BREWERY WAGON – The First American Bomber Shot Down During Operation Tidal Wave on August 1, 1943
The B-24D Liberator Brewery Wagon flew in Operation Tidal Wave on August 1, 1943, the famous low-level raid against the oil refineries around Ploiești, Romania. Commanded by 1st Lt. John D. Palm, the aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire before being shot down by a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 at 1:08 p.m. as it approached its target. Two crew members were killed. It was the first American bomber lost during Operation Tidal Wave.
