 1944 was purportedly the complete destruction of the port, but within 20 minutes
of bombing, 421,060 incendiary bombs, 480 high-explosive bombs and thousands of mines were instead dumped on the
city itself. In this civilian attack, 30,000 people were homeless, dead or dying under a rain of burning debris or a crush of
rubble. 97% of the city's buildings were destroyed. The harbor facilities and the German barracks were unharmed
the goal of the Allies on September 18, 1944 was purportedly the complete destruction of the port, but within 20 minutes
of bombing, 421,060 incendiary bombs, 480 high-explosive bombs and thousands of mines were instead dumped on the
city itself. In this civilian attack, 30,000 people were homeless, dead or dying under a rain of burning debris or a crush of
rubble. 97% of the city's buildings were destroyed. The harbor facilities and the German barracks were unharmed
Breslau, first mentioned in 1000A.D., was made the seat of a
bishop in the 11th century it and became the capital of an
independent duchy in 1163. Mongols destroyed it in 1241, and
it stagnated until a large influx of enterprising German colonists
arrived. The bishop was titled "Prince of the Empire" in 1290.
King Johann of Bohemia bought it in 1335, and it was ruled by
his successors until about 1460. Various privileges were given
to Breslau by the Bohemian kings, and it grew wealthy.
bishop in the 11th century it and became the capital of an
independent duchy in 1163. Mongols destroyed it in 1241, and
it stagnated until a large influx of enterprising German colonists
arrived. The bishop was titled "Prince of the Empire" in 1290.
King Johann of Bohemia bought it in 1335, and it was ruled by
his successors until about 1460. Various privileges were given
to Breslau by the Bohemian kings, and it grew wealthy.
The overwhelmingly German-populated city fell under the rule of Matthias Corvinus until his death,
and in 1490 it again became subject to Bohemia, passing with the rest of Silesia to the Habsburg
dynasty. From 1526 through the Reformation and the Thirty Years War, Breslau remained mostly
undisturbed, and it came under the rule of Friedrich the Great in 1741. Reclaimed by the Austrians in
1757, it was again taken by Friedrich and belonged to Prussia until the end of World War One.
and in 1490 it again became subject to Bohemia, passing with the rest of Silesia to the Habsburg
dynasty. From 1526 through the Reformation and the Thirty Years War, Breslau remained mostly
undisturbed, and it came under the rule of Friedrich the Great in 1741. Reclaimed by the Austrians in
1757, it was again taken by Friedrich and belonged to Prussia until the end of World War One.
Breslau was the last major city in eastern Germany to fall on May 7, 1945. Although the city was only bombed once,
massive destruction took place in the aftermath and Breslau was largely destroyed. The medieval parts of the city and
almost all historical landmarks were gutted. The buildings that escaped bomb damage were burned and looted by the
Soviets. It is said there was a murdered and disfigured German soldier hung on every lamp post in the city. The 40,000
survivors of the German garrison surrendered and were executed, thrown into mass graves or taken to the Gulag, from
which few returned. Thousands of Breslau civilians had waited to evacuate the city when they heard news of the Soviet
advance on January 14, 1945. They could not evacuate until 6 days later because of rail damage and battles. In panic and
desperation, 50,000 to 60,000 left on foot, mostly women and children, in bitter winter weather. In the process, some
18,000 frozen bodies were recovered along their trails. 90,000 Breslauers are thought to have died in the evacuation.
Partly because they realized the hopelessness of evacuating, another 200,000 or so civilians remained in the inner city, and
by February 15, the Soviet noose tightened around them. Over 30,000 more would die, most from homicide. The Red
Army went house to house and block to block embarking on vicious slaughter. For 77 days, the carnage, rape and
mayhem lasted, the Soviets murdering with chemical weapons and burning people alive. 40,000 Breslauers lay dead in
the ruins, and the city was almost 70% destroyed. Like most of Silesia, Breslau was placed under Polish administration
according to the terms of the Potsdam Conference. Most surviving German inhabitants were expelled, and those who
dared remain were subjected to discrimination, arrest and harassment. All German property was taken. By the 1950s,
Breslau had been cleansed of Germans and its real history, renamed "Wrocław" and resettled by Poles.
massive destruction took place in the aftermath and Breslau was largely destroyed. The medieval parts of the city and
almost all historical landmarks were gutted. The buildings that escaped bomb damage were burned and looted by the
Soviets. It is said there was a murdered and disfigured German soldier hung on every lamp post in the city. The 40,000
survivors of the German garrison surrendered and were executed, thrown into mass graves or taken to the Gulag, from
which few returned. Thousands of Breslau civilians had waited to evacuate the city when they heard news of the Soviet
advance on January 14, 1945. They could not evacuate until 6 days later because of rail damage and battles. In panic and
desperation, 50,000 to 60,000 left on foot, mostly women and children, in bitter winter weather. In the process, some
18,000 frozen bodies were recovered along their trails. 90,000 Breslauers are thought to have died in the evacuation.
Partly because they realized the hopelessness of evacuating, another 200,000 or so civilians remained in the inner city, and
by February 15, the Soviet noose tightened around them. Over 30,000 more would die, most from homicide. The Red
Army went house to house and block to block embarking on vicious slaughter. For 77 days, the carnage, rape and
mayhem lasted, the Soviets murdering with chemical weapons and burning people alive. 40,000 Breslauers lay dead in
the ruins, and the city was almost 70% destroyed. Like most of Silesia, Breslau was placed under Polish administration
according to the terms of the Potsdam Conference. Most surviving German inhabitants were expelled, and those who
dared remain were subjected to discrimination, arrest and harassment. All German property was taken. By the 1950s,
Breslau had been cleansed of Germans and its real history, renamed "Wrocław" and resettled by Poles.
| Colberg |
| Cologne |
| Cottbus |
Chemnitz is the third largest city in modern Saxony. Located in the northern
foothills of the Erzgebirge, it is named after the Chemnitz River, a small
tributary of the Zwickauer Mulde River. An ancient settlement was located at
the place of Chemnitz called Kamienica. In 12th century, there was a
monastery at the place where the city now is, and a settlement grew around it.
foothills of the Erzgebirge, it is named after the Chemnitz River, a small
tributary of the Zwickauer Mulde River. An ancient settlement was located at
the place of Chemnitz called Kamienica. In 12th century, there was a
monastery at the place where the city now is, and a settlement grew around it.
In 1170, it was granted the rights of an imperial city, and in 1307 it fell under the rule of the
Margravate of Meissen. In medieval times Chemnitz became a center of textile production and trade,
and by the early 19th century, rapidly growing Chemnitz had become an industrial center. Agricola
Margravate of Meissen. In medieval times Chemnitz became a center of textile production and trade,
and by the early 19th century, rapidly growing Chemnitz had become an industrial center. Agricola
Chemnitz had a pre-World War Two population of 370,000, larger than it has today. On February 15, 1945, Dresden
and Chemnitz, both lying in the direct path of the advancing Russian armies, and Magdeburg, about seventy miles
south-west of Berlin, were the main targets for devastating blows by over 3,600 planes of the R.A.F and the Eighth US
Air Force so as to pave the way for the Red Army. 450 bombers attacked Chemnitz, while 400 went to Magdeberg and
450 to Dresden. The daylight bombing at Chemnitz absolutely devastated the city, destroying it almost completely. The
old St. Wolfgang church in Schneeberg had an altar by Lucas Cranach, with 11 very important scenes, and also a
bibliotech with priceless ancient manuscripts, including music scores of the miners' music. In 1945, low flying American
bombers totally destroyed the church and the bibliotech. The altar was taken from the burning building and survived. The
city then fell under communist rule and decayed further. In 1953, Chemnitz was renamed Karl-Marx-Stadt, and the city
was rebuilt according to Communist principles, with prefab concrete housing blocks and streets adorned with heroic
Soviet-style statues, including a huge head of Karl Marx. It returned to the original name of Chemnitz in 1990. The city of
Chemnitz today is thought to have the lowest birth rate in the world.
and Chemnitz, both lying in the direct path of the advancing Russian armies, and Magdeburg, about seventy miles
south-west of Berlin, were the main targets for devastating blows by over 3,600 planes of the R.A.F and the Eighth US
Air Force so as to pave the way for the Red Army. 450 bombers attacked Chemnitz, while 400 went to Magdeberg and
450 to Dresden. The daylight bombing at Chemnitz absolutely devastated the city, destroying it almost completely. The
old St. Wolfgang church in Schneeberg had an altar by Lucas Cranach, with 11 very important scenes, and also a
bibliotech with priceless ancient manuscripts, including music scores of the miners' music. In 1945, low flying American
bombers totally destroyed the church and the bibliotech. The altar was taken from the burning building and survived. The
city then fell under communist rule and decayed further. In 1953, Chemnitz was renamed Karl-Marx-Stadt, and the city
was rebuilt according to Communist principles, with prefab concrete housing blocks and streets adorned with heroic
Soviet-style statues, including a huge head of Karl Marx. It returned to the original name of Chemnitz in 1990. The city of
Chemnitz today is thought to have the lowest birth rate in the world.
The E.German government decided to turn Chemnitz into a "socialist model city."
Boroughs full of concrete slab buildings were erected around the city center, and
very few pre-war buildings were restored. One remaining old landmark is the red
tower, built in the late 12th or early 13th century as part of the old city wall. The
old Renaissance Rathaus is still standing, as is the smallest castle in Saxony, Burg
Rabenstein. There is also a nearby petrified forest dating back millions of years.
Boroughs full of concrete slab buildings were erected around the city center, and
very few pre-war buildings were restored. One remaining old landmark is the red
tower, built in the late 12th or early 13th century as part of the old city wall. The
old Renaissance Rathaus is still standing, as is the smallest castle in Saxony, Burg
Rabenstein. There is also a nearby petrified forest dating back millions of years.
Colberg, or Kolberg, was a small city in Pomerania, on the right bank of the Persante, which flows to the Baltic. A statue
of Friedrich Wilhelm III graced its marketplace and many of its buildings dated from the 14th century. German Kolberg
was one of the oldest places of Pomerania, having been granted city rights in 1255. In 1284, it became a member of the
Hanseatic League. The Swedes captured the town in 1631 during the Thirty Years War, then it passed by the treaty of
Westphalia to Friedrich Wilhelm I, elector of Brandenburg, who fortified it. Colberg was severely bombed and handed
over to the Red Army who murdered and expelled the German population. (see elsewhere)
of Friedrich Wilhelm III graced its marketplace and many of its buildings dated from the 14th century. German Kolberg
was one of the oldest places of Pomerania, having been granted city rights in 1255. In 1284, it became a member of the
Hanseatic League. The Swedes captured the town in 1631 during the Thirty Years War, then it passed by the treaty of
Westphalia to Friedrich Wilhelm I, elector of Brandenburg, who fortified it. Colberg was severely bombed and handed
over to the Red Army who murdered and expelled the German population. (see elsewhere)
Cologne is the oldest of the major German cities. Its name goes back to the Romans, who gave their
city the name of "Colonia" in 50 A.D. Rome´s imperial governor resided here and turned it into a
flourishing trade center. The famous Cologne Cathedral was built on the site of the original
settlement, and begun in 1248. It took more than 600 years, or until 1880 to be fully completed.
city the name of "Colonia" in 50 A.D. Rome´s imperial governor resided here and turned it into a
flourishing trade center. The famous Cologne Cathedral was built on the site of the original
settlement, and begun in 1248. It took more than 600 years, or until 1880 to be fully completed.
By 1942, the Allies had stopped bombing key military targets in favor of burning
the cities and residential districts. Cologne "got what it deserved" on the night of
May 30, 1942, when over 1,046 aircraft dropped approximately 2,000 tons of
high explosive bombs and incendiaries on the medieval town until it was engulfed
in flame from end to end in 12,000 separate fires. This raid, one of 262 separate
air raids inflicted on the ancient city, lasted about 75 minutes and the fires could
be seen 550 miles away. Cologne Cathedral
the cities and residential districts. Cologne "got what it deserved" on the night of
May 30, 1942, when over 1,046 aircraft dropped approximately 2,000 tons of
high explosive bombs and incendiaries on the medieval town until it was engulfed
in flame from end to end in 12,000 separate fires. This raid, one of 262 separate
air raids inflicted on the ancient city, lasted about 75 minutes and the fires could
be seen 550 miles away. Cologne Cathedral
Cottbus was established in the 10th century, when Sorbs erected a castle on a sandy island in the
Spree river. From the 13th century when German settlers came to the town, they have lived together
with the Sorbs in harmony. Medieval Cottbus was known for wool and fabric manufacturing.
Spree river. From the 13th century when German settlers came to the town, they have lived together
with the Sorbs in harmony. Medieval Cottbus was known for wool and fabric manufacturing.
On February 15, 1945, the lovely old town of Cottbus was bombed by 4,000 high-explosive American bombs,
destroying 356 houses and damaging 3,600. 1,000 people were killed, among them 400 children, and 13,000 were left
homeless. Parts of its hospital was destroyed, its doctors and nurses killed. It was handed over to the communists where
it would languish for decades. It is now part of Germany again.
destroying 356 houses and damaging 3,600. 1,000 people were killed, among them 400 children, and 13,000 were left
homeless. Parts of its hospital was destroyed, its doctors and nurses killed. It was handed over to the communists where
it would languish for decades. It is now part of Germany again.
The Allied artillery could not resist shooting at old German castles, and stocked
castle wine cellars also made them targets for plundering. The castles had been
sometimes used to store art work and archives evacuated from the cities.
Augustusburg Schloss in Bruehl, the old castle of the Dukes of Württemberg, was
a stunning example of Rhineland baroque architecture, complete with a grand
staircase, chapel, gardens and hunting lodge. On October 10, 1944, a single bomb
destroyed the north wing for no strategic reason. On December 28, bombs hit near
the chapel and the concussions smashed the plaster baroque and rococo interior.
castle wine cellars also made them targets for plundering. The castles had been
sometimes used to store art work and archives evacuated from the cities.
Augustusburg Schloss in Bruehl, the old castle of the Dukes of Württemberg, was
a stunning example of Rhineland baroque architecture, complete with a grand
staircase, chapel, gardens and hunting lodge. On October 10, 1944, a single bomb
destroyed the north wing for no strategic reason. On December 28, bombs hit near
the chapel and the concussions smashed the plaster baroque and rococo interior.
On March 4, only two days before the castle fell into American hands anyway, artillery shells struck the main building.
Testimony taken later indicated that no German troops had been in or near the building. One shell blew a corner off the
roof and the other two detonated inside and did extensive damage. Before the military government detachment arrived in
Bruehl, troops had bivouacked in the Schloss and caused even more damage. The Allied detachment finally stationed two
policemen on the grounds, but they had no authority or incentive to control US soldiers who continued to go in and out,
looting and vandalizing as they pleased.
Testimony taken later indicated that no German troops had been in or near the building. One shell blew a corner off the
roof and the other two detonated inside and did extensive damage. Before the military government detachment arrived in
Bruehl, troops had bivouacked in the Schloss and caused even more damage. The Allied detachment finally stationed two
policemen on the grounds, but they had no authority or incentive to control US soldiers who continued to go in and out,
looting and vandalizing as they pleased.
| Bruehl |
16th century Boblingen
| Böblingen |
Böhlen is another very old Saxon city. First mentioned in 1353, Böhlen remained rural and sleepy until the 1920s. 224
Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos attacked an oil plant near Böhlen, also managing to damage the town and kill a few civilians.
Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos attacked an oil plant near Böhlen, also managing to damage the town and kill a few civilians.
| Böhlen |
| Castrop Rauxel |
Castrop-Rauxel, nestled between the major cities of Dortmund, Bochum, Herne, Recklinghausen and Waltrop, was first
mentioned in 834 as Villa Castorpe, receiving free city rights in 1384. It was once ruled by the Counts of Kleve. In the
war, 26.1% of civilian buildings were destroyed.
mentioned in 834 as Villa Castorpe, receiving free city rights in 1384. It was once ruled by the Counts of Kleve. In the
war, 26.1% of civilian buildings were destroyed.
| Cuxhaven |
Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony is situated on the shore of the North Sea at the mouth of the Elbe River. For over 600 years,
it belonged to Hamburg. British bombing attacks on the German cities of Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven began early in the
war, on September 5th, 1939.
it belonged to Hamburg. British bombing attacks on the German cities of Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven began early in the
war, on September 5th, 1939.
600 acres of built-up area were destroyed and 59,000 people left homeless. 90% of the city was utterly destroyed. The
Cathedral suffered 14 direct hits but, although badly injured, miraculously remained at least salvageable, and it remains the
tallest Gothic structure in the world. Scores of other ancient churches and landmarks vanished forever. Thousands of
people were killed, maimed and burned to death, and by the end of the war, the population of Cologne was reduced 95%
Cathedral suffered 14 direct hits but, although badly injured, miraculously remained at least salvageable, and it remains the
tallest Gothic structure in the world. Scores of other ancient churches and landmarks vanished forever. Thousands of
people were killed, maimed and burned to death, and by the end of the war, the population of Cologne was reduced 95%
| Breisach |
Breisach, Celtic for breakwater, is situated along
the Rhine in the Rhine Valley where a bridge
leads over the Rhine to Neuf-Brisach, Alsace.
The hill on which Breisach came into existence
was once in the middle of the Rhine River until
the Rhine was straightened by the engineer
Johann Gottfried Tulla in the 19th century. The
seat of a Celtic prince was at the hill on which
Breisach lies. The Romans maintained an
auxiliary castle on Mons Brisiacus here and the
ancient Staufer dynasty founded Breisach as a
city. St. Stephans-münster, the cathedral in
Breisach, was started in the early 13th century,
and by the early 16th century, Breisach was a
significant stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire
the Rhine in the Rhine Valley where a bridge
leads over the Rhine to Neuf-Brisach, Alsace.
The hill on which Breisach came into existence
was once in the middle of the Rhine River until
the Rhine was straightened by the engineer
Johann Gottfried Tulla in the 19th century. The
seat of a Celtic prince was at the hill on which
Breisach lies. The Romans maintained an
auxiliary castle on Mons Brisiacus here and the
ancient Staufer dynasty founded Breisach as a
city. St. Stephans-münster, the cathedral in
Breisach, was started in the early 13th century,
and by the early 16th century, Breisach was a
significant stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire
During World War II, 85% of Breisach was destroyed by
Allied artillery as the Allies crossed the Rhine. The
Cathedral was heavily damaged.
Allied artillery as the Allies crossed the Rhine. The
Cathedral was heavily damaged.