View Single Post
  #2  
Old 8th April 2013, 03:23
James A Pratt III James A Pratt III is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 538
James A Pratt III is on a distinguished road
Re: Stalingrad the Air battle errata

One other thing i doubts about is the 5 July 1942 bombing raid mentioned in this book on the Livadia Palace (not Castle). First of all it's not that big as palaces go and there are many other similiar sized building in the area. I have doubts the VVS could find it in the dark considering most air forces at this time had problems finding cities in the dark. If the germans were having a big party there it was sure put on short notice. Sevastopol fell on 4 July and there was plenty for most commanders to do. It also appears the palace didn't suffer much damage during WW II because this is where the US delagation stayed during the Yalta conference and since President Roosevelt had health problems. He dies about 3 months later. The talks were held in the dining room/ball room of this palace. You might say this place saw some real changes:
1911: Tsar Nicholas II daughter Olga has her coming out ball in this room. Ladies in ball gown and officers in dress uniforms dancing.
1942: Dusty German officers celebrating the fall of Sevastopol (if the party happened)
1945: Allied leaders decide the fate of the post war world.
Reply With Quote