The American B-24D Libererator bomber flies over a burning oil plant in Ploiesti, Romania during Operation Tidal Wave.
Operation Tidal Wave, which was attended by the 44th, 93rd and 389th bombing groups of the 8th Air Army, not only broke the record for flight range, but also became the first mass raid of heavy four-engine bombers since the start of the war in shaving flight. The flight altitude during the bombing averaged about 140 m. As a result of the raid, the total volume of Ploiesti refineries was reduced by more than half and amounted to only 46% of the previous volume.
Venue: Ploiesti, Romania
Photo Time: August 01, 1943