The Firebombing of Germany: Operation Thunderclap
On the evening of February 13, 1945, a series of Allied firebombing raids begins against the German city of Dresden.
More than 3,400 tons of explosives were dropped on the city by 800 American and British aircraft. The firestorm created by the two days of bombing set the city burning for many more days, littering the streets with charred corpses, including many children. Eight square miles of the city was ruined, and the total body count was between 22,700 and 25,000 dead. The hospitals that were left standing could not handle the numbers of injured and burned, and mass burials became necessary.
As with the bombing of all Japanese and German cities, the purpose of this attack was simply an attempt to punish the Germans and weaken their morale.
More than 3,400 tons of explosives were dropped on the city by 800 American and British aircraft. The firestorm created by the two days of bombing set the city burning for many more days, littering the streets with charred corpses, including many children. Eight square miles of the city was ruined, and the total body count was between 22,700 and 25,000 dead. The hospitals that were left standing could not handle the numbers of injured and burned, and mass burials became necessary.
As with the bombing of all Japanese and German cities, the purpose of this attack was simply an attempt to punish the Germans and weaken their morale.
Above: Destruction of dense neighborhood in Dresden
Above: bodies of civilians after the bombing of Dresden