The city of Konstanz, Germany was one of the few areas of Germany to emerge unharmed from World War II. While other communities endured devastating bombing by Allied air forces, this beautiful community was left alone. Its strategy for survival was audacious and brilliant.

City leaders instructed the residents to keep their lights on at night. This was a daring move since it made the city an easy target for bombers. As it turns out, the strategy worked. Konstanz is located so close to the border with Switzerland that pilots assumed the city must be Swiss. Not wanting to violate Switzerland’s neutrality, they left Konstanz alone.

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