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taterguy

(29,582 posts)

24. I always thought Dresden was about sending a message to the Russians

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Thu Aug 2, 2012, 07:29 AM

Aug 2012

The city itself had no military importance, but at the time the ground forces in the Russian army were the best in the world.

We didn't know how far they'd advance in Europe and we had to make sure they'd stop at an acceptable place, by demonstrating what we were capable of doing.

But I didn't attend any of the meetings where the decision was made so I really don't know.

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Was firebombing Dresden justified? [View all] closeupready Aug 2012 OP

That can be debated and talked about until the cows come home, but it won't change the shraby Aug 2012 #1

Actually, yes, very true. closeupready Aug 2012 #2

What year is this? lame54 Aug 2012 #3

Huh? World War II? closeupready Aug 2012 #4

No - this year lame54 Aug 2012 #6

the same year the US dropped the atom bomb closeupready Aug 2012 #8

Did I enter the WWII forum? This is GD.. So what is today's specific relevence? hlthe2b Aug 2012 #5

This other thread in GD currently: closeupready Aug 2012 #9

"Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it". Nye Bevan Aug 2012 #13

I simply asked what today's relevence was. I have no problem discussing history (obviously) hlthe2b Aug 2012 #15

and let's not forget the blitz in London. pennylane100 Aug 2012 #7

I was going to ask that, but closeupready Aug 2012 #10

In retrospect, with the benefit of years of hindsight, Nye Bevan Aug 2012 #11

Agreed. closeupready Aug 2012 #12

Yep, a kind of "democratic" rough justice...you vote for it, you get what you get... CTyankee Aug 2012 #23

It's an interesting question. I would imagine that there are all kinds of analyses that you could CTyankee Aug 2012 #14

Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughter-house Five" of course, is closeupready Aug 2012 #16

Yep. I was thinking more along the lines of historians analysis. CTyankee Aug 2012 #17

Ask Bomber Harris sofa king Aug 2012 #18

My mother celebrated the bombing of Marseille aint_no_life_nowhere Aug 2012 #19

Thank you for that interesting post. closeupready Aug 2012 #20

Yes. nt Dreamer Tatum Aug 2012 #21

Well, it taught the Allies the value of fire-bombing, just ask Tokyo 1-Old-Man Aug 2012 #22

I always thought Dresden was about sending a message to the Russians taterguy Aug 2012 #24

Not justified Franker65 Aug 2012 #26

We didn't have hackers and cruise missiles back then. Zalatix Aug 2012 #25

Justified, perhaps not. Brewinblue Aug 2012 #27

Dresden was about destroying Germany's will to fight MannyGoldstein Aug 2012 #28