Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber by Wikipedia
Translated as “Red fortress above the Tauber,” Rothenburg is so named for the rustic rows of red-roofed residences rising up over the Tauber River. It is encircled by an equally impressive wall that stands guard over her charge. To preserve its medieval beauty, laws were created in the latter half of the 19th century to prevent any big changes to the town.
During the 1930’s, the Nazi regime wanted to establish the ideal German town after which the rest of the country should be modeled. Hitler wanted all of Germany to act as a family and community, and Rothenburg was chosen as “the most German of German towns.” This quintessential German “Home Town” was recognized the world over for its small town life and well preserved, gorgeous buildings.
Rothenburg took pride in their status as the example city for the rest of the nation, and gladly thrust out all Jews from city limits. When the time came during WWII for the Allies to attack the city, a stratagem was employed to capture the city by using its status as leverage. Battalion Commander Frank Burke sent six messengers to the city, who relayed the message, “We are representatives of our division commander. We bring you his offer to spare the city of Rothenburg from shelling and bombing if you agree not to defend it. We have been given three hours to get this message to you. If we haven’t returned to our lines by 1800 hours, the town will be bombed and shelled to the ground.”
Despite orders from Hitler that every German town should fight to the death, the German military commander in charge of the city disobeyed orders in order to preserve the stunning city, surrendering Rothenburg to the Allies.
During the 1930’s, the Nazi regime wanted to establish the ideal German town after which the rest of the country should be modeled. Hitler wanted all of Germany to act as a family and community, and Rothenburg was chosen as “the most German of German towns.” This quintessential German “Home Town” was recognized the world over for its small town life and well preserved, gorgeous buildings.
Rothenburg took pride in their status as the example city for the rest of the nation, and gladly thrust out all Jews from city limits. When the time came during WWII for the Allies to attack the city, a stratagem was employed to capture the city by using its status as leverage. Battalion Commander Frank Burke sent six messengers to the city, who relayed the message, “We are representatives of our division commander. We bring you his offer to spare the city of Rothenburg from shelling and bombing if you agree not to defend it. We have been given three hours to get this message to you. If we haven’t returned to our lines by 1800 hours, the town will be bombed and shelled to the ground.”
Despite orders from Hitler that every German town should fight to the death, the German military commander in charge of the city disobeyed orders in order to preserve the stunning city, surrendering Rothenburg to the Allies.
