70 years ago today - Feb 13, 1945

"Saturation-bombing" of Dresden, Germany, non-military cultural target with no heavy industry and no bomb shelters, but with P.O.W. camp of Americans. Planned by the England in revenge of similar Nazi raid on Coventry five years earlier, waves of British and U.S. bombers create hurricane-like "firestorms." Inner city is completely incinerated, including LDS branch house which is "destroyed right down to the cellar," while air raid kills 250,000 people. Most are women and children refugees who double Dresden's population due to its being safe-haven during years of Allied bombings elsewhere. Survivor is Dorthea Speth, wife of General Authority Spencer J. Condie.