Bells are not only part of our cultural history, but they have also repeatedly fallen victim to wars and devastation. The first part of this book describes the fates of noteworthy German bells during World War II and in the post-war years: Historical bells and entire carillons were removed from church towers during the war, often against the resistance of the congregations, and taken to large depots to be melted down later. By chance, however, many of them remained preserved there until the end of the war. Other bells were destroyed in air raids along with the church towers. After the war, it took many years before the remaining carillons could be appropriately supplemented or the preserved historical bells could be returned. The second part of the book provides, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of the inventory after World War II.