Bombing of Wesel in World War II

The German town of Wesel was heavily bombed in Allied air raids during World War II.

On the 16, 17, 18 and 19 February 1945,[1] the town was attacked by the British Royal Air Force with impact and air-burst weapons and almost entirely destroyed.

[3] On 23 March, Wesel came under the fire of over 3,000 guns when it was bombarded anew, in preparation for Operation Plunder.

97% of the town was destroyed before it was finally taken by Allied troops and the population had fallen from almost 25,000 in 1939 to 1,900 in May 1945.

Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, commanding the Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group, said "the bombing of Wesel was a masterpiece, and was a decisive factor in making possible our entry into the town before midnight.