[Health care problems in Duisburg after the bombing raid in 1944]

The file contains a report concerning the situation in Duisburg, Germany, after the bombing in 1944. Duisburg was bombed a number of times by the Allies during World War II. The most devastating air raids on Duisburg occurred during October 1944 (Operation Hurricane) when the city was bombed by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Duisburg was a major logistical centre in the Ruhr Area and location of chemical, steel and iron industries, Duisburg was a primary target of Allied bombers. Not only the industrial areas but also residential areas were attacked by Allied bombs. Therefore the Stadtmedizinaldirektor (director of the city medicine union) of Duisburg explains the health care problems the city had after 1944. He adressed his report to the mayor of the city and asked for help as well as for understanding that the situation justifies special action to provide as much helth care as possible. This includes also treatment of sick and wounded people in a bunker. As everything was distroyed it made it nearly impossible to reach those who needed help, furthermore also nearly all supplies and hospitals or medical practice were bombed.