LIVING NIGHTMARE
Tearful veteran who witnessed Dresden bombing recalls children MELTING in the fire-storm
Victor Gregg, 99, had been sentenced to death in Dresden after he was captured in 1944
A TEARFUL veteran who witnessed the Dresden bombing today recalled the moment he saw children melting in the fire-storm.
Soldier Victor Gregg, 99, had been sentenced to death after being taken prisoner in World War Two - ironically saved by the aerial bombing storm that unfolded in 1945.
6
6
The four raids saw more than 3,900 tonnes of bombs and incendiary devices dropped on the ancient cathedral city between February 13 to 15.
Thousands of people were killed in the raids, which has become one of the most controversial Allied actions of World War Two.
Today, 74 years on from the bombings, survivor Victor Gregg recounted seeing "bedlam" as bombs dropped on the city.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, he said: "The place was full of smoke.
"Towards the end of the raid, about 40 minutes, it destroyed the building we were in, and of course that killed everybody who was in there."
He said his unconscious body was sent flying from the building, waking to find barely two dozen had survived out of the couple hundred who had been in the building.
Wiping away tears, he said he still struggled to accept the horrific sights, saying: "The way in which these people died - unless you were there you can't possibly, your brain won't accept it.
"There was never any sign of children because children melt. Their bones are too tender, they just melted.
"You didn't even see skeletons."
The elderly vet, who saw action in Italy and at the Battle of Arnhem, was ultimately demobilised in 1946.
BOMBER COMMAND HISTORY
Almost a million men and women supported Bomber Command during the Second World War, with every member a volunteer.
The average age of those killed was 23.
Almost half of the 125,000 personnel serving with the command lost their lives in World War Two - with calls for a dedicated medal to be awarded to them.
However, the petition has continued to be met with resistance after concerns it would be inappropriate due to the thousands of German civilians killed in large-scale bombing raids.
The Ministry of Defence did issue a clasp to Bomb Command vets but some said it was an "insult" that it was not a full medal.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Just last month, police released an appeal to find a man who vandalised several war memorials in Central London.
The Bomber Command, Royal Marines and Yvonne Fletcher memorials were all covered in white paint in the attacks.
It is believed to be the fourth time in six years that the Bomber Command statue of air crew has been targeted.
6
6
6
6
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics