Operation Tidal Wave was an air attack by B-24D Liberators on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. The bombers flew low to avoid radar detection and dropped time delayed bombs. Out of the 177 B-24Ds that took part in the raid 167 managed to attack their targets. 57 B-24Ds were lost in total; 54 over Ploesti and 3 in the sea.

Five bomb groups were involved from the 8th and 9th Air Forces; the 44th, 93rd, 389th from the 8th and the 98th and 376th of the 9th.

Five Medals of Honor were awarded for the Ploesti raid. All five groups that took part received Presidential Unit Citations.

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-11836 'Lil De Icer'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-11767 'Shanghi Lil'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-24023 'Fertile Myrtle'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #42-40738 'The Oklahoman'.

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #42-40749 'Sack Time Sally'

Nose art of B-24D #41-11815 'Daisie Mae'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-11767 'Shanghai Lil'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-11766 'Chug A Lug'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-23656 'Rowdy Ann'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-11766 'Chug A Lug'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #42-40751 'Touch of Texas'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator 41-23778 'Lady Luck'

Nose art of B-24D Liberator 41-23811 "Fascinatin' Witch"

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #4111761 'The Squaw' 'Sleepy'

Original risqué nose art of B-24 Liberator #4111761 'The Squaw' 'Sleepy'

Nose art of B-24 42-40364 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-24105 'Tupelo Lass'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #41-24105 'Tupelo Lass'

Nose art of B-24 #4124225 'Flak Alley'

Nose art of B-24 Liberator #4240128 'Ball of Fire the III' / 'War Baby'