The city of Narva suffered heavy destruction from warfare in 1944. Most of the destruction was caused by Red Army Long-Range Aviation (ADD) attacks carried out in the evening and night of 6–7 and 7–8 March. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of those and also later ADD bombing raids on Narva carried out in March of 1944 relying on documents from both opposing sides. The planning and execution of the operations are examined along with the losses suffered in the course of their execution. The counteraction and losses of the German side are also considered.

In the course of 1,322 aircraft flights from 6 to 8 March, 1,600 tonnes of bombs were dropped on the city of Narva. German counteraction (including air defence) was weak in the Narva area and the losses of the ADD were negligible – five bombers, which were shot down by a night fighter. The objective of the attacks was to prepare for the offensive of the Red Army 2nd Shock Army against the German bridgehead in the vicinity of the eastern part of Narva (Ivangorod), which began on 8 March. The German forces located in the city of Narva consisted primarily of pioneer and rear area units, perhaps with a small contingent of combat unit reserves as well. There were also military supply warehouses. Artillery positions were situated in the city and its near vicinity.

The ADD attacks caused the German forces significant human losses and losses
in armaments (especially in field guns), means of transportation, and other supplies.
As a result of those attacks, the communications network in the Narva area suffered severe damage. The destruction of the bridges over the Narva River made it more difficult
to supply the Ivangorod bridgehead but regardless of that, the 2nd Shock Army was unable to capture the bridgehead with its attacks that lasted from 8 to 22 March. Subsequent ADD bombing attacks were carried out on Narva on three evenings and nights before 18, 19, and 20 March to support the ground attacks. Those bombing raids were nevertheless far less extensive (133 aircraft flights and 128 tonnes of bombs in total). German counteraction was still weak and the ADD forces that attacked Narva apparently suffered no losses.

The bombing on the night before 20 March nevertheless turned out to be the last operation for the ADD with the city of Narva as its target. After the Red Army discontinued its offensive against the Ivangorod bridgehead on 22 March, no further need was apparently seen for further bombing attacks.