British Cyprus was bombed by the Axis powers on several occasions during World War II.
In April 1935, late during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, the Dodecanese were inspected by General Pietro Pinna Parpaglia, who proposed creating airfields capable of supporting offensive operations in the eastern Mediterranean.
[3] As early as 2 May, authorities began relocating people from the towns to the countryside in preparation for major bombing.
[1] Later that month, in support of the French defence of Syria, the Italians and the German Luftwaffe attacked Cyprus from bases in the Dodecanese.
[7] That month, Vichy France launched two retaliatory attacks on RAF Nicosia with Martin Maryland bombers, causing casualties.