Zaloga, Steven J./Noon, Steve (Illustr.) Ploesti 1943. The Great Raid on Hitler's Romanian Oil Refineries

A new study of one of the most famous, costly, and strategically vital air operations of World War II, the United States' great airstrike against Nazi Germany's oil refineries. Operation Tidal Wave was one of the boldest and most controversial air raids by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). At the time, the Romanian Ploesti oil fields produced about a third of all Axis oil, and was Germany's single most important fuel source. In the summer of 1943, the USAAF decided to stage a major raid on Ploesti from air bases in Libya. The resulting Operation Tidal Wave raid on 1 August 1943 was one of the costliest to date, losing 53 aircraft, about a third of the starting force. Of the more than 150 bombers that took part in the raid, only 88 B-24s returned to Libya, 55 of which were damaged. On the other hand, of the 17 Medals of Honor awarded to US soldiers and airmen from Pearl Harbor in 1941 to D-Day in 1944, 5 were awarded to pilots of the Tidal Wave mission in recognition of their extraordinary performance. Although undoubtedly bold and heroic, the mission had questionable results. Initial assessments argued that the mission caused 40% of the refinery capacity at Ploesti to be lost but subsequent studies concluded that the damage was quickly repaired and that output had exceeded August levels within a month. This new study examines the raid in detail, exploring the reasons why its dubious success came at such a high price. Supported by maps, diagrams, and full-color artwork including battlescenes and bird's-eye-views, this is the full story of the audacious Ploesti raid of 1943.

In the summer of 1943, the USAAF decided to carry out a major air raid on Ploesti from its air bases in Libya. The resulting operation "Tidal Wave" on 1 August 1943 was one of the USAAF's heaviest loss operations to date, with 53 aircraft lost in the mission, about a third of the starting strength. Of the more than 150 bombers that took part in the air raid, only 88 B-24s returned to Libya, 55 of which were damaged. On the other hand, of the 17 U.S. Congressional Medals of Honour awarded to U.S. servicemen and airmen between Pearl Harbor 1941 and Pearl Harbor D-Day 1944, five were awarded to pilots of Operation Tidal Wave in recognition of their extraordinary achievement. Although undoubtedly courageous and heroic, the mission had questionable results. Initial assessments claimed that 40% of the refinery capacity at Ploesti was lost as a result of the mission, but subsequent studies concluded that the damage was quickly repaired and production had exceeded August levels within a month. This new study examines the air raid in detail and explores the reasons why its dubious success was so costly. Supported by maps, diagrams and colour illustrations, including operational scenes and bird's-eye views, this is the full story of the daring Ploesti raid of 1943.