Bombing of Belgrade (1944) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bombing of Belgrade
Part of the Allied bombing of Yugoslavia in World War II
Map of 17 April 1944 bombing of Belgrade
Date 16 April – 6 September 1944 (4 months and 3 weeks) Location Belgrade, German-occupied Serbia 44°49′04″N 20°27′25″E / 44.81778°N 20.45694°E / 44.81778; 20.45694 Result Widespread destruction and civilian casualties
Belligerents
Allies  United States  United Kingdom	Axis  Germany  Italy
Units involved
Fifteenth Air Force
Strength
600 bombers
Casualties and losses
None	343 German and 96 Italian soldiers killed
2,271 – 4,000 civilians killed

During World War II, the Allies launched a series of air attacks on Belgrade. At the time, Belgrade was under the control of the Axis. These bombings were part of a larger campaign against Yugoslavia. The air strikes happened between April 16 and September 6, 1944.

Belgrade was bombed a total of eleven times by American and British planes. The most intense attacks happened in April, especially on April 16 and 17, 1944. These dates were also Orthodox Easter that year. The main group carrying out these attacks was the American Fifteenth Air Force. They flew from a base in southern Italy. Around 600 bomber planes were involved in the attacks. They dropped bombs from very high up, between 3,000 and 5,000 meters. There were no anti-aircraft defenses to stop them.

What Happened During the Bombing?

The bombings on April 16 and 17, 1944, caused the most damage and deaths. Many people in Belgrade thought these bombings meant the Allies were about to invade.

Civilian and Military Impact

The attacks caused many deaths and injuries. About 1,160 civilians were killed. Around 18 German soldiers also died. In total, about 1,200 people were killed and 5,000 were wounded.

One of the places hit was the Sajmište concentration camp. This was a place where people were held. About 60 prisoners were killed there, and 150 were wounded.

Targets and Damage

The Allies officially aimed for military and industrial targets. These included factories, bridges, the airport, and German army buildings. However, the bombing was not always precise. Many civilian areas were hit by mistake.

Areas Hit in Belgrade

On April 16, many parts of downtown Belgrade were hit. These included:

• Palace Albanija
• National Theater in Belgrade
• Terazije (a main square)
• Bajloni Market
• The area around the Belgrade Main railway station
• Krunski Venac, which included a maternity hospital. Sadly, mothers and their babies were killed there.
• Many hospitals, schools, and kindergartens.

Wider areas of Belgrade were also bombed. These included Dorćol, Vračar, Pašino Brdo, and Dušanovac. At the time, these were suburbs with no factories or military targets.

Continued Bombing and Other Targets

The bombing continued on April 17. The remains of the King Alexander Bridge were hit again. This bridge had already been partly destroyed in 1941. Most of the bombs hit areas near the river.

Other important places that were bombed included:

• Kalenić market
• Central hygienic institute
• Hospital for infectious diseases
• Homes for children and refugees
• Children's hospital and dispensary
• Railway stations in Topčider and Rakovica
• Post Office No. 2
• Factories and the University campus

After the bombings, some people hid in shelters that were still standing. Many others left the city. They hid in nearby woods or villages to stay safe. About 1,500 tons of bombs were dropped during these attacks.

See Also

• Air warfare in Yugoslavia (1941–1945)
• Operation Ratweek (1944)