The civilian that supports the war effort through his labours, such as the locomotive driver, the machinist, the miner, the barge crewman is just as legitimate a target as those in uniform.

The memorial is nothing to do with Germany, it is not relevant what or who the bombers target was.

Originally Posted by GloriousBomb

On the other hand, we all know that towards the end of the war, the strategy of Bomber Command was mainly to incinerate entire cities in Germany. Civilians were not killed as unavoidable "collateral damage" during the bombing of industries or military installations, but they were the target of the attacks, in an attempt to lower German morale. Historic town centers and residential areas were erased, in many cases (two examples are Dresden and Darmstadt) there were raids on areas with hardly any industry while the industrial areas a few miles outside of the town centres were spared.

Well you fucking started it, now fuck off and eat some sausages.

I would have to look for the link, but there have been some indications from Germany that those concerned had no objection to a Bomber Command Memorial.

Is this memorial only meant to honour the airmen who risked their lives,

Yes.

or is it also meant to justify or even glorify the the extent to which Germany was destroyed?

No.

To the OP, look up the bombing of Guernica in 1937 and see were it all started.



As Big Bird said,

Originally Posted by bigbird67

It was a war, people died.

Be glad it's all over.

Interesting take on Dresden and the bombing campaign as a whole:

Was Dresden a war crime?

Germany launched V1s & V2s between June 1944 and March 1945, Dresden was bombed between 13 February and 15 February 1945. Darmstadt on the 11/12 September 1944.

Originally Posted by GloriousBomb

As you may already know, a memorial in London's Green Park will be dedicated to the 50 000 British bombers who died in WWII. The news about this memorial made me think a bit. Still, there is one thing which I haven't quite understood yet, and I thought this could be the perfect forum to ask.

One the one hand, I can certainly understand the people who volunteered to fly the Bombers and fight for their country at a time when the British civilian population were under heavy attack by the German air force. They had no other reasonable choice than to trust those who were in command, and I have absolutely no grudge against them. These people deserve to be honoured for their bravery.

On the other hand, we all know that towards the end of the war, the strategy of Bomber Command was mainly to incinerate entire cities in Germany. Civilians were not killed as unavoidable "collateral damage" during the bombing of industries or military installations, but they were the target of the attacks, in an attempt to lower German morale. Historic town centers and residential areas were erased, in many cases (two examples are Dresden and Darmstadt) there were raids on areas with hardly any industry while the industrial areas a few miles outside of the town centres were spared.

Is this memorial only meant to honour the airmen who risked their lives, or is it also meant to justify or even glorify the the extent to which Germany was destroyed?

As far as I have understood, the memorial will display a quote by Churchill saying:

"The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and by their devotion."

This really sounds more like a glorification of the bombing campaign than anything else. and so does the design of the memorial and it's place in the centre of London. It seems like a big, defiant "WE ARE STILL PROUD OF EVERY SINGLE BOMB WE DROPPED ON THE BLOODY GERMANS WHO ALL DESERVED IT, INCLUDING THE SURVIVORS WHO WERE CHILDREN BACK THEN".

Have I misunderstood something here?

One last note:

I do not mean to point a finger at the British, since I am fully aware that Germany started that war and fought in an equally ruthless manner, and the German army an SS committed even worse atrocities during that time. This should go without saying for most of you but I though I should mention it so that even the least intelligent 10% of forum members would know that I'm not in for a finger pointing competition.

Best greetings from across the North Sea,

A German in his 20s

When "Bomber" Harris was asked to justify the bombing of Dresden he replied, "Every city in Germany is not worth the bones of a single British soldier." He was absolutely right. And anyone who flew missions for Bomber Command has every right to be proud of their service. Nor should they be expected to feel remorse or guilt for the German civilians they killed. Shit happens and, from our point of view, it's better that German civilians died than British.

Had they been able to do so, the Nazis would have turned London into the biggest mass grave the world has ever seen. If you want to fight Total War, you can't cry foul when the opposing team adopts exactly the same tactics.

Still, it was a long time ago and in the spirit of reconciliation: best of luck with your article.

Total war. No more, no less.

They that sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind.

War is war and total war is total war. No tears over here.