he bombing of Dresden was one of the most controversial air raids of World War II. It took place from February 13 to 15, 1945, when Allied forces, primarily the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), launched a massive attack on the city of Dresden, Germany.

Key Details:

1. Purpose: Dresden was a significant cultural center and industrial hub for the Nazis, producing war materials and serving as a key transportation route. The Allies aimed to disrupt German infrastructure, weaken morale, and aid the Soviet advance on the Eastern Front.
2. The Raid: Over the course of three days, around 1,200 bombers dropped more than 3,900 tons of bombs and incendiary devices on the city. The attack caused a firestorm, where intense heat and wind sucked oxygen, fueling flames that destroyed large parts of the city.
3. Destruction: Much of Dresden’s historic center was devastated, including iconic buildings and churches. Around 25,000 people are estimated to have died in the bombing, many of them civilians, though some estimates suggest higher numbers.
4. Controversy: The bombing has been the subject of intense debate. Critics argue that the scale of destruction was disproportionate, especially so late in the war when Germany was already on the brink of defeat. Some see it as an unnecessary targeting of civilians, while others defend it as a strategic effort to cripple German war capabilities and shorten the conflict.

The bombing of Dresden remains a symbol of the devastating toll modern warfare can take on civilian populations and cultural heritage.