Official description

13 B-24’s of detachment under command of Col Harry A Halverson en route from US to China take off during 11Jun from Fayid to bomb oilfields at Ploesti. Only 12 attack at dawn. 4 of the 13 land at 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.

Though damage to target is negligible, the raid is significant because it is the first AAF combat mission in EAME Theater in World War II, and the first strike at a target which later will be famous.

Description

The first Army Air Force Combat mission in Europe during the Second World War, saw 13 B-24 Liberators, originally destined for China, bomb oil refineries in Ploesti, Roumania. While the raid had little impact, it proved the concept that Heavy bombers could carry out long-range attacks against defended targets

Mission details

1. Ploesti

Description

13 B-24 Liberators are tasked with bombing oil fields in Ploesti, Colonel Halverson directed his crews to fly directly to Romania, and return to Habbaniyah, Iraq.

Aircraft type

B-24 Liberator

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Number of aircraft Sent

13

2. Ploesti Oil Refineries

Description

12 B-24 Liberators bomb oil refineries in Ploesti. Bad weather frustrates bombing attempts, and crews encounter anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters, meaning that damage to the plant is light.

Aircraft type

B-24 Liberator

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Tonnage dropped	24
Number of aircraft Sent	12
Number of people Interned	4 Crews

3. Constanta

Description

One B-24 Liberator bombs the harbor at Constanta and returns to base

Aircraft type

B-24 Liberator

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Number of aircraft Sent

1