i tried attacking with less that 250 planes to consume less ammo but seems the damage is proportional with the number of bombs that falls on their heads (normal i would say).
You also have to occupy the country you are invading, with your military units. This is known as "painting". Just drop in special forces units (or move other land units across the border), and move them around, until you see the map being "painted" with orange splotches.