Dresden Bombing
Between February 13th and February 15th 1945, combined American and British forces bombed Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony. Dresden was reported as an industrial target because it was a major rail transportation center. However, during the bombing raid over thirty five thousand civilians were killed.(1) Due to this devastation, many people believe that the bombing was unnecessary and unethical and should not have been carried out even though it further weakened Germany’s war efforts in World War II.
To begin with, many people argue that the bombing of Dresden was not only unethical because of the large number of casualties, but also unjustified due to the military’s failure to target many of the important railways and bridges in the city.(2) Also, according to historian Sonke Neitzle, even though Dresden was an industrial target, the bombing had no significant role in ending the war because by 1945 the Allies had already gained enough momentum to end the war.(3)
Another issue many people have with the dresden bombing was the type of bomb used. The Allies used incendiary bombs, which created huge fires.(1) In all, over three waves of attacks, 3,300 tons of bombs were dropped on the city. This created so much fire that a firestorm developed. The more the city burned, the more oxygen was sucked in – and the greater the firestorm became. It is thought that the temperature peaked at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.(1) The surface of roads melted and fleeing people found that their feet were burned as they ran.
However, after the war had ended, the Marshall Inquiry was conducted at the request of General George C. Marshall to examine the need of the bombing raid. The inquiry ended up stating that the bombing of Dresden was necessary because the city of Dresden was seen as a possible place the Germans could use to reinforce their troops on the Eastern Front or to retreat and use Dresden as a base of
To begin with, many people argue that the bombing of Dresden was not only unethical because of the large number of casualties, but also unjustified due to the military’s failure to target many of the important railways and bridges in the city.(2) Also, according to historian Sonke Neitzle, even though Dresden was an industrial target, the bombing had no significant role in ending the war because by 1945 the Allies had already gained enough momentum to end the war.(3)
Another issue many people have with the dresden bombing was the type of bomb used. The Allies used incendiary bombs, which created huge fires.(1) In all, over three waves of attacks, 3,300 tons of bombs were dropped on the city. This created so much fire that a firestorm developed. The more the city burned, the more oxygen was sucked in – and the greater the firestorm became. It is thought that the temperature peaked at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.(1) The surface of roads melted and fleeing people found that their feet were burned as they ran.
However, after the war had ended, the Marshall Inquiry was conducted at the request of General George C. Marshall to examine the need of the bombing raid. The inquiry ended up stating that the bombing of Dresden was necessary because the city of Dresden was seen as a possible place the Germans could use to reinforce their troops on the Eastern Front or to retreat and use Dresden as a base of