The firebombing of Dresden in WW2 (which killed 25,000 civilians) was according to at least one RAF memo due to the fact that it was primarily a civilian city w

The firebombing of Dresden in WW2 (which killed 25,000 civilians) was according to at least one RAF memo due to the fact that it was primarily a civilian city with undamaged housing: “Dresden, the seventh largest city in Germany and not much smaller than Manchester, is also far the largest unbombed built-up the enemy has got. In the midst of winter with refugees pouring westwards and troops to be rested, roofs are at a premium. The intentions of the attack are to hit the enemy where he will feel it most, behind an already partially collapsed front, to prevent the use of the city in the way of further advance, and incidentally to show the Russians when they arrive what Bomber Command can do.” [1] In other words, it was specifically targeted because the civilians were conflated with "the enemy" broadly, to deny resources to refugees, to demoralize the German public, and to warn the potential Soviet enemies of Allied military prowess. Definitely a lot worse things happened in WW2, but neither British nor American hands are exactly clean when it comes to war. [1] Source: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/the-bombing-campaign-of-world-war-two/the-bombing-of-dresden/ http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/the-bombi...