On August 1, 1943, the 44th, 93rd, 98th, 376th and 398th Bomb Groups departed Benghazi, Libya for a mission codenamed Operation Tidal Wave with the objective to bomb the Romania oil refineries in Ploesti. Historians cite the mission as the most intensively prepared and experienced ever flown in aerial warfare.

For Hitler’s massive forces, Romania was a valued ally. Governed by Marshal Ion Antonescu, the country was among the world’s largest producers, eventually supplying almost 60 percent of the Third Reich’s thirsty crude oil needs. The Fuhrer’s precious black gold was guarded by 300 flak guns, hundreds of machine guns, a deadly flak train, concealed emplacements, 120 German fighters and 200 Romanian Air Force fighters.

In the early afternoon of August 1, 1943, an armada of B-24 Liberators arrived at Ploesti after a journey of 1,200 miles. Planned as a surprise attack under strict radio silence, five groups would drop their bombs from 200 to 800 feet, expecting an ensuing inferno. But German General Alfred Gerstenberg, who had cracked the Allied codes, knew they were coming.

The Vulgar Virgin 41-24187 piloted by Captain Wallace C Taylor was the lead aircraft in the “E” section (the 5th wave) attacking White IV. Before reaching the target, the plane was hit by flak in the nose which immediately burst into flames. The Captain immediately called the nose and the tail but could not contact either one. He then gave the bail out order and rang the alarm bell. “I saw the co-pilot, engineer and assistant engineer bail out. I do not know what happened to the others members of the crew. I bailed out and landed in the vicinity of Ploesti. I left the plane when those with me were out and it was impossible to stay in the flames and heat.” Sadly, all members of the crew, including Co-pilot Paul Packer perished with the exception of the pilot; who was also the narrator of the events leading up to its crash.

Crew:

Crew of THE VULGAR VIRGIN

Captain Wallace C. Taylor - Pilot

1Lt. Jack K. Wood Navigator

1/Lt. Robert B. Austin Bombardier

Fl. Of. Paul W. Packer Co Pilot

T/Sgt. Gerald E. Rabb . Engineer

T/Sgt. Alfred F. Turgeon Radio Op.

S/Sgt. Donald R. Duchene Tail Gunner

S/Sgt. Louis Kaiser Waist Gunner

S/Sgt. Ralph M. Robins Gunner

Sgt. Arthur B. Van Kleeck Tail Gunner

Of the 165 bombers that reached Ploesti, only 88 aircraft returned, of which 54 were damaged significantly. Over 500 crewmen were lost from all causes, including 80 seriously wounded. One hundred eight airmen were taken prisoner in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Yugoslavia. In May 1944, Allied aviators based in Italy bombed Ploesti from high altitudes. The Soviets overran Romania’s refineries in August 1944, capturing General Gerstenberg and closing Hitler’s “gas station.”

“To the Fallen of Ploesti” by John Riley Kane, Colonel, USAF, (Ret.)

“To you who fly on forever, I send that part of me which cannot be separated and is bound to you for all time. I send to you those of our hopes and dreams that never quite came true, the joyous laughter and showery tears of our boyhood, the marvelous mysteries of our adolescence, the glorious strength and tragic illusions of our young manhood, all these that were and perhaps would have been, I leave in your care, out there in the Blue.”

SBTS Project: Laramie/Wyoming

July 10, 2023

Cindy Nelson

Paul W Packer