|
||
|
|
|
|
Detailed Bird's-Eye View of Frankfurt Just Before World War II.
Fascinating view of Frankfurt just after the Nazi assumption of power in Germany, documenting the buildings of the city before its destruction during the Second World War.
The verso provides a composite of images from Frankfurt's history ending in the lower right corner with a portrait of Adolf Hitler.
During World War II, Frankfurt, like many other German cities, suffered significant damage due to Allied bombing. Frankfurt was a major German financial, industrial, and transportation center, making it a significant target for Allied forces. The city's strategic importance was due to its industrial facilities, which included chemical plants, machinery manufacturers, and the railway junction, all critical to the German war effort.
The most severe bombing of Frankfurt occurred in 1944. The Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) conducted numerous air raids on the city. One of the most devastating attacks was on March 22, 1944, when the RAF carried out a heavy bombing raid that created a vast firestorm, destroying much of the old city center, including many historical landmarks.
By the end of the war, large portions of Frankfurt had been destroyed. The city's infrastructure was heavily damaged, and many of its historical buildings were in ruins. The reconstruction efforts after the war led to significant changes in the city's architecture and layout, with many historical buildings being replaced with modern structures. The rebuilding of Frankfurt after the war was extensive, and it gradually regained its importance as a major European financial and cultural center.
