Why Was Prague Not Bombed in Ww2?

By Anna Duncan

During World War II, many cities in Europe were subjected to heavy bombings by the Allied forces. However, one city that was surprisingly spared from such destruction was Prague, the capital city of Czechoslovakia. This begs the question, why was Prague not bombed in World War II?

There are several possible reasons for this, and historians have debated over them for years. Some of the most likely reasons are:

Geographical Location

One of the main reasons why Prague was not heavily bombed during World War II is its geographical location. The city is located deep in central Europe and is surrounded by mountains, making it difficult for bombers to reach it. Additionally, Prague did not have any major military installations or factories that were important to the German war efforts.

Political Reasons

Another reason why Prague may have been spared from bombing is political. In 1938, when Germany annexed Czechoslovakia and made it a protectorate under Nazi rule, Hitler promised to leave Prague intact as a symbol of his goodwill towards the Czech people. Although this promise was not kept entirely, as some parts of the city were damaged during air raids later in the war.

Allied Strategy

Finally, another possible reason why Prague was spared from bombing could be part of an Allied strategy. During the war, many cities across Europe were destroyed by aerial bombardment which led to significant loss of life and property damage. The Allies may have decided to spare certain cities as a way to demonstrate their own moral superiority over Germany.

In conclusion, there are several possible reasons why Prague was not heavily bombed during World War II. These include its geographical location deep within central Europe making it difficult for bombers to reach it; Hitler’s promise not to destroy the city entirely as a symbol of goodwill towards Czech people; or possibly even an Allied strategy aimed at demonstrating their moral superiority over Germany. Whatever the reason may be, Prague stands as a testament to the resilience of its people and serves as a reminder of the devastating effects of war.