ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Baedeker Blitz

Okay, so imagine that you are going on a really big trip to a new place that you've never been before. You might feel a little bit nervous or scared because you don't know what to expect. But luckily, there are these special books called Baedekers that can help you out!

These books are like your own personal tour guide that you can carry with you wherever you go. They have all sorts of helpful information like maps, tips on where to eat and sleep, and things to see and do. And the best part is that they are really well-written and easy to understand, so you don't have to worry about getting lost or confused.

Now, the Baedeker Blitz was a special time during World War II when the German army used bombs to drop on cities in England. The bombs they used were named after the Baedekers because they wanted to destroy some of the famous landmarks and historical sites that were mentioned in the books. This was meant to demoralize the people of England and make them feel like they were losing their heritage and culture.

However, despite the destruction caused by the bombings, the Baedeker books were still very popular among travelers and tourists. Even though some of the sites they described had been damaged or destroyed, people still wanted to visit and see what was left. And in a way, the Baedeker Blitz helped bring attention to these sites and make them even more famous than they were before.

So even though the Baedeker Blitz was a really scary and sad event in history, it also showed how important these books were to people and how much they cared about their heritage and culture.