firebombing of Dresden

The firebombing of Dresden occurred in February 1945 during World War II, when Allied forces targeted the German city with extensive incendiary bombs. The attack aimed to weaken German infrastructure and morale as the war neared its end. The bombing caused massive fires, destroying much of the city’s historic center and resulting in significant civilian casualties. Dresden’s bombing remains controversial due to the scale of destruction and loss of life, highlighting the devastating impact of strategic bombing campaigns on civilian populations during wartime.