Carpet bombing

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Carpet bombing, also known as "saturation bombing" and "obliteration bombing", is a large area bombardment done in a progressive manner to inflict damage in every part of a selected area of land. Carpet bombing refers to a type of area bombing that aims to effect complete destruction of the target area by exploding bombs in every part of it. 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. The term "obliteration bombing" is sometimes used to describe especially intensified bombing with the intention of destroying a city or a large part of a 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. Area bombing is contrasted with precision bombing. The latter is directed at a selected target – not necessarily a small, and not necessarily a tactical target, as it could be an airfield or a factory – and it does not intend to inflict widespread damage. The term "area bombing" came into prominence during World War II. Carpet bombing of cities, towns, villages or other areas containing a concentration of protected civilians has been considered a war crime since 1977, through Article 51 of Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions.