Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft conducted Operation Carthage as part of a strategic campaign to disrupt Nazi operations in occupied Denmark. The central target was the Gestapo headquarters in the heart of Copenhagen, which served as a crucial hub for German intelligence operations. This operation occurred during a period of increasing pressure on the Nazis due to the advancing Allied forces. The objective was to cripple the Gestapo's ability to operate effectively within Denmark, thereby freeing the Danish population from oppressive surveillance and persecution. Unfortunately, during the attack on the Gestapo headquarters, the RAF planes misidentified their target and inadvertently bombed a nearby school building. This tragic mistake resulted in the deaths of 125 civilians, many of whom were students, sparking outrage and sorrow within the local community and beyond.

The aftermath of the bombing raised serious questions about the ethical implications of targeting urban centers during wartime. The tragic loss of innocent life forced military planners and political leaders to reevaluate the strategies used in urban warfare, balancing operational objectives against the potential for civilian casualties. The precise number of casualties shocked the Danish populace and brought attention to the risks faced by non-combatants in wartime settings. Furthermore, the bombing highlighted the intense atmosphere of fear and repression that existed in occupied territories, as many Danes lived under the constant threat of Gestapo reprisals.

Despite the operational goals of disrupting Gestapo activities, the catastrophic loss of civilian life in Copenhagen is often remembered as a cautionary tale of war's collateral damage and the human cost of military strategy. The incident is still a poignant reminder of the precarious balance between necessary military action and the safeguarding of civilian lives during conflict.