Beachbell Echo Published by 446th Bomb Group Association, Inc. ♦ 561 Muirfield Lane, West Haven, CT 06516 Organized under IRS Code 501 (C)(3) ID 33-0312046 June 2011 Vol. 26 No. 2 Station 125 APO 558, Flixton A.B. 1943-45 B-24s leaving Ploiești through flak and smoke Bombing of Ploiesti, Romania Operation Tidal Wave was an air attack by bombers of the United States Army Air Forces on nine oil refineries around Ploiești, Romania on 1 August 1943. It was a strategic bombing mission and part of the “oil campaign” to deny petroleum-based fuel to Hitler. The mission resulted in “no curtailment of overall product output”, and so was unsuccessful. This mission was one of the costliest for the USAAF in the European Theater, with 53 aircraft and 660 aircrew men lost. It was the worst loss ever suffered by the USAAF on a single mission, and its date was later referred to as “Black Sunday”. Five Medals of Honor and numerous Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to Operation Tidal Wave crew members. Continued on page 10 446th Website: http://www.446bg.com 1 446 BGA Administration President’s President: Message Walter Stelkovis By Walter Stelkovis 561 Muirfield Lane West Haven, CT 06516-7904 203-397-2300 he 25th annual meeting of the 446th BG was held at the
[email protected] THilton St Charles, New Orleans, LA April 13 to 17, 2011. Vice President: Twelve veterans were able to attend, two less than last year. Un- Louis Valenti, Jr fortunately this is a trend that will inevitably continue until we 10387 W.