The Bombing of Dresden Alex Elevathingal, Jack Humble, Ernie Yang, and Michael McClelland

Dresden

Thesis The Allied bombing of Dresden during WWII was an extremely controversial piece of World War II, as the loss of life and tremendous damage caused an excessive amount of unnecessary destruction. The reason for targeting Dresden was mainly to attack any form of Nazi Germany, and to stop the production of weapons from the city. Considering that Dresden was a Nazi city, attacking it made sense. Overall, the bombing of Dresden was an excessive revenge attack on an already breaking down Germany, showing that the Allies were finally taking revenge on Germany for the atrocities during WWII. The result was total destruction of Dresden, and the beginning of the end for the Nazi German empire.

About the Bombing of Dresden ● Dresden - an old city, East Germany ● February 13-15, 1945 ● Sides - Germany (Axis)/ America and UK (Allies) ● Allied forces led by British Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris ● Dresden = Key transport junction ● USA and UK believed that the bombing would diminish morale

Background ● Britain was still angered about the Nazi bombing of the United Kingdom during the Blitz ● Dresden was a cultural center that remained un-bombed throughout the majority of the war ● Dresden was mainly without anti-aircraft guns ● German forces moved through Dresden as the Soviet army advanced deeper into Germany

Allied Instigators Winston ChurchillArthur Harris U.S Eighth Air Force

Timeline February 13-February 15,

Aftermath of Dresden ● Decisive Allied “victory” ● Estimated 35, ,000 civilians were killed ● City basically leveled ● Some historical buildings were rebuilt

Controversy Germany’s empire was quickly shrinking after Operation Barbarosa An allied victory was clearly at hand. ● Dresden was technically a Nazi city, so attacking it did help the war effort ● Wanted to affect German morale negatively and take “revenge” for Nazi atrocities ● Wanted to show their power to the Soviet Union.

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