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A GERMAN CITY REPORTS ON ALLIED BOMBING DAMAGE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
A GERMAN CITY REPORTS ON ALLIED BOMBING DAMAGE
A fine pair of items evidencing the damage done to the city of Landshut, Germany by an Allied bombing raid (likely American) on Apr. 11, 1945. The grouping includes a report issued by the mayor of the city and sent to Luftgaucommando 7, likely responsible for the defense of the city, along with a map of the destruction done during the attack. The partly-printed report is 8pp. 4to., prepared in Landshut on Apr. 16, 1945, five days after the attack. The mayor advises that the attack occurred on the 11th at 12:56 PM and continued until 1:11 PM. 120 Allied bombers attacked in 11 waves in approx. one minute intervals, they dropped 800 H.E. bombs of 50-1,000 kilos each, as well as 5,000 incendiary bombs. 4,200 propaganda fliers were also dropped. Targets included railway yards, other communications, fuel and supply depots, bridges, and factories. The dead and wounded (11 - 41) are ennumerated, including concentration camp internees (two injured). Twenty-one buildings were totally destroyed, and about fifty others were damaged. This pre-printed form also allows one to list livestock killed - in this case, eight horses and one cow were lost, but rabbits, goats, sheep, chicken, ducks, pigeons, etc. were spared. The map, 18" x 22", is essentially a blueprint of the city upon which a draftsman has colored-in the areas of destruction which are testament to the accuracy of American bombing technique at this late period of the war: the populated parts of the city are almost untouched, but the rail yards and factory area are devastated with: "...explosive bombs...fires...", and even "duds" are located on the map. Both map and report and stamped "Secret". With transmittal envelope. Map bears a 1 1/2" fold tear at left, else in very good to fine condition. During the war, a subcamp of Dachau was located in the city to provide slave labor for local industry. The first such report we have ever seen come to market.

Estimate: $400 - 600.

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Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012

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