WWII Stations: Station 8: Technology

Location (same place)

 

Directions

1. Read the following to help you fill out the graphic organizer in your notes.

 

The Atomic Bomb

PHOTOS OF THE WORLD WAR II ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI IN AUGUST 1945 Links to an external site.

 

World War II and Area Bombing

An important aspect of the Allied air war against Germany involved what is known as “area” or “saturation” bombing. In area bombing, all enemy industry–not just war munitions–is targeted, and civilian portions of cities are obliterated along with troop areas. Before the advent of the atomic bomb, cities were most effectively destroyed through the use of incendiary bombs that caused unnaturally fierce fires in the enemy cities. Such attacks, Allied command reasoned, would ravage the German economy, break the morale of the German people and force an early surrender.

 

Bombing of Dresden: Background

From February 13 to February 15, 1945, during the final months of World War II (1939-45), Allied forces bombed the historic city of Dresden, located in eastern Germany. The bombing was controversial because Dresden was neither important to German wartime production nor a major industrial center, and before the massive air raid of February 1945 it had not suffered a major Allied attack. By February 15, the city was a smoldering ruin and an unknown number of civilians—estimated Links to an external site. between 22,700 to 25,000–were dead.

 

Works Cited

• History.com Editors. “Bombing of Dresden.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-dresden Links to an external site..
• Sim, David, and Eve Watling. “The World War II Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.” Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2018, www.newsweek.com/world-war-ii-atomic-bombings-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-august-1945-1055913.