Frantic Joe: American Air Bases in Russia World War II

Publisher Marketing: ... November 1943 at the Tehran Conference, the United States presented the concept of building several airdromes for US Bombers in Russia. Once set in motion, this plan would require the building of landing fields, infrastructure and supplies to support a full airborne operation: By flying directly to US air bases in Russia for refueling, targets of greater distance from England and Italy could be reached. In addition, targets could be accessed by Soviet bombers. The plan was adopted, and over the next 7 months Operation "Frantic Joe" was developed. Operation "Frantic Joe" here describes details from the shipping of landing steel plates to the travels of essential personnel through the Middle East... Frantic's first mission began on June 2, 1943 bombing Debrecen Hungary, just 3 days before D-Day at Normandy: In requiring the enemy to engage planes and anti-aircraft, the Allies had the Germans looking in the other direction. The 8th and 15th US Task Force both flew missions to the three bases located in the Ukraine - at Poltava, Mirgorod and Piryatin. They comprised of B-17's, B-24's Bombers, and P-38 and P51 fighters. The mission was to go in strong and be well protected. The Russians provided fighter cover. Negotiations for bringing the US Air Force into Russia were intense and demanded considerable tact and movement by the leaders. Averell Harriman, US Ambassador to Russia, was instrumental in delivering the plan from inception through operations: These records are from his files located at the Library of Congress Special Collections. .