Allied bombing of Rotterdam

During World War II, Rotterdam found itself caught between warring powers. In 1940, the city was bombed and occupied by German forces. This made it a strategic target for the Allies, who carried out several bombings over the years. One such raid saw the U.S. Air Force mistakenly bomb a residential area, killing hundreds of civilians. The event remained a secret until the 1990s, and many Rotterdam residents were unaware it had happened. On its 50th anniversary, the silence ended and the “Forgotten Bombardment” memorial was unveiled in remembrance.After the war, Rotterdam was liberated and the bombings ceased. The Germans had destroyed the city center, while the Allies damaged the harbors. Yet, Rotterdam rose from the ruins. In 1940, architect Willem Gerrit Witteveen drafted a reconstruction plan, and by 1970, the city’s rebuilding was declared complete.