It was one of the most audacious air attacks of World War II – a low-level raid designed to cut off Hitler's fuel supply by bombing the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania.

Taking place on Sunday, August 1, 1943, Operation Tidal Wave saw five B-24 Liberator bomb groups take off from Libya and fly in complete radio silence across the Mediterranean towards their target.

In this episode, we tell the story of the mission – from conception to completion.

We delve into the tactics, get to grips with the personalities involved and look at the effectiveness of one of the most daring and ambitious raraids carried out by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF).

For photos and more information about Operation Tidal Wave, visit the episode page on the Mighty Eighth Podcast website.

With special thanks to David Pratt, Kerry Wilmot, Paul Thrower, the Woodrow family and Hardwick Airfield Museum.

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Visit the Mighty Eighth Podcast website: mighty8thpodcast.com

To contact Johann and Mike, email johann@ruralcity.co.uk

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A special bonus episode about Ops Normal – the authorised operational history of Britain's Army Air Corps by John Greenacre and Mike Peters, co-host of the Mighty Eighth Podcast.

Since its formation in 1957, the Army Air Corps has played a prominent role in almost every British Army operation in modern times.

A comprehensive operational history of the Army Air Corps experience, the book provides a unique insight into the aircraft deployed and the experiences of the men and women involved.

Covering the years 1957 to 2017, it captures the pace of change and turbulence as a small embryonic corps of aviators evolved into the fully fledged combat arm of today.

The book Ops Normal can be purchased from:

• Helion & Company (UK Publishers)
• Army Flying Museum (UK)
• Amazon

For regular listeners, further episodes of the Mighty Eighth Podcast are in the pipeline and due to be released in early 2025.

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It was a mission which started just like any other: but it ended when the B-17 Flying Fortress "Little Boy Blue" crashed into a farmer's field in Suffolk, England.

Eight of the ten air crew were killed that day – and 80 years on, we join their families in that very same field to honour their memory.

We speak to Brian Cracknell – one of the last remaining eye-witnesses of the Little Boy Blue air crash just outside the village of Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds.

We’re also joined by archaeologists who have been excavating the crash site and local farmer Stephen Honeywood to unveil a memorial to those who served.

Please like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit the Mighty Eighth Podcast website: mighty8thpodcast.com

To contact Johann and Mike, email johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Follow the Mighty Eighth Podcast on X - @mighty8thpod

Follow the Mighty Eighth Podcast on Facebook - @mighty8thpod

Follow the Mighty Eighth Podcast on Instagram - @mighty8thpod

Follow Mike on X - @mikehistorian

Follow Johann on X - @johanntasker

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