INTERPRETATION REPORT NO. K. 1333. Photographs taken by 1 P.R.U. and 105 Sqdn. between 1.6.42 and 5.6.42. SORTIES A/840, A/844, A/849, A/856 A/867, A/885, M.N. 105. Contact Scales: 1/14,500, 1/9,600, 1/9,000, 1/9,700. LOCALITY COLOGNE. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT These seven sorties taken together cover with photographs of variable quality the whole of the town and suburban districts on both sides of the Rhine. PERIOD UNDER REVIEW These sorties were taken after the attack on 30/31.5.42. The last report on COLOGNE (K.1325) was issued on 9.5.42. GENERAL STATEMENT. Damage seen in COLOGNE resulting from this raid is on a larger scale than anything yet seen in any German city. Damage is heavy and widespread. Not only are large areas of the centre of the city devastated, involving the destruction of public and administrative buildings and business premises, but industrial and residential property in all the suburban areas have been seriously affected by fire and H.E. Apart from devastation extending over approximately 300 acres in the centre of the city, areas of particularly severe damage are seen in the W. suburbs and in the industrial districts on the E. bank. It is estimated that over 250 factory buildings and workshops have been either destroyed or seriously damaged, and that well over 3000 houses are now uninhabitable. Of the whole area over 600 acres have been destroyed. DETAILED STATEMENT. (All measurements are approximate.) CENTRAL CITY AREA. Many serious incidents are seen in every part of the Central City, in addition to the following areas of devastation. 3 areas are seen in the vicinity of the NEUMARKT. To the N.W. is an area of 32 acres, in which most of the buildings are gutted. 50-70 buildings are affected, including the METROP THEATER, the APOSTELN KIRCHE, and the offices of the BROWN COAL SYNDICATE. To the S. In an area of 11 acres, 30-35 buildings are gutted or damaged. A third area of 4 + acres occurs to the S.W. of the NEUMARKT, where 18-20 houses are burnt out. An area of 4 acres, off the SALIER RING, is devastated. Approximately 75 houses, a school, and several small factory buildings are involved. Several buildings in an area of 2 acres S.E. of MAURITIUS PLATZ are gutted. In an area of 5 acres adjacent to the above 40-45 houses are gutted or destroyed by H.E. /A devastated area |