Operation Tidal Wave

Summary

This is the story of Black Sunday. The article is about the extraordinary bravery of the battle groups that fought in "Operation Tidal Wave." The Ploesti air strike against Romanian oil refineries was ordered with this comment "No cost too high." This was a maximum effort air bombardment.

This article is given as a salute to all those brave men and women in our armed forces, who maintain the freedoms we possess as Americans. It is easy to forget the cost paid by our military because the sounds of war are far away from our shores. It is with this in mind that I want to focus on the core principle of vital interest to us all: Freedom comes through military victory, and military victory is won on the battlefield.

Our Lord Jesus Christ predicted that man’s efforts to establish peace through peaceful means would end in failure. He also taught that a lasting peace is impossible to sustain. He declared that we live in a dangerous world and we should be prepared to fight for our freedom:

[6] “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars [armed conflict]. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

[7] “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. Matthew 24:6,7

It is the height of arrogance when men presume they can accomplish what only can be accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ. When He returns, He will make war, and when the enemy is vanquished, He will bring peace to the earth for a thousand years. [see Revelation chapters 19, 20]. Until He comes, man’s history will be filled with wars. In a world such as ours, if you believe the Bible, a strong, well-trained, fully equipped military is necessary. Someone asks, “How can you believe this?” The answer is the Bible, God’s Word, clearly states there will be wars and rumors of war and the Scripture cannot be broken, that is, it is never wrong.

Furthermore, the evidence is historical and verifiable. In my lifetime, I was born in the midst of WWII, went to grade school during the Korean War, began raising my family during the Vietnam War and have watched for twenty years the growing conflict in the Middle East. I stood in front of a TV and watched a commercial airplane fly right into the Twin Towers in New York City. War broke out on that day, September 11, and we have been fighting terrorists ever since. The Iraqi War and the Afghan War is still being waged. Jesus was right! Man’s sinful heart and Satan’s policy of manipulating these evil tendencies have fulfilled this prophecy over and over again during my lifetime.

Sadly, Jesus predicted that armed conflicts would continue until He sets up His kingdom on the earth. In the interim, it is national suicide when a generation of citizens decides to talk their way to peace rather than building and maintaining a strong military. I will not forget! I will remember the call to arms of our fellow citizens who have preserved our present freedoms. For this reason, I want to take you to a battlefield in this article as we remember those valiant men and women who gave their lives so that we might be free.

The Ploesti Raid called Operation TIDAL WAVE

The preface of a book written about this mission says:

On August 1, 1943, an enormous armada of America B-24 Liberator bombers roared at nearly treetop level over the peaceful farms and villages of Romania. This mission was Operation Tidal Wave. Its target ''the taproot of German might,' Hitler's giant oil refineries at Ploesti. Hundreds of U.S. airmen had volunteered for the mission despite warnings that half might not return. In thirty minutes, more firepower was exchanged than in two Gettysburgs,and five men earned the Medal of Honor. ¹

Our story begins with General George S. Patton’s defeat of Rommel’s Afrika Korps in the deserts of North Africa. It became apparent that to defeat the Germans, you must eliminate their logistical support. The oil refineries in Romania became the target. Hitler referred to it as his “black Jewel.” Deprive the Germans of their oil, and the Panzer tank corps could not shift into action, the Luftwaffe Messerschmitt could not fly, and the sub pens would become dormant.

THE PLAN

Plans by the War Department began to be formulated and called Operation Tidal Wave. This operation would be a maximum effort to bomb the Romanian oil refineries. General H.H. Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, predicted it would be “the straw that would break the camel’s back.” It was a strategic target and would require maximum effort: THAT IS, NO COST TOO HIGH TO PAY. Why? 3/4th of the oil used in the German war effort was produced at these refineries. It could shorten the war.

The night before the raid on Ploesti, a young 2nd Lt. wrote his father. He would be the bombardier aboard “Euroclydon the Storm.” His B-24 crashed near the target. He along with six other crew members were killed. Three became prisoners of war. The letter read:

From Jesse D. Franks Jr. to Jesse D. Franks Sr. Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Columbus, Mississippi, 31st July 1943.

Dearest Dad:

I want to write you a little note about our mission tomorrow. It will be the biggest and toughest we have ever had. Our target is the refinery's that supply Germany with 3/4 of her oil. We will get the target at any cost. We are going in at 500 feet so there will be no second trip to get to the target. We will destroy the target in one blow. Dad if anything happens don't feel bitter at all, please stay the same, take care of yourself, little sis, and don't let this get you down because I would never want it that way. Hope you don't get this letter, but none knows what tomorrow will bring. My favorite chapter is the 91st Psalm.

Your devoted son, Jesse.

This was found among his personal effects. 2^nd Lt. Jesse D. Franks died in the raid on these refineries. His aircraft was shot to pieces, on fire, out of control. He helped one of his wounded comrades to jump. He survived, but Jesse waited too long. The plane crashed before he could escape.

General Uzal Ent, who commanded the bombing raid, said,” If none of us return, the effort will be worth it.”

PRECEDENCE

1. It was the first, large-scale, minimum altitude attack by heavy bombers. The Eighth and Ninth Air Force would be involved, and they were called "the Heavy's.” There were 177 B-24s carrying 1,725 Americans and one Englishman, under the command of Brigadier General Uzal Ent.
2. These bombers were used to flying 22,000 feet over the target and dropping their bombs. This mission called for a low altitude bombing run. A different bombing site had to be developed, and the bombs had to have a delayed fuse.
3. This would be the longest bombing mission, from base to target, to this point in the war. Operation Tidal Wave called for a modification to the B-24s, new bombing sites, extra gas tanks, delayed fuses on the bombs and special training.

The mission was to approach Ploesti from the west. Approximately 51 miles from their targets, they would descend to 500 feet for the bombing run.

PRELIMINARY BATTLE REPORT

The refineries sustained 40 % damage. The mission was a success, but the cost was great: 54 planes lost with 532 airmen killed in action.

PAYING TRIBUTE

The men who participated in The Ploesti Raid distinguished themselves. The highest number of decorations was awarded for any single airborne mission of the war. One who distinguished himself in the raid at Ploiesti was an area resident, a graduate of Atlantic City High School, S/Sgt Ernest Victor Martin. He was 23 years old, a veteran of 40 missions, who joined the crew of the “Snake Eyes” as a waist gunner ¹. His citation for earning the Distinguished Service Cross reads:

MARTIN, ERNEST V. (KIA)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Ernest V. Martin (32271998), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Waist Gunner on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 345th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Staff Sergeant Martin acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged he continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Staff Sergeant Martin, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast by his guns until he was killed by enemy fire. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Martin on this occasion, at the cost of his life, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 86 (1943)

Home Town: Cumberland County, New Jersey

The last communication received by the family from him was congratulations to his sister Pauline and how he looks forward to corning home and seeing his new nephew. He died from wounds received at PLOESTI. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that his new nephew would live in a free country.

I was his nephew!

This is the story of my uncle. I never had the privilege of knowing him. The only remembrance I have of him is my middle initial "E" which was given to me to honor him. Yet, my story could be told by thousands of American families. Husbands, who didn’t return to hold their wives and children. Fathers and mothers whose sons embrace would never again be enjoyed. Men, whose lives were not lived. We honor them. We will not forget their sacrifice.

The Citation of Honor issued by the Commanding General of Ninth Air Force H.H. Arnold reads:

He lived to bear his country’s arms. He died to save its honor. He was a soldier…and he knew a soldier’s duty. His sacrifice will help keep aglow the flaming torch that lights our lives…that millions yet unborn may know the priceless joy of liberty. And we who pay him homage, and revere his memory, in solemn pride rededicate ourselves to a complete fulfillment of the task for which he so gallantly has placed his life upon the altar of man’s freedom.

H. H. Arnold

General of the U.S. Army

Commanding General Army Air Force

ENDNOTES

¹ Dugan, James and Steward Carroll, Ploesti: The Great Ground-Air Battle of 1 August 1943: Virginia: Brassey’s Press, 2002. Page 218.