The first air raid in history was carried out by Austria against Venice. The air raid, which occurred in 1849, used up to 200 pilotless balloons carrying bombs. Venice had been under siege but had refused to surrender. The bombs caused little damage but the siege ended two days later.
Venice had been independent for over 1,000 years. It was conquered by Napoleon in 1797 who later ceded it to Austria. In 1848 Venice declared itself a republic. Austria laid siege to Venice the following year. Though the siege caused starvation and hardship the Austrians failed to take the city. However Venice did surrender two days after the air raid.
The first air raid in history took place when Austria launched pilotless balloons carrying bombs against Venice in the year 1849 On This Day.
Venice