| Frankfurt am Maine, Frankfort on the Oder, Freiburg, Freudenstädt, Friederichshafen, Fulda, Geilenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen, Gera, Gladbach, Gotha, 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, 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.
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.
| 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.
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.
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 ancient churches and the baroque 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 ancient churches and the baroque 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.
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.
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 intentional British attacks 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.
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.
| Graz |
Graz, left, 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
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 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.
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.
| 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.
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.
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. 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. 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.
Nobel 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.
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.
Halle 17th Century
| 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.
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.
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. |
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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
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...
The medieval University of Freiburg was devastated by Allied bombing in 1944. Most of the ancient
city center of Freiburg was leveled, with the notable exception of the old cathedral, by Allied
bombing. Freiburg was pummeled on the 27th-28th of November 1944 by 441 RAF bombers, some
loaded with deadly phosphorus. 3,000 civilians were killed, 10,000 injured and 858 lost. Old Freiburg
was not an industrial town. It was attacked on the pretext that it was a railway target. Flak defences
were light when 1,900 tons of Allied bombs were dropped within 25 minutes on the ancient
university town, and photographs show that the railway targets were not hit in this attack.
city center of Freiburg was leveled, with the notable exception of the old cathedral, by Allied
bombing. Freiburg was pummeled on the 27th-28th of November 1944 by 441 RAF bombers, some
loaded with deadly phosphorus. 3,000 civilians were killed, 10,000 injured and 858 lost. Old Freiburg
was not an industrial town. It was attacked on the pretext that it was a railway target. Flak defences
were light when 1,900 tons of Allied bombs were dropped within 25 minutes on the ancient
university town, and photographs show that the railway targets were not hit in this attack.
