After heavy air raids on Hamburg in July and August 1943, the city was in shambles. 900,000 Hamburg residents had no more roof over their heads and water, gas and electricity were no longer guaranteed, much less food. The jails were in no better shape, so the decision was made to furlough 2,000 prisoners for two months, including about 50 Resistance fighters. Many of the furloughed prisoners immediately sought to resume their political work, underground. After a few months, most of them were arrested again. From May 1944, there were a number of trials known as the "Hamburg Communist Trials", in which numerous were given a death sentence and were hanged. In total, 70 members of the group were murdered between 1942 and 1945. Nevertheless, the group was able to sustain its activity till the final days of the war and Hamburg was surrendered to the Allies without a fight.