The Dresden bombings occurred during World War II, specifically from February 13 to 15, 1945. Allied forces, primarily the United States and United Kingdom, conducted a series of air raids on the German city of Dresden. The bombings aimed to disrupt German military operations and weaken morale as the war neared its end. The raids resulted in widespread destruction, with much of the city reduced to rubble. Estimates of civilian casualties vary, but it is believed that tens of thousands of people lost their lives. The bombings remain a controversial topic, raising questions about the ethics of targeting civilian populations during wartime.