| Siegen, Soest, Solingen, Staubling, Stettin, Stralsund, Stuttgart and Swinemuende |
The painter Peter Paul Rubens was born in Siegen in 1577. The city was first recorded in 1224.
Siegen was later the capital of a principality belonging to the house of Nassau, and from 1606 to
1743, it gave its name to the junior branch of Nassau-Siegen. Napoleon incorporated Siegen into the
grand-duchy of Berg in 1806, and in 1815, the Congress of Vienna assigned it to Prussia.
Siegen was later the capital of a principality belonging to the house of Nassau, and from 1606 to
1743, it gave its name to the junior branch of Nassau-Siegen. Napoleon incorporated Siegen into the
grand-duchy of Berg in 1806, and in 1815, the Congress of Vienna assigned it to Prussia.
There is nothing much left of Siegen's historic past. It was 80%, or almost totally destroyed from the 3,770 tons of Allied
bombs dumped on it during the Second World War. Very few historical buildings were left.
bombs dumped on it during the Second World War. Very few historical buildings were left.
| Siegen |
| Soest |
Another ancient Hanseatic city with over a thousand years of history was Soest, and in the Middle
Ages it was the second or third largest city in Germany. Mentioned in documents for the first time in
the year 836, Soest belonged to an old chain of settlements existing from 600 AD. The town had a
fruitful landscape, plentiful water and an existing salt spring which it profited from. A medieval Arab
envoy reported in 972 of a densely populated place named "Shushet" where salt was made.
Ages it was the second or third largest city in Germany. Mentioned in documents for the first time in
the year 836, Soest belonged to an old chain of settlements existing from 600 AD. The town had a
fruitful landscape, plentiful water and an existing salt spring which it profited from. A medieval Arab
envoy reported in 972 of a densely populated place named "Shushet" where salt was made.
In the 15th century, Soest came under the protection of Duke of
Kleve Johann I., and it secured a great amount of independence.
After the death of the last duke of Kleve in the year 1609, Soest
was awarded to the House of Brandenburg as part of the Kleve
inheritance. Soest suffered under the Thrirty Years War and by
1756 only had about 3,600 inhabitants. It lost the right of coining
money in 1742, and languished since that time.
Kleve Johann I., and it secured a great amount of independence.
After the death of the last duke of Kleve in the year 1609, Soest
was awarded to the House of Brandenburg as part of the Kleve
inheritance. Soest suffered under the Thrirty Years War and by
1756 only had about 3,600 inhabitants. It lost the right of coining
money in 1742, and languished since that time.
In the Second World War, Soest was the goal of 30 allied bomb attacks because of nearby
train yards and a factory in town. A third of the city was completely destroyed, especially the
old churches. 60% of the houses were damaged or destroyed. The ancient Patrokli cathedral,
built between 954 and 1166, whose tower was once called the “tower of Westphalia”
because it stood nearly 100 meters high, was bombed in a 1945 Good Friday attack and all
but totally destroyed.
train yards and a factory in town. A third of the city was completely destroyed, especially the
old churches. 60% of the houses were damaged or destroyed. The ancient Patrokli cathedral,
built between 954 and 1166, whose tower was once called the “tower of Westphalia”
because it stood nearly 100 meters high, was bombed in a 1945 Good Friday attack and all
but totally destroyed.
| Solingen |
Solingen was first mentioned in the year 1067, and for centuries it was a tiny
Rhineland village. From 1347 to 1352, the plague devastated the population.
Engelbert II, Archbishop of Cologne, who was eventually assassinated, had many
enemies and built a castle in Solingen which was used until 1386 as a residence by
the Counts of Berg who had been elevated to Dukedom. Solingen became a city in
the early 15th century with city rights granted by the Dukes of Jülich.
Solingen swords, left
Rhineland village. From 1347 to 1352, the plague devastated the population.
Engelbert II, Archbishop of Cologne, who was eventually assassinated, had many
enemies and built a castle in Solingen which was used until 1386 as a residence by
the Counts of Berg who had been elevated to Dukedom. Solingen became a city in
the early 15th century with city rights granted by the Dukes of Jülich.
Solingen swords, left
In the year of 1600, Solingen consisted of 188 houses with about 1200 inhabitants and it was already
famous for its sword-blades. The 30 Years War put an end to Solingen's prominence and it was 100
years before it fully recovered. The old castle was put back into temporary use as a fortress for a
while during the 30 Years War and not conquered by the invading Swedes. Afterwards, it was
basically levelled. In the latter part of the 17th century, a group of disgruntled Lutheran swordsmiths
from Solingen broke their guild oaths and took their sword-making skills and formulas with them to
Shotley Bridge, then a remote village in England, where they set up shop. Shotley had rich iron
deposits in the area and, because of the fast flowing waters of the River Derwent, was ideal for
tempering swords. The little English town therefore became the heart of Britain's swordmaking
industry. Solingen passed to Prussia in 1815. A Sword Story Bierstadt
famous for its sword-blades. The 30 Years War put an end to Solingen's prominence and it was 100
years before it fully recovered. The old castle was put back into temporary use as a fortress for a
while during the 30 Years War and not conquered by the invading Swedes. Afterwards, it was
basically levelled. In the latter part of the 17th century, a group of disgruntled Lutheran swordsmiths
from Solingen broke their guild oaths and took their sword-making skills and formulas with them to
Shotley Bridge, then a remote village in England, where they set up shop. Shotley had rich iron
deposits in the area and, because of the fast flowing waters of the River Derwent, was ideal for
tempering swords. The little English town therefore became the heart of Britain's swordmaking
industry. Solingen passed to Prussia in 1815. A Sword Story Bierstadt
On November 4, 1944, 174 both American and British bombers approached the
city and dumped 4,921 tons of high explosives bombs and mines and 138 tons of
incendiary bombs on it, igniting 900 fires. Although it destroyed the hospital and
broke the water, electric and telephone lines, no historical buildings were yet
attacked. The second attack took place, as per the custom, the following day,
when there was no capacity to fight fires or save the town. In a 26 minute raid,
165 British bombers dropped 783 tons of high explosives bombs and 150 tons of
incendiary bombs on Solingen, this time destroying the densely populated, ancient
town center. 1,200 fires raged and the town was in rubble. 1,609 homes were
totally destroyed, and 20,000 persons became shelterless. On November 5th, the
English broadcast stated:
“It is announced that Solingen, which is the heart of the German steel goods
industry, is a dead city.” Also dead were 1,040 civilian non- combatants. Perhaps
among the ruins there were traces of some of the bombers' German ancestors.
city and dumped 4,921 tons of high explosives bombs and mines and 138 tons of
incendiary bombs on it, igniting 900 fires. Although it destroyed the hospital and
broke the water, electric and telephone lines, no historical buildings were yet
attacked. The second attack took place, as per the custom, the following day,
when there was no capacity to fight fires or save the town. In a 26 minute raid,
165 British bombers dropped 783 tons of high explosives bombs and 150 tons of
incendiary bombs on Solingen, this time destroying the densely populated, ancient
town center. 1,200 fires raged and the town was in rubble. 1,609 homes were
totally destroyed, and 20,000 persons became shelterless. On November 5th, the
English broadcast stated:
“It is announced that Solingen, which is the heart of the German steel goods
industry, is a dead city.” Also dead were 1,040 civilian non- combatants. Perhaps
among the ruins there were traces of some of the bombers' German ancestors.
| Staubling |
The worst day in Straubing history is considered April 18, 1945 at the tail end of the war.
The bombing lasted 42 seconds, with 480.8 tons of high explosive bombs and 33.8 tons of
incendiary bombs dropped to make it easy for the Americans who were poised to take the
city. The town took 2 days to fight the fires and save people buried in cellars. Over 300
people perished, with many more later succumbing to injuries sustained from the attack. In
1952, the last broken down cellar was dug out, and 30 more bodies were found. There
were at least 500 civilian fatalities as a result of the bombings.
The bombing lasted 42 seconds, with 480.8 tons of high explosive bombs and 33.8 tons of
incendiary bombs dropped to make it easy for the Americans who were poised to take the
city. The town took 2 days to fight the fires and save people buried in cellars. Over 300
people perished, with many more later succumbing to injuries sustained from the attack. In
1952, the last broken down cellar was dug out, and 30 more bodies were found. There
were at least 500 civilian fatalities as a result of the bombings.
A quarter of all houses and buildings in the old part of town were completely destroyed or severely damaged. The town
was in ninth place in degree of destruction in Bavaria, with Munich at eighth place.
was in ninth place in degree of destruction in Bavaria, with Munich at eighth place.
Straubingers heard their first alarm in 1941. Starting from 1943, it sounded almost daily. The first
heavy air raid came on November 4, 1944 at noon, hitting the train station and railway tracks.
Further heavy Alllied attacks took place on December 20 and on February 5, 1945.
heavy air raid came on November 4, 1944 at noon, hitting the train station and railway tracks.
Further heavy Alllied attacks took place on December 20 and on February 5, 1945.
Historically, the little Catholic town of Straubing in Bavaria lazes quietly on the
right bank of the Danube, crossed by two bridges and crowned by a tall square
tower with five pointed turrets dating from 1208. Today, the town has eight
Catholic churches, one of which is St Peter's which houses the tomb of one
Agnes Bernauer, a poor girl accused of withcraft long ago. Pretty, ancient
Straubing was founded as a city in 1218 by Louis I Wittelsbach, Bavarian Duke.
right bank of the Danube, crossed by two bridges and crowned by a tall square
tower with five pointed turrets dating from 1208. Today, the town has eight
Catholic churches, one of which is St Peter's which houses the tomb of one
Agnes Bernauer, a poor girl accused of withcraft long ago. Pretty, ancient
Straubing was founded as a city in 1218 by Louis I Wittelsbach, Bavarian Duke.
| Stettin |
The historical capital of the Prussian province of Pomerania, which stretched
almost to Danzig, was stately and intellectual Stettin. Until 1637, Stettin, a
fortress as early as the 12th century, was the residence of the dukes of
Pomerania and an important member of the Hanseatic League. At the Peace of
Westphalia in 1648, it passed to Sweden, but was ceded to Prussia in 1720.
almost to Danzig, was stately and intellectual Stettin. Until 1637, Stettin, a
fortress as early as the 12th century, was the residence of the dukes of
Pomerania and an important member of the Hanseatic League. At the Peace of
Westphalia in 1648, it passed to Sweden, but was ceded to Prussia in 1720.
The construction of a canal to Berlin in 1914 enriched Stettin as a port with extensive installations. During World War II,
Stettin suffered heavy damage from repeated bombings. On the night of April 20, 1943, following six previous attacks,
Stettin was bombed with an area of a 100 acres devastated and 40,000 people left homeless. Massive combined Allied
forces bombed it again in 1945 in a more murderous assault in the heart of the city, killing and injuring thousands.
Although 80% of Stettin, including the old section, is on the left or western bank of the Oder, and the Potsdam agreement
of 1945 only transferred Pomerania "east of the Oder" to Poland, this was later "reinterpreted" to include Stettin.
Stettin suffered heavy damage from repeated bombings. On the night of April 20, 1943, following six previous attacks,
Stettin was bombed with an area of a 100 acres devastated and 40,000 people left homeless. Massive combined Allied
forces bombed it again in 1945 in a more murderous assault in the heart of the city, killing and injuring thousands.
Although 80% of Stettin, including the old section, is on the left or western bank of the Oder, and the Potsdam agreement
of 1945 only transferred Pomerania "east of the Oder" to Poland, this was later "reinterpreted" to include Stettin.
The predominantly German population was expelled and replaced by Poles, and about 500,000
humans died or remained missing when Eastern Pomerania and Stettin were subordinated in
1945 under Polish communist administration. Western Pomerania (without Stettin) was
combined with Mecklenburg under communist East German rule.
humans died or remained missing when Eastern Pomerania and Stettin were subordinated in
1945 under Polish communist administration. Western Pomerania (without Stettin) was
combined with Mecklenburg under communist East German rule.
| Stralsund |
Stralsund, the wonderful, medieval city by the sea, was founded in 1234 by settlers from Rügen, and
grew with the arrival of German traders a short time later. After an attack by their shipping rival
Lübeck in 1249, the town was rebuilt with a massive city walls, gates and watch towers. Stralsund
became a member of the Hanseatic League, and 300 of her ships sailed the Baltic by the 14th
century. At the Treaty of Westphalia, she was handed to Sweden. Stralsund remained under Swedish
control until 1815, when it became a part of Prussia.
grew with the arrival of German traders a short time later. After an attack by their shipping rival
Lübeck in 1249, the town was rebuilt with a massive city walls, gates and watch towers. Stralsund
became a member of the Hanseatic League, and 300 of her ships sailed the Baltic by the 14th
century. At the Treaty of Westphalia, she was handed to Sweden. Stralsund remained under Swedish
control until 1815, when it became a part of Prussia.
In WW Two, although Stralsund had suffered alarms and minor bombings,
they were not too worried since they had no military targets. This meant they
had no real defenses either. On October 6, 1944, the US 381st bomber
Group had orders to attack targets near Stettin to assist the Red Army, but
because of bad weather, the 110 airplanes turned around and directed their
machines at their secondary target, the old Hanseatic sea side city itself. First
they hit the power station and the water supply. Next, they hit the port area.
Then they honed in on the unsuspecting city center and the residential area.
they were not too worried since they had no military targets. This meant they
had no real defenses either. On October 6, 1944, the US 381st bomber
Group had orders to attack targets near Stettin to assist the Red Army, but
because of bad weather, the 110 airplanes turned around and directed their
machines at their secondary target, the old Hanseatic sea side city itself. First
they hit the power station and the water supply. Next, they hit the port area.
Then they honed in on the unsuspecting city center and the residential area.
A second attack wave arrived at 1:00 o'clock, and again hit the city center and the suburbs. The third wave was directed
at civilian targets as well. The bombers dropped 1,500 high explosive and incendiary bombs with individual weights
between 100 and 1.000 kilograms, altogether 247.5 tons. The first victims were workers at a sugar factory, whose shelter
received a direct hit with the first attack wave.
at civilian targets as well. The bombers dropped 1,500 high explosive and incendiary bombs with individual weights
between 100 and 1.000 kilograms, altogether 247.5 tons. The first victims were workers at a sugar factory, whose shelter
received a direct hit with the first attack wave.
In total, between 785 and 1,000 civilians were killed. 8,000 dwellings were gone, leaving 12.000 and 14.000 homeless.
385 of the 2,285 buildings of the medieval city center, 133 businesses, and the marketplace were gone as well. The
centuries old Johanniskirche, the cloisters, the ancient gates, the old palace and the antique shipping houses were
obliterated. The high explosives bombs had destroyed the roads and the incendiary bombs set the city aflame. Fire
fighters could not use the public water to put out the fires, and rescue workers couldn't reach the people because of the
rubble. 16 fishing ships were sunken as well. On October 12th and 16th, 1944, mass funerals were held. Then it was
turned over to the communists. The town is now again part of Germany.
385 of the 2,285 buildings of the medieval city center, 133 businesses, and the marketplace were gone as well. The
centuries old Johanniskirche, the cloisters, the ancient gates, the old palace and the antique shipping houses were
obliterated. The high explosives bombs had destroyed the roads and the incendiary bombs set the city aflame. Fire
fighters could not use the public water to put out the fires, and rescue workers couldn't reach the people because of the
rubble. 16 fishing ships were sunken as well. On October 12th and 16th, 1944, mass funerals were held. Then it was
turned over to the communists. The town is now again part of Germany.
| Swinemuende |
The river Swina ran to the Prussian Baltic coast between two small
fishing villages, East and West Swina, and when the river was dredged
and widened for larger ships at the beginning of the 17th century,
Swinemünde was founded on the site of old West Swina. Friedrich the
Great granted the town its privileges in 1765, and it served as the outer
port of Stettin.
fishing villages, East and West Swina, and when the river was dredged
and widened for larger ships at the beginning of the 17th century,
Swinemünde was founded on the site of old West Swina. Friedrich the
Great granted the town its privileges in 1765, and it served as the outer
port of Stettin.
The quaint town, with its "Dutch" style houses, grew up with fishing and the shipping industry, and
its fortified entrance to the harbor was protected by two long breakwaters with the lighthouse on tiny
Wolin Island protecting sailors of old. In 1897, the Kaiserfahrt canal was opened, with the waterway
deepened between the Stettin harbor and the Baltic, and Swinemünde no longer had much strategic
importance. Instead, it became a resort.
its fortified entrance to the harbor was protected by two long breakwaters with the lighthouse on tiny
Wolin Island protecting sailors of old. In 1897, the Kaiserfahrt canal was opened, with the waterway
deepened between the Stettin harbor and the Baltic, and Swinemünde no longer had much strategic
importance. Instead, it became a resort.
671 "Flying Fortresses" with 3,216 pieces of high-explosives, accompanied by fighter
jets, pounced from the west over the Baltic. When at 12.00 o'clock noon, the sirens
started to howl over the port, people thought the bombers would go to Stettin or Berlin,
but they didn't. Instead, they dropped their deadly load in wave after wave upon
Swinemünde from 12:06 pm to 12:58 pm. 1,608.5 tons of bombs fell, including 1,000
lb bombs and two 500 pounders, almost entirely on the city center, igniting about 50
fires which quickly encircled trapped civilians.
jets, pounced from the west over the Baltic. When at 12.00 o'clock noon, the sirens
started to howl over the port, people thought the bombers would go to Stettin or Berlin,
but they didn't. Instead, they dropped their deadly load in wave after wave upon
Swinemünde from 12:06 pm to 12:58 pm. 1,608.5 tons of bombs fell, including 1,000
lb bombs and two 500 pounders, almost entirely on the city center, igniting about 50
fires which quickly encircled trapped civilians.
570 people, most of them women and children, died when the "Andros" went down. The official civilian death toll from
the attack on Swinemünde stood at 23,000 for almost 50 years, and was justified by the cemetery, police and hospital
records as well as eye witness accounts. The number of victims has been recently minimized by using the loose ratio of
"one ton of Allied bombs killed an average of 3.1 people," revising it down to a probably inaccurate 5,000. At the time
of the attack, there were reports of low flying aircraft spraying the exposed refugees with artillery fire, accounting for the
clustered groups of dead on the roadways, but as usual, this too has been refuted lately.
the attack on Swinemünde stood at 23,000 for almost 50 years, and was justified by the cemetery, police and hospital
records as well as eye witness accounts. The number of victims has been recently minimized by using the loose ratio of
"one ton of Allied bombs killed an average of 3.1 people," revising it down to a probably inaccurate 5,000. At the time
of the attack, there were reports of low flying aircraft spraying the exposed refugees with artillery fire, accounting for the
clustered groups of dead on the roadways, but as usual, this too has been refuted lately.
The bombers criss-crossed over the city center, destroying the small businesses and residential buildings, covering the
roads with rubble. The remaining concentrations were inflicted upon the suburbs, the beach, west Swinemünde and
concentrated small housing. Thousands of refugees were unprotected and in the open air, exposed to the attack which
claimed hundreds of them as fatalities. 12 fully-loaded refugee transport vessels had put into Swinemünde before the
attack. 6 of them sank, including the "Cordillera" and the "Andros."
roads with rubble. The remaining concentrations were inflicted upon the suburbs, the beach, west Swinemünde and
concentrated small housing. Thousands of refugees were unprotected and in the open air, exposed to the attack which
claimed hundreds of them as fatalities. 12 fully-loaded refugee transport vessels had put into Swinemünde before the
attack. 6 of them sank, including the "Cordillera" and the "Andros."
A train fully loaded with refugees was aboard the train ferry crossing the Swina and
another train was ready for departure in the harbor railway station. Schools and other
public buildings were overcrowded with the elderly, the sick and the wounded. There
were estimates of from 70,000 to 100,000 people in Swinemünde including the
refugees, most of whom were East Prussian women and children.
another train was ready for departure in the harbor railway station. Schools and other
public buildings were overcrowded with the elderly, the sick and the wounded. There
were estimates of from 70,000 to 100,000 people in Swinemünde including the
refugees, most of whom were East Prussian women and children.
Swinemünde had only 22,000 inhabitants in 1945 when Red Army Marshal Khudyakov put in an urgent request to
American General Carl Spaatz that the Allies bomb the city, not so much because of the unimportant old naval base there
or because Wehrmacht supply units were possibly camped nearby, but because tens of thousands of German civilian
refugees fleeing from the East had arrived in Swinemünde and refugees were enemy targets.
American General Carl Spaatz that the Allies bomb the city, not so much because of the unimportant old naval base there
or because Wehrmacht supply units were possibly camped nearby, but because tens of thousands of German civilian
refugees fleeing from the East had arrived in Swinemünde and refugees were enemy targets.
Although some damage was actually done to the docks, a few ships and a ferry boat, the U.S.A. reported that results of
the heavy attack supposedly had "not achieved its goal" of making the old naval base at Swinemünde useless, after all. On
May 5, 1945, the Soviet army occupied the town. In the autumn of 1945, a Polish administration was inaugurated. This
spelled the end of any surviving German population of the town. (see elsewhere)
the heavy attack supposedly had "not achieved its goal" of making the old naval base at Swinemünde useless, after all. On
May 5, 1945, the Soviet army occupied the town. In the autumn of 1945, a Polish administration was inaugurated. This
spelled the end of any surviving German population of the town. (see elsewhere)
| Stuttgart |
In the old Duchy of Wurttenberg, another ancient German city
and the capital of today's state of Baden-Wurttenberg is Stuttgart,
founded around 950A.D. as the residence of the counts of
Wurttemberg. The name of the royal family of Württemberg and
of the state originates from a steep Stuttgart hill, formerly known
as Wirtemberg, nowadays called Württemberg. After Napoleon
dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, the dukes of Württemberg
earned the title of kings and Stuttgart became a royal residence.
and the capital of today's state of Baden-Wurttenberg is Stuttgart,
founded around 950A.D. as the residence of the counts of
Wurttemberg. The name of the royal family of Württemberg and
of the state originates from a steep Stuttgart hill, formerly known
as Wirtemberg, nowadays called Württemberg. After Napoleon
dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, the dukes of Württemberg
earned the title of kings and Stuttgart became a royal residence.
Stuttgart is another city totally flattened by continuous Allied bombing, the
worst raid taking place April 22, 1945. Stuttgart was bombed 53 times by the
Allies, killing thousands of people. Although an important industrial and rail
center, most targets were non-military, and purely cultural sites earmaked
beforehand for destruction. Bombing attacks leveled 60% of Stuttgart's
buildings and left 52.972 million cubic feet of rubble. None of its landmarks or
historic structures survived intact. The once lovely city was nothing but rubble
and death. Under initial French occupation, there was a violent spree of
violence against German women and girls, with almost 2,000 rapes reported.
worst raid taking place April 22, 1945. Stuttgart was bombed 53 times by the
Allies, killing thousands of people. Although an important industrial and rail
center, most targets were non-military, and purely cultural sites earmaked
beforehand for destruction. Bombing attacks leveled 60% of Stuttgart's
buildings and left 52.972 million cubic feet of rubble. None of its landmarks or
historic structures survived intact. The once lovely city was nothing but rubble
and death. Under initial French occupation, there was a violent spree of
violence against German women and girls, with almost 2,000 rapes reported.
Swabia was the birthplace of Kepler and Schiller, and home to hundreds of priceless architectural
gems such as the old castle of the Dukes of Württemberg and the Stiftskirche, a Gothic cathedral
from 1495 and It was also the burial place of nobles.
gems such as the old castle of the Dukes of Württemberg and the Stiftskirche, a Gothic cathedral
from 1495 and It was also the burial place of nobles.