IX Bomber Command
Command
Operation Tidal Wave
1 August 1943
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B-24 Liberator, 42-40402, The Sandman, in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bombardment Squadron. Piloted by Lt. Robert Sternfels flying on his bomb run over White IV at Ploesti. Aug 1, 1943. -- NOTE : This version of this iconic photo is the correct version of this photograph with the smoke stacks of White IV on Sternfels' right rear side. This iconic photograph is often printed in reverse, in error, due to it's reversed appearance on Time Magazine's cover after the Ploesti mission in 1943.
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B-24D - 42-40776 - Renamed, Widow. Originally was, named, Old Blister Butt. 8th Air Force - 492nd Bomb Group - 858th Bomb Squadron. RCL - F
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Annotated reconnaissance photo of Concordia Vega Oil Refinery, Ploesti, Romania taken 3 August 1943 to assess the impact of the bombing during Operation Tidal Wave. Point 14 is likely the crash site of B-24 (serial number 42-40994) nicknamed "Hell's Wench", which exploded on 1 August 1943. Graphic Interpretation report: 1: 4 large and 2 small tanks in the crude oil storage area North of the refinery totally destroyed. 2: Retaining wall of storage sump broken by one of two craters 3: 5 of a group of 12 sunken process tanks destroyed 4: 4 of a group of 12 sunken process tanks destroyed and 2 probably damaged 5: 1 of a group of 8 sunken process tanks destroyed and 3, possibly 4 damaged 6: Ground blackened as if by fire in 2 places. It cannot be said if anything is destroyed in these areas 7: 3 bay shed in asphalt plant damaged by fire 8: Shed in asphalt plant damaged in 2 places by fire; roof of adjoining shed to east blackened 9: Corner of office building destroyed by fire 10: Part of Eastern distillation unit damaged 11: Finished products tank on South side of works destroyed 12: One crater on each side of road causing no damage to highway 13: 2 craters in fields respectively 300 and 700 yards SW of works 14: Large blast mark in field may have been caused by an aircraft crashing and exploding.
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RAF Form 441A Sortie Reports for the 93rd Bomb Group on Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing of Ploesti. - 1 August 1943.
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B-24D, Kickapoo, crash at Lete Airfield - Aug 1, 1943 - killing pilots, Lt. Robert Nespor and Lt. John C. Riley - #4 engine failure - 8 KIA / 2 WIA
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B-24D On fire and going down over Ploesti, Rumania, August 1, 1943
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B-24D - The Sandman, piloted by Lt. Robert Sternfels in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron - Flying through the fires and explosions of White IV behind Col. John Kane and John Young in, Hail Columbia - at Ploesti, Rumania, August 1, 1943 - NOTE : This most iconic photograph of WWII is often published reversed. But this version is the correct one, with Lt. Sternfels beginning a bank to his left to miss an object in his way. 1 Aug, 1943.
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B-24D - "Hail Columbia" - After Crash Landing at Nicosia, Cyprus - Aug 1, 1943. From left : Lt. Harry Korger/ Bombardier - Lt. Norman Whalen Navigator/nose gunner - kneeling, second from right, 1st Lt. Raymond Hubbard/ radio operator/ gunner, SSgt. Harvey Treace/gunner, TSgt Clarence Weckesser/ Engineer/ top turret gunner, SSgt. Neville Benson/waist gunner, SSgt. Joseph LaBranch/ gunner, SSgt. Frederick Leard/waist gunner . The next morning after the Ploesti mission, Monday August 2nd, 1943.
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Target "White IV", the Astra Romano Oil Refinery complex in flames after having been bombed by the 93rd Bomb Group before the 98th Bomb Group arrived - Ploesti 1943
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Ploesti - Astra Romana Refinery - White IV - 1943
Official description
177 B-24’s, of IX Bomber Command (including Heavy Bombers on loan from Eighth AF) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen being lost, but damage to the targets is severe.
Description
Operation TIDAL WAVE. B-24D Liberators attack the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. The bombers flew low to avoid radar detection and dropped time delayed bombs. Out of the 177 B-24s that took part in the raid 167 managed to attack their targets. 57 B-24s were lost in total; 54 over Ploesti and 3 in the sea.
Five bomb groups were involved from the 8th and 9th Air Forces; the 44th, 93rd, 389th from the 8th and the 98th and 376th of the 9th.
Five Medals of Honor were awarded for the Ploesti raid. All five groups that took part received Presidential Unit Citations.
Mission details
1. PLOESTI
Description
The mission was planned on the basis of 154 aircraft participating, however 177 eventually took part.
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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VIII Bomber Command
Command
VIII Bomber Command was constituted and activated in 1942. It oversaw heavy bombardment operations until February 1944, when it was redesginated as the 8th Air Force.
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 177 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 167 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 57 |
2. Astra-Romana (White IV)
Description
The Astra-Romana, Phoenix (Orion) and Lumia Group of refineries (White IV) were the most important target of the mission, with 10 key installations to attack. The target was attacked by the 98th Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
'Damage to this group of refineries is considerable, but although production will be curtailed, it is not sufficient to cause complete stoppage after the few weeks necessary for essential repairs to be carried out have elapsed. This is due to the fact that in the ASTRA ROMANA Refinery the boiler house does not appear to be unserviceable, though it may have suffered minor damage from the fire in the McKee Plant about 15 yards away, and that, while the two most important furnaces in the McKee Plant itself are damaged beyond repair, the old distillation plant appears to be untouched. Damage seen to the Lubricating Oil Plant will probably cause a slight curtailment of production of this type of oil. 15 tanks of various types have been destroyed and one damaged, but this will not affect the working capacity of the plant.
In the PHOENIX (ORION) Refinery damage to the boiler house will have caused the loss of approximately one third of the steam generating capacity, resulting in a corresponding loss of production over a considerable period. Damage is also noted to the power plant, but its extent and effect of the working capacity of the plant cannot be gauged. 4 tanks have been destroyed and 2 damaged.
The LUMINA Refinery is untouched except by one bomb which has exploded in the railway sidings severing one or two tracks.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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98th Bomb Group
Group
The 98th trained for bombardment missions with B-24 Liberators during the first half of 1942. ...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 47 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 39 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 21 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 14 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command | 33 |
3. Concordia Vega (White II)
Description
The Concordia Vega refinery (White II) was the second most important target of the mission, and attacked by aircraft of the 93rd Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
'Damage to this plant is confined almost entirely to the destruction of tanks. 6 large storage tanks with a capacity of probably 5,000 tons each have been destroyed, while in the groups of sunken process tanks within the works, 11 have been destroyed and 4 to 6 damaged. One of the distillation plants appears to have suffered fairly heavily, but not sufficiently to affect the output of the refinery to any serious degree.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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93rd Bomb Group
Group
93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 1-March-1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. On 15-May-1942 the Group moved to Ft. Myers, Florida to continue advanced flight training and also to fly anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico; they...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 25 |
4. Romana- Americana (White I)
Description
Romana-Americana Refinery (White I) was the third most important target of the mission and attacked by the 376th Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
'This plant escaped attack and is undamaged.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
-
376th Bomb Group
Group
Constituted as 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 Oct 1942 and activated in Palestine on 31 Oct. Began combat immediately, using B-24 aircraft. Operated with Ninth AF from bases in the Middle East, Nov 1942-Sep 1943, and with Twelfth AF from Tunisia...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 28 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 26 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 3 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 6 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command | 1 |
5. Steaua-Romana Campina (Red)
Description
The Steaua Romana Campina pumping station (Red), close to the Concordia Vega refinery was the fourth most important target of the mission, it was attacked by the 389th Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
This small plant situated near the VEGA refinery (CONCORDIA) has been severely damaged, but the installations are such that they can be fairly quickly replaced. the two pump houses and one storage tank have been destroyed.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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389th Bomb Group
Group
The 389th Bomb Group, known in more familiar terms as "the Sky Scorpions", flew strategic bombing missions in B-24 Liberators from Hethel, England. They also sent detachments to join bases in North Africa at Benghazi No. 10, Libya, between 3 July 1943...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 24 |
6. Standard Petrol Block Unirea Speranta (White III)
Description
The Standard Petrol Block at Unirea Speranta (White III) was the fifth most important target of the mission, it was attacked by components of the 93rd Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
'Slight damage is noted to 2 large storage tanks and to a building in the CONCORDIA Munitions Works on the opposite side of the railway. The appearance and scattered nature of this damage, together with the complete absence of craters in the vicinity, suggest that it is due to earlier raids and that this plant entirely escaped damage during the attach of August 1st.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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93rd Bomb Group
Group
93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 1-March-1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. On 15-May-1942 the Group moved to Ft. Myers, Florida to continue advanced flight training and also to fly anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico; they...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 12 |
7. Creditul Minier (Blue)
Description
The Creditul Minier Refinery at Brazi (Blue) was the sixth most important target of the mission, it was attacked by the 44th Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
'Apart from damage to 20 storage tanks of varying capacities and to railway tracks on the outskirts of the plant, no statement can be made on the limited cover available.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Group
The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 20 |
8. Columbia-Aquila (White V)
Description
The Columbia Aquila Refinery (White V) was the fifth most important target of the mission, and was attacked by components of the 44th Bomb Group.
The damage report, published on 5 August 1943 determined that:
'Damage to this plant is so intense that almost complete rebuilding would be necessary before it could resume operation. The crude oil distilling plant has been devastated by fires and explosions while the cracking plant and stablisier installation have been damaged on slightly less seriously. the boiler house appears damaged. Nine storage tanks and at least 9 process tanks have been destroyed. Other damage is located among workshops, offices, compressor buildings and storehouses, while some damage has been done to railway tracks and rolling stock. the number of craters seen outside the target area is small.'
Aircraft type
B-24 Liberator
Notes
Not yet known
Units
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44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Group
The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti...
Mission Statistics
| Number of aircraft Sent | 17 |
Service
People
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Isaac Abeyta
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
ETO/ Queen Mary 9/5/42. ... -
Lonnie Ackerman
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Assigned to 506BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY to 9AF USAAF. Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1-Aug-43, flying in B-24 Liberator 41-24201. ... -
Gordon Ackley
Military | Staff Sergeant | Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
Joined 6/19/43. ... -
Stanley Adamen
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 93rd Bomb Group
Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23809. -
Norman Adams
Military | Lieutenant | Bombardier | 93rd Bomb Group
Norman C. Adams was the Navigator/Bombardier of the B-24D, 'Jersey Bounce'. He was shot down in the low level raid over Ploesti and spent 18 months in the Timsul de Jus prison camp north of Ploesti. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the... -
Thomas Adams
Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 93rd Bomb Group
Crew member of B-24 Liberator 41-23810 'Tarfu', flew on 1-Aug-43 Ploesti raid, returning safely to Libya. ... -
Lloyd Adelsberger
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 93rd Bomb Group
Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23682) -
James Adovasio
Military | Staff Sergeant | Gunner | 389th Bomb Group
Crew member B-24 Liberator 42-40773 564th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF, flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by Capt Edward L Fowble, returning safely to Libya. (**** This needs verifying as there is no evidence in any reviewed source... -
George Aguayo
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 389th Bomb Group
Assigned to 565BS, 389BG, 8AF USAAF. Killed on mission to Solingen, B-24 42-40793 'Blonds Away' was damaged by fighters and exploded while trying to land 1-Dec-43. Killed in Action (KIA) Awards: DFC, AM, PH. -
Gerald Ahlquist
Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 93rd Bomb Group
Flew Ploesti raid on 1 Aug 43
Aircraft
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41-23711 'Jerks Natural'
B-24 Liberator
Although the B-24D Liberator, SN #41-23771, named, 'Jerk's Natural', was part of the 8th Air Force based in Britain, the the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 328th Bomb Squadron, it spent time on detached service to the 9th Air Force in North Africa, hence the... -
41-23717 Exterminator
B-24 Liberator
The B-24D Liberator, Exterminator, serial number 41-23717, originally flew with the 329th Bomb Squadron of the 93rd Bomb Group and was later transferred to the 93rd's 330th Bomb Squadron, in March 1943. The first mission with the 330th Bomb Squadron... -
41-23729 Shoot Luke
B-24 Liberator
The B-24D, 41-23729, named, Shoot Luke, was assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force, temporarily deployed (TDY) to the 9th Air Force, Benghazi, Libya. Lt. George G. Black flew Shoot Luke on the Ploesti oil... -
41-23778 Jenny - Lady Luck
B-24 Liberator
The B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23778, renamed, Lady Luck, from, Jenny, - Survived Operation Tidal Wave over Ploesti Romania, August 1, 1943. ... -
41-23779 '4Q2'
B-24 Liberator
A/C flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returning safely to Libya. ... -
41-23810 'Tarfu'
B-24 Liberator
Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returned safely to Libya. ... -
41-23813 Victory Ship
B-24 Liberator
The B-24D, named, Victory Ship, 41-23813, was assigned to the 8th Air force, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 68th Bomb Squadron in Britain. It took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on 1 August... -
41-23816 Black Jack
B-24 Liberator
This B-24D, 41-23816, should not be confused with another B-24D, 41-23661, in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 345th Bomb Squadron, also named, Black Jack. ... -
41-23817 Suzy Q
B-24 Liberator
The B-24D, named, Suzy Q, flown by Pilot Lt. Robert I. Brown and commanded by Col. Leon Johnson, led the 44th Bomb Group on the Aug 1, 1943 Ploesti raid and was the most famous ship of the 67th Squadron. The plane was lost along with the 67th's plane,... -
41-24015 'Wing Dinger'
B-24 Liberator
Failed to Return - Lost near the target Ploesti, 1st Aug 43. Reported that the plane was afire as pilot 1st Lt George W Winger bravely climbed steeply up so that crew could bail out. 7 KIA, 2 POW. MACR 2410.
Crash sites
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Concordia-Vega Refinery (White II)
Crash site
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 05 September 2021 17:50:17 | jmoore43 | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
Added a "-" to the A/C type in the Detailed description of the "MISSION NARRATIVE" to aid clarity & consistency. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 11:58:01 | Emily | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Removed media associations which did not depict Operation Tidal Wave, or subsequent events. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:56:09 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:48:55 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:41:58 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:32:52 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:27:32 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:15:55 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 09:04:58 | Emily | Created event |
| Sources | ||
National Museum of the US Air Force, Ploesti Target and Target Forces Plans and Ploesti Operation Record AIR 23/712 4, Photographic Interpretation Report of Ploesti Mission, 5 August 1943, copy of US Official document held in Roger Freeman's personal archive. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 08:20:32 | Emily | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
USAAF Combat Chronology |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 August 2019 08:10:51 | Emily | Changes to official description |
| Sources | ||
USAAF Combat Chronology |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 29 September 2014 17:33:41 | Tom | Created entry with name, date and description |
| Sources | ||
The USAAF Handbook 1939-1945 by Martin Bowman (1997) |
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