| Leipzig, Linz, Lübeck, Ludwigshafen, Magdaburg, Mainz, Mannhein, Meiningen, Minden, Mülheim and Munich |
Leipzig was the second largest city of Saxony and the historic
center of German printing and publishing. An advanced trading
center, Leipzig survived the Thirty Years War intact and even
continued hosting its famous annual trade fairs. Leipzig, with
elegant lanes, formal gardens, libraries, university, elaborate
town hall and wealthy burgers' mansions, was considered one
of the world's foremost and also one of the most beautiful
cultural centers. Johann Sebastian Bach lived and worked here.
center of German printing and publishing. An advanced trading
center, Leipzig survived the Thirty Years War intact and even
continued hosting its famous annual trade fairs. Leipzig, with
elegant lanes, formal gardens, libraries, university, elaborate
town hall and wealthy burgers' mansions, was considered one
of the world's foremost and also one of the most beautiful
cultural centers. Johann Sebastian Bach lived and worked here.
| Leipzig |
In the worst attack, the RAF decided to use the lethal mix of 50% high explosive and
50% incendiaries. The “bomber stream” of over 500 aircraft menaced the sky, dropping
90,000 staff incendiary bombs and over 1,000 liquid incendiary bombs. 5,000 fires
erupted at once, above all in the city center and in the historical old part of town, making
it impossible to control. The major roads were made impassable immediately. The entire
historic city center burned. An attack by over 400 US bombers polished off what was
left of the city, any surviving cultural facilities as well as hospitals and science enterprises,
the esteemed Leipzig university and 78 clinic and hospital buildings, the oldest theatre
Schauspielhaus, the famous crystal palace, the municipal library as well as 17 Leipzig
school buildings. The entire ancient book center was lost. But it was not over yet. Even
though the city was in its last gasps, more strikes were ordered. 820 RAF bombers
decided to paw at the dead mouse of a city in another attack. Knowing that refugees
from the east had since fled there in panic and fear, the Americans joined in with 2,000
bombers. On February 27,1945, over 700 American B-17 bombers attacked again, and
yet again on April 6th and 8th,1945.
50% incendiaries. The “bomber stream” of over 500 aircraft menaced the sky, dropping
90,000 staff incendiary bombs and over 1,000 liquid incendiary bombs. 5,000 fires
erupted at once, above all in the city center and in the historical old part of town, making
it impossible to control. The major roads were made impassable immediately. The entire
historic city center burned. An attack by over 400 US bombers polished off what was
left of the city, any surviving cultural facilities as well as hospitals and science enterprises,
the esteemed Leipzig university and 78 clinic and hospital buildings, the oldest theatre
Schauspielhaus, the famous crystal palace, the municipal library as well as 17 Leipzig
school buildings. The entire ancient book center was lost. But it was not over yet. Even
though the city was in its last gasps, more strikes were ordered. 820 RAF bombers
decided to paw at the dead mouse of a city in another attack. Knowing that refugees
from the east had since fled there in panic and fear, the Americans joined in with 2,000
bombers. On February 27,1945, over 700 American B-17 bombers attacked again, and
yet again on April 6th and 8th,1945.
More than three quarters of the historic printing district with its printing and publishing
houses, bookshops and book and the book museum, were wholly obliterated. The city
famous for its book arts lay in ruins. Over 50,000 books and rare manuscripts burned.
On April 18,1945, units of the US army took over and "liberated" the city just long
enough to hand it over to the Soviets.
houses, bookshops and book and the book museum, were wholly obliterated. The city
famous for its book arts lay in ruins. Over 50,000 books and rare manuscripts burned.
On April 18,1945, units of the US army took over and "liberated" the city just long
enough to hand it over to the Soviets.
The British then pounced again on the easy prey, even as late as on April 10,1945 with
230 bombers and on April 11 with 95 bombers. One fifth of the native inhabitants, over
140,000 humans, were homeless and shocked, and along with dazed and frightened
refugees were all ripe for the Soviet domination the Allies had planned. Over 4,000 non
residential buildings were destroyed by the last attacks, among them 56 schools, several
hospitals, nine churches, several theatres, the art museum, and the main building of the
university. The city hall and the historical museums were heavily damaged. The historic
houses dating from the middle ages were lost.
230 bombers and on April 11 with 95 bombers. One fifth of the native inhabitants, over
140,000 humans, were homeless and shocked, and along with dazed and frightened
refugees were all ripe for the Soviet domination the Allies had planned. Over 4,000 non
residential buildings were destroyed by the last attacks, among them 56 schools, several
hospitals, nine churches, several theatres, the art museum, and the main building of the
university. The city hall and the historical museums were heavily damaged. The historic
houses dating from the middle ages were lost.
| Linz |
After 1493, it lost much of its importance to Vienna. Karl-Franzens Universität is the city's oldest
university, founded in 1585, and Kepler was a professor of mathematics at the University of Graz.
university, founded in 1585, and Kepler was a professor of mathematics at the University of Graz.
Linz, left, was founded by the Romans, who called it Lentia,
and it was originally the site of a Roman fort. Later, a small
castle was built here, which in time became a heavily defended
fortification. As an important crossroads of several trade routes
spanning the Danube, Linz was for a short period the most
important city of the empire, as it was where the Habsburg
Emperor Friedrich III spent his last years.
and it was originally the site of a Roman fort. Later, a small
castle was built here, which in time became a heavily defended
fortification. As an important crossroads of several trade routes
spanning the Danube, Linz was for a short period the most
important city of the empire, as it was where the Habsburg
Emperor Friedrich III spent his last years.
Linz lost 12,084 buildings and 1,679 civilians due to bombing. Altogether in
Austria, from August 13, 1943 up until the end of war, approximately 120,000
tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. From 1944 to
1945, there were more than 200 air raids and 22 bomb attacks on Linz, left.
It was also the scene of "Operation Keelhaul," the horrible betrayal of the
Cossacks by the Allies which resulted in the cold blooded slaughter of
thousands of forcefully "repatriated" Cossacks to the Soviet Union.
Austria, from August 13, 1943 up until the end of war, approximately 120,000
tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. From 1944 to
1945, there were more than 200 air raids and 22 bomb attacks on Linz, left.
It was also the scene of "Operation Keelhaul," the horrible betrayal of the
Cossacks by the Allies which resulted in the cold blooded slaughter of
thousands of forcefully "repatriated" Cossacks to the Soviet Union.
| Lübeck |
When the League weakened, the last of the Hanseatic diets was held there in 1630. The city escaped
the destruction of the Thirty Years War, but in the French Revolutionary Wars, Lübeck was sacked
by the French in 1803, who destructively occupied the city.
the destruction of the Thirty Years War, but in the French Revolutionary Wars, Lübeck was sacked
by the French in 1803, who destructively occupied the city.
The Wends established "Liubice" as a royal seat and trade center around 1000 A.D., and in 1143,
Count Adolf II of Schauenburg built a settlement of Christian merchants between the Trave and the
Wakenitz Rivers near its mouth on the Baltic Sea, calling the city Lübeck. Saxon King Heinrich the
Lion established Lübeck for a second time after it burned down, and it blossomed from the mid 12th
century on, becoming the most powerful center of economics in Northern Europe.
Count Adolf II of Schauenburg built a settlement of Christian merchants between the Trave and the
Wakenitz Rivers near its mouth on the Baltic Sea, calling the city Lübeck. Saxon King Heinrich the
Lion established Lübeck for a second time after it burned down, and it blossomed from the mid 12th
century on, becoming the most powerful center of economics in Northern Europe.
Heinrich the Lion laid out the town plan, as well as the cornerstone
for the cathedral Dom zu Lübeck in 1173. Two more churches
were constructed that year, Marienkirche und Petrikirche. Emperor
Friedrich II. granted Lübeck status as a free imperial city in 1226,
and this continued for 711 years. At the end of the 13th century,
the Hanseatic League developed along with Lübeck.
for the cathedral Dom zu Lübeck in 1173. Two more churches
were constructed that year, Marienkirche und Petrikirche. Emperor
Friedrich II. granted Lübeck status as a free imperial city in 1226,
and this continued for 711 years. At the end of the 13th century,
the Hanseatic League developed along with Lübeck.
The first deliberate attack on a cultural target and mass bombing of a historic
city was the RAF attack which incinerated over 80 per cent of the old
timberbuilt Hanseatic town of Lubeck on Palm Sunday, March 28,1942.
This attack by over 200 heavy bombers was ordered by South African
commander of Bomber Command, Air Marshal Arthur Harris, as an
experiment, to test whether bombing timberframed buildings could start an
inferno large enough to be used as an easy aiming point for later waves of
bombers: "I wanted my crews to be well blooded, as they say in fox hunting,
to have a taste of success for a change." Click on photo, left
city was the RAF attack which incinerated over 80 per cent of the old
timberbuilt Hanseatic town of Lubeck on Palm Sunday, March 28,1942.
This attack by over 200 heavy bombers was ordered by South African
commander of Bomber Command, Air Marshal Arthur Harris, as an
experiment, to test whether bombing timberframed buildings could start an
inferno large enough to be used as an easy aiming point for later waves of
bombers: "I wanted my crews to be well blooded, as they say in fox hunting,
to have a taste of success for a change." Click on photo, left
A devastating hail of 33,000 bombs with a weight of approximately 180,000 kilograms fell on the medieval city center.
More than 80 % of the historical buildings were victims of the flames and 10,000 people were left shelterless, 300 people
were killed and 650 injured. 700,000 cubic meters of rubble were left. Afterwards, Lübeck was very fortunately
preserved as an International Red Cross city despite Allied demands to bomb it again. Toward end of the war, Lübeck
also accepted nearly 100,000 refugees.
More than 80 % of the historical buildings were victims of the flames and 10,000 people were left shelterless, 300 people
were killed and 650 injured. 700,000 cubic meters of rubble were left. Afterwards, Lübeck was very fortunately
preserved as an International Red Cross city despite Allied demands to bomb it again. Toward end of the war, Lübeck
also accepted nearly 100,000 refugees.
| Magdaburg |
Magdeburg, a notoriously beautiful city, was first mentioned in
the year 805. Luther preached here in the 16th century. In 1631,
during the 30 Years War, the city was burned to the ground and
its citizens tortured and murdered. By 1635, there were only 400
homes left standing in the city and by 1644, its population had
fallen to 2,464. It was later rebuilt into a grand cultural center.
the year 805. Luther preached here in the 16th century. In 1631,
during the 30 Years War, the city was burned to the ground and
its citizens tortured and murdered. By 1635, there were only 400
homes left standing in the city and by 1644, its population had
fallen to 2,464. It was later rebuilt into a grand cultural center.
Over 1,050 tons of bombs rubbed out the civilian center of the city, an area
of 2.4 square kilometers. 14 more fierce attacks followed, half of which took
place in the last three months of war. Like the bombing of Hamburg, Kassel
and Dresden, it was calculated to hit the flammable core of the city and tear its
heart out, causing as much destruction and carnage as possible. Magdaburg
was the third most heavily destroyed city in Germany. Filled with six million
cubic meters of rubble, her population plummeted from 330,000 to less than
90,000. She was then sentenced to slavery under communism for decades.
of 2.4 square kilometers. 14 more fierce attacks followed, half of which took
place in the last three months of war. Like the bombing of Hamburg, Kassel
and Dresden, it was calculated to hit the flammable core of the city and tear its
heart out, causing as much destruction and carnage as possible. Magdaburg
was the third most heavily destroyed city in Germany. Filled with six million
cubic meters of rubble, her population plummeted from 330,000 to less than
90,000. She was then sentenced to slavery under communism for decades.
Magdeburg experienced 31 large air raids in the Second World War, in which both British and Americans dumped over
12,000 tons of bombs. Over 6,000 humans died and 11,200 were injured and 190,000 people left homeless. On January
16, 1945, hundreds of British airplanes crowded the skies over the core of the old city, coming in several waves so that
their bombs would efficiently detonate at once. The aerial mines, firebombs and high explosives bombs ripped through the
city with furious speed and seized fleeing civilians, buildings, trees and even ignited the tar on the roads. It took 26 minutes
for the inferno to gobble the oldest part of town. 300 Years Previously: The Sack of Magdeburg
12,000 tons of bombs. Over 6,000 humans died and 11,200 were injured and 190,000 people left homeless. On January
16, 1945, hundreds of British airplanes crowded the skies over the core of the old city, coming in several waves so that
their bombs would efficiently detonate at once. The aerial mines, firebombs and high explosives bombs ripped through the
city with furious speed and seized fleeing civilians, buildings, trees and even ignited the tar on the roads. It took 26 minutes
for the inferno to gobble the oldest part of town. 300 Years Previously: The Sack of Magdeburg
| Mainz |
Mainz was one of the great historical cities of Germany, founded in the 1st
century on the site of the Roman camp of Maguntiacum. Charlemagne
granted the city its rights. Around 746, Mainz was made the seat of the first
German archbishop, St. Boniface. The later archbishops acquired
considerable territory around Mainz and in Frankonia, on both sides of the
Main, which they ruled as princes of the Holy Roman Empire with
precedence over the other electors in the Imperial elections. They crowned
the German kings here. Mainz became the first printing center of Europe
under one of its citizens, Johann Gutenberg, 1397-1468. Although under a
bloody siege by the French it was burned and brought near destruction in
the 17th century, Mainz flourished under the rule of the
Archbishops-electors. St. Gotthard, c.1130
century on the site of the Roman camp of Maguntiacum. Charlemagne
granted the city its rights. Around 746, Mainz was made the seat of the first
German archbishop, St. Boniface. The later archbishops acquired
considerable territory around Mainz and in Frankonia, on both sides of the
Main, which they ruled as princes of the Holy Roman Empire with
precedence over the other electors in the Imperial elections. They crowned
the German kings here. Mainz became the first printing center of Europe
under one of its citizens, Johann Gutenberg, 1397-1468. Although under a
bloody siege by the French it was burned and brought near destruction in
the 17th century, Mainz flourished under the rule of the
Archbishops-electors. St. Gotthard, c.1130
On February 27,1945, 435 British bombers
attacked Mainz, dropping 1,500 tons of bombs
and thousands of incendiaries. Within 20 minutes,
200 people were dead, and the city center was
86% destroyed, including almost every historic
structure. The cathedral, from 1037, was badly
damaged and other churches were lost forever.
attacked Mainz, dropping 1,500 tons of bombs
and thousands of incendiaries. Within 20 minutes,
200 people were dead, and the city center was
86% destroyed, including almost every historic
structure. The cathedral, from 1037, was badly
damaged and other churches were lost forever.
| Mannhein |
Mannhein was first mentioned in 766 and it received city rights in
1607. Destroyed in the 30 Years War, it was rebuilt in 1689. From
1720-1778, Mannheim was the Residence of the Elector of the
Palatinate. When Prince Carl Philipp transferred his residence from
Heidelberg to Mannheim, the town bloomed as the Palatinate's
governmental seat. Mannheim's lovely baroque Residence of the
Elector was built as a palace in the early 18th century.
1607. Destroyed in the 30 Years War, it was rebuilt in 1689. From
1720-1778, Mannheim was the Residence of the Elector of the
Palatinate. When Prince Carl Philipp transferred his residence from
Heidelberg to Mannheim, the town bloomed as the Palatinate's
governmental seat. Mannheim's lovely baroque Residence of the
Elector was built as a palace in the early 18th century.
Before Arthur Harris publicly stated the British intention of bombing German civilian centers, the first 'area air attack’ of
World War Two was carried out by 134 British bombers on the old city of Mannheim on December 16, 1940. The
object of this attack, as then Air Chief Marshall Peirse later explained, was 'to concentrate the maximum amount of
damage in the center of the town.'
World War Two was carried out by 134 British bombers on the old city of Mannheim on December 16, 1940. The
object of this attack, as then Air Chief Marshall Peirse later explained, was 'to concentrate the maximum amount of
damage in the center of the town.'
Indeed, from December 1940 on, Mannheim was bombed more than 100
times and was the goal of over 150 air raids. The heaviest air raid took
place on September 5 and 6, 1943. The largest part of the city was
destroyed in this attack. In 1944, bombing raids destroyed Mannheim
Palace, leaving only one undamaged room out of over 500. On March 2,
1945 the RAF launched a 300 bomber attack against Mannheim, causing
a devastating firestorm, finishing the grand city off for good. Mannheim
was destroyed with the accompanied loss of life. 25.181 tons of bombs
fell on Mannheim.
times and was the goal of over 150 air raids. The heaviest air raid took
place on September 5 and 6, 1943. The largest part of the city was
destroyed in this attack. In 1944, bombing raids destroyed Mannheim
Palace, leaving only one undamaged room out of over 500. On March 2,
1945 the RAF launched a 300 bomber attack against Mannheim, causing
a devastating firestorm, finishing the grand city off for good. Mannheim
was destroyed with the accompanied loss of life. 25.181 tons of bombs
fell on Mannheim.
| Minden |
Located on the Weser river, Minden was mentioned
in 798 as a convention site and it developed into a
regional cultural center. It was here in the Cathedral
that Barbarossa's cousin Heinrich the Lion was
married to Mathilda of England in 1168. Minden was
later part of the Hanseatic League and part of an
important trade route.
in 798 as a convention site and it developed into a
regional cultural center. It was here in the Cathedral
that Barbarossa's cousin Heinrich the Lion was
married to Mathilda of England in 1168. Minden was
later part of the Hanseatic League and part of an
important trade route.
From 1943 to 1945, Minden was the target of Allied bombers. On December
29,1943 British high-explosives bombs and aerial mines destroyed a good part of
the older upper section of town and damaged 420 buildings in the city center. 29
people were killed. In October 1944, 250 American bombers attacked Minden,
killing 73 people, 25 firefighters among them. In November, 1944, 305 high-
explosive bombs were again dropped on populated areas killing another 115
people, 103 of them inside an air raid shelter, and injuring 50 more. Attacks in
December, 1944 took another 41 victims and left 820 families homeless.
29,1943 British high-explosives bombs and aerial mines destroyed a good part of
the older upper section of town and damaged 420 buildings in the city center. 29
people were killed. In October 1944, 250 American bombers attacked Minden,
killing 73 people, 25 firefighters among them. In November, 1944, 305 high-
explosive bombs were again dropped on populated areas killing another 115
people, 103 of them inside an air raid shelter, and injuring 50 more. Attacks in
December, 1944 took another 41 victims and left 820 families homeless.
The December attack severely damaged the ancient cathedral. Minden faced daily alarms from the beginning of 1945. At
this time, 1,000 civilians a day were dying from air attacks in Germany. On the late morning of March 28,1945, bombers
dropped lethal loads on the ancient Minden cathedral and surviving parts of the historic city center. 186 more people
died. Six days later, the town was occupied anyway.
this time, 1,000 civilians a day were dying from air attacks in Germany. On the late morning of March 28,1945, bombers
dropped lethal loads on the ancient Minden cathedral and surviving parts of the historic city center. 186 more people
died. Six days later, the town was occupied anyway.
| Mülheim |
Mülheim and the Ruhr also have a centuries old connection, both of their
histories linked for over a thousand years. At that time, the Hellweg,
which served the king, army and traders ran through the river ford in
Mülheim. The coal trade encouraged international companies to be
founded here. The rail link and coal shipping brought the first prosperity
and growth, with mining, iron and metal processing following.
histories linked for over a thousand years. At that time, the Hellweg,
which served the king, army and traders ran through the river ford in
Mülheim. The coal trade encouraged international companies to be
founded here. The rail link and coal shipping brought the first prosperity
and growth, with mining, iron and metal processing following.
Marking of the city center first by the "pathfinders" was a well rehearsed, accurate art by
now, so that bombs of the first wave fell concentrated into the range of the targeted city
center. The Rathaus, both hospitals, and the ancient churches of Petri and Marienkirche
burned completely. 530 civilians were killed, 1,630 buildings were totally destroyed, and
the firemen had to struggle with 150 major fires, 700 medium fires and 2,250 small fires.
40,000 humans were suddenly shelterless with no gas, water or electricity.
now, so that bombs of the first wave fell concentrated into the range of the targeted city
center. The Rathaus, both hospitals, and the ancient churches of Petri and Marienkirche
burned completely. 530 civilians were killed, 1,630 buildings were totally destroyed, and
the firemen had to struggle with 150 major fires, 700 medium fires and 2,250 small fires.
40,000 humans were suddenly shelterless with no gas, water or electricity.
On Christmas Eve, 1944, 338 British bombers in a combined attacked struck the airfields at Muelheim with 200
airplanes and 760 tons of bombs, but killed 250 people in an air raid shelter. The USAAF attacked the battered city
center on March 21,1945, killing another 22 people.
airplanes and 760 tons of bombs, but killed 250 people in an air raid shelter. The USAAF attacked the battered city
center on March 21,1945, killing another 22 people.
The first purposeful attack on Muelheim was minor, and took place on May 13, 1942. By the end of the war, 1,305
civilians died in Muelheim from allied bombs, with the strongest attack killing 530 on June 23, 1943. 557 British bombers
attacked Muelheim city center and industrial complexes to the north in three waves, destroying 64% of the city center.
Mosquitos, in low-altitude flight, disengaged the fire protection and police channels. This was an unwarned attack
civilians died in Muelheim from allied bombs, with the strongest attack killing 530 on June 23, 1943. 557 British bombers
attacked Muelheim city center and industrial complexes to the north in three waves, destroying 64% of the city center.
Mosquitos, in low-altitude flight, disengaged the fire protection and police channels. This was an unwarned attack
| Munich |
Munich is 30 miles north of the Alps and the largest city in
southern Germany, straddling both sides of the Isar River.
Founded around AD 750, “Home of the Monks” traces its origins
to a Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee. Munich's trading and
currency rights were confirmed by Barbarossa. In 1157, Heinrich
the Lion granted the monks market rights where the Salzburg
road met the Isar, and near St.Peter's Church a bridge was built.
Munich became home to the Wittelsbach family in 1255, and for
more than 700 years they governed the town's activities. Roman
Catholic Munich was greatly enlarged in the 14th century and her
position was strong because she was granted the salt monopoly.
southern Germany, straddling both sides of the Isar River.
Founded around AD 750, “Home of the Monks” traces its origins
to a Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee. Munich's trading and
currency rights were confirmed by Barbarossa. In 1157, Heinrich
the Lion granted the monks market rights where the Salzburg
road met the Isar, and near St.Peter's Church a bridge was built.
Munich became home to the Wittelsbach family in 1255, and for
more than 700 years they governed the town's activities. Roman
Catholic Munich was greatly enlarged in the 14th century and her
position was strong because she was granted the salt monopoly.
When American troops entered Munich on April 30, 1945, 50% of the city's buildings were in rubble and its population
had been reduced by 250,000. Munich suffered heavily from Allied bombing in 71 air raids over a period of five years.
The first attacks on Munich began in 1942, and for the next three and a half years, residents of the city were sent to their
cellars over 1,600 times during air raids, 24 of which were devastating. The old city center clustered around the ancient
crossroads of the marketplace in the Marienplatz lost its timeless character. Only three of the seven town gates dating
from the 14th century still stood. The city of culture was disfigured.
had been reduced by 250,000. Munich suffered heavily from Allied bombing in 71 air raids over a period of five years.
The first attacks on Munich began in 1942, and for the next three and a half years, residents of the city were sent to their
cellars over 1,600 times during air raids, 24 of which were devastating. The old city center clustered around the ancient
crossroads of the marketplace in the Marienplatz lost its timeless character. Only three of the seven town gates dating
from the 14th century still stood. The city of culture was disfigured.
The oldest of the Wittelsbach palaces, The Residenz, dating from the
16th century was destroyed. The Munich University Institute and its
entire collection was destroyed by Allied bombing. Munich's oldest
church, St. Peter's Church from 1169, and the Cuvilliés Theatre at the
Residenz, a grand theatre built for the Wittelsbach court between 1746
and 1777, were gone. So was the Bavarian State Library, Bayerische
Staatsbibliothek, one of the largest libraries in the German-speaking
world, founded in 1558 by the Wittelsbach Duke Albrecht V.
16th century was destroyed. The Munich University Institute and its
entire collection was destroyed by Allied bombing. Munich's oldest
church, St. Peter's Church from 1169, and the Cuvilliés Theatre at the
Residenz, a grand theatre built for the Wittelsbach court between 1746
and 1777, were gone. So was the Bavarian State Library, Bayerische
Staatsbibliothek, one of the largest libraries in the German-speaking
world, founded in 1558 by the Wittelsbach Duke Albrecht V.
The last totally unnecessary cultural bombardment took place only few days before end of war. Approximately 6,500
residents of Munich were killed by the attacks, 300,000 were left homeless and it took two years to clear away the 5
million cubic meters of bombed rubble.
residents of Munich were killed by the attacks, 300,000 were left homeless and it took two years to clear away the 5
million cubic meters of bombed rubble.
Capital of the Bishopric of Minden and a principality of the Holy Roman Empire, after the Peace of
Westphalia in 1648 the state was annexed by Brandenburg. The fortress town was twice taken by
French troops in the Napoleonic years, and from 1815 was governed by Kingdom of Prussia. It
quietly languished until the railroad gave it a new start as a center of industry and commerce. The
enormous 375 meter long channel bridge over the Weser was one of the largest bridges in Europe.
Westphalia in 1648 the state was annexed by Brandenburg. The fortress town was twice taken by
French troops in the Napoleonic years, and from 1815 was governed by Kingdom of Prussia. It
quietly languished until the railroad gave it a new start as a center of industry and commerce. The
enormous 375 meter long channel bridge over the Weser was one of the largest bridges in Europe.
| Meiningen |
Ludwigshafen am Rhein is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate located on the Rhine opposite Mannheim.
The Ludwigshafen vicinity was inhabited in prehistoric times and then Celtic and Germanic tribes
settled here. In the last century B.C., the Romans conquered the region and a Roman auxiliary fort
was constructed nearby. Some of the later suburbs of Ludwigshafen were founded in the Middle
Ages, but the year 1843 was the official birth of the city when Bavaria was given this property and
Bavarian King Ludwig I renamed the settlement and began construction of city to rival Mannheim.
The Ludwigshafen vicinity was inhabited in prehistoric times and then Celtic and Germanic tribes
settled here. In the last century B.C., the Romans conquered the region and a Roman auxiliary fort
was constructed nearby. Some of the later suburbs of Ludwigshafen were founded in the Middle
Ages, but the year 1843 was the official birth of the city when Bavaria was given this property and
Bavarian King Ludwig I renamed the settlement and began construction of city to rival Mannheim.
| Ludwigshafen |
During World War II, the city was a prime target for strategic bombing because its industry which employed 40,000
workers. But the factories were not significantly harmed until almost war's end, rather, the civilian areas were. Thirteen
thousand Allied bombers attacked the city in 121 separate raids during the war, of which only 56 were aimed at the main
factories, including the Farben plant. Those 56 raids dropped 53,000 bombs each containing 250 to 4,000 pounds of
high explosives, plus 2.5 million 4-pound magnesium incendiary bombs. Since cloud cover often obscured the target,
"pathfinder" planes identified the general vicinity with flares which bombardiers unloaded. Even then, out of 1,700 bombs
dropped on January 7, 1944, for example, only 127 hit the Farben factory and most still hit residential areas. Thousands
of homes were destroyed and there was a great loss of civilian life. But in a raid in January of 1945, 1,000 high explosive
bombs and 10,000 incendiaries finally fell within the factory fences, starting over 250 separate fires. This bombing also
destroyed even more residences and "dehoused" another 1,800 people. 50% of the houses in Ludwigshafen were
destroyed and it was one of the most thoroughly bombed cities in Germany.
workers. But the factories were not significantly harmed until almost war's end, rather, the civilian areas were. Thirteen
thousand Allied bombers attacked the city in 121 separate raids during the war, of which only 56 were aimed at the main
factories, including the Farben plant. Those 56 raids dropped 53,000 bombs each containing 250 to 4,000 pounds of
high explosives, plus 2.5 million 4-pound magnesium incendiary bombs. Since cloud cover often obscured the target,
"pathfinder" planes identified the general vicinity with flares which bombardiers unloaded. Even then, out of 1,700 bombs
dropped on January 7, 1944, for example, only 127 hit the Farben factory and most still hit residential areas. Thousands
of homes were destroyed and there was a great loss of civilian life. But in a raid in January of 1945, 1,000 high explosive
bombs and 10,000 incendiaries finally fell within the factory fences, starting over 250 separate fires. This bombing also
destroyed even more residences and "dehoused" another 1,800 people. 50% of the houses in Ludwigshafen were
destroyed and it was one of the most thoroughly bombed cities in Germany.
Between August, 1942 and April, 1945 altogether 24 air raids were flown against Leipzig, and they took over 5,000
civilian lives, yet a small number in comparison to most German cities. However, this figure was probably grossly
underestimated and it did not include the thousands of incoming, unprotected refugees who were killed.
civilian lives, yet a small number in comparison to most German cities. However, this figure was probably grossly
underestimated and it did not include the thousands of incoming, unprotected refugees who were killed.
