"AIR SEIGE" FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE RAID ON PLOIESTI WWII OPERATION TIDAL WAVE DOCUMENTARY 75212

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"Air Siege" is a 1944 short film produced by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), narrated by Ronald Reagan, describing the 15th Air Force's bombing campaign against oilfields and refineries in Ploesti, Romania during World War II. The film begins with images of American fliers who were shot down over Europe, returning to the American air base near Bari. The film then shows Operation Tidal Wave, an attack by bombers based in Libya and Southern Italy on oil refineries around Ploiești, Romania on 1 August 1943. This was a crucial target for the German war machine. The narrative highlights the efforts of the 15th Air Force, particularly in 1944, to disrupt Nazi oil production. The bombers faced intense enemy resistance, including flak, smoke screens, and constant threat from German fighters. The operation, which included several tough missions, aimed to reduce the Nazi oil supply, and over time, the bombers successfully damaged key refineries, severely limiting Germany's oil production. Despite the high cost in terms of lives lost, with over 2,300 men killed, the operation had a lasting impact on the war, weakening Hitler’s ability to wage war. The story culminates in the return of soldiers who had been prisoners of war, symbolizing the success of the mission. The relentless attacks on Ploiești marked a turning point in the war's strategic bombing campaign.

00:00 Titles 0:49: Soldiers reflect on the return of fellow airmen who had been prisoners of war, recounting the joy and surprise of seeing them again. 1:43: These returned soldiers recount the harsh conditions of being behind enemy lines, making do with limited supplies and trading for souvenirs. 2:30:The narrator describes a key moment in the 15th Air Force's operations when General Twining expresses pride in the returning soldiers, concluding the rough missions over Ploiești. 3:10: The Ploiești oil fields, crucial to the Nazi war machine, are introduced as a primary target for the 15th Air Force due to their importance in oil production. 4:09: A meeting of high-ranking officers, including General Twining, is described, where the new directive to prioritize oil refineries and synthetic oil plants is announced. 5:30: The air campaign against Ploiești begins on 5 April 1944. 6:22:The intense challenges of flying missions over hostile territory and encountering German flak and fighter planes are depicted. 7:10: The strategic importance of Ploiești, the risks involved, and the continuous battle to destroy the oil fields are described. 8:22: The bombers face tough defenses, including smoke screens and anti-aircraft fire, while the 15th Air Force develops new bombing tactics. 9:12: The 15th Air Force makes improvements in bombing methods and works with fighter escorts to clear the skies of enemy aircraft. 10:30: The focus shifts to the operations planning meetings, where new strategies to handle smoke screens are discussed, including modifications to fighter planes. 12:00: The P-38 fighters are modified to carry bombs and participate in dive bombing missions over Ploiești, adding another layer to the campaign. 13:15: Despite bad weather halting operations, both the Axis forces and the Allies continue to adjust and strategize for further attacks.14:00: Continuous bombing missions, fighter escorts, and new technologies are used to keep the pressure on Ploiești, with losses mounting on both sides.15:31: German repair crews work to fix the damage to Ploiești, while the 15th Air Force faces increasing challenges and risks during missions. 16:40: The video shifts to the final stages of the campaign, with the remaining refineries at Ploiești targeted and the Luftwaffe launching defenses. 18:00: The round-the-clock bombing campaign continues with the RAF joining the effort. The bombing intensifies as the Allies push towards victory. 19:17: The final mission over Ploiești occurs on 19 August, marking the end of the bombing campaign. 20:30: Impact of the Ploiești mission, the quieting of Nazi oil production, and the toll taken on the men who participated. The video ends with the triumphant return of the airmen and their next mission, symbolized by a view of the Statue of Liberty.

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