by
Jerrold L. Sobel
To the detractors of "Operation Cast Lead," Israel's defensive incursion into Gaza was an assault on innocent civilians. Nothing could be further from the truth. The British, which are always quick to condemn Israel for almost any action it takes against Islamist terrorists, conveniently forget the merciless carpet bombing they inflicted upon the German city of Dresden at the close of WWII.
From Feb. 13 thru Feb. 15 1945, just 12 weeks before the Germans surrendered, 1300 British and American bombers dropped 3900 tons of high explosives on the city of Dresden; most of which were incendiary fire bombs. This three day attack was conducted by night and day raids by the two allies and it killed an estimated 25,000 people. The fires were so intense that people trying to leave their burning buildings were thrust back in from the intense 1500c temperature outside. Burning people received no respite by jumping into the water because it too was on fire. A British historian, Alexander Mckee in his 1982 book entitled, "Dresden" has stated that eye witnesses have charged that civilians were strafed by allied aircraft, although there is some dispute to this claim. When taken into account that for all intents and purposes Germany was already defeated and Dresden's industry was located mainly in its suburbs; the destruction of the city was basically punitive and not strategically motivated.
Unlike the Israeli operation in Gaza; no warning phone calls were made, no leaflets were dropped precedent to an attack, and no relief supplies were allowed in before, during, or after the onslaught. For further comparison, at the time, the Germans weren't conducting military operations from civilian areas as Hamas was. However, there can be little doubt they would have, given the opportunity. What there is no doubt of, as opposed to the attacks on the German cities at the end of World War II, Israel did not, and does not purposely target civilians.
As a footnote: The few remaining Jews that were left in Dresden were ordered to report for deportation on Feb. 13, 1945 but the chaos which ensued from the devastating air assault allowed them to escape.
From Feb. 13 thru Feb. 15 1945, just 12 weeks before the Germans surrendered, 1300 British and American bombers dropped 3900 tons of high explosives on the city of Dresden; most of which were incendiary fire bombs. This three day attack was conducted by night and day raids by the two allies and it killed an estimated 25,000 people. The fires were so intense that people trying to leave their burning buildings were thrust back in from the intense 1500c temperature outside. Burning people received no respite by jumping into the water because it too was on fire. A British historian, Alexander Mckee in his 1982 book entitled, "Dresden" has stated that eye witnesses have charged that civilians were strafed by allied aircraft, although there is some dispute to this claim. When taken into account that for all intents and purposes Germany was already defeated and Dresden's industry was located mainly in its suburbs; the destruction of the city was basically punitive and not strategically motivated.
Unlike the Israeli operation in Gaza; no warning phone calls were made, no leaflets were dropped precedent to an attack, and no relief supplies were allowed in before, during, or after the onslaught. For further comparison, at the time, the Germans weren't conducting military operations from civilian areas as Hamas was. However, there can be little doubt they would have, given the opportunity. What there is no doubt of, as opposed to the attacks on the German cities at the end of World War II, Israel did not, and does not purposely target civilians.
As a footnote: The few remaining Jews that were left in Dresden were ordered to report for deportation on Feb. 13, 1945 but the chaos which ensued from the devastating air assault allowed them to escape.
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