Operation Tidal Wave, 1943

It was one of the most audacious air attacks of World War II – a low-level raid to cut off Hitler’s fuel supply by bombing the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania.

Taking place on Sunday, August 1, 1943, Operation Tidal Wave saw five B-24 Liberator bomb groups take off from North Africa.

Almost 180 planes took off to fly in complete radio silence from Libya, across the Mediterranean  Sea and towards their target.

They included three 8th Air Force bomb groups – the 93rd from Hardwick, the 44th from Shipdham, and the 389th from Hethel – all in Norfolk, UK.

In this episode, we tell the story of what was one of the most daring and ambitious raids carried out by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF).

With special thanks to David Pratt, Kerry Wilmot, Paul Thrower, the Woodrow family and Hardwick Airfield Museum.

Operation Tidal Wave, 1943

There is lots more in-depth information about this mission on the Wikipedia page for Operation Tidal Wave.

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