Intelligence Squared Classic Debate: The Allied bombing of German cities in World War II was unjustifiable
14 snips
Aug 16, 2025 
A. C. Grayling, a philosopher and author, raises ethical questions about targeting civilians in war, while Richard Overy evaluates the consequences of strategic bombing during WWII. Antony Beevor and Patrick Bishop counter, arguing that these attacks were vital for achieving Allied victory, despite the devastating toll on civilians. The conversation navigates moral quandaries, the effectiveness of bombing campaigns, and the implications for historical interpretations, prompting listeners to consider the balance between military strategy and humanitarian concerns.
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Moral Limits Despite Just Cause
- A.C. Grayling argues that area bombing of German cities was morally wrong even in a justified war.
- He stresses that deliberately targeting civilians cannot be justified by victory alone and sets a dangerous precedent.
Hamburg Firestorm Horror
- Grayling describes Operation Gomorrah's firestorm in Hamburg that caused around 45,000 deaths and horrific burning.
- He recounts victims suffocating in cellars and people igniting after jumping into water.
Bombing As The Only Practical Option
- Patrick Bishop argues bombing was chosen because it was the only practical way for Britain to strike Germany in 1942.
- He contends many contemporaries saw passivity as unacceptable and backed area bombing to resist Nazism.
