On 16 April 1945, the NSDAP District Leader and Reich Governor Mutschmann informed the public that the Dresden urban area had been declared a “fortress” and that the city was to be defended “using all means available”. The preparations for the defence of the city against the advancing Soviet and Allied armies had already been underway since the city had been declared the ”Dresden defensive area” in December 1944. The Dresden urban area was now to become part of a last fortified line of defence along the River Elbe.
Until 13 February 1945, the staff of the Dresden defensive area worked in Taschenberg Palace, where other military departments were also headquartered. From here military leaders attempted to consolidate the available military units in Dresden, secure their equipment and fortify the city.

Marked in 2001