Ruins of Cologne
The bombing of Cologne during World War II was a significant event. The city was bombed in 262 separate air raids by the Allies, primarily by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first bombing took place on May 12, 1940, and continued until March 2, 1945.
One of the most notable raids was the first thousand-bomber raid, known as Operation Millennium, which occurred on the night of May 30-31, 1942. This massive raid aimed to demonstrate the RAF's capability and to severely damage German morale.
By the end of the war, approximately 34,711 long tons of bombs had been dropped on Cologne, resulting in the destruction of much of the city and the deaths of around 20,000 civilians. The city's iconic cathedral, however, survived despite being hit multiple times.
Comments
Contributed by
OldPik
January 6, 2025
Have old photos?
Share your historical photographs and help preserve our collective memory.
Upload pictures
No comment yet, be the first to comment...