bombing campaigns, World War II

Air raids conducted against civilian and industrial targets by both the Allied and Axis powers from 1940 to 1945. Their aim was to destroy the morale of civilian populations and undermine the military capability of the enemy, although their long-term effect on the war is disputed. Small-scale bombing raids had occurred during World War I using German airships, but World War II saw the advent of city or area bombing on an unprecedented scale. The bombing of civilians was considered as important as the bombing of military and industrial production facilities. Thousands were injured, killed, or made homeless during the Blitz on Britain 1940–41, and the area bombing of German cities, such as the thousand-bomber raid over Cologne in 1942.