FRAGMENTS | Dresden

During the period of February 13-15, 1945, a total of 722 British RAF bombs and 522 American Air Force bombs were dropped on Dresden, releasing a devastating 3,900 tons of explosives. The bombings resulted in the loss of approximately 25,000 lives.

Immediately following the bombings, a debate arose regarding the necessity and justification of the attacks. Advocates argued that Dresden was a vital transportation and communication hub, housing numerous factories and employing 50,000 workers in support of the war effort. On the other hand, critics contended that Dresden held little strategic importance and that the bombings were carried out indiscriminately, lacking the proportional military significance to justify their devastation.

In March 1945, the German government instructed the media to inflate the death toll, reporting figures ranging from 200,000 to 500,000. However, the city authorities estimated the actual death toll to be around 25,000, a number that has been corroborated by a study conducted in 2010.