FV Dresden 06 1939 as politically unpalatable under the Third Reich. It was re-established in 1945, following the end of World War II as "Sportgemeinde Laubegast" and became part of East German football competition in the Soviet-occupied part of the country. As was common in East Germany, the team went through a number of name changes play as "BSG Zeiss Ikon Dresden" (1949–51), "BSG Aufbau Dresden-Ost" (1951–65), and "BSG Pentacon Dresden". Throughout this period the club remained an undistinguished local side. The team was briefly known as "BSG Praktica Dresden" until the loss of their sponsor. On 13 December 1990, the footballers adopted
Dresden hub and manufacturing centre with 127 factories and major workshops and was designated by the German Military as a defensive strongpoint, with which to hinder the Soviet advance. Being the capital of the German state of Saxony, Dresden not only had garrisons but a whole "military borough", the "Albertstadt". This military complex, named after Saxon King Albert, was not specifically targeted in the bombing of Dresden, though it was within the expected area of destruction and was extensively damaged. During the final months of the Second World War, Dresden harboured some 600,000 refugees, with a total population of . Dresden