Bombing of Romania in World War II

The bombing of Romania in World War II comprised two series of events: until August 1944, Allied operations, and, following the overthrow of Ion Antonescu's dictatorship, operations by Nazi Germany.

The primary target of Allied operations was Ploiești, the major site of Romania's oil industry. The largest refinery there—Astra Română—processed 2,000,000 short tons (1,800,000 t) of petroleum a year, providing much of the fuel for the German military.

Other attacks were against Bucharest, the country's capital.

The first airstrikes against Romania occurred after Romania joined the Nazis in June 1941 during their invasion of the Soviet Union. In the following two months, Soviet Air Forces conducted several attacks against the King Carol I Bridge, destroying one of its spans and damaging an oil pipeline; see Zveno project. However, after the successful Axis powers' Crimean Campaign and overall deterioration of the Soviet position, Soviet attacks against Romania ceased.

The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) first dropped bombs on Romania on 12 June 1942 during the HALPRO (Halverson project) raid against Ploiești (the first U.S. mission against a European target). Thirteen B-24 Liberator heavy bombers under the command of Col. Harry A. Halverson from Fayid, Egypt dropped eight bombs into the Black Sea, two onto Constanţa, six onto Ploieşti, six onto Teișani, and several onto Ciofliceni. In all, three people were killed and damage was minor.

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