Firebombing is a bombing technique designed to create a firestorm in the target city. This technique makes use of incendiary bombs to start a massive fire, and can also include a preliminary bombing run designed to prepare the city for burning. This bombing technique was as effective as the atomic bombs used against Japanese cities at the end of World War II.

Cities firebombed during WWII:

• Hamburg, Germany (Bombing of Hamburg in World War II)
• Dresden, Germany (Bombing of Dresden in World War II)
• Tokyo, Japan (Bombing of Tokyo in World War II)
• Kobe, Japan (Bombing of Kobe in World War II)

See also

• The story of the Japanese animated film Grave of the Fireflies centers on the firebombing of Kobe.
• Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, is based significantly on the firebombing of Dresden, Germany.