[WWII German Postcards]

Documenting the devastation of Hamburg during World War II.

This eerie collection of fifteen black and white photographic postcards offer a historic perspective into the devastating aerial bombardment endured by Hamburg during World War II. The city in northern Germany was home to numerous manufacturing plants and war-related facilities, making it a valid target from the perspective of Allied leaders. A ten-day bombing run codenamed Operation Gomorrah took place during the summer of 1943 and resulted in a huge firestorm, killing over 35,000 residents and wounding nearly 200,000 more.

The images graphically portray the resulting destruction, with landmarks ablaze and much of the city lying in ruins. Amid the wreckage (many buildings are named), refugees attempt to evacuate on carts, statues are toppled in the streets, and residents line up with pails to obtain water. Most are dated 1944 and 1945, reflecting the long-term nature of the destruction. Published in Hamburg by Foto Hugo Schmidt.

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