Aerial Campaigns

The Bombing of Guernica occurred on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. Taking off, planes of the German Condor Legion attacked the city of Guernica in support of Nationalist troops. Striking Guernica, the planes caused heavy civilian casualties.

The Battle of Britain was fought July 10 to late October 1940, during World War II. The Battle of Britain saw the Luftwaffe attempt to destroy the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command in preparation for the invasion of Britain. In over three months of fighting, the RAF succeeded in maintaining air superiority over Britain.

The Doolittle Raid was launched on April 18, 1942, and was the first Allied attack to strike the Japanese homeland. Flying B-25 bombers from USS Hornet, the Doolittle raiders struck targets in Tokyo and other cities. While the Doolittle Raid did little physical damage, it provided a significant boost to American morale.

Operation Vengeance was conducted on April 18, 1943, and resulted in the death of Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto. Utilizing signals intelligence, the Allies planned Operation Vengeance after learning that Yamamoto would be flying through the Solomons. Flying from Guadalcanal, a flight of P-38s intercepted and downed Yamamoto's aircraft killing the admiral.

The Dambuster Raids were conducted May 17, 1943, against several dams in Germany. Utilizing special "bouncing bombs," British bombers struck multiple dams with the goal of flooding industrial areas. Dubbed Operation Chastise, the missions succeeded in damaging the Eder and Möhne dams.

Beginning on July 24, 1943, Operation Gomorrah was a coordinated bombing assault on the city of Hamburg, Germany. Striking the city continuously for eight days and seven nights, American and British bombers reduced much of Hamburg to rubble, killing 50,000 and leaving over a million Germans homeless.

The first Schweinfurt-Regensburg Raid took place on August 17, 1943 and struck German aircraft and ball bearing plants. Departing from England, American bombers stuck targets in Regensburg before flying on to North Africa. A second wave hit Schweinfurt a short time later. The double attack inflicted heavy damage on German industry.

The Bombing of Dresden took place February 13-15, 1945 during World War II. In the course of the bombing, Dresden was struck by British and American aircraft which resulted in the destruction of the city and widespread civilian casualties.

Operations Manna and Chowhound were launched in April-May 1945, in an effort to alleviate starvation in the Netherlands. Flown by the RAF and US Army Air Force, Manna-Chowhound missions dropped food over occupied areas. Concluding May 8, the operations provided over 10,000 tons of food.

The Berlin Airlift was the response of the Western Allies to the Soviet Union shutting down access to Berlin in June 1948. Flying from Allied occupation zones, the Berlin Airlift provided West Berlin with food, fuel, and supplies through the winter of 1948/1949. A massive effort, the Berlin Airlift forced the Soviets to end the blockade.

Operation Linebacker took place May 9 to October 23, 1973, during the Vietnam War. Operation Linebacker was an air campaign intended to interdict North Vietnamese troops and supplies during the Easter Offensive. The bombing campaign during Operation Linebacker forced the North Vietnamese to return to the peace talks.

Operation Allied Force began in March 1999, following Yugoslavia's refusal end repression and violence in Kosovo. Flying from bases in Italy and the Adriatic Sea, NATO aircraft struck targets across Yugoslavia and Kosovo. On June 12, Operation Allied Force ended following Slobodan Milosevic's acceptence of an UN occupation of Kosovo.

The 1986 Bombing of Libya saw US aircraft hit targets around that country. The bombing was in response to Libya's continued support of international terrorism. The 1986 Bombing of Libya resulted in damage to a variety of targets and the loss of one American aircraft.

An extensive history of the German Condor Legion's operations and activities during the Spanish Civil War.

A discussion of the US Army Air Force's strategic and firebombing campaigns over Japan during the latter years of World War II.

A brief look at aerial operations and technological advances during the Korean War.