In the entire history of mankind, there are few years when there were no wars on the planet. The result of military confrontations is the death of a large number of people, huge destruction, humanitarian disasters. We all remember the destruction of Troy, the disappearance from the face of the earth of Carthage, the conquest of Jericho. But we will not look so far into the past, and in our short review beautiful cities destroyed by the war.
1
Coventry. England
In the years 1940-1942, English Coventry was repeatedly subjected to aerial airstrikes by the German Air Force. The most massive raid occurred on the night of November 14-15, 1940.
437 Luftwaffe combat aircraft took part in the strike on the city. In 11 hours of continuous bombing, over 55 tons of bombs fell on the town. Coventry was almost wiped off the face of the earth. Other English towns suffered significantly less.
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In total, the German Air Force carried out 41 raids on the city, as a result of which not only buildings suffered, but civilians also died. Such large-scale destruction led to the emergence of the term “covent”, that is, to destroy the city as a result of an air raid.
2
Valletta Malta
Russell, J E (Lt) - Royal Navy official photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
The administrative and cultural center of Malta was named for the knight who defended the city from the attack of Turkish troops in 1565. But the Second World War did not spare the inhabitants and city buildings.
The tragic day for the most beautiful Valletta and its inhabitants was February 7, 1942. German Luftwaffe aircraft carried out a massive bombardment of the city. Residential quarters and the center were completely destroyed. A large number of civilians became victims of the raid.
The city center suffered the most from the brutal bombing. The building of the Royal Opera House, like many other architectural monuments, turned into ruins.
3
Lubeck. Germany
A town in northern Germany was damaged by the attacks of the Royal British Air Force. It was a response to the raids on London and Coventry.
A massive air raid on March 28–29, 1942, almost destroyed a small-sized city. An eyewitness wrote “Lübeck burned in the fire.” 234 bombers took part in the attack, dropping 400 tons of air bombs. Many of them were incendiary. A strong fire began, which raged for several days. In a military operation, 12 British aircraft were shot down.
In one of the parks there is a sculpture of a mother, in memory of the victims of the bombing. Neo-Nazis annually try to hold "memory marches", but city officials prohibit such events.
4
Stalingrad. the USSR
In Tsarist Russia he bore the name Tsaritsyn, and for the first time suffered from military operations during the Civil War. In the Soviet period it was renamed Stalingrad, and now it is called Volgograd.
The first air raid by the Luftwaffe forces occurred on August 23, 1943. It was attended by more than 1 thousand aircraft. During the offensive operation of the Wehrmacht, the city was constantly subjected to air attacks and artillery shelling. Civilians were killed under bombs, administrative buildings and entire residential quarters were destroyed.
The reason for the destruction of the infrastructure was street fighting. The Germans never managed to completely take over the city, and as a result of the Red Army's counteroffensive, the enemy was driven back from the Volga.
5
Minsk. BSSR
The first aerial bombs fell on the capital of Belarus on June 22, 1941. The raids repeated on June 23. On this day, the links of German bombers visited the city 11 times.
German raids continued until June 27, and on June 28 the capital of the BSSR was occupied by German troops. In 1941, 80% of the housing stock was destroyed as a result of German bombing.
During the offensive of the Red Army, Minsk was also subjected to airstrikes from the USSR Air Force. When Soviet troops entered Minsk, only 70 buildings not destroyed by bombs remained in the city center. The people restored the capital. According to the editors of thebiggest.ru, today it is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.
6
Sevastopol the USSR
Author of the photo (upper): Evgeny Chaldey
Photo source: Tass News Agency.
The first time the urban infrastructure was damaged during the Crimean War. Russian soldiers heroically defended the city from the British and French troops.
During the Great Patriotic War, the city’s defenders restrained the attacks of German troops and aircraft for 250 days. As a result of shelling and air attacks, Sevastopol was completely destroyed. The port, residential quarters and administrative buildings suffered.
Before the war, the city had 6,402 residential buildings. After liberation, there were 7 large dilapidated buildings and 180 small residential buildings damaged by bombs in the city limits. The whole city was solid ruins.
7
Dresden Germany
The German city was first mentioned in historical documents in 1206. This year is considered the foundation year of the modern center of Saxony.
Prior to World War II, the city was home to many beautiful sights, magnificent churches, castles, squares and parks. In the last months of the war, the city was badly damaged by the Allied bombing. For two days, February 13 and 14, 1945, as a result of air strikes by the US and British air forces, Dresden was almost completely destroyed.
As a result of air strikes, about 200 thousand people died, and many architectural monuments were destroyed. Cameras were installed on planes, and the world then saw documentary footage of the destruction of the city.
8
Warsaw Poland
The first air raid on Warsaw took place on September 1, 1939. Throughout World War II, the capital of Poland was the scene of fierce battles.
Air raids and artillery shelling destroyed many beautiful buildings, almost destroyed the historic city center. The war led to numerous casualties among the local population.
Many historic buildings were damaged during the Warsaw Uprising. The fighting went right on the streets. After the liberation of Warsaw by Soviet troops, the restoration of a beautiful European city began. From old photographs and drawings, many cultural sights were restored.
9
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan
The first and only case in history when nuclear weapons were used against civilians. The United States of America dropped a nuclear bomb on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki was hit by a nuclear explosion on August 9.
Two Japanese cities were almost destroyed. 80,000 people died in Hiroshima, another 60,000 died from radiation sickness. 74,000 people died in Nagasaki. In total, more than 200 thousand residents suffered from the nuclear bombing.
The consequences were felt for several decades. The international community recognized the use of nuclear weapons as inappropriate, but the United States has not yet acknowledged its mistake and apologized.
10
Beirut. Lebanon
Until the early 1970s, the capital of Lebanon was called "Paris of the Middle East." Beautiful winding streets with magnificent buildings. Most of the buildings were built in the elaborate architectural style of French colonization.
In 1975, a civil war broke out in the Lebanese Republic, bringing disaster to the local population. The historical part of the city was particularly affected. The invasion of Israeli troops in Lebanon continued the destruction of the ancient city.
Over the years of military confrontation, architectural monuments that cannot be restored were destroyed. Today, architects are rebuilding New Beirut with skyscrapers, commercial and shopping centers.
11
Kabul. Afghanistan
© Sebastião Salgado. Afghanistan (Kabul), 1996
In the history of the Afghan capital, the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century became the most turbulent time. First, the British invasion, then a bloody civil war. The capture of the country by the Taliban and the invasion of US troops in 2001.
All this brought great destruction, the devastation of entire neighborhoods. The once prosperous city has become life threatening. Constant terrorist acts keep the entire population at bay. The Taliban, who captured the country in 1996, destroyed priceless historical and archeological monuments.
Civil confrontation does not allow to begin the restoration, but the country's inhabitants hope for the best, and look forward to peace.
12
Sarajevo. Bosnia
Photographer: Mark H. Milstein / Northfoto. Northfoto Picture Agency. Source of photo.
The beautiful city, which once hosted the Olympics, was almost destroyed during the Bosnian war of 1992-1995. During the military conflict, more than 100 thousand people died.
For 3 years of constant shelling, street fighting with tanks and artillery, the city’s infrastructure has turned into ruins. The administrative center, architectural monuments, mosques and churches, residential quarters suffered.
National conflict brought great destruction and grief. In 1995, peace was signed, and peacekeeping forces entered the city. The capital of Bosnia began to recover gradually.
13
Belgrade. Serbia
"Allied power." This was the name of the operation of NATO troops led by the United States to bombard the Yugoslav capital. Air raids and rocket attacks continued for 75 days.
As a result, urban infrastructure was destroyed. Missiles often hit residential areas. 1,700 people were killed, including 400 children. Tens of thousands were injured and lost their homes. Forbidden weapons were used against residents.
Belgrade remembers the tragic events of 1999. Some buildings have not been restored. They stand as a reminder of the crime of NATO troops against civilians.
14
Aleppo. Syria
The war came to the beautiful Syrian city in 2012. During the confrontation between government forces and the opposition, the center of the same-named Syrian governorate was almost destroyed.
A large number of residential buildings and architectural monuments were damaged as a result of bombardment by opposition forces with barrel bombs of streets and squares of Aleppo. The most beautiful architectural monument - the Umayyad Mosque, built in the XII century, was destroyed.
The bombing caused numerous casualties. After the liberation of the city by Assad’s troops with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Aleppo is gradually returning to peaceful life. Residential buildings are being restored, social facilities have begun to work.
15
Apamea. Syria
The ancient city before the Civil War was an outstanding monument of archeology. Tourists came here to look at magnificent monuments of architecture, and archaeologists excavated.
The first capital of the Seleucids was built around the 4th century BC and survived many shocks. During the four years of civil confrontation, Apamea was repeatedly bombarded. Marauders carried away historical values, and many monuments suffered from bombing.
After the military units of ISIS occupied the settlement, the destruction of its historic quarters only intensified. After the liberation, the experts conducted an examination, and regretfully acknowledged that many of the monuments were lost forever. Today, Syria is one of the most dangerous countries for life.
Finally
Many cities destroyed as a result of wars were restored. But in the end we give tragic statistics. Scientists have calculated that since the signing of the first known peace treaty of the Amfiktionov Treaty in 1496 BC and until 1861, there have been no wars on earth for 227 years. But from 1945 to 1990, only three weeks on Earth, there were no military conflicts.
TheBiggest Editorial is looking forward to your comments on the topic. Perhaps you write about other beautiful cities destroyed by the war.
Posted by Valery Skiba