On January 5, 1945, Allied forces began a series of heavy bombing raids on Budapest, Hungary, during World War II. The bombing targeted key military and industrial areas but also caused massive civilian casualties. Budapest was largely destroyed, and many buildings, including historic landmarks, were reduced to rubble. The raids were part of the larger Allied campaign to weaken Nazi Germanys grip on Europe. The destruction marked the final stages of the war in Europe and left lasting scars on the city.