Richard R. Ganczak

On May 31, 1944, during one of the most intense bombing raids of World War II, waves of Consolidated B-24 Liberators from the 15th U.S. Army Air Force soared over the Concordia Vega oil refinery in Ploiești, Romania. Undeterred by the flak bursting around them, these bombers delivered a decisive blow to the Axis oil supply chain. The photograph captures the moment just after the bomb loads were released, with towering pillars of black smoke rising from the devastated storage tanks and oil installations below. This image, taken by Richard R. Ganczak, a radio operator and bombardier who flew 70 combat missions, stands as a testament to the bravery and strategic impact of the Allied air campaign against Nazi Germany’s critical resources.

This photograph is part of the Library of Congress collection (Digital ID: cph.3b43591) and has been featured in various publications, including Life magazine. Its historical significance and striking composition have earned it recognition as a featured picture on Wikipedia. .