80 | Air Battle over Ploiesti | Hardest fighter to fly in GB series |

Basic situation: 75 P-38s were flying a low-level mission from Italy to bomb the Romanian oilfields at Ploesti. Their route took them right over a Romanian base with IAR-80s. The Romanians got warning in time to climb to about 4,000 feet over their base. 26 IAR-80s dove down on the P-38s, mostly engaging one squadron of 12 P-38s with other squadrons joining the furball.’ Gordon continues: ‘In the ensuing dogfight, the Romanians claimed shooting down 24 P-38s, but that is the total P-38s lost in the entire mission, including planes lost to AA fire as they dive-bombed Ploesti and other engagements. I believe 13 P-38s were lost to the IAR-80s. American pilots claimed shooting down 12 IAR-80s (the Americans reported the enemy was Fw 190s). The Romanians admit to losing only three IAR-80s. ‘In this engagement, the Romanians had the advantages of altitude, surprise, and speed, diving on the P-38s which were cruising with loads of bombs and fuel tanks.’ Gordon concludes: ‘In real war, there are few “fair” fights. Someone always has an advantage, and luck plays a big role. This battle shows that the IAR-80 was a very worthy opponent for the P-38.’