The autumn of 1916 brought Bucharest one of the greatest misfortunes of the “Great War” – aerial bombardment. The sky of the capital was brutally cut every day by Etrich Taube planes or terrible zeppelins. In September 1916, bombs fell on Bucharest day and night.

The building of the Romanian Athenaeum after the German bombing on August 23, 1944Photo: Agerpres

Smoke, debris and horror enveloped strategic and central areas that were once bustling. Church bells rang under the threat of bombs. Exchanges and telephone conversations were limited, and at night Bucharest was completely enveloped in darkness.

In the winter that quickly set in, food was scarce and of poor quality. There was not enough meat, milk, butter and white bread, and there was never enough for everyone.

Read on B365.ro how Bucharest survived the German occupation.