PloestiOn August 1, 1943, an enormous armada of America B 24 Liberator bombers roared at nearly treetop level over the peaceful farms and villages of Romania. This mission was Operation Tidal Wave. Its targetthe taproot of German might, Hitlers giant oil refineries at Ploesti. Hundreds of U. S. airmen had volunteered for the mission despite warnings that half might not return. In thirty minutes, more firepower was exchanged than in two Gettysburgs, and five