Draft:Cologne in World War II

Cologne, being the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, was a city of strategic importance during the Second World War, due to it being on the Rhine river. Originally, Cologne was part of Nazi Germany at the beginning of the war and was liberated by the Allies in March 1945. Cologne was also a major target for Allied bombing efforts.

Background
In 1939 the population of Cologne was reaching 770000 and it was becoming a key industrial centre of the Third Reich. With its factories, it supported the German war effort during WWII.

Allied Bombing Campaigns
The Allied bombing campaign against Cologne commenced in 1940, targeting its industrial facilities and infrastructure. Significant damage was suffered due to the air raids by the civilian population.