Background
By 1945, everything was falling apart for the Nazi Regime. Most of the conquered territories had been liberated or recaptured, the Ardennes Offensive had failed, and Allied armies were advancing on Germany proper from both the East and the West. However, Adolf Hitler was not willing to lay down arms and accept the unconditional surrender. If he couldn't have Germany, he would bring it down with him.
This was not the first time Hitler had tried to destroy infrastructure before it could be taken. Shortly before the Liberation of Paris, Hitler ordered explosives to be placed around important landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, and key transportation hubs. If the Allies came near the city, the military governor, Dietrich von Choltitz was to detonate these bombs, leaving Paris "lying in complete debris." Von Choltitz, however, did not carry out the order and surrendered to the Allies.
Read more about this topic: Nero Decree
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—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)