World War II was the first conflict in which a substantial number of deaths were inflicted by aircraft. In some cases the numbers were enormous. While no one was keeping records, at least several million or more civilian and military deaths can be attributed to air attacks. In addition, the British suffered 2,754 deaths from ballistic missiles (V-2s), a record that stood until the 1980s when Iraq and Iran rained Scud missiles (derived from the V-2 design) on each other’s cities. Over 10,000 deaths resulted. Great Britain also suffered 6,184 deaths from German V-1 cruise missiles. This record still stands. V-2 being launched Civilian Deaths from Air Raids Japan 668,000 Germany 593,000 Great Britain 60,400
