Ahaus 75 Jahre nach der Bombardierung

With the Allied landings in France in the summer of 1944, the end of World War II began. German resistance crumbled. The air raids in the western border region became increasingly intense and inexorably approached the town of Ahaus. From January 14 to March 22, 1945, the jute factory was completely destroyed by several bombing raids. On the night of March 10-11, 1945, a major attack on the town took place. High-explosive bombs destroyed the train station and the town center. Over 100 people, mostly soldiers who were in the vicinity of the station, were killed. The air raids continued for the next few days. On the afternoon of March 21, 1945, the heaviest attack on Ahaus occurred. High-explosive bombs fell on the town center. Many people died and were buried under the rubble of the buildings. The next day, many of the survivors tried to flee the city to the surrounding villages and farms. From 9:00 a.m. onwards, the city was again attacked from the air. The castle, the Dües shoe factory, and the remains of the jute factory burned. The south wing of the hospital was completely destroyed. By the end of March 1945, a total of 40% of all buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.