Far-right German protesters take to the streets of Magdeburg to mark 75th anniversary of RAF bombing raid that levelled city and killed 2,500

• Police clashed with left wing counter-demonstrators trying to block the march 
• Reports that police used pepper spray to maintain order and keep groups apart
• Trouble followed earlier peaceful demonstrations by farmers and Jewish people  

Hundreds of far-right activists marched through the streets of a German city to commemorate the 75th anniversary of an RAF bombing raid.

The protesters clashed with left wing counter-demonstrators in Magdeburg which was levelled near the end of the Second World War on January 16, 1945, in a raid that killed up to 2,500 people. 

The far-right ‘funeral march’ took to the streets last night as around 500 counter-demonstrators from the ‘Regina’ movement – an alliance against the far right – blasted music and set up blockades.

Hundreds of far-right Nazi activists marched through the streets Magdeburg which was levelled by the RAF in a raid that killed up to 2,500 people

Counter demonstrators protest against far right activists in Magdeburg

The Magdeburg Raid

Magdeburg, a city with a population of around 340,000, was heavily bombed by the British and American air forces during the Second World War. 

The RAF bombing raid on the night of 16 January 1945 was the most devastating.

Much of the city was completely destroyed and the death toll is estimated at 2,000–2,500.

The city’s main street with its Baroque buildings was destroyed as well as most of its northern suburbs.

Local media reported that around 800 police officers were drafted in and there were claims on social media that they used pepper spray to keep the rival groups apart.

Others complained the police were too aggressive towards the counter-demonstrators. Only one arrest was made and there were no direct clashes between the two sets of demonstrators.

Earlier there were several other peaceful demonstrations, including 200 people who gathered at an old synagogue to remembered the fate of Jewish people in Magdeburg during the war.

Farmers with 400 tractors also held a demo against what they see as harsh environmental protection regulations.

Protesters lit torches as they marched through the streets of Magdeburg, in Germany

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