Raid on oil refineries around Ploie ti, Romania

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

(July 28, 2023) This week, 80 years ago, the U.S. Ninth Air Force launched its first raid on the oil refineries located in, and around, Ploie ti, Romania.

At the time, the Ninth Air Force was based in Benghazi, Libya. It had been created by Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews (for whom Andrews Air Force Base is named) on Nov. 12, 1942, and placed under the command of Gen. Lewis H. Brereton.

Ploie ti, with a population of 200,000, is the 9th largest city in Romania and is located 35 miles north of the Romanian capital of Bucharest. At the time the war began, Ploie ti was about half its current size and had been the site of oil production and refining for almost 100 years.

By the time war came to Europe, four refineries were operating in Ploie ti and it was supplying a significant amount of the fuel oil and lubricants to the German war machine, with some estimates as high as 50 percent. British Prime Minister Sir Winston S. Churchill called Ploie ti, “... the taproot of German might.” Ploie ti increased its deliveries to the Reich from 2,800,000 barrels in 1938 to 13,100,000 barrels by the time of the

American attack.

On July 13, 1941, the Soviet Air Force, Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily, (VVS) sent six bombers against Ploie ti. The VVS destroyed 9,000 tons of oil and other facilities at a cost of four of the bombers. The first American bombing raid was conducted by 13 B-24s under the command of Col. Harry A. Halverson on June 12, 1942. None of these raids caused significant damage, although the VVS raid caused Hitler to order Gen. Erich von Manstein’s Eleventh Army to occupy the Crimea to prevent further Soviet air raids.

The raid on Ploie ti was code named “Operation Tidal Wave” and was planned by Col. Jacob E. Smart, under the command of Gen. Uzal G. Ent. The raid would total 178 B-24 Liberator bombers crewed by 1,751 airmen led by Gen. Ent. From Benghazi, they would cross the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, the Pindus Mountains in Albania, Yugoslavia, and enter Romania and turn east toward Ploie ti. It would be the largest, and the longest, American air raid, up to that time. The distance there and back was 2,000 miles.

The B-24 Liberator was the most produced American warplane — ever.

It had a maximum speed of 290 mph and a cruising speed of 215 mph. The Liberator was crewed by 11 and protected by 10 .50 caliber Browning M2 machine-guns in four turrets and two waist guns. Each gun was capable of firing 850 rounds per minute.

Defending the refineries at Ploie ti was the Luftwaffe, under the command of Gen. Alfred Gerstenberg, and the Royal Romanian Air Force, For ele Aeriene Regale ale României (FARR), commanded by Gen. Constantin Cel reanu. The Luftwaffe had 52 BF109 fighters and BF-110 Night Fighters.

FARR was equipped with the 109 and its own IAR-80. The defenses at Ploie ti were manned by 25,000 soldiers and airmen. There had been no aerial reconnaissance by the Americans, so little was known of its defenses, although they included several hundred large caliber anti-aircraft guns and many small caliber guns.

Early on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 1, the planes, organized into five groups, began taking off. Thirteen planes failed to reach the target. The two lead groups made a navigational error and headed toward Bucharest. The remaining three groups realized the error and continued on course. But now the two groups which were supposed to attack first would be attacking last.

The element of surprise was lost long before the Americans arrived over target, because the Germans had broken their code. Although this was to be a daylight raid, in order to avoid detection by the enemy radar, the American planes would come in dangerously low, at 200 feet, exposing them to danger from explosions.

Even though significant damage was done to some of the refineries, with the “help” of 10,000 slave laborers, it was quickly repaired. The bottom line was that there was, “... no significant curtailment of overall product output,” as assessed by the Ger- mans.

And still, the surviving bombers had to return to Benghazi — or somewhere. Further, it was not just the Luftwaffe and the FARR with which the Americans had to contend. Waiting for them on the return home was the Royal Bulgarian Air Force. Bulgaria’s only ace, Stoyan Stoyanov, notched his first victory — The Witch, piloted by Julian Darlington, who survived, along with all of his crew — on that return.

And the final tally? Only 88 Liberators returned to Libya, of which 55 were damaged. Casualties were: 310 dead; 108 captured; and 78 interned in Turkey. It was the only strategic air raid in which more of the attackers were killed than people on the ground.

Five Medals of Honor were awarded — the most for any single air action in history. The five recipients were Col. John R. Kane, Col. Leon W. Johnson, Lt. Col. Addison Baker, Maj. John L. Jerstad and 2nd Lt. Lloyd H. Hughes. The last three were awarded posthumously.

All participants were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. From Berlin, German radio propagandist, “Axis Sally,” said it all, “Good show, Brereton —but you lost too many!”

Ploie ti would not be attacked again until April 5, 1944 when the Fifteenth Air Force targeted it for extinction. It would be attacked 24 more times culminating in four 1,000-plane raids on Aug. 10, 17, 18 and 19, 1944. By the time the Red Army occupied it, at the end of August 1944, Ploie ti had ceased production. The cost had been 305 bombers and 3,000 airmen.

Next week: PT-109

Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@gmail.com

James Bentley Adcock

Delmarva

Heaven must have wanted a little more color and joy because on July 19, 2023, at age 75, renowned local artist and benefactor Jim Adcock passed peacefully over, in the arms of his loving wife.

Jim was born and raised in Dundalk, the youngest child and only son of Bentley and Florence (née Reckline) Adcock.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Adcock; sisters Betty Pyfer and Rose Adcock; brother-in-law Darel Patrick; daughter Jessica Dziemburski (Robert); son Jason; stepdaughters Amy Brennan Ohringer (Ron) and Nikkole McClure; and grandchildren Makenna and Kara Dziemburski, Alice and Derek Ohringer, and Bohdi McClure.

He was also a dear father figure to nieces Marilyn Wellington (Mark), Amber Burgess (Randy), and Trina McDonald. He had too many other relatives to name, but was especially close to his cousin, Delana Wisnauskas, of Ocean Pines.

Jim said he could not remember a time when he didn’t want to be an artist. Though he had the brains and heart to conquer any discipline, he had scores of stories about the trouble he got into in school because he didn’t care about learning anything but art.

The prestigious Maryland Institute College of Art apparently agreed, enthusiastically accepting him as a student and ultimately awarding him a degree in art education, which he used initially to teach art to middle schoolers in the Baltimore school system.

By then married with a young family, he left teaching, partly to make more money and because he felt he wasn’t having much of an impact on the kids. If only he had known then how many working artists today credit “Mr. Adcock” for fueling their passion for self-expression and imbuing them with the confidence to be true to their own visions.

Before moving to Delmarva in the 1990s, Jim worked as a commercial artist, a liquor distributor, and a railroad brakeman, a job that provided him with enough amazing stories he was frequently urged to write a book, though he couldn’t put down his paint brushes long enough to do it.

Jim found his true home and career in Delmarva, a place he adored, with people he made it his business to know and befriend.

Jim was a local icon. He left a huge catalog of artwork celebrating the people, landscapes, architecture, and attractions in the area.

Countless local residents commissioned him to paint their homes, pets, or favorite locations. Jim was always moved to see how happy people were when they came to vacation in the area. He made it his mission to paint the things that would remind folks of the memories they made here.

In addition to painting, Jim had many passions.

He and his former wife, Edie Brennan, a well-known and accomplished real estate broker, helped to begin the Wines in the Pines club, where he could share his encyclopedic knowledge of and appreciation for good wines.

Edie also used his love of theater to wheedle him into performing with and designing sets for the Ocean Pines Players, a tactic also successfully employed by his current wife, Karen.

Jim loved music and it was always playing in the studio. He was an avid reader and moviegoer, and Sunday could not begin until he finished the New York Times crossword puzzle.

After moving to Delmarva, Jim held several jobs before working full time as a painter.

While working in publishing, he decided Ocean Pines deserved a better newspaper, so he created the Ocean Pines Gazette.

The paper grew quickly and in 2004, Jim sold it to Flag Publications, which renamed it the Bayside Gazette. From then until his death, Jim published a humorous editorial cartoon in the Gazette every week that won him an entirely new set of fans.

Jim’s greatest talent of all was as a human, a mensch. He was a gentle giant, whose empathy and compas-

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Continued from Page 63 sion knew no bounds. He adored his family and loved nothing more than spending time with them, especially the little ones.

He was the truest of friends and was unfailingly gracious, generous, and kind to acquaintances and strangers alike. No matter what was going on inside him at a given time, the people he was with saw only attention, patience, and caring.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The Art League of Ocean City, of which Jim was an enthusiastic member and contributor, is working with the family to establish an annual scholarship in Jim’s name. To support the cause, donations in his name can be sent to the Art League of Ocean City.

Though he rarely mentioned it, Jim was a proud member of the

Monacan Indian Nation and a generous supporter of their efforts on behalf of Native American welfare. Those who wish to remember Jim in this way can donate to the tribe at Monacan Indian Nation, 111 Highview Drive, Madison Heights, VA 24572.

Jim chose to be cremated.

There will be Celebration of Life at Community Church of Ocean Pines on Sept. 23, details to be announced later.

Letters of condolence can be sent to the family at burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home.

DOLORES SEES STRAWBRIDGE

Berlin

Dolores Sees Strawbridge, 95, of Berlin, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born on Jan. 18, 1928, in Camden, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Charles Sees and Anna Louise Pyle Sees.

She attended Marion College of Virginia, earning a degree in liberal arts in 1947, and subsequently worked in Baltimore and Sykesville before retiring to Melbourne, Florida, in 1975.

Following the death of her husband in 1987, she returned to Sykesville in 2006 and moved to Berlin in 2020 to be near family.

She is survived by sons Robert, of Ocean City, and Carl Strawbridge of York Beach, Maine; brother Raymond Sees of Roseburg, Oregon; grandchildren Patrick, of North Yarmouth, Maine, Kevin of Lee, New Hampshire, Dean of Ocean City, Raymond of Virginia Beach, and John of Sykesville; and great-grandchildren, Don, Nora, Henry and William.

She was a steadfast friend, a loving mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, and resilient in meeting the challenges of life over nine decades.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Neilson Strawbridge, and daughters Kristen Greene and Laura Jeffries.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date.

She was a long-term supporter of Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church in Eldersberg.

Letters of condolence can be sent to the family at burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in care of The Burbage Funeral Home in

Berlin.

JOSEPHINE (JO ANN) LORDEN ELDER Ocean City

Josephine (Jo Ann) Lorden Elder, 70, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, surrounded by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Bob, of 42 years; and their son, Patrick his wife, Amanda of Arlington, Virginia. Also surviving are stepchildren Jeffrey and his wife Vivian of Indian Head, Maryland, Vickie of Punta Gorda, Florida, Robbie and his wife Jackie, of Coltons Point, Maryland, Lisa of Front Royal, Virginia, and Melanie of Hagerstown.

There are six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was born in Baltimore to Harry and Catherine Lorden, on Sept. 26, 1952, and leaves behind brothers Greg and his wife Kimberly of Littleton, Colorado, and Patrick and his wife Fran of Baltimore; and sisters Gerry Gilroy of Millsboro, Delaware, and Theresa Caputy and her husband Vincent of Vienna, Virginia.

She was predeceased in death by her brother, Michael.

There are many nieces and nephews.

She graduated from St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown in 1970 and began working for the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) until she married Bob in 1981. They moved to Ocean City in April of 1983 where they started and operated E&L Appliance Services, Inc. for 30 years.

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Mail: 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Fax: 410-723-6511

Jo was an integral part of Ravens Roost 44, where she met and made many life-long friends, and a devoted fan of the Baltimore Orioles. She was also a member of the Ocean City Elks Ladies Auxiliary where she spent many enjoyable hours.

Jo loved the holidays and parties to celebrate them and wishes no tears from her family and friends. Instead, celebrate Christmas, St. Pat’s Day, the Fourth of July, and all special occasions with love and lots of laughter.

Her body was donated to the Maryland Anatomical Society. A celebration of life will be celebrated at a later date.

Donations may be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Coastal Hospital, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 218021733.

Berlin

Lacie Marie Elza, 33, of Berlin, passed away on July 3, 2023.

Lacie was born on Oct. 25, 1989. After Lacie graduated from Dundalk High School in 2007, she pursued higher education, ultimately leading her to find her true passion. Lacie worked for Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, but she would tell you she worked for the patients. Lacie dedicated her time, and more importantly, her heart, to countless amounts of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) patients, and she was overjoyed to do so.

When Lacie was not devoting her time working, she loved watching Spanish television, listening to standup comedy, sunbathing on a beach, and spending quality time with family.

Lacie was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Beverly Dowell; maternal grandfather, Earl Elza; and paternal grandfather, R.L. Price.

Lacie is survived by her mother, Barbara Elza; father, Timothy Price; and stepfather, Anthony Dacre. She is also survived by her siblings, Sierra Dacre, Mason Price, Anthony Dacre II, and Michael Dacre. Lacie had two nephews and a niece, Julian Dacre, Dakota Dacre, and Giada Dacre. Lacie also leaves behind her best friend, Ashleigh Vergara-Hurt, husband Tim Hurt, and their children, who Lacie was a godmother to. Lacie’s godchildren include Jadyn, Ethyn, Evelyn and Adalyn.

Lacie is also survived by her paternal uncle, Earl Comegys; paternal aunt, Barb Comegys; maternal aunt, Susan Howell; paternal aunt, Linda Price; paternal uncle, Dan Price; and paternal grandmother, Mary K. Price.

Funeral services were privately held, but a celebration of life to remember Lacie will be held, Saturday,

Sept. 23, 2023, on the beach, at the Inlet in Ocean City. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. The celebration is open to anyone and everyone who wishes to honor Lacie.

While flowers are appreciated and more than welcome, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association, or the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, as Lacie would have desired.

ROBERT WILLIAM JACKSON JR.

Ocean City

Robert William Jackson, Jr., 63, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Salisbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Havre de Grace, he was the son of the late Robert William Jackson Sr. and Mary Louise Etien Jackson.

Robert W. Jackson Jr., or as many affectionately knew him as Bobby, sadly passed away at the age of 63 on July 17. Bob was born on Nov. 13, 1959, at Harford Memorial Hospital to Mary and Robert Jackson.

He grew up in Perry Point, Maryland, attended Perryville high school, graduated in the class of 1978 and attended Cecil Community College. In the summer months Bob made his way to Ocean City, working various jobs, until he found his second home at the 13th Street parking lot.

Bob never had any children of his own, but he had the parking lot guys who he treated like his kids. Anyone who worked for him will tell you that he wasn’t like any other boss. Bob would treat you like family.

Family was very important to Bobby, he was a brother to three sisters, Suzanne, Lisa and Michelle (Shelly); an uncle to two, Jordan and Adrienne; and a great-uncle to three, Landon, Logan and Liam.

There is simply not enough ink to print out the seemingly never-ending list of friends Bob gathered over the years, so instead there will be two celebrations of life for Bobby where all can gather to swap stories and laugh as he would have wanted. Dates and locations for the gatherings are still to be announced.

Cremation followed his death.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bob’s favorite charity, Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family at burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

JOHN “JACK” J. HUGHES Bishopville

John “Jack” J. Hughes, 82, of Bishopville, passed away at home on

Thursday, July 20, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Jack was a native of Columbia and Washington, D.C. He was the son of Gerald Kelly Hughes and Eunice Earley Hughes.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Constance “Tinsel” Wolf Hughes; and three daughters: Colleen Hughes (Mark Lewis) of Columbia, and their children Jack and Maggie; Bridget Hughes (Barbara Bickart) of Maplewood, New Jersey and their children Charlie and Constance “Tess;” and Shannon Hughes (David Bennett) of Brooklyn, New York and their child Madeline.

He is also survived by his nephew Sean Hughes (Julie) and his niece Megan Kruezburg (Brad), the children of his brother, the late Gerald K. Hughes, Jr. (Dorothy).

Relatives and friends may call at Blessed Sacrament Church, 5949 Western Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015 from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1, with a funeral mass to follow at 11 am. Private Interment.

In lieu of flowers or planting a tree, memorial contributions may be made to CASA-GAL at nationalcasagal.org/

Condolences may be sent by visiting bishophastingsfh.com.

$1,445.

Good weather, large turnout for 19th Kid’s Classic

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(July 28, 2023) The Ocean City Marlin Club’s 19th annual Kid’s Classic fishing tournament included a total of 283 junior anglers 19 years old and younger, and 73 registered boats weighing in a plethora of different species and unusual catches.

There were about a third more boats for this year’s tournament compared to last year, said Dale Withers, longtime co-chairman of the Classic.

Withers believes the club may have set a record for number of participants in the Kid’s Classic, and he credited good weather for drawing the young anglers.

“All these little kids when they come up and get their awards, these medallions … it’s just a good time for families,” Withers said.

Participants had the option of fishing by boat or by shore, and weighins were at Sunset Marina in West Ocean City. All anglers received awards for participation, and those with the top-three heaviest fish in each category, or the most caughtand-released billfish, earned additional awards.

19th annual OCMC Kid’s Classic results:

• White marlin release:

Reel Chaos, three, 1:38 p.m.; Max Bet, three, 1:55 p.m.; Kilo Charlie, two, 2:15 p.m.

(If there is a tie in how many billfish are caught, the boat that releases its catches first wins.)

• Yellowfin tuna:

Absolute Pleasure, 58.5 pounds; Game Over, 47 pounds; Still Lucky, 46 pounds

• Dolphin (mahi):

Bet Sea, 23 pounds; Wigg One, 20 pounds; Absolute Pleasure and Lit Up, 17.5 pounds (tie)

• Bluefish:

Delicious and Partnership, 2.5 pounds (tie); Lit Up, 1.5 pounds

• Seabass: Marli, 8 pounds; Alternating Current, 7 pounds; Fish Bound, 6.5 pounds

• Croaker: Partnership, 2 pounds and 1 pound

• Flounder: Fish Bound, 15 pounds; Four Eights and Double Trouble, 10.5 pounds (tie); Tighten Up, 9 pounds

• Wahoo: Piper Blunt and Lit Up, 17.5 pounds (tie)

• Spot:

Partnership, 2 pounds; Partnership, Joy Stick, Ivy Sea, Riled Up, Miss Mary, Get Sum, Hurricane, 4 Reels and Alternating Current, 1.5 pounds (nine-way tie); Delicious and JEB, 1 pound (tie)

(Anglers are allowed to weigh-in up to five croaker or spot.)

• Spanish Mackerel: Grande Pez and Partnership, 5 pounds (tie); Skeets, Allen Crew, Spring Mix II and Knot Woke, 4.5 pounds (four-way tie); Skipjack, 4 pounds

• King Mackerel:

Mahki, two at 15.5 pounds each; Spring Mix II, 14 pounds; Mahki, 13 pounds

• Golden Tile: Marli, 26 pounds and 24.5 pounds; Buckshot II, 13 pounds

• Blueline Tile: Still Lucky, 17.5 pounds; Amanda Mayhem, 17 pounds; Buckshot II, 13 pounds

• Unusual Catches:

Knot Woke, NOAA weather balloon, Big Joe bean bag chair; Partnership, puffer fish

The tournament again benefitted the Wish-A-Fish Foundation, an organization based in Maryland and Virginia that hosts fishing events for special needs children and their families.

On Friday, Wish-A-Fish hosted its own tournament for affected children and families, and the OCMC paid for the charter boats for participants to use in the event.

The Wish-A-Fish event drew 79 participants, six of which were joining in for the first time, said Renee Lessman, operations manager, social marketing administrator and events coordinator for the OCMC.

Wish-A-Fish held a banquet for the event’s participants at the OCMC clubhouse on Saturday.

Kid’s Classic registrants donated a total of $3,045 to the Wish-A-Fish Foundation.

The club held the Kid’s Classic award banquet and carnival under the clubhouse on Sunday, where there were bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, cotton candy machines and snow cones for the kids.

Withers estimated about 300 people attended Sunday night.