I just finished watching a documentary on the History Channel concerning the Allied bombing raid on Berlin on February 03, 1945. It left me numb after listening to survivor stories and the horrors many had to live through.
I didn't know that this raid left 125,000 homeless, 20,000 killed and untold injured and missing. 1,500 people were buried alive and rescued.
The Allied bomber dropped high explosives/firebombs on Berlin that day.
The Allied command when debriefing this mission had agreed that the Berlin raid was one of the most successful raids, grading it as good to very good! 81 more air raids would be carried out until Berlin capitulated.
I have 3 questions in relation to this raid;
(1):Allies justified raid because it would crush enemy morale and hurt industry, Did they succeed?Was the German will to fight diminished as a result of such raids?
(2):Berlin's anti-aircraft defences, What kind of resistance would the Allied bomber crews had experienced on that day?
(3):Shot down Allied bombers and crews. What would the fate of such crews had been in the latter stages of the war if captured?
Hopefully someone in this excellent forum can shed some light on my questions and provide some answers!
Best regards,
Robert
