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March 18

Blackout

In World War 2, was a blackout in force in Germany? Specifically, was one in force in January 1945? 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:0:0:0:64DA (talk) 02:28, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

You mean Blackout (wartime), collectively minimizing outdoor light? Dimadick (talk) 08:57, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that's what I meant. 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:0:0:0:64DA (talk) 09:04, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

"The blackout was extremely closely observed in Nazi Germany – those that failed to black out properly risked being sent to a concentration camp. The main difference here is that the German blackout had to continue to be religiously observed throughout the war, as the risk of bombing in Berlin increased after 1943, while it decreased for London. Both cities blacked out, of course, but in Berlin the necessity was greater, as were the punishments for non compliance." Source: Life in Hitler's Capital with Roger Moorhouse. --Antiquary (talk) 10:03, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Anedotal: I - central Europe / 72y - clearly remember incandescent bulbs / E27 / standard size which were painted (?) black with the exception of a smallish circular window on the bottom, possibly 1” / 2.5cm ø. The apartment of my parents was still hit and damaged but that was friendly fire by the defending artillery who may have run out of powder / motivation or trigonometry (see Vienna Offensive, if curious).

I think I eventually discarded them as WW III became less likely. Possibly prematurely. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 16:29, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM: German WP has an article on these, including images (more on commons). Cheers ✦ _hugarheimur 17:05, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

We also have an article on Paul Ogorzow, a Berlin serial killer who operated during the blackout. There is an error in the lead paragraph though, the Berlin blackout was not "as a result of the Allied bombing of Berlin" but was instituted on 1 September 1939, two days before Britain and France declared war. [1] Alansplodge (talk) 22:56, 18 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Great, this will mean a considerable rewrite of at least one action scene :-/ Thanks anyway! 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:0:0:0:64DA (talk) 02:53, 19 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]