Why was a plaque placed on a building seemingly unrelated to the Shellhus? The Mindeplade for Shellhusets bombardament plaque isn’t on the rebuilt Shellhus. It marks a tragic consequence of Operation Carthage. This plaque, on Sønder Boulevard 106, commemorates the eleven lives lost when a Mosquito bomber, intended for the Gestapo headquarters at the Shellhus, struck this building. On March 21, 1945, the British RAF launched Operation Carthage, a daring raid to cripple the Gestapo in Copenhagen. The Shellhus, the Gestapo’s headquarters, held vital records and imprisoned Danish resistance members. The resistance requested the raid despite the risks, hoping to disrupt Gestapo operations and free prisoners. The Mindeplade for Shellhusets bombardament plaque stands as a stark reminder of the unintended consequences. A Mosquito bomber, damaged after clipping a lamppost, crashed into this building instead of its intended target. The resulting explosion and fire claimed the lives of twelve civilians. Tragically, the ensuing confusion led other bombers to mistake the burning building for the Shellhus. This tragic error compounded the loss of life. While the raid did succeed in destroying the Shellhus, the accidental bombing of this building and the nearby Jeanne d’Arc School cast a long shadow over the operation’s success. The Mindeplade for Shellhusets bombardament plaque serves as a solemn memorial to the innocent lives lost in the crossfire of war. It reminds us that even in the fight for freedom, there can be devastating unintended consequences.
Sundby Kirke
The red brick whispers tales of a bygone era. Sundby Kirke stands before you a testament to faith and community.