Target map for Nuremburg, 1944

This target map of Nuremburg was issued in 1944. Maps like this were prepared for many German cities and were used to help RAF bomber crews identify particular targets during their attacks as part of the strategic air offensive in the Second World War.

The Nuremberg raid on the night of 30 March was one of the most disastrous Bomber Command would launch during the war; in total 108 Bombers & 537 men were lost. Another 157 were captured and became Prisoners of War. The target was only lightly damaged. Although the raid fell within the date of the normal moon stand-down period, it was initially planned on the basis of an early meteorological forecast of high-level cloud cover. However, this forecast was incorrect and the bomber stream had to struggle to and from the target in bright moonlight. Moreover, all deception attempts failed to confuse the Luftwaffe night fighter control network as to the identity of the target.