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The 15th Air Force Missions to Ploesti Oil Fields in World War II
The Ploesti oil complex in Romania was a critical target for Allied forces, as it provided approximately one-third of the oil supply for Axis forces during World War II. After Operation Tidal Wave in August 1943 (conducted before the formation of the 15th Air Force), the Allies remained determined to destroy this vital resource.
The 15th Air Force, which was activated on November 1, 1943, and based in Italy, began a sustained bombing campaign against Ploesti oil fields starting in April 1944. This campaign continued until August 19, 1944..
The Allied forces faced formidable defenses at Ploesti:
The campaign against Ploesti was both costly and ultimately effective:
The campaign ended not only due to the effectiveness of the bombing but also because of changing strategic circumstances:
On August 20, 1944, the Soviet Red Army launched the Jassy-Kishinev Offensive against German Army Group South Ukraine. This prompted the overthrow of Romanian dictator Ion Antonescu by King Michael, Romania's switch to the Allied side, and the Soviet occupation of the country by early September.
Primary targets in the Ploesti oil fields included: Petrotel Lukoil, Concordia Vega, Steava Romana, Campina Romana, Astra Romana, Counbia Aquila, Romano-Americano. Secondary targets were the rail roads and marshalling yards.
The 15th Air Force's campaign against Ploesti in the spring and summer of 1944 successfully "turned off the Wehrmacht's Balkan oil taps," with strategic effects felt throughout the European theater of operations. This accomplishment stands as one of the most significant contributions of the 15th Air Force to the Allied victory in World War II.
The sustained bombing campaign against Ploesti demonstrated the evolution of strategic bombing doctrine and the importance of persistent attacks against critical infrastructure targets. While the famous low-level raid of 1943 (Operation Tidal Wave) had failed to achieve lasting results, the 15th Air Force's methodical campaign in 1944 succeeded in severely degrading this vital resource for the German war machine.
12 June 1942
Thirteen B-24’s of the HALPRO detachment, originally designated to be deployed to the China-Burma-India Theater under command of Colonel Harry A Halverson take off during the night of 11/12 June from Fayid, Egypt to bomb oilfields at Ploiesti, Romania. Only 12 attack at dawn; 4 of the 13 land at a base in Iraq which was designated for recovery of the flight, 3 land at other Iraq fields, 2 land in Syria, and 4 are interned in Turkey. The raid is significant because it is the first Army Air Forces combat mission in the European-African-Middle East (EAME) Theater in World War II. Command: HALPRO Detachment.
1 August 1943
177 B-24’s, of the IX Bomber Command that included the 98th and 376th Bombardment Groups of the 9th Air Force and B-24’s temporarily attached from the Eighth Air Force are sent to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti (Ploiesti) and nearby Campina. Operation Tidal Wave as it is known loses 54 planes and 532 airmen but is considered a success. Command: 9th Air Force under command of Lewis H. Brereton.
Missions resume in 1944 with groups under the command of the Fifteenth Air Force.
5 April 1944
15 April 1944
24 April 1944
5 May 1944
6 May 1944
18 May 1944
31 May 1944
6 June 1944
10 June 1944
23 June 1944
24 June 1944
9 July 1944
15 July 1944
22 July 1944
26 July 1944
28 July 1944
31 July 1944
6 August 1944
10 August 1944
17 August 1944
18 August 1944
19 August 1944
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