On August 1st, 1943, 178 American B-24 bombers launched one of the most dangerous air raids of World War II against Hitler’s vital oil fields in Romania. The mission followed pilots Addison Baker and John Jerstad aboard the burning B-24 Hell’s Wench during the catastrophic low-level attack on Ploiești. Their final decision over Romania became one of the most extraordinary acts of sacrifice in American air combat history.
Operation Tidal Wave was designed to cripple the fuel supply powering Nazi Germany’s tanks, fighters, and submarines. Instead, the raid turned into a disaster now remembered as Black Sunday. Bombers flew at treetop level through walls of anti-aircraft fire, hidden gun positions, barrage balloons, and enemy fighters protecting the most heavily defended industrial target in Europe outside Berlin.
More than 500 American airmen were killed, captured, or missing after the mission. Five Medals of Honor were awarded for actions during the raid — more than any single air operation in U.S. military history.
This is the story of the men who flew into Ploiești knowing many of them would never return.
