| Eilenburg, Eisenach, Elbing, Ellingen, Elmshorn, Emden, Emmerich, Erfurt, Erkelenz, Esen, Essen and Flensburg |
| Essen |
| Eilenburg |
| Erfurt |
| Emden and Esen |
Approximately two weeks before the end of the War, the city was
almost completely destroyed. It was choked with desperate refugees
from the eastern regions fleeing communist murder. On April 17, 1945,
many of these refugees joined the town's citizens and fled this city, too.
About 4,500 others looked for protection in the old mountain beer
cellars. For three days and three nights, the city was under heavy
artillery bombardment, in which 90 percent of the city center (65% of
all buildings in the city) were destroyed. In vain, some people frantically
hung white sheets and cloths from their windows and church steeples
desperately signalling surrender. 200 people were killed, a great many of
them young boys, while the American forces suffered no losses because
Germany's defenses were all but absent. Eilenburg was one of the most
heavily damaged cities in Germany. The town was absolutely flattened
before being handed over to the Red Army. Franz Abt
almost completely destroyed. It was choked with desperate refugees
from the eastern regions fleeing communist murder. On April 17, 1945,
many of these refugees joined the town's citizens and fled this city, too.
About 4,500 others looked for protection in the old mountain beer
cellars. For three days and three nights, the city was under heavy
artillery bombardment, in which 90 percent of the city center (65% of
all buildings in the city) were destroyed. In vain, some people frantically
hung white sheets and cloths from their windows and church steeples
desperately signalling surrender. 200 people were killed, a great many of
them young boys, while the American forces suffered no losses because
Germany's defenses were all but absent. Eilenburg was one of the most
heavily damaged cities in Germany. The town was absolutely flattened
before being handed over to the Red Army. Franz Abt
Coal and ore mining led to industrial growth of the city and of the entire Ruhr Battle of the Ruhr
From 1940, historically priceless Erfurt was bombed at least 14 times. On February 25, 1945, British
bombers destroyed 74% of the medieval center and killed 8,800 civilians, or 21% of its population.
More on Erfurt
bombers destroyed 74% of the medieval center and killed 8,800 civilians, or 21% of its population.
More on Erfurt
Erfurt took its name from "Erpha," which meant "brown water" and was the river's name until
modern times. The Gera River Valley has been inhabited for at least 100,000 years. Erfurt's earliest
written records date from 742 A.D., when a diocese was established. Erfurt grew into an important
trading center over the next few centuries. Religion and education always played an important role in
the city's history, and at its height, Erfurt had 90 churches, monasteries, chapels and convents. Its
university, founded in 1362, was the fourth oldest in Germany. Martinus Ludher came to Erfurt in
1502 to study and he received his master's degree in 1505 and was ordained as a priest in the
Mariendom, Erfurt's Cathedral, in 1507. Erfurt was occupied by the Swedes after the 30 Years' War,
then turned over to the Prussians, then seized by Napoleon and then handed back to the Prussians.
modern times. The Gera River Valley has been inhabited for at least 100,000 years. Erfurt's earliest
written records date from 742 A.D., when a diocese was established. Erfurt grew into an important
trading center over the next few centuries. Religion and education always played an important role in
the city's history, and at its height, Erfurt had 90 churches, monasteries, chapels and convents. Its
university, founded in 1362, was the fourth oldest in Germany. Martinus Ludher came to Erfurt in
1502 to study and he received his master's degree in 1505 and was ordained as a priest in the
Mariendom, Erfurt's Cathedral, in 1507. Erfurt was occupied by the Swedes after the 30 Years' War,
then turned over to the Prussians, then seized by Napoleon and then handed back to the Prussians.
East Frisia was part of Holland during the Napoleonic era, and then
was ceded to Hanover. Emden, a city in East Frisia, existed since
before the 8th century. Emperor Maximilian I granted the city its
rights in 1495. Dutch immigrants helped bring Emden prosperity, and
during the 17th century it was a center of reformed Protestantism,
producing the first Bible translation in Dutch.
The Destruction of Emden
was ceded to Hanover. Emden, a city in East Frisia, existed since
before the 8th century. Emperor Maximilian I granted the city its
rights in 1495. Dutch immigrants helped bring Emden prosperity, and
during the 17th century it was a center of reformed Protestantism,
producing the first Bible translation in Dutch.
The Destruction of Emden
In the morning of September 27,1943, all three bomber divisions of the heavy combat flier corps of
the 8 USAAF were assigned with altogether 308 "flying fortresses" to attack the city of Emden after
several previous strikes. At the same time 24 bombers were sent out as diversion over the channel.
"Thunderbolts" from the 8th USAAF escorted the operation as protection for the heavy bombers.
The air raid did not run well for the Americans, because only 180 combat aircraft were able to drop
their bomb load on the city. For the small town of Esens (not to be confused with Essen), it would be
a bad day when 36 disappointed American bombers, having failed to finish off Emden, saw the small
town below and angrily unloaded their destruction and death upon it. Within minutes, one third of all
houses of Esens were destroyed or damaged and 490 humans left shelterless at the end of the day.
Far worse, 165 unprepared civilians were dead, among them 108 children whose bodies were found
along with their dead teachers in the rubble of the local orphanage.
the 8 USAAF were assigned with altogether 308 "flying fortresses" to attack the city of Emden after
several previous strikes. At the same time 24 bombers were sent out as diversion over the channel.
"Thunderbolts" from the 8th USAAF escorted the operation as protection for the heavy bombers.
The air raid did not run well for the Americans, because only 180 combat aircraft were able to drop
their bomb load on the city. For the small town of Esens (not to be confused with Essen), it would be
a bad day when 36 disappointed American bombers, having failed to finish off Emden, saw the small
town below and angrily unloaded their destruction and death upon it. Within minutes, one third of all
houses of Esens were destroyed or damaged and 490 humans left shelterless at the end of the day.
Far worse, 165 unprepared civilians were dead, among them 108 children whose bodies were found
along with their dead teachers in the rubble of the local orphanage.
| Eisenach |
In 1944 and 1945, there were several unnecessary
cultural attacks on the old hamlet of Eisenach which
caused severe damage. The house Luther stayed in
1498 was destroyed along with the birthplace of Bach,
which has been rebuilt, left, before and after, click
cultural attacks on the old hamlet of Eisenach which
caused severe damage. The house Luther stayed in
1498 was destroyed along with the birthplace of Bach,
which has been rebuilt, left, before and after, click
| Ellingen |
Ellingen is a small farming hamlet in Bavaria in the vicinity of Mad
King Ludwig's castle. It had 1,500 inhabitants, most of whom were
farmers, and nothing of military value to attack. It was totally
unprepared on February 23, 1945 when, for no good reason, 25
American bombers violently dumped 285 high explosive bombs on
the small town in a surprise attack which left 120 bomb craters. The
assault killed the town's farm animals and 98 villagers.
King Ludwig's castle. It had 1,500 inhabitants, most of whom were
farmers, and nothing of military value to attack. It was totally
unprepared on February 23, 1945 when, for no good reason, 25
American bombers violently dumped 285 high explosive bombs on
the small town in a surprise attack which left 120 bomb craters. The
assault killed the town's farm animals and 98 villagers.
There is evidence of human settlement in Saxon Eilenburg from the middle paleolithic age. Beginning
in the 10th Century, King Heinrich I. replaced the Sorb castle with one of his own. The unbroken
Saxon dynasty of Wettin that started with the Counts of Ilburg in the 11th century lasted until 1918,
the longest a European house ever ruled a land. Antique Eilenburg flourished in the Middle Ages.
in the 10th Century, King Heinrich I. replaced the Sorb castle with one of his own. The unbroken
Saxon dynasty of Wettin that started with the Counts of Ilburg in the 11th century lasted until 1918,
the longest a European house ever ruled a land. Antique Eilenburg flourished in the Middle Ages.
| Emmerich |
Emmerich am Rhein is an old Hanseatic city mentioned as early as the year 700. It is on the lower
part of the River Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia. On October 7, 1944, 97 % of the magnificent
ancient city, including its 9th century churches, was destroyed by a British air raid. Very few
historical elements remained intact.
part of the River Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia. On October 7, 1944, 97 % of the magnificent
ancient city, including its 9th century churches, was destroyed by a British air raid. Very few
historical elements remained intact.
| Flensburg |
Flensburg is the third largest town in Schleswig-Holstein. Founded around 1200 by Danish settlers, its
town rights were confirmed in 1284 and the town quickly rose to become one of the most important
in the Duchy of Schleswig. During the Second World War, the town was left almost unscathed by
the raids that laid other German cities waste. However, in 1943, 20 children died when their nursery
school was suddenly bombarded.
town rights were confirmed in 1284 and the town quickly rose to become one of the most important
in the Duchy of Schleswig. During the Second World War, the town was left almost unscathed by
the raids that laid other German cities waste. However, in 1943, 20 children died when their nursery
school was suddenly bombarded.
| Elbing |
| Elmshorn |
Elmshorn in Schleswig-Holstein was first documented in 1141. There was a considerable shipping
trade and in the surrounding areas were small farms before some industry located here. During the
War, it became the secondary target for bombs that for one reason or another could not be dropped
on Hamburg. A British bomb attack on August 3, 1943 killed 62 people killed and injured 150
because cloud formation obscured the primary objective of Hamburg. 250 buildings were destroyed,
220 heavily damaged. A British source noted that "A sizeable raid developed on the small town of
Elmshorn, 12 miles from Hamburg. It is believed that a flash of lightning set a house on fire here and
bomber crews saw this through a gap in the storm clouds and started to bomb the fire“. Again, on
April 26, 1945, in connection with the thrust of British land forces to Schleswig-Holstein, a low-flying
attack killed another 92 civilians. Another attack was slated for May 3, but due to poor visibility the
bombs were instead dropped on a train, resulting in more deaths. At the end of the war, 13,000
refugees - almost as many refugees as residents - remained in the city, resulting in housing crisis.
trade and in the surrounding areas were small farms before some industry located here. During the
War, it became the secondary target for bombs that for one reason or another could not be dropped
on Hamburg. A British bomb attack on August 3, 1943 killed 62 people killed and injured 150
because cloud formation obscured the primary objective of Hamburg. 250 buildings were destroyed,
220 heavily damaged. A British source noted that "A sizeable raid developed on the small town of
Elmshorn, 12 miles from Hamburg. It is believed that a flash of lightning set a house on fire here and
bomber crews saw this through a gap in the storm clouds and started to bomb the fire“. Again, on
April 26, 1945, in connection with the thrust of British land forces to Schleswig-Holstein, a low-flying
attack killed another 92 civilians. Another attack was slated for May 3, but due to poor visibility the
bombs were instead dropped on a train, resulting in more deaths. At the end of the war, 13,000
refugees - almost as many refugees as residents - remained in the city, resulting in housing crisis.
Erkelenz is another old Rhine town and the largest city in North Rhine-
Westphalia. It has a history going back to 5100 BC. and also contains
many Roman artifacts. In 966 AD, it is named as Herculentiacum. The
town was part of ancient dukedoms and survived being in the pathways
of foreign soldiers in several wars throughout the ages. It was
industrialized in the late 19th century.
Westphalia. It has a history going back to 5100 BC. and also contains
many Roman artifacts. In 966 AD, it is named as Herculentiacum. The
town was part of ancient dukedoms and survived being in the pathways
of foreign soldiers in several wars throughout the ages. It was
industrialized in the late 19th century.
| Erkelenz |
After World War One, the Ruhr region was occupied by the French and
Belgians and both tried to attach the Rhineland to their countries. Under
the terms of Versailles, the citizens engaged in mining and other industries
had to work for them almost as slaves as they watched German coal and
steel leaving for France and Belgium. It was a bitter occupation and the
people were subjected to much abuse from the occupiers.
Belgians and both tried to attach the Rhineland to their countries. Under
the terms of Versailles, the citizens engaged in mining and other industries
had to work for them almost as slaves as they watched German coal and
steel leaving for France and Belgium. It was a bitter occupation and the
people were subjected to much abuse from the occupiers.
The first bombs from WW Two fell on the city on October 8, 1944. The second bomb attack on
December 6, 1944 killed 44 civilians. It was then carpet bombed almost from morning till late at night.
December 6, 1944 killed 44 civilians. It was then carpet bombed almost from morning till late at night.
Since December, 1944, the city was also within range of allied grenade attacks. In another bomb
attack on January 16, 1945, 31 more people were killed, 16 in a bunker. The fourth and heaviest air
raid on the now abandoned town was on February 23, 1945. About 90 bombers flew in two waves
and focused on bombing the churches, the town hall, the public baths, the hospital, schools and
kindergarten. The only surviving tower of the bombed Catholic parish church was severely damaged.
1209 Erkelenz houses were destroyed and 536 damaged. Only two buildings survived the war
undamaged. Bombing killed 312 people and wounded 974. As many other towns in the region, it
witnessed in the midst of the chaos and carnage, the long flow of refugeees passing by with nowhere
to go but Hell.
attack on January 16, 1945, 31 more people were killed, 16 in a bunker. The fourth and heaviest air
raid on the now abandoned town was on February 23, 1945. About 90 bombers flew in two waves
and focused on bombing the churches, the town hall, the public baths, the hospital, schools and
kindergarten. The only surviving tower of the bombed Catholic parish church was severely damaged.
1209 Erkelenz houses were destroyed and 536 damaged. Only two buildings survived the war
undamaged. Bombing killed 312 people and wounded 974. As many other towns in the region, it
witnessed in the midst of the chaos and carnage, the long flow of refugeees passing by with nowhere
to go but Hell.
Essen, founded about 845, remained an
insignificant agricultural town until the 19th
century when cargo shipping developed and the
Ruhr became the busiest river in Europe.
insignificant agricultural town until the 19th
century when cargo shipping developed and the
Ruhr became the busiest river in Europe.
Eilenburg's history reaches back over a thousand years and it can claim itself as one of Saxony's
'original cities', with a castle perched lazily on a hilltop. Eilenburg grew and thrived mainly due to the
brewery industry. Even Martin Luther sojourned in this city extensively and frequently.
'original cities', with a castle perched lazily on a hilltop. Eilenburg grew and thrived mainly due to the
brewery industry. Even Martin Luther sojourned in this city extensively and frequently.
