The Fire

During World War II about 635.000 Germans lost their lives in the fire-bombings of German cities.

The Fire, a controverisal book

The bombings were officially undertaken in order to destroy the German morale as well as the German "war-machine". It has also been claimed that the fire-bombings were part of a savage revenge for the bombing of London.

Controversial book
A few years ago the German historian, Jörg Friedrich wrote a highly controversial book about the sufferings that were levied upon the German civilians and their cities. To a large extent the book served as an eye opener for the German population who are still fighting to come to terms with their history. Some critiques claimed, however, that the book foremost served as an opening for the Germans to redefine themselves as the victims and less the aggressors.

Recently the book has been translated into English and the author has been on a lecturing tour in the US. On his way back a debate was organised by the London Book Review. This has sparked a lively debate in the English media with echoes on the Continent. Were the bombings of Germany necessitated by the war-effort? Or were they rather an act, which compares with the war crimes of the Germans? These questions will continue to engage Europeans for some time to come. Not least in the up-coming week when Dresden will commemorate the devastations of the city and death of its inhabitants during WWII.

Frederick Taylor: Dresden: Tuesday 13 February 1945. Bloomsbury 2004. (See also a review of his latest book about The Berlin Wall )
Jörg Friedrich: Das Gesetz des Krieges: Das deutsche Heer in Russland, 1941 bis 1945. 2003
Jörg Friedrich and Allison Brown, The Fire, The Bombing of Germany. USA 2007

The official program
In the evening at the Semperoper Mozart's Requiem is on the programme, which will be sent live via MDR Figaro to listeners all over Europe and US. Mozart's Requiem
In Kreuzkirche it is possible to listen to 'Deutches Requiem' by Johannes Brahms, Brahm's Requiem
In 'Die Frauenkirche', which for so long lay as a desolate ruin in the middle of Dresden, is reopening after intensive restoration, so now it's once again possibile to enter the church and pray for world peace.

The Nazi-march
To the consternation and sorrow of most Dresdens this emotional day for the commemoration of peace and reconciliation has been high jacked by neo-nazis who are organising a simultaneous 'Aktions Woche', an "action week". They will march through the inner city claiming Dresden as the ultimate witness of the atrocities visited upon Germany by the Allies. The autonomous youngsters coming in busloads from Berlin will at the same time gather and to try to prevent the Nazis from entering the inner baroque city. Once again the streets of the city of Dresden will echo with the Germans difficult past and their efforts to come to grips with the horrors of the war - self-inflicted or otherwise.

Related articles
Dresdner Requiem, Choir boys killed inspired new requiem
Erich Kästner, author on belonging in Dresden and Germany despite Nazis

Related information
Frauenkirche in Dresden, www.frauenkirche-dresden.de, only in German