The Richmond Ghetto Uprising occurred in 1943 when Freedom Party forces under the orders of Ferdinand Koenig attempted to empty Richmond's Colored District of all Negroes. The operation was to have been quick, quiet, and efficient. Instead, it proved to be far more than anyone had bargained for. The United States were not able to send any soldiers to assist the rebels due to the distances involved. However, numerous sorties were flown by US fighter-bombers in aid of the uprising, inflicting many casualties on the Confederate forces in Richmond.