Aerial Footage Shows The Destruction Of Germany In May, 1945

This picture shows the site of the completely levelled train station in Dortmund, photographed on May 12, 1945. The bombers flew over northern, western and southern Germany, circling above the destroyed cityscape of Berlin and the Ruhr area which had formed the Nazi state's economic heart.

US Pilots' Snapshots Reveal Extent of Germany's Post-War Devastation -- Spiegel Online

In May 1945, US pilots embarked on hundreds of reconnaissance flights, aboard the same bombers which had razed much of Germany to the ground. Instead of launching bombs, however, they shot photographs, creating a hard-hitting portrait of their trail of destruction.

The instructions from the commanders of the 8th US Air Force were clear: Only the best and most experienced pilots were to be used on this special mission, which was taking place at the end of World War II. Hundreds of bombers, including B-24 Liberators, B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-26s, were going to thunder low through the air over Germany -- for six consecutive days.

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My Comment: An incredible array of clear black-white pictures.