Tidal Wave

Tidal Wave examines the daring August 1, 1943, B-24 raid against the Axis oil refineries at Ploiești, Romania.

Adam Makos places the mission within the broader American effort to cripple the petroleum infrastructure sustaining Nazi Germany.

The book follows the Chattanooga Choo Choo crew, including Ernie Polson, and recounts their crash, captivity, and escape.

It also explores the Romanian princess who helped rescue the airmen and the political circumstances that later shifted Romania away from Hitler.

The narrative argues that the raid’s consequences should be understood as a campaign-level victory rather than judged solely by immediate damage or aircraft losses.