May 20, 1631 · Northern Germany Theater
May 20, 1631
Imperial and Catholic League forces stormed Magdeburg, the largest Protestant city in Germany. A fire broke out during the assault — whether accident or deliberate is still debated — and the city burned to the ground. Between 20,000 and 25,000 civilians were killed, raped, or burned alive. Of a city of 30,000, fewer than 5,000 survived. It was the greatest atrocity of the war.
Commanders