B-24 42-40402 The Sandman 345th BS 98th BGOperation TIDAL WAVE. B24D Liberators attack the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. The bombers flew low to avoid radar detection and dropped time delayed bombs. Out of the 177 B24Ds that took part in the raid 167 managed to attack their targets. 57 B24Ds were lost in total; 54 over Ploesti and 3 in the sea.Crew of "The Sandman" on the Ploesti raid: 1st Lt. Robert W. Sternfels - Pilot, 2nd Lt. Barney Jackson - CoPilot 2nd Lt. Anthony W. Flesch - Navigator, 2nd Lt. David A. Polaschek - Bombadier T/Sgt. William W. Stout - Flight Engineer/Gunner, T/Sgt. Frank Just - Radio Operator/Gunner Sgt. Raymond E. Stewart - Gunner, Sgt. Harry Rifkin - Waist Gunner Sgt. Merle B. Bowen - Waist Gunner, S/Sgt. John T. Weston - Ball Turret Tail Gunner (WIA - 2nd degree burns on lower right leg)
