| Frankfurt am Maine, Frankfort on the Oder, Freiberg, Freiburg, Freudenstädt, Friederichshafen, Fulda, Geilenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen, Gera, Gey, Gladbach, Gotha, Göttingen, Graz, Grötzingen, Gubin, Hagen, Halberstadt, Halle and Hamburg |
| Frankfurt |
Frankfurt am Main, a Roman town founded in the 1st century AD., became a royal residence under
Charlemagne in the 8th century, and it was the capital of the kingdom of the Eastern Franks for a
short time. As early as 1240, it is mentioned as holding great annual fairs that drew in other Germans
as well as foreign visitors. In 1356, Emperor Karl IV designated Frankfurt in the Golden Bull as the
seat of the imperial elections.
Charlemagne in the 8th century, and it was the capital of the kingdom of the Eastern Franks for a
short time. As early as 1240, it is mentioned as holding great annual fairs that drew in other Germans
as well as foreign visitors. In 1356, Emperor Karl IV designated Frankfurt in the Golden Bull as the
seat of the imperial elections.
On March 22, 1944, on the same month and day of its famous native son Goethe's death, ancient
Frankfurt was all but blown off the map. Frankfurt before & after
Frankfurt was all but blown off the map. Frankfurt before & after
| Freiburg im Breisgau |
| Fulda |
Fulda is probably the birthplace of Christianity in Germany, for it is here, in a Benedictine abbey
founded in 744, where a pupil of St. Boniface's named Sturmius the Missionary spread the word
throughout central Germany. Ruled by the abbots of Fulda as Princes of the Holy Roman Empire
from the 13th century, Fulda and its surrounding area grew, and in 1752, the abbots were raised to
the rank of Prince Bishops. From its foundation on the abbey, therefore, Fulda was a sovereign
principality subject only to the German emperor. Fulda was secularized in 1802 under Napoleonic
rule and most of it passed to Hesse-Kassel in 1816. Since 1829, Fulda has been an Episcopal See
with a theological seminary.
founded in 744, where a pupil of St. Boniface's named Sturmius the Missionary spread the word
throughout central Germany. Ruled by the abbots of Fulda as Princes of the Holy Roman Empire
from the 13th century, Fulda and its surrounding area grew, and in 1752, the abbots were raised to
the rank of Prince Bishops. From its foundation on the abbey, therefore, Fulda was a sovereign
principality subject only to the German emperor. Fulda was secularized in 1802 under Napoleonic
rule and most of it passed to Hesse-Kassel in 1816. Since 1829, Fulda has been an Episcopal See
with a theological seminary.
The majestic basilica towers of Fulda, high above the city, looked up to the skies raining death and
destruction on July 20, 1944. Eighty people were killed and the cathedral damaged. On August 5th,
30 incendiary bombs fell. On September 11th, bombers appeared again and covered the city, killing
341 people. On the next night, Fulda was again the target of 444 bombs, all dropped within 5
minutes. The few noteworthy buildings which remain are a couple of churches and the cathedral.
destruction on July 20, 1944. Eighty people were killed and the cathedral damaged. On August 5th,
30 incendiary bombs fell. On September 11th, bombers appeared again and covered the city, killing
341 people. On the next night, Fulda was again the target of 444 bombs, all dropped within 5
minutes. The few noteworthy buildings which remain are a couple of churches and the cathedral.
| Gera |
The 750 year old, small town of Gera in the east of Thuringia had, over the centuries, developed into
a textile production center. The Weisse Elster River winds its way through Gera and nearby forests.
Bach stayed here in 1724, having inspected two recently installed organs in the Johannis Church and
in the Salvator Church.
a textile production center. The Weisse Elster River winds its way through Gera and nearby forests.
Bach stayed here in 1724, having inspected two recently installed organs in the Johannis Church and
in the Salvator Church.
Although the military targets in Gera such as the railway facilities and industrial companies had
already been destroyed in 1944 bombings, at the tail end of the war the antique spinning mills, the
city museum, 300 homes and 153 people were destroyed by an American terror bombing on April 6,
1945, shortly before they handed it over to their Soviet.
already been destroyed in 1944 bombings, at the tail end of the war the antique spinning mills, the
city museum, 300 homes and 153 people were destroyed by an American terror bombing on April 6,
1945, shortly before they handed it over to their Soviet.
| Gladbach |
16 miles west of Dusseldorf, Mönchengladbach existed before the time of Charlemagne, and a
Benedictine monastery was founded nearby in 793. The abbey and adjoining villages became a town
in the 14th century. It was suppressed under Napoleon in 1802, and in 1815 it came to Prussia. It
became a chief manufacturing town, its principal industries being spinning and weaving.
Benedictine monastery was founded nearby in 793. The abbey and adjoining villages became a town
in the 14th century. It was suppressed under Napoleon in 1802, and in 1815 it came to Prussia. It
became a chief manufacturing town, its principal industries being spinning and weaving.
The first openly stated intentional British attack on German residential areas began on the night May
1, 1940 with a raid on the town of Moenchengladbach, left. By the end of the War, the historical part
of the city and its immediate area was 60 % to 90 % destroyed.
1, 1940 with a raid on the town of Moenchengladbach, left. By the end of the War, the historical part
of the city and its immediate area was 60 % to 90 % destroyed.
| Graz |
Graz was originally the site of a Roman fort on the Mur river, surrounded by low hills on three sides.
The name 'Graz' was first used in 1128, while under Babenberg rule. The town was an important
commercial center. When Graz came under the rule of the Habsburgs, it gained special privileges
from King Rudoph I in 1281. In the 14th century, Graz became the city of residence of the Inner
Austrian line of Habsburgs. Kepler
The name 'Graz' was first used in 1128, while under Babenberg rule. The town was an important
commercial center. When Graz came under the rule of the Habsburgs, it gained special privileges
from King Rudoph I in 1281. In the 14th century, Graz became the city of residence of the Inner
Austrian line of Habsburgs. Kepler
The first documented air raid in Austria in World War Two was the attack by 3 Yugoslav airplanes
on Graz on April 6,1941. During the War, historic Graz was attacked by 58 air raids. From 1944 to
1945, there were more than 200 air raids and 22 bomb attacks on Linz
on Graz on April 6,1941. During the War, historic Graz was attacked by 58 air raids. From 1944 to
1945, there were more than 200 air raids and 22 bomb attacks on Linz
April 24-25, 1944 was the date that Karlsruhe was slated to be completely destroyed. 666 Allied
bombers loaded with 4 tons of heavy high-explosives bombs and 373,206 incendiary bombs had
Karlruhe in their scopes. The fate of the city seemed sealed. But things went wrong. Briefly after
midnight, as the planes almost reached their target, a violent thunderstorm caused complete disorder,
driving the pilots markings off. The bombers piloted eastward and blindly unloaded their bomb loads.
Karlsruhe was temporarily saved. However, for the countryside to the east of Karlsruhe, particularly
the pretty tourist triangle of Rintheim-Hagsfeld-Grötzingen, hell was unleashed.
bombers loaded with 4 tons of heavy high-explosives bombs and 373,206 incendiary bombs had
Karlruhe in their scopes. The fate of the city seemed sealed. But things went wrong. Briefly after
midnight, as the planes almost reached their target, a violent thunderstorm caused complete disorder,
driving the pilots markings off. The bombers piloted eastward and blindly unloaded their bomb loads.
Karlsruhe was temporarily saved. However, for the countryside to the east of Karlsruhe, particularly
the pretty tourist triangle of Rintheim-Hagsfeld-Grötzingen, hell was unleashed.
Approximately 300 aerial mines and high-explosives bombs and ten thousand incendiary bombs alone
rained down on quiet, unsuspecting Grötzingen, a picturesque hamlet settled for 2,000 years and the
model for many paintings, picture postcards and photographs. For 40 minutes the bombs pummeled
the earth, igniting at least 400 fires. Over a thousand unsuspecting and unprepared people lost their
lives and a quarter of the village was completely destroyed. In addition, the school, festival hall,
savings bank and most of the old tourist hotels were destroyed. 58 houses disappeared and 426 were
damaged. In addition, hundreds of stables, barns and sheds (with living contents) were destroyed for
no good reason.
rained down on quiet, unsuspecting Grötzingen, a picturesque hamlet settled for 2,000 years and the
model for many paintings, picture postcards and photographs. For 40 minutes the bombs pummeled
the earth, igniting at least 400 fires. Over a thousand unsuspecting and unprepared people lost their
lives and a quarter of the village was completely destroyed. In addition, the school, festival hall,
savings bank and most of the old tourist hotels were destroyed. 58 houses disappeared and 426 were
damaged. In addition, hundreds of stables, barns and sheds (with living contents) were destroyed for
no good reason.
| Grötzingen |
Guben developed around 1200 as a marketplace on the roads between between Leipzig, Görlitz and
Frankfurt (Oder). Guben received the municipal law by the Wettin Mark count Heinrich III. of
Meissen in 1235. A cloister of Benedictine nuns began developing on the western shore of the river.
Until 1815, Guben belonged to the Margravate of Lower Lusatia, which between 1367 and 1635
belonged to Bohemia. In 1635, Elector Johann Georg I of Saxony received Lower Lusatia and
Guben. In 1815, the Margravate of Lower Lusatia was replaced with the district system and Guben
became the capital of a district within the Province of Brandenburg. Guben's textile industry began to
develop in the 16th century, and it became a center of hatmaking. Guben became a rail connection
between Frankfurt/Oder and Breslau in 1846 and between Cottbus and Crossen an der Oder in 1871.
Frankfurt (Oder). Guben received the municipal law by the Wettin Mark count Heinrich III. of
Meissen in 1235. A cloister of Benedictine nuns began developing on the western shore of the river.
Until 1815, Guben belonged to the Margravate of Lower Lusatia, which between 1367 and 1635
belonged to Bohemia. In 1635, Elector Johann Georg I of Saxony received Lower Lusatia and
Guben. In 1815, the Margravate of Lower Lusatia was replaced with the district system and Guben
became the capital of a district within the Province of Brandenburg. Guben's textile industry began to
develop in the 16th century, and it became a center of hatmaking. Guben became a rail connection
between Frankfurt/Oder and Breslau in 1846 and between Cottbus and Crossen an der Oder in 1871.
At the end of World War II in 1945, Guben was 90 % destroyed by Allied Bombing and because
Guben was on the Lusatian Neisse, the city was separated into German Guben and Polish Gubin.
The German residents of the Polish part of Guben were forcibly "evacuated" in 1945. Because the
historical center of Guben became Gubin, the western suburbs which grew from the cloister
remained in Guben.
Guben was on the Lusatian Neisse, the city was separated into German Guben and Polish Gubin.
The German residents of the Polish part of Guben were forcibly "evacuated" in 1945. Because the
historical center of Guben became Gubin, the western suburbs which grew from the cloister
remained in Guben.
| Guben |
| Halberstadt |
The Bishopric of Halberstadt was founded by Charlemagne in 814 as an outpost intended to
missionize the Saxons, and it was a Catholic city until around 1542, when it became Protestant.
From 1387 to 1518, Halberstadt was member of the Hanseatic League, and by 1648, it was
secularized under the treaty of Westphalia as the Principality of Halberstadt. The city was devastated
during the Thirty Years War, but prospered with the arrival of Huguenots in 1685. Halberstadt was
one of the most beautiful medieval German framework cities. George Mueller Its Ruin
missionize the Saxons, and it was a Catholic city until around 1542, when it became Protestant.
From 1387 to 1518, Halberstadt was member of the Hanseatic League, and by 1648, it was
secularized under the treaty of Westphalia as the Principality of Halberstadt. The city was devastated
during the Thirty Years War, but prospered with the arrival of Huguenots in 1685. Halberstadt was
one of the most beautiful medieval German framework cities. George Mueller Its Ruin
Halberstadt's timber frames medieval homes would prove hazardous during brutal Allied bombing,
the worst of which took place on April 8, 1945 in the very last days of the war as was the case in so
many German cities. Over 900 years of history were wiped out within minutes in a violent raid on the
old Cathedral city. 218 bombers dropped 550 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs,
destroying all but one fifth of the city and killing 2,500 civilians. The ancient churches were tortured,
the narrow historic roads a heap of rubble, and 676 medieval half-timbered houses disappeared.
the worst of which took place on April 8, 1945 in the very last days of the war as was the case in so
many German cities. Over 900 years of history were wiped out within minutes in a violent raid on the
old Cathedral city. 218 bombers dropped 550 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs,
destroying all but one fifth of the city and killing 2,500 civilians. The ancient churches were tortured,
the narrow historic roads a heap of rubble, and 676 medieval half-timbered houses disappeared.
| Halle |
The first evidence of occupation at Halle, comes from artifacts of the Upper Paleolithic period. Salt
deposits in a nearby valley were mined and there is evidence of salt trade in the area as far back as
the Bronze age. First mentioned in 806 AD as a fortress, Halle was first part of the archbishopric of
Magdeburg in 968, and chartered by the Emperor Otto II in 981. Halle maintained its liberty as a
member of the Hanseatic League from 1281 until 1478, and accepted Protestantism in 1522. It
passed to Brandenburg in 1648. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg was founded in 1694.
deposits in a nearby valley were mined and there is evidence of salt trade in the area as far back as
the Bronze age. First mentioned in 806 AD as a fortress, Halle was first part of the archbishopric of
Magdeburg in 968, and chartered by the Emperor Otto II in 981. Halle maintained its liberty as a
member of the Hanseatic League from 1281 until 1478, and accepted Protestantism in 1522. It
passed to Brandenburg in 1648. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg was founded in 1694.
Noble Halle, the seat of intellectual church life for generations, was not totally destroyed by bombs.
Although there were 553 air alarms, Halle suffered only two attacks, both shortly before Americans
took the town on April 17,1945. Non-military targets such as the national theater and the old Rathaus
were ruined. The enormous bell and clock tower called the Roter Turm (red tower) stood on the
marketplace in Halle as a landmark. 84 meters high, its construction began in 1506. In April, 1945 the
tower was hit by American shells. Handel
Although there were 553 air alarms, Halle suffered only two attacks, both shortly before Americans
took the town on April 17,1945. Non-military targets such as the national theater and the old Rathaus
were ruined. The enormous bell and clock tower called the Roter Turm (red tower) stood on the
marketplace in Halle as a landmark. 84 meters high, its construction began in 1506. In April, 1945 the
tower was hit by American shells. Handel
| Hamburg |
Frankfort on the Oder owes its origin and name to a settlement of Franconian merchants in the I3th
century.In late medieval times, the town dominated the trade on the river between the formerly
German cities of Breslau and Stettin. In 1430, Frankfurt joined the Hanseatic League, but for only a
short time. The Elector of Brandenburg founded a university here and in the 19th century Frankfurt
played an important role in trade.
century.In late medieval times, the town dominated the trade on the river between the formerly
German cities of Breslau and Stettin. In 1430, Frankfurt joined the Hanseatic League, but for only a
short time. The Elector of Brandenburg founded a university here and in the 19th century Frankfurt
played an important role in trade.
Frankfurt decayed under Communist occupation, its bomb damage (unavailable stats) unrepaired and
its downtown uglified. Its ancient Marienkirche had been destroyed and never fully rebuilt, its
destroyed red brick tower rebuilt in white concrete, and all the stained glass windows removed and
shipped to museums in Moscow. Once located on both sides of the Oder River, it was cut in two by
the new border, and its other half is in Poland and goes by the name of Słubice.
its downtown uglified. Its ancient Marienkirche had been destroyed and never fully rebuilt, its
destroyed red brick tower rebuilt in white concrete, and all the stained glass windows removed and
shipped to museums in Moscow. Once located on both sides of the Oder River, it was cut in two by
the new border, and its other half is in Poland and goes by the name of Słubice.
| Frankfort on the Oder |
| Gotha |
| Gotha was attacked several times by American and English bombers. 542 civilians were killed. |
Founded by Charlemagne for protection against marauding Slavs in 808, Hamburg was home to a
church he founded in 811 which was the beginning of the Christianization of Northern Europe. An
Archbishop was installed here in 834. Hamburg had to be rebuilt over and over because of repeated
looting and burning by the Danes and Slavs, and this slowed down its commercial growth until the
12th century.
church he founded in 811 which was the beginning of the Christianization of Northern Europe. An
Archbishop was installed here in 834. Hamburg had to be rebuilt over and over because of repeated
looting and burning by the Danes and Slavs, and this slowed down its commercial growth until the
12th century.
Friedrichshafen is a town on the northern side of Bodensee (Lake Constance) in southern Germany,
near the borders with Switzerland and Austria. It is famous for its native son, Count Ferdinand von
Zeppelin. During "Operation Bellicose" in the latter part of the war, the town lost almost all of its
historical center. When the war began in 1939, 25,041 people lived in Friedrichshafen and almost
half wisely evacuated.
near the borders with Switzerland and Austria. It is famous for its native son, Count Ferdinand von
Zeppelin. During "Operation Bellicose" in the latter part of the war, the town lost almost all of its
historical center. When the war began in 1939, 25,041 people lived in Friedrichshafen and almost
half wisely evacuated.
| Friederichshafen |
| Gelsenkirchen |
Gelsenkirchen was first documented in 1150, but it remained a tiny village until the 19th century,
when the Industrial Revolution led to its growth. In 1840, when coal mining began, 6000 inhabitants
lived in Gelsenkirchen; in 1900 the population had increased to 138,000. On the night of June 25,
1943, 473 RAF bombers attacked the city. The next major attack came on the night of July 9, 1943
by 418 bombers. The city was three fourths destroyed..
when the Industrial Revolution led to its growth. In 1840, when coal mining began, 6000 inhabitants
lived in Gelsenkirchen; in 1900 the population had increased to 138,000. On the night of June 25,
1943, 473 RAF bombers attacked the city. The next major attack came on the night of July 9, 1943
by 418 bombers. The city was three fourths destroyed..
| Hagen (See under Essen) |
The British and the USAAF both attacked Friedrichshafen in March and April 1944, the worst air
raid being on the night of April 27-28, 1944, when the RAF killed 850 civilians.
raid being on the night of April 27-28, 1944, when the RAF killed 850 civilians.
| Freudenstädt |
Protestant religious refugees from Austria settled in lands ruled by Duke Friedrich I of Württemberg
in 1599. The Duke dreamed of a new city in the middle of his duchy and the hard working religious
exiles obliged him. The old city was nearly totally detroyed by bombing and its citizens raped, robbed
and looted by Allied troops afterward. More on Freudenstädt
in 1599. The Duke dreamed of a new city in the middle of his duchy and the hard working religious
exiles obliged him. The old city was nearly totally detroyed by bombing and its citizens raped, robbed
and looted by Allied troops afterward. More on Freudenstädt
Geilenkirchen is north of Aachen near the Dutch border. Its name was first mentioned in the 12th
century. On November 16, 1944, the city was largely destroyed by Allied bombing, its Gothic and
Romanesque churches either levelled or severely damaged. During rubble removal, a Roman street
was discovered.
century. On November 16, 1944, the city was largely destroyed by Allied bombing, its Gothic and
Romanesque churches either levelled or severely damaged. During rubble removal, a Roman street
was discovered.
| Geilenkirchen |
The city was granted franchises and fishing rights on the Elbe by Friedrich I. Lübeck and Hamburg
formed the Hanseatic League early in the 13th century, soon to be joined by other towns, and the
federation became powerful enough to protect its land and sea trade. Hamburg was proclaimed a free
imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1510 by Maximilian I, and thrived. By the 16th century,
several factors contributed to the League's demise, and although the league was actually never
formally dissolved, the last diet was held in 1669. Hamburg was occupied by pillaging French troops
after Napoleon won the battle of Lübeck in 1810, and there was plundering and heavy taxation. The
population shrank from 100,000 to 50,000, but after the French left, the city blossomed
formed the Hanseatic League early in the 13th century, soon to be joined by other towns, and the
federation became powerful enough to protect its land and sea trade. Hamburg was proclaimed a free
imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1510 by Maximilian I, and thrived. By the 16th century,
several factors contributed to the League's demise, and although the league was actually never
formally dissolved, the last diet was held in 1669. Hamburg was occupied by pillaging French troops
after Napoleon won the battle of Lübeck in 1810, and there was plundering and heavy taxation. The
population shrank from 100,000 to 50,000, but after the French left, the city blossomed
As Hamburg burned from the bombings, artificially created volcanic flames five times the height of
New York’s Empire State Building and winds in excess of 150 miles per hour swallowed everything
in their path...
New York’s Empire State Building and winds in excess of 150 miles per hour swallowed everything
in their path...
3000 civilians were killed, 10,000 injured and 858 lost. There would have been more, but legend
has it that the drakes in the park became raucously noisy and seemed to announce the approaching
bomber stream, causing many citizens of Freiburg who lived around the city park near the cathedral
to run to the air raid shelter. Photographs show that no railway targets were not hit in this attack.
has it that the drakes in the park became raucously noisy and seemed to announce the approaching
bomber stream, causing many citizens of Freiburg who lived around the city park near the cathedral
to run to the air raid shelter. Photographs show that no railway targets were not hit in this attack.
| Freiberg/Saxony |
Freiberg/Saxony is an old university mountain town in the middle of Saxony between Dresden and
Chemnitz. The city was founded in 1186, and has been a center of the mining industry in the Ore
Mountains for centuries. A symbol of this history is the Technische Universität Bergakademie
Freiberg (Mining Academy), established in 1765 as the oldest university of mining and metallurgy in
the world. Freiberg also has a notable cathedral containing two famous Gottfried Silbermann organs.
Furthermore there are two other organs made by Gottfried Silbermann, one at the St. Peter's Church
(Petrikirche) and the other one at the St. James' Church (Jacobikirche). The medieval part of
Freiberg stands under heritage protection. The river, Freiberger Mulde, flows through the town.
Chemnitz. The city was founded in 1186, and has been a center of the mining industry in the Ore
Mountains for centuries. A symbol of this history is the Technische Universität Bergakademie
Freiberg (Mining Academy), established in 1765 as the oldest university of mining and metallurgy in
the world. Freiberg also has a notable cathedral containing two famous Gottfried Silbermann organs.
Furthermore there are two other organs made by Gottfried Silbermann, one at the St. Peter's Church
(Petrikirche) and the other one at the St. James' Church (Jacobikirche). The medieval part of
Freiberg stands under heritage protection. The river, Freiberger Mulde, flows through the town.
On October 7,1944, 521 US bombers set out to attack oil refineries in the east but were hampered by
adverse weather. They looked for a secondary target, and a group of three bomber squadrons with
24 B17s dumped their loads of 60 tons of nombs on the mining town of Freiberg, destroying
hundreds of homes and killing 172 civilians.
adverse weather. They looked for a secondary target, and a group of three bomber squadrons with
24 B17s dumped their loads of 60 tons of nombs on the mining town of Freiberg, destroying
hundreds of homes and killing 172 civilians.
Freiburg had almost no industrial or military targets and was considered a military hospital town. It
was attacked on the pretext that it was a "railway target". During "Operation Tigerfish", on Nov. 27,
1944, around 441 British Lancaster bombers, some loaded with deadly phosphorus, flew up from the
west and for 25 minutes unloaded approximately 1,900 tons of 14,000 high-explosive and incendiary
bombs, igniting a firestorm. The high-explosive bombs destroyed all the windows and the air pressure
caused tiles to fly from the rooftops. The water pipes were broken and the roads were blocked by
rubble instantly. People tried to fight the fires with wine barrels from the local wineries, but 80% of
the historic old town was destroyed and the famous medieval University of Freiburg was devastated.
In December, 1944 there was another major attack to add to the destruction of Freiburg.
was attacked on the pretext that it was a "railway target". During "Operation Tigerfish", on Nov. 27,
1944, around 441 British Lancaster bombers, some loaded with deadly phosphorus, flew up from the
west and for 25 minutes unloaded approximately 1,900 tons of 14,000 high-explosive and incendiary
bombs, igniting a firestorm. The high-explosive bombs destroyed all the windows and the air pressure
caused tiles to fly from the rooftops. The water pipes were broken and the roads were blocked by
rubble instantly. People tried to fight the fires with wine barrels from the local wineries, but 80% of
the historic old town was destroyed and the famous medieval University of Freiburg was devastated.
In December, 1944 there was another major attack to add to the destruction of Freiburg.
"So are everywhere misery and wrong. People desperately throw themselves on the road and beat
their chest and cry out, others carry it more quietly. How many victims who remain under the rubble
only God knows. Most came without coffin into mass graves. Some very few, for which the family
members themselves had to dig the grave, could be privately interred. And everywhere it smelled of
corpses and chlorinated lime. The dead ones, often terribly mutilated, lay disfigured, burnt like
roasted meat, and some also with invariably peaceful expression...."
their chest and cry out, others carry it more quietly. How many victims who remain under the rubble
only God knows. Most came without coffin into mass graves. Some very few, for which the family
members themselves had to dig the grave, could be privately interred. And everywhere it smelled of
corpses and chlorinated lime. The dead ones, often terribly mutilated, lay disfigured, burnt like
roasted meat, and some also with invariably peaceful expression...."
Freiburg im Breisgau, founded in 1120, hides away near the Rhine River at the edge of the Black
Forest. It passed with the rest of the Breisgau to the Hapsburgs in 1368. Bavarians and Austrians
were defeated here in the Thirty Years War by the French, who held Freiburg from 1677 to 1697
and again from 1744–48..A benign university town, Freiburg had an intelligent past.
Freiburg in Ruins The Man who named Amerika
Forest. It passed with the rest of the Breisgau to the Hapsburgs in 1368. Bavarians and Austrians
were defeated here in the Thirty Years War by the French, who held Freiburg from 1677 to 1697
and again from 1744–48..A benign university town, Freiburg had an intelligent past.
Freiburg in Ruins The Man who named Amerika
| Gey ( see under Düren ) |
| Göttingen |
The origins of Göttingen, a university town in Lower Saxony began in a village called Gutingi which
was first mentioned in a document in 953. The city was founded between 1150 and 1200 to the
northwest of this village and adopted its name. In medieval times the city was a member of the
Hanseatic League and hence a wealthy town. Göttingen's old university ("Georg-August-Universität")
was founded in 1737 by George II of England in his capacity as Elector of Hanover, and it became
the most visited university of Europe. In 1837, seven professors protested against the absolute
sovereignty of the kings of Hanover and lost their positions. They became known as the "Göttingen
Seven" and included the brothers Grimm. Otto von Bismarck studied in Göttingen in 1833 and had to
live in a small separate house because his rowdiness had caused him to be banned from living within
the city walls. More: To Kill and Kill Again
was first mentioned in a document in 953. The city was founded between 1150 and 1200 to the
northwest of this village and adopted its name. In medieval times the city was a member of the
Hanseatic League and hence a wealthy town. Göttingen's old university ("Georg-August-Universität")
was founded in 1737 by George II of England in his capacity as Elector of Hanover, and it became
the most visited university of Europe. In 1837, seven professors protested against the absolute
sovereignty of the kings of Hanover and lost their positions. They became known as the "Göttingen
Seven" and included the brothers Grimm. Otto von Bismarck studied in Göttingen in 1833 and had to
live in a small separate house because his rowdiness had caused him to be banned from living within
the city walls. More: To Kill and Kill Again
