CHAPTER 6:
Why was Dresden bombed? Throughout the novel Vonnegut never answers that question, even thought the book is about the morally controversial bombing of that city. The military
defended their actions by saying it was a necessary attack, while many citizens
disagreed. Over 3,900 bombs and
incendiary devices were dropped on the city, killing and injuring thousands of
civilians. Ironically, an Englishman in Vonnegut's book tells the American POWs that, "You needn't worry bombs, by the way. Dresden is an open city. It is undefended, and contains no war industries or troops concentrations of any importance." If this was true, then why would the city be bombed?
At the time the military claimed that any city that was in support of and aiding the Nazi regime was a legitimate target. However, many U.S. citizens question as to whether that justified the deaths of countless of innocents. Dresden was an industrial centre that was known for its beautiful architecture and many refugees came to the city to avoid the Red army (Russian army). While the bombing was never considered a war crime, many people believe that it was still highly immoral.
Whether or not you agree with the bombing it should be something that the people of our country learn from. The city of Dresden, a once beautiful city that was built in medieval times, was reduced to rubble. An unknown number of innocents were killed, their bodies piling the streets. The U.S. prides itself on defending the innocents. In our court system we are "innocent until proven guilty," and the death penalty is hardly ever given to heinous criminals. Yet even with all of that, the military can still justify its bombing on thousands of innocents? The bombing of Dresden should serve as a lesson to our military leaders that the innocent of all nations should be defended, not harmed.
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