On the one hand, elements of Dresden were clearly targets of war (and elements were not). Nazi Germany was still resisting ferociously and the raids were seen as a real boon to the USSR. Deaths in the war in Europe were rising. 2
Näytä tämä ketju
As there are lots of opinions floating around about the bombing of Dresden, I thought I would chip in--as per usual with my indecision as I'm perplexed by the certainty people have on this issue. 1
-
-
-
modern research has shown that the original Goebbels-inspired claims of massive deaths were overstated and the toll, while high does not stand out when compared to other raids in the war. Hamburg, Tokyo, Berlin, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were all worse--by alot. 3
Näytä tämä ketju -
On the other hand, the real problem for the backers of Dresden is that, unlike the raids on Hamburg and Berlin for instance, there was compelling evidence by late 1944 that area bombing of cities did not work. 4
Näytä tämä ketju -
German sources had made it clear that area bombing of cities did not damage production much, especially when compared with attacks on fuel and transport. And this matters, because Harris refused to accept the evidence when it was presented to him. That is troubling. 5
Näytä tämä ketju -
Harris superior, AM Portal was aware of what the evidence showed and tried to convince Harris he did not need to make such attacks as Dresden, and Harris simply refused. 6
Näytä tämä ketju -
So the raids were understood by senior commanders as unnecessary to win the war, but because of issues of personality, etc, a change in policy was not ordered and raids like Dresden were allowed to occur. 7
Näytä tämä ketju -
This last point tends to matter a great deal to me. 8
Näytä tämä ketju
Keskustelun loppu
Uusi keskustelu -
-
-
The fact that David Irving's book on the subject is still quoted as 'authoritative' should seriously worry people
-
irony that those who use his death figures without question are almost always very much Left Wing
Keskustelun loppu
Uusi keskustelu -
-
-
Blimey a balanced, sensible argument! What is Twitter coming to? Apologies for being facetious - that was fascinating.
-
I appreciate you saying that--I actually would like to have more of these on twitter
- Näytä vastaukset
Uusi keskustelu -
Lataaminen näyttää kestävän hetken.
Twitter saattaa olla ruuhkautunut tai ongelma on muuten hetkellinen. Yritä uudelleen tai käy Twitterin tilasivulla saadaksesi lisätietoja.