RAF Wellingtons over Ploesti, August 1944

[Mikkel Plannthin]

The Danish P/O Borge Nielsen is awarded the DFC on 12 Feb 1945. From the citation it is clear, that the award is presented mainly for his actions during a raid on the Ploesti airfiels in August 1944.

From two sources (Girbig, 1980; Newby, 1991) that I have managed to get my hands upon, I can se, that the RAF carried out to raids on Ploesti during this month. As far as I remember not having my notes at present on the night of 7/8 August and on 19/20 August.

I am looking for sources that would provide more information on the RAF part of these missions. Could anyone point me in a direction?

I have found this reference that could include some information:

"United States. Air Force. The Air Battle of Ploesti: Written in the Skies Over Roumania by the U.S. Fifteenth Air Force and 205 Group (RAF) Between 5 April and 19 August 1944. 941st Eng Bn, 1945. 108 p."

but I am not able to locate it near me (Denmark).

TIA, Mikkel Plannthin

[phasselgren]

You can find a little information in the official history of RAAF. You can download it from:

http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/volume.asp?conflict=2
Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 3 – Air
Volume IV – Air Power Over Europe, 1944–1945 (1st edition, 1963)
see chapter 9

Regards
Peter

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks, Peter.

Mikkel

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I have a book (by Mr Roba and Craciunoiu) about the German and Rumanian nightfighters over Rumania in 43-44.

According to this book, in August 1944 the night raids on Romania were the following:

night of 9-10 August: 50 Wellington, 23 Liberator, 8 Halifax raid Ploesti. Main target: refinery Romano-Americana. 8 Wellington, 2 Halifax and 1 Liberator were lost. The Nachtjagd claimed 4 (known) victories.

night of 10-11 August: 13 Liberator dropped mines in the Danube, no loss

night of 13-14 August: a Wellington of 150 Sqn dropped leaflets over Bucarest

night of 17-18 August: 63 Wellington, 9 Liberator, 6 Halifax sent o Ploesti. Main target: refinery Xenia. 22 bombers turned back early, 3 Wellington were lost

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks, Laurant. Mikkel