Dresden is one of the cities that has experienced both splendid eras and times of tragedy. It was known as a magnificent center of European politics, economic development, and culture, only to become a synonym for destruction two centuries later. For Dresden residents and other people from all over the world, it has always been a unique city with an allure that has evolved throughout a drastic history.
They had heard the destructive voices of distant aerial bombings many times before, but on February 13, 1945, the American prisoners of war heard Dresden’s fire sirens howl right above their heads. German guards moved them two stories down into a meat locker. When they returned back to the surface, the city was gone. One of the American POWs witnessed the firebombing of Dresden.
The continuous three-day Allied bombing attack on Dresden from February 13 to 15 in the final months of World War II became among the most disputed Allied actions of the war. The 800-bomber raid dropped 2700 tons of explosives and decimated the German city.
The goal of destroying Dresden, a major center for Nazi Germany’s rail and road system, was to overwhelm German administration and services and choke all transit routes with hordes of displaced people. The Allied assault came after some 19,000 US troops were killed in Germany’s last-ditch offensive at the Battle of the Bulge and three weeks after discovering the atrocities committed by Nazi forces at Auschwitz. The firebombing of Dresden was intended to make the civilian masses terrorized nationwide.
The British bomber Command’s Blind Illuminator aircraft dropped explosives over the city. Aircrafts swooped low to drop uncountable flares and fire-target markers. The most prominent attack formation was over 500 heavy Lancaster bombers loaded with incendiaries. The next day, the US Eighth Air Force attacked with another 400 bombs and did another raid with 210 bombers on February 15.
The Royal Air Force lost six planes when the German Luftwaffe destroyed anti-aircraft defenses in shambles. However, the small fires became powerful firestorms that created powerful winds that sucked oxygen, broken structures, and people into their flames.
Dresden WW2 books show that the bombing was the biggest massacre in European history. According to the estimates, 150,000 to 200,000 dead were long accepted without dispute. It was the ‘Hiroshima of Germany’. Dresden was named Florence on the Elbe River because of its magnificent Baroque buildings and rich cultural history.
If you are someone who loves to read historical fiction, ‘Escape’ by Elaine Blair is the book for you. The book is based on a blond-haired, blue-eyed Frieda Jacobsmeyer; her Mama and Nana saw the first wave of terror as they took refuge in the basement of the apartment building. Her Jewish friend Walther Goldschmidt, his mother, and his father used the terror wave as an opportunity to flee from Dresden and escape their upcoming deportation to a work camp.
Who will survive the horrific incidents of Dresden? Who will survive the Gestapo looking for Jewish families that left Dresden during the bombings? As the sparks fly in Dresden, what sparks are ignited between Walther and Frieda in the fight for survival?
Elaine Blair is a book lover and has also served as a teacher. She loves to travel, and her trip to Germany made her write one of the best historical fiction. She was shocked to see the bombing of Dresden, and how the beauty of the city was ruined in just a few hours. Reading more about Auschwitz gave her a clear picture of historical facts. The residents tried their best to rebuild their homeland. ‘Escape’ by Elaine is one of the best stories based on a real story that should be passed on to future generations.
Elaine loves to read survival and historical fiction book. She loves exploring and learning about new cultures, historical events, and people. She believes by reading stories about different parts of the world and people; everyone can learn to accept each other. The sole purpose behind writing the best historical fiction is to give people a real picture of post wars and stand against it.
It is undoubtedly an incredible read for every book lover. Give yourself a break from traditional stories and read ‘Escape’ by Elaine Blair, an absolute masterpiece. You can order it from the website or head over to Amazon.
