Ploesti The Great Ground Air Battle Of 1 August 1943

On August 1, 1943, an enormous armada of American B-24 Liberator bombers roared at nearly treetop level across the peaceful farms and villages of Romania. Their target: "the taproot of German might", Hitler's giant oil refineries of Ploesti. Hundreds of U.S. airmen 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 won the Medal of Honor. Ploesti is a vivid and masterful reconstruction of the dramatic and controversial mission.