During World War II, Dresden was not considered a major strategic target despite its importance as a railway hub and a large military barracks complex. The city had few significant military production facilities, and its architectural landmarks like the baroque buildings led many to believe it would be spared from the destruction of war. Leading up to the bombing, Dresden saw an influx of nearly half a million refugees escaping the advancing Soviet army, which almost doubled its population and led to hopes that the city would remain unscathed. However, these hopes proved to be unfounded.

On the evening of February 13, 1945, British and American air forces commenced a brutal bombardment of Dresden, which would last for two days. The tactics employed by the attackers were designed to create widespread and devastating firestorms throughout the city. This was a shocking turn of events for its residents, who had previously believed that their city would remain largely untouched due to its perceived low military significance and the absence of meaningful anti-aircraft defenses.

The implications of the bombing were far-reaching, not only resulting in the loss of countless civilian lives but also obliterating a cultural and architectural treasure known throughout Europe as the