firebombing

Updated: May 25, 2025

There is also the option of applying massive destruction against purely civilian or "counter-value" targets such as the firebombing of Tokyo in World War II when unconditionality marks the terms of surrender. It is the cumulative impact of destruction on the endurance and capacity of the adversary that ultimately affects the will to resist that is the central foundation of this example.

Harlan K. Ullman - Shock and Awe — Achieving Rapid Dominance