Cologne During World War 2

Discussion in 'Germany' started by KriegsmarineFreak, Jul 11, 2007.

  1. KriegsmarineFreak

    KriegsmarineFreak Senior Member

    What do you guys know about Cologne, Germany during World War II? What was its role during the war? Any famous events that occured there? Any information would be gladly appreciated.
     
  2. Ivan1

    Ivan1 "Take this!!!"

  3. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

  4. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

  5. KriegsmarineFreak

    KriegsmarineFreak Senior Member

    I appreciate the resources guys! Thank you very much!
     
  6. laufer

    laufer Senior Member

    In 1997, in the former regional Gestapo headquarters in Cologne, the National Socialist Documentation Center was located (so called EL-DE Haus).
     
  7. Michael Bully

    Michael Bully Active Member

    Good afternoon, I am trying to find the most accurate figures for civilian casualties incurred the 'Thousand Bomber Raid' on Cologne, 30th May/31st May 1942. Can someone direct me to the most reliable source? Thank you.
     
  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  9. Michael Bully

    Michael Bully Active Member

    Thanks - I had seen the Wiki entry for this raid,
    " The number reported killed was between 469 and 486, of whom 411 were civilians and 58 combatants. 5,027 people were listed as injured and 45,132 as "bombed out" .."
    But there is no citation of the source. The figures may be correct for all I know, but I'd like to be able to quote a source on my blog.
    Regards .
     
  10. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    From the RAF so wiki info lifted from RAF site
    Figures quoted for deaths vary only between 469 and 486. The 469 figure comprises 411 civilians and 58 military casualties, mostly members of Flak units. 5,027 people were listed as injured and 45,132 as bombed out. It was estimated that from 135,000 to 150,000 of Cologne's population of nearly 700,000 people fled the city after the raid.
    RAF - The Thousand Bomber raids, 30/31 May (Cologne) to 17 August 1942
     
    Michael Bully likes this.
  11. Michael Bully

    Michael Bully Active Member

    Thanks -that's very useful. I am looking at 2 poems about the 30th May 1942 raid on Cologne for the blog ,so glad to have such detailed information. Regards,


     
  12. Michael Bully

    Michael Bully Active Member

    Have now updated my World War 2 poetry blog to feature a post about the Cologne Raid of 30th May 1942.
    Worldwar2poetry.blogspot.co.uk

    Have noticed in some of my reading a huge range in figures of the casualties relating to this raid. There are the RAF figures as above, but then others which are far higher, particularly from the pacifist Vera Brittain.

    Have been wondering how the Raid is commemorated in Cologne these days and what figures the civic authorities offer. I don't read German would welcome opinions on this topic.

    Regards
     
  13. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Michael Bully likes this.
  14. Michael Bully

    Michael Bully Active Member

    Thank you for the link about the South Hallsville School bombing, will be exploring that.

    With regard to Cologne 30th May 1942, found this l German language link here

    Luftkrieg 1942: "Operation Millennium" – 1000 Bomber gegen Köln - WELT

    From using Google Translate and guessing

    ....anders als in Lübeck und Rostock jedoch entstand in der Altstadt kein Feuersturm. Deshalb gab es mit knapp 500 Toten gemessen an der Größe der Stadt relativ wenig Opfer

    Suggests that there were five hundred deaths, and that as opposed to Lubeck and Rostock , there was no fire-storm effect, so the number of deaths was relatively few.

    This total of death would be more in keeping with the RAF figures. But open to other sources and translations.

    Regards







     
  15. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Michael fair to say the figure is under 500


    regards
    Clive
     
  16. Michael Bully

    Michael Bully Active Member

    Indeed. I am expanding my original article on the poems by Vera Brittain and Mary E. Harrison to take in more of the historical background to 30th May 1942 raid on Cologne. Will be pleased to acknowledge this thread.
    Regards

     

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