European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 4, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse The Skyline of Cologne stands Stark against the Clouds. One of the four horsemen below that guards the Entrance of Hohenzollern Bridge. Recent ancient history combined in a single stroll by Jim Derheim staff photographer one of the tragedies of any major War is the devastation rested upon the world s great cities. The casualties among a score of european cities in world War ii was no exception. Some never regained their former Beauty. Others. Refused to give up the ghost of past glory. Cologne like the arabian Phoenix Rose from the ashes of 1915 and today stands proud once again along the Banks of the bustling Rhine River. Romans were the first on the scene in the year 30 . In fact the massive Cologne Cathedral is built on the foundations of a former Pagan Temple and later Christian churches. The imposing Structure survivor of 14 bomb hits during world War ii is the Best place to begin a three to four hour walking tour of Germany s fourth largest City. Something to Bear in mind As you stroll through the City s streets is that 90 percent of the inner City was reduced to Little More than scattered bricks and pulverized plaster during the air raids carried out by Allied bombers. Although firebombs fell with ferocity the survival of the Cathedral was influenced by the development of improved optical sights used by conscientious British and american Bombardier who tried to spare the landmark. That plus its sheer size helped to guarantee that something would be left after the last bomb fell. One should try to spend at least 30 minutes inside continued on a go 12 feb Rury 4, 1u2jj stripes Magazine 11
