Ploesti Romania: Operation Tidal wave . On August 1, 1943, after a journey of 1200 miles from Benghazi, Libia, an air armada of 178 B-24 Liberators attacked the massive oil refinery complex at Ploesti Romania. Under the code name Operation Tidal Wave, the mission combined five bomb groups from the Eith and Ninth Air Forces. Instead of the traditional high altitude precision bombing, the B-24s would drop their bombs from 200-800 feet with the planes coming in so low to have the element of surprise. 8"x10" black and white aerial photograph of the attack, signed by two highly decorated participants in the raid: Maj. John A. Brooks,(1917-2001) "Maj. John A Brooks-Command Pilot-led 2 nd section of 389-Bomb Group-17 B24's", Philip R. Ardery,(1914-2012)" Philip R. Ardery, Capt. -C/O 364 th Squadron-389 th Bomb Grp.-Ploesti 1 Aug. 1943. Both men were highly decorated for completing this mission, Brooks being a West Point graduate.