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Eugenie Helen Johanna “Helen” Aalberg

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Eugenie Helen Johanna “Helen” Aalberg

Birth
Death
21 Mar 1945 (aged 14)
Copenhagen, Kobenhavns Kommune, Hovedstaden, Denmark
Burial
Everdrup, Næstved Kommune, Sjælland, Denmark Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Helen was born on March 13, 1931 to Oscar and Helga Aalberg. She was the beloved sister of Jens. She was in 7th grade.

Helen was a victim of the Jeanne d'Arc School Bombing. On March 21, 1945, the British Royal Air Force embarked on a mission, known as Operation Carthage, intent on destroying Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen. Nearby to the Gestapo headquarters was a French school called the Jeanne d'Arc School, which was a school for girls in grades 1 thru 12. The school was run by Catholic nuns and also featured a co-ed kindergarten. During the Air Force mission, one of the planes crashed into a garage close to the Jeanne d'Arc School, which confused the rest of the squadron. Several of the planes mistook the school as their target, and dropped bombs on it. Tragically, it was a Wednesday, which meant the school was filled with children and teachers. 86 children and 19 adults were killed during the attack. Many who survived the initial bombing ran to the basement for shelter, but this was a tragic mistake, as the water pipes burst when the top floors eventually collapsed. Everyone who was left alive in the basement drowned while waiting for rescue. To this day, the bombing of the Jeanne d'Arc School remains one of the greatest wartime tragedies Europe has ever seen.

Helen was laid to rest at the Everdrup Kirkegård on March 27, 1945.
Helen was born on March 13, 1931 to Oscar and Helga Aalberg. She was the beloved sister of Jens. She was in 7th grade.

Helen was a victim of the Jeanne d'Arc School Bombing. On March 21, 1945, the British Royal Air Force embarked on a mission, known as Operation Carthage, intent on destroying Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen. Nearby to the Gestapo headquarters was a French school called the Jeanne d'Arc School, which was a school for girls in grades 1 thru 12. The school was run by Catholic nuns and also featured a co-ed kindergarten. During the Air Force mission, one of the planes crashed into a garage close to the Jeanne d'Arc School, which confused the rest of the squadron. Several of the planes mistook the school as their target, and dropped bombs on it. Tragically, it was a Wednesday, which meant the school was filled with children and teachers. 86 children and 19 adults were killed during the attack. Many who survived the initial bombing ran to the basement for shelter, but this was a tragic mistake, as the water pipes burst when the top floors eventually collapsed. Everyone who was left alive in the basement drowned while waiting for rescue. To this day, the bombing of the Jeanne d'Arc School remains one of the greatest wartime tragedies Europe has ever seen.

Helen was laid to rest at the Everdrup Kirkegård on March 27, 1945.

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