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Carpet-bombing
Carpet bombing, also known as saturation bombing, is a large area bombardment done in a progressive manner to inflict damage in every part of a selected area of land. The phrase evokes the image of explosions completely covering an area, in the same way that a carpet covers a floor. Carpet bombing is usually achieved by dropping many unguided bombs. Carpet bombing of cities, towns, villages, or other areas containing a concentration of civilians is considered a war crime as of Article 51 of the 1977 Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions. The term ''obliteration bombing'' is sometimes used to describe especially intensified bombing with the intention of destroying a city or a large part of the city. The term ''area bombing'' refers to indiscriminate bombing of an area and also encompasses cases of carpet bombing, including obliteration bombing. It was used in that sense especially during World War II and the Korean War. Early history One of the first attempts at carpet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rotterdam Blitz
Rotterdam was subjected to heavy aerial bombardment by the ''Luftwaffe'' during the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II. The objective was to support the German troops fighting in the city, break Dutch resistance and force the Dutch army to surrender. Bombing began at the outset of hostilities on 10 May and culminated with the destruction of the entire historic city centre on 14 May, an event sometimes referred to as the Rotterdam Blitz. According to an official list published in 2022 at least 1,150 people were killed (with 711 deaths in the 14 May bombing alone) and 85,000 more were left homeless. The psychological and physical success of the raid, from the German perspective, led the ''Oberkommando der Luftwaffe'' (OKL) to threaten to destroy the city of Utrecht if the Dutch command did not surrender. The Dutch surrendered in the late afternoon of 14 May, signing the capitulation early the next morning. Prelude The strategic location of the Netherlands betwee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
