In 1943, the Allied powers were grasping for anything to undercut Hitler’s power and relieve his relentless pressure on the Red Army, which had already suffered a staggering 11 million casualties. The U.S. Army Air Force planned Operation Tidal Wave, which would take off from Benghazi, Lybia, fly low and maintain complete radio silence to escape Axis observation, and bomb Hitler’s vital oil fields in Ploesti, Romania. On August 1, 177 B-24 bombers prepared to take off. Fourteen hours later, only 88 B-24s returned.
Operation Tidal Wave was a massive strategic defeat. However, it proved the mettle of the USAAF and provided a rallying point for the public. Author William R. Bradle offers the definitive account of this doomed operation—the strengths, weaknesses, heroism, and failings—and takes readers into the thick of the action with thrilling accounts from many of the crews.
About the Author
William R. Bradle earned a BA in modern European history and an MBA in finance from the University of Illinois. He studied at the University of Vienna and graduated from the senior executive program at Stanford University. Bradle’s historical articles have been published in Old News, Porsche, and 356 Registry.
THE DARING WORLD WAR II RAID ON PLOESTI
By William R. Bradle
HISTORY / Military / Aviation
HISTORY / Military / World War II
320 pp. 6 x 9
41 bw photos.
Notes. Biblio. Index.
ISBN: 9781455622184