The Daring World War II Raid on Ploesti - Paperback
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An in-depth look at the doomed U.S. Army Air Force attack on Romanian oil fields vital to Hitler's success.
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, Libya, 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.
Praise for The Daring World War II Raid on Ploesti
"This account of the Ploesti mission does an admirable job of laying out the planning, personalities, and attendant conflicts among many participants, the mistakes made and losses inflicted by the Germans and Romanians. An eminently readable story that further emphasizes and demonstrates the mettle of the Greatest Generation." --New York Journal of Books
A resident of Fort Worth for more than thirty-five years, William R. Bradle (1950-2022) was the author of screenplays, nonfiction and historical fiction including Goliad: The Other Alamo, also published by Pelican. He received an undergraduate degree in history and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Illinois before beginning a career in international finance that included executive positions with the Quaker Oats Company, Alcon Laboratories, and Dresser Industries culminating as CFO of American IronHorse Motorcycle Company. Beginning his writing career at the age of 55, his focus was always to uncover historic conflicts that were significant at the time but have been lost to history. His love of historic detail and, more importantly, the re-telling of the personal stories of soldiers in the face of unimaginable hardship during combat, will be his legacy. He is survived by his loving family, who share his deep curiosity and reverence for history.
Colonel Marc R. Bradle grew up in Aledo, Texas and is a 2004 graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor's in History in addition to completing a Master's in Military History with a concentration in World War II from American Military University. During his 22-year career in the Air Force, he has flown over 2,400 flight hours as a navigator in the B-52H Stratofortress including 669 combat hours over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Additionally, he has served multiple tours as an Air Liaison Officer, leading Air Force Tactical Air Control Party Airmen in calling in Close Air Support airstrikes for the Army's 10th Mountain Division, 101st Airborne Division, and 82nd Airborne Division. His major awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Valor, and the Air Medal with Valor, among others. He is currently serving on The Joint Staff in the J-7 Directorate for Joint Force Development.
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