Operation Gomorrah was a massive Allied bombing campaign launched against Hamburg, Germany, with the aim of inflicting significant damage on the industrial capabilities of the Nazi regime. The operation began with British Royal Air Force bomber raids at night, followed by daylight bombing missions carried out by American forces. The relentless bombing targeted not just military installations but also civilian areas, leading to widespread devastation. The operation was characterized by its use of incendiary bombs, which caused firestorms that engulfed large portions of the city.

By the completion of Operation Gomorrah in November, more than 9,000 tons of explosives had been dropped on Hamburg, resulting in an estimated death toll exceeding 30,000 individuals and the destruction of approximately 280,000 buildings. The intensity of the bombing campaign and the resulting destruction profoundly shook German morale and raised questions regarding the ethics and impact of total war on civilian populations. The operation shaped subsequent Allied air strategies and underscored the destructive potential of aerial warfare.

In the broader context of World War II, Operation Gomorrah marked a significant point in the bombing war over Germany. It illustrated the growing capabilities of Allied air forces and showcased the strategic importance of targeting industrial and population centers to diminish the enemy's war production and resolve. This devastating attack was part of the wider Allied effort to dismantle the German war machine and ultimately played a role in the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.