The firebombing raid on Tokyo on March 10, 1945, represented one of the most destructive aerial attacks in World War II. Carried out by the U.S. Army Air Forces, the operation involved B-29 Superfortress bombers dropping incendiary bombs on the densely populated Japanese capital. The attack, using a strategy aimed at demolishing industrial targets alongside civilian areas, resulted in a firestorm that consumed 16 square miles of the city. Firestorms occurred when the intense heat from the bombs caused fires to expand uncontrollably, creating winds that drew in additional air and fueled the flames.

The choice of Tokyo as a target stemmed from its status as Japan's capital and its vital war production facilities. The bombing campaign was part of a larger strategy by Allied forces to undermine Japan's ability to sustain its military operations and to hasten the end of the war. The attack was characterized by its scale and impact; estimates suggest that around 100,000 people perished in the inferno, with millions more left homeless. This event illustrated the high civilian toll of modern warfare and contributed to the ethical debates regarding the use of such tactics.

Following the raid, Tokyo faced not only a humanitarian crisis but also significant societal upheaval as survivors struggled to rebuild. The attack contributed to Japan's growing devastation as the war progressed, further isolating the country. The effects of this bombing raid, along with others that followed, raised questions about the morality and effectiveness of strategic bombing campaigns, shaping post-war military strategy and ethics.