The Forgotten 500

The Untold Story of the Men

Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II
Gregory A. Freean
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - We'll Get Them Out
Chapter 2 - Abandon Ship!
Chapter 3 - Counting ara!hutes
Chapter " - Ameri!ans#i$
Chapter % - &ong 'ourne( to Some)here
Chapter * - +s!aping ,ugosla-ia
Chapter . - assports/ lease
Chapter 0 - 1an of the ,ear
Chapter 2 - Abandoned All(
Chapter 13 - S!re) the 4ritish
Chapter 11 - Goats' 1il# and 5a( 4read
Chapter 12 - An All-Ameri!an Team
Chapter 13 - SOS 666 Waiting for 7es!ue
Chapter 1" - Sure to 4e a 7ough &anding
Chapter 1% - 7ed6 7ed6 7ed6
Chapter 1* - Going 5ome Shoeless
Chapter 1. - Gales of the World
Chapter 10 - Se!rets and &ies
+pilogue
artial &ist of Airmen 7es!ued in Operation 5al(ard
8otes
A!#no)ledgments
4ibliograph(
9nde:
Conta!t the Author
A!S" #$ GR%G"R$ A. FR%%MA&
&a( This 4od( ;o)n< The 1221 1urders of +le-en lantation Sla-es
Sailors to the +nd< The ;eadl( =ire on the >SS =orrestal
and the 5eroes Who =ought 9t
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The forgotten %33< the untold stor( of the men )ho ris#ed all for the greatest res!ue mission of World
War 99 E
Gregor( A6 =reeman6
p6 !m6
e9S48 < 2.0-1-131-3323"-3
16 Operation 5al(ard/ 12""6 26 World War/ 1232-12"%-Sear!h and res!ue operations-,ugosla-ia6
36 World War/ 1232-12"%-Aerial operations/ Ameri!an6 "6 Airmen->nited States-4iograph(6
%6 +s!apes-,ugosla-ia6 96 Title6
;0136S"%,0" 233.
2"36%"'212.1-d!22 233.3322%3
Without limiting the rights under !op(right reser-ed abo-e/ no part of this publi!ation ma( be
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?ele!troni!/ me!hani!al/ photo!op(ing/ re!ording/ or other)ise@/ )ithout the prior )ritten permission of
both the !op(right o)ner and the abo-e publisher of this boo#6
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http<EEus6penguingroup6!om
=or 8i!holas
A sense of dut( pursues us e-er6 9t is omnipresent/ li#e the ;eit(6 9f )e ta#e to oursel-es
the )ings of the morning/ and d)ell in the uttermost parts of the sea/ dut( performed or
dut( -iolated is still )ith us/ for our happiness or our miser(6 9f )e sa( the dar#ness
shall !o-er us/ in the dar#ness as in the light our obligations are (et )ith us6
-;aniel Webster
Argument on the 1urder of Captain White/
A79& */ 10336 AO&6 A96/ 6 13%6
9ntrodu!tion
One of the last untold stories of World War 99 is also one of the greatest6 9t's a stor( of
ad-enture/ daring/ danger/ and heroi!s follo)ed b( a )eb of !onspira!(/ lies/ and !o-er-
up6
The stor( of Operation 5al(ard/ the res!ue of %12 Allied airmen trapped behind enem(
lines/ is one of the greatest res!ue and es!ape stories e-er/ but almost no one has heard
about it6 And that is b( design6 The >6S6/ 4ritish/ and ,ugosla- go-ernments hid details
of this stor( for de!ades/ purposefull( den(ing !redit to the heroi! res!uers and the
foreign all( )ho ga-e his life to help Allied airmen as the( )ere hunted do)n b( 8aFis
in the hills of ,ugosla-ia6
Operation 5al(ard )as the largest res!ue e-er of do)ned Ameri!an airmen and one of
the largest su!h operations in the )ar or sin!e6 5undreds of >6S6 airmen )ere res!ued/
along )ith some from other !ountries/ right under the noses of the Germans and mostl(
in broad da(light6 The mission )as a !omplete su!!ess/ the #ind that should ha-e been
trumpeted in ne)sreels and published on the front page of the ne)spapers6 4ut it )asn't6
9t is a little-#no)n episode that started )ith one edge-of-(our-seat res!ue in August
12""/ follo)ed b( a series of additional res!ues o-er se-eral months6 Ameri!an agents
from the Offi!e of Strategi! Ser-i!es ?OSS@/ the pre!ursor of the C9A/ )or#ed )ith a
Serbian guerilla/ General ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h/ to !arr( out the huge/ ultrase!ret res!ue
mission6
These are the tales of (oung airmen shot do)n in the hills of ,ugosla-ia during bombing
runs and the four se!ret agents )ho !ondu!ted their amaFing res!ue6 These are the
stories of (oung men-man( of them first-generation Ameri!ans/ the proud/ patrioti! sons
of +uropean immigrants-)ho )ere eager to Goin the )ar and fight the Germans/ e-en
finding e:!itement in the often deadl( trips from 9tal( to bomb German oil fields in
7omania/ but )ho found themsel-es para!huting out of !rippled planes and into the
arms of strange/ rough-loo#ing -illagers in a !ountr( the( #ne) nothing about6 The(
soon found that the lo!al Serbs )ere )illing to sa!rifi!e their o)n li-es to #eep the
do)ned airmen out of German hands/ but the( still )ondered if an(one )as !oming for
them or if the( )ould spend the rest of the )ar hiding from German patrols and barel(
sur-i-ing on goats' mil# and bread ba#ed )ith ha( to ma#e it more filling6
When the OSS in 9tal( heard of the stranded airmen/ the agents began to plan an
elaborate and pre-iousl( unheard-of res!ue-the Ameri!ans )ould send in a fleet of C-".
!argo planes to land in the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ behind enem( lines/ to plu!# out
hundreds of airmen6 9t )as auda!ious and ris#( be(ond belief/ but there )as no other
)a( to get those bo(s out of German territor(6 The list of !hallenges and potential
problems seemed ne-er ending< The airmen had to e-ade !apture until the res!ue !ould
be organiFedH the( had to build an airstrip large enough for C-".s )ithout an( tools and
)ithout the Germans finding outH then the planes had to ma#e it in and out )ithout being
shot do)n6
The setting for this dramati! !hapter in histor( is a region that/ for modern-da(
Ameri!ans/ has be!ome s(non(mous )ith brutal !i-il )ar/ se!tarian -iolen!e/ and
atro!ities !arried out in the name of ethni! !leansing-an impression that/ though it ma(
ignore the region's ri!h !ultural histor(/ is not ina!!urate6 Serbia !o-ers the !entral part
of the 4al#an eninsula/ also #no)n as the 4al#ans/ a region in southern +urope
separated from 9tal( b( the Adriati! Sea6 Serbia borders 5ungar( to the northH 7omania
and 4ulgaria to the eastH Albania and the 7epubli! of 1a!edonia to the southH and
1ontenegro/ Croatia/ and 4osnia and 5erFego-ina to the )est6
Throughout histor( the area has been neighbor to great empires/ a pro:imit( that
!ontributed to a ri!h mi:ture of ethni!ities and !ultures/ but also to a long histor(
dominated b( )ars and !lashes bet)een ri-al groups of the same !ountr(6 The fra!tious
nature of the region e-en led to the term D4al#aniFationD or D4al#aniFingD as a
shorthand for splintering into ri-al politi!al entities/ usuall( through -iolen!e6 The )ord
D4al#anD itself is !ommonl( used to impl( religious strife and !i-il )ar6
The former ,ugosla-ia is a region seemingl( in a !onstant state of flu:6 ;uring World
War 99/ Serbia )as part of the Iingdom of ,ugosla-ia/ )hi!h then be!ame the So!ialist
=ederal 7epubli! of ,ugosla-ia in 12"%6 9n 1222 the !ountr( )as renamed the =ederal
7epubli! of ,ugosla-ia/ then the State >nion of Serbia and 1ontenegro from 2333 to
233*6 When 1ontenegro -oted independen!e from the State >nion/ Serbia offi!iall(
pro!laimed its independen!e on 'une %/ 233*6
Serbian borders and regions are determined largel( b( natural formations/ in!luding the
Carpathian 1ountains and the 4al#an 1ountains/ )hi!h !reate the mountainous region
that formed a hurdle for !rippled Ameri!an bombers tr(ing to return to their bases in
9tal(/ but )hi!h also sheltered do)ned fliers from the German patrols hunting them6
=rom the 121" assassination of Ar!hdu#e =ranF =erdinand of Austria at SaraGe-o/ )hi!h
set off World War 9/ to the 8aFi o!!upation in World War 99/ the region )as in the !enter
of global !onfli!ts )hile !ontending )ith its o)n internal strife6 The former ,ugosla-ia
is a mi: of different ethni! and religious groups/ in!luding Serbs/ Croats/ 1uslims/ and
Slo- -enes6 Throughout histor(/ an!ient and re!ent/ most of the fighting in the region has
been a struggle among these groups for the !ontrol of territor(6 After World War 99/ the
4osnian 1uslims )ere strong supporters of Communist leader 'osip 4roF Tito/ partl(
be!ause he )as su!!essful at #eeping the ethni! groups pea!eful-Gust as 9talian di!tator
4enito 1ussolini made the trains run on time6 Serbs )ere the most populous ethni!
group in the former ,ugosla-ia/ )ith a national identit( rooted in the Serbian Orthodo:
Chur!h6
After World War 9/ the Serb monar!h( dominated the ne) nation of ,ugosla-ia6 ;uring
World War 99/ hundreds of thousands of Serbs/ 'e)s/ and G(psies )ere #illed b( Croat
=as!ists/ !alled >stashe/ and b( Germans6 Some 1uslims fought for the 8aFis/ )hile
man( other 1uslims and Croats fought for the artisans led b( Tito6 Serbs supported the
e:iled ro(al go-ernment6
These age-old hatreds and ethni! disputes erupted in 1222 to !ause the bloodiest fighting
on +uropean soil sin!e World War 996 1ore than t)o hundred thousand people/ most of
them !i-ilians/ )ere #illed and millions more )ere left homeless6 As the fighting raged
and the )orld learned of atro!ities !ommitted against !i-ilian populations simpl( for
being of the )rong ethni! ba!#ground/ +uropean nations responded )ith numerous
pea!e proposals that produ!ed no pea!e6 Then the >nited States moderated pea!e tal#s at
Wright-atterson Air =or!e 4ase near ;a(ton/ Ohio6 The tal#s led to a 8o-ember 21/
122%/ pea!e a!!ord that relied on si:t( thousand 8ATO troops to stop the #illing6
The 4osnian )ar of the 1223s )as parti!ularl( -i!ious6 While Serbs are generall(
!onsidered the aggressors in the 4osnian !onfli!t of the 1223s/ there also are legitimate
!harges that Croats and 1uslims operated prison !amps and !ommitted )ar !rimes6
Some !riti!s a!!used former 4osnian president AliGa 9Fetbego-i! of loo#ing the other
)a( )hile his 1uslim soldiers !ommitted )ar !rimes in retaliation against Serb atta!#s6
1an( Serbs a!#no)ledge the )ell-do!umented atro!ities !ommitted b( 4osnian Serb
militia against 1uslim and Croat !i-ilians/ but the( also argue that Serb !i-ilians )ere
the -i!tims of similar !rimes and that the Western media !o-erage )as s#e)ed b( a bias
in fa-or of the 1uslim and Croat sides6
The ;a(ton a!!ord did not !ompletel( end the -iolen!e in the region6 4et)een 1220 and
1222/ !ontinued !lashes in Ioso-o/ a pro-in!e in southern Serbia/ bet)een Serbian and
,ugosla- se!urit( for!es and the Ioso-o &iberation Arm( prompted a 8ATO aerial
bombardment that lasted for se-ent(-eight da(s6 The pea!e among Serbs/ Croats/ and
1uslims in the area of the former ,ugosla-ia still is a fragile one6
Ameri!an fliers )ho para!huted out of their bombers o-er ,ugosla-ia in World War 99
had little idea of the !omple:/ troubled histor( of the !ountr( in )hi!h the( )ere about
to land/ or of the international disputes in )hi!h the( )ere about to be!ome entangled6
The( sought refuge and a )a( ba!# home/ and the( )ere humbled b( the outpouring of
support from the poor Serb -illagers )ho ris#ed their o)n li-es to help the Ameri!ans
drifting do)n out of the s#(6
As the )orld !ame to #no) onl( the modern-da( -iolen!e of the 4osnian )ars/ there
)as a small band of men )ho #ne) that the people in that distant !ountr( had on!e done
a great ser-i!e to the Ameri!an people and to man( (oung men )ho )ere s!ared/ tired/
and hungr(6 The( held on to that stor( and told e-er(one the( #ne)/ (et the stor( slo)l(
died )ith the forgotten %336
Onl( a handful of the res!ued airmen and OSS agents are still ali-e to tell the stories/
their health and memories fading fast6 4ut the( insist that the )orld #no) the truth of
)hat happened in ,ugosla-ia in 12""/ in!luding the series of almost unbelie-able
!oin!iden!es and near misses-e-er(thing from an improbable meeting )ith a top 8aFi
offi!er's )ife to a herd of !o)s that sho) up at Gust the right moment-that made their
res!ue possible6
The( ne-er forgot/ and the( refuse to let the stor( die )ith them6
Chapter 1
We'll Get Them Out
,ugosla-ia/ August 12""
This -illage seemed Gust li#e e-er( other -illage Clare 1usgro-e had been through in the
last four da(s/ simple stone and that!h houses )ith minimal furnishings and e-en less
food/ o!!upied b( people )ho )el!omed him e-en though he had no idea )ho the( )ere
or )hat the( intended to do )ith him6 The smo#e of a long-smoldering firepla!e mi:ed
)ith the earth( aroma of )et ha( and li-esto!#/ the same pungent smells that permeated
e-er( one of these -illages6 =ollo)ing the gesture of his armed es!ort/ he entered the
small house and loo#ed ner-ousl( around/ tr(ing to assess )hat might happen6 =or all he
#ne)/ this )as itH this )as )here the( )ere bringing him6 Was it some sort of safe house
)here he !ould hide from the Germans )ithout running all the time$ 5e had )ondered
that at e-er( -illage )here he and the other Ameri!an airmen stopped in the past da(s/
but ea!h one turned out to be Gust a )a(point on a Gourne( to 6 6 6 some)here6 1usgro-e
and the other bomber !re)men had no idea )here the( )ere being ta#en b( these lo!al
es!orts )ith guns6 5ell/ the( )eren't e-en sure the( )ere being ta#en an()here6 As far
as he !ould tell/ the( )ere Gust being passed around from one -illage to the ne:t in
sear!h of a fe) bits of goat !heese and s!raps of bread so stale that 1usgro-e thought he
might be better off eating his shoes6
The( had no idea )hat fate a)aited them/ but the( )ere fairl( !onfident that the(
)ouldn't be turned o-er to the Germans6 Though the Ameri!ans and the lo!al Serb
people !ouldn't !ommuni!ate in an(thing but gestures and fa!ial e:pressions/ the airmen
got the idea that these s)arth( people )ere on their side6 The )omen had nursed their
)ounds and fed them as best the( !ould/ and the men had pro-ided prote!tion from the
8aFi patrols that )ere al)a(s on the loo#out for Allied airmen )hose planes !rashed
before the( !ould get ba!# to safe territor(6
Though it seemed these lo!als )ere trust)orth(/ 1usgro-e still )as apprehensi-e6 The
bomber !re)s had been )arned that some of the ,ugosla- people )ere 8aFi
s(mpathiFers and might turn them o-er to the Germans )ho had o!!upied their !ountr(
sin!e 12"16 9n fa!t/ the('d been )arned that the people in this area )ould !ut off the
do)ned airmen's ears and then turn the men o-er to the Germans6 4ut the burl( men
es!orting the Ameri!ans seemed friendl( enough6 Then again/ the( )ere the ones )ith
the rifles6 Could the( be ta#ing 1usgro-e and the others some)here else before handing
them o-er$ ossibl( to a German unit that offered re)ards for Ameri!an airmen$ 9t
didn't seem li#el(/ but 1usgro-e !ouldn't help )orr(ing that this !urious trip )ould not
end )ell6 5e )as at the mer!( of people he !ouldn't understand/ and the( )ere mo-ing
him around from one pla!e to another instead of Gust letting the Ameri!ans hide out6
1usgro-e also )ondered if an(one )as loo#ing for them6 5e hoped he and the other
do)ned airmen hadn't been forgotten/ left for dead in 8aFi territor(6
1usgro-e had been on this m(sterious Gourne( for four da(s/ sin!e bailing out of his 4-
2" bomber o-er northern ,ugosla-ia/ behind enem( lines6 5is eighth mission-to bomb
the oil fields of loesti/ 7omania/ a !riti!al sour!e of fuel for the German )ar ma!hine-
turned out to be his last6 All in all/ 1usgro-e felt lu!#( to be ali-e and )ithout serious
inGuries/ unli#e some of the Ameri!ans in his group6 One of the men bro#e his leg badl(
on landing in his para!hute/ and e-er( time he grima!ed in pain during the all-da( hi#es
1usgro-e )as grateful that all he !ould !omplain about )as hunger/ the o!!asional
thirst/ and being tired6 Ino)ing ho) narro)l( he had es!aped his !rippled bomber/
1usgro-e )as happ( to be )al#ing around an()here instead of dead in the )re!#age6
And )ith all the German patrols in this area/ he )as also glad that he !ould )al# along
)ithout a German sho-ing the muFFle of his rifle in his ba!#6 1usgro-e had gotten out
of the bomber so late/ Gust before it !rashed into the mountains of ,ugosla-ia/ that he
had be!ome separated from the other nine !re) members/ )hose earlier e:it put them
do)n a fe) miles before him6 5e suspe!ted the( had made it to the ground o#a(/ but he
)orried that the( had been !aptured b( Germans6 9t )ould be a long time before he
found out his )orries )ere Gustified and he )as the onl( one of his !re) not ta#en
prisoner right a)a(6 Getting trapped in his ball turret and the agoniFing minutes it too#
to e:tri!ate himself )hile e-er(one else bailed out of the rapidl( des!ending bomber/ as
terrif(ing as that )as/ turned out to be the sa-ing gra!e for 1usgro-e6 5e )asn't in the
!lear/ of !ourse/ and he )as Goining the hundreds of other airmen )ho es!aped their
planes and !apture b( the 8aFis onl( to find themsel-es in limbo/ unsure of )hat )ould
!ome ne:t6
9t )as getting dar# )hen 1usgro-e entered the home )ith three other Ameri!ans/ the
group ha-ing been split up among se-eral houses in the -illage6 A rather robust )oman/
ob-iousl( the )ife and mother/ gestured for them to sit at the rough-he)n and )ell-)orn
)ooden table and then she started putting out some meager food rations for them-the
same goat !heese/ hard bread/ and bits of rotting potatoes that the( had seen in other
-illages6 Though the( )ere ra-enous/ the men tried not to rush as the( ate6 The( #ne)
alread( that it )as a hardship for these people to feed them and that their meal probabl(
meant the !ouple/ ma(be e-en some !hildren/ )ould not eat tonight6 The( tried to eat
)ith some de!orum out of respe!t for the famil('s generosit(/ smiling and nodding
than#s to the )oman as she sat and )at!hed6
'ust as 1usgro-e )as !ho#ing do)n a last bit of dr( bread/ the door opened and a man
entered/ sa(ing something to the )oman/ )ho responded and then stood up/ lea-ing the
room to the men6 1usgro-e and the other Ameri!ans nodded to the man as he entered
and hung up his hat on a )ooden peg/ but the( didn't sa( an(thing6 The( had gotten out
of the habit of spea#ing to the lo!als in the past fe) da(s be!ause no one !ould
understand them6 The man sat at the table )ith them and smiled in return as a !ouple of
the Ameri!ans nodded and smiled a gesture of than#s for the food/ lifting a pie!e of
bread or a !up of mil#6
D,ou are Ameri!an$D he as#ed6
The Ameri!ans )ere stunned/ and thrilled6 The( loo#ed at one another and then ba!# at
the onl( ,ugosla- the( had met )ho !ould spea# +nglish6
D,es/ (es/ )e're Ameri!an/D all three of them said together6
The man introdu!ed himself/ but the name )as a mash of !onsonants and -o)els that the
Ameri!ans !ould not !at!h6 5e as#ed if the men needed more food/ but 1usgro-e and
the other t)o men #ne) better than to sa( (es6 Though the( )ere still hungr(/ the( !ould
not as# this man to spare more of )hat little food he might ha-e for his o)n famil(6
9n all their e:!itement to find someone )ho spo#e +nglish/ the Ameri!ans )ere
momentaril( dumbfounded about )hat to sa(6 The man a!ross the table spo#e instead6
D9 am prin!ipal of s!hool/D he said6 D9 stud( +nglish6D
DA prin!ipal/ oh/ o#a(/D 1usgro-e said/ nodding his head6 After a pause/ he !ontinued6
D,our +nglish is -er( good6D 5e spo#e slo)l( in !ase the man's +nglish a!tuall( )asn't
so good6 DWhere are )e$D
The man responded )ith something in ,ugosla- that/ li#e his name/ sounded li#e a
Gumble of !onsonants and -o)els to the men6 4esides/ the( )eren't reall( !on!erned
)ith the name of the -illage6 The( )anted to #no) )hat )ould happen to them6
One of the other Ameri!ans spo#e up6 DAre )e sta(ing here$ ;id the( bring us to (ou
be!ause (ou spea# +nglish$D
D8o/D the man said/ D(ou go to other pla!e6 ,ou go to pla!e )ith more Ameri!ans6 The(
help (ou6D
1usgro-e loo#ed at the other Ameri!ans/ puFFled6 5e turned ba!# to the man6
DThe('re ta#ing us to Allied territor($ A!ross the border$D he as#ed6 The Ameri!ans
#ne) that )as unli#el(6 5o) !ould a bun!h of hungr(/ inGured/ unarmed airmen get
a!ross the border and out of enem( territor($
D8o/ no6 ,ou go to pla!e )here more Ameri!ans6 5ere/ ,ugosla-ia6D
1usgro-e )as still unsure )hat he meant6 D,ou mean the('re putting us all in one pla!e$
We're meeting up )ith more Ameri!an airmen$D
D,es/ (es/ more li#e (ou6 ,ou go there6 1ore Ameri!ans6 ,ou go there6D
1usgro-e loo#ed at the other t)o airmen and all three slo)l( !ra!#ed smiles6 There )as
a point to all this hi#ing from one -illage to another/ after all6 4ut the( still didn't #no)
e:a!tl( )here DthereD )as/ ho) long it )ould ta#e/ or )hat )ould happen )hen the( got
there6 All efforts to pr( more information out of the prin!ipal resulted onl( in him
smiling and shrugging his shoulders to indi!ate that )as the e:tent of )hat he !ould
!on-e( in +nglish6 D,ou go there6 1ore Ameri!ansD )as the most he !ould e:plain6
Well/ an(thing )as better than Gust )andering li#e this/ the( thought6 &et's hope there's a
plan on!e )e get there6 Where-er there is6
The -illagers helping 1usgro-e and the other Ameri!ans get to their destination )ere
ris#ing their li-es6 9f !aught helping the do)ned Ameri!an airmen/ the( )ould be #illed
Gust as the Germans had alread( #illed thousands for resisting the 8aFi in-asion6 German
troops had been -i!ious )hen the( o-ertoo# the !ountr( in 12"1/ brutaliFing an(one
seen as resisting the in-asion and bombing the !ountr( into submission -irtuall(
o-ernight6
9n 12"" the !ountr( )as firml( !ontrolled b( German(6 4ut as soon as the 8aFi bombs
had begun to fall three (ears earlier/ those )ho had resisted the German in-asion from
the start had begun to fight ba!#6 The Germans ma( ha-e rolled into ,ugosla-ia )ith
little diffi!ult(/ but the ,ugosla- people )ould not let them sta( )ithout a fight6
These poor people in the ,ugosla-ian !ountr(side )ere resisting in e-er( )a( possible/
from a!ts of sabotage and the o!!asional 8aFi soldier )ho ne-er returned from a -isit to
the hills to aiding e-er( Ameri!an airman the( !ould find6
After another )ee# of )al#ing through the ,ugosla- !ountr(side/ sleeping in )hate-er
-illage the( !ould find or !urled up in the bushes off the side of the road/ 1usgro-e and
the band of Ameri!ans )ere follo)ing their t)o armed es!orts up (et another dirt road
)hen the( sa) someone on horseba!# up ahead6 The( loo#ed to the ,ugosla- es!orts for
a rea!tion/ read( to di-e into the brush off the road)a( and hide out until it )as safe
again/ but the es!orts )ere not !on!erned to see someone ahead and #ept )al#ing6 The
Ameri!ans assumed that the man on horseba!# )as not German and might be someone
the es!orts #ne)/ ma(be an offi!er in their resistan!e6 The group trudged along slo)l(6
The fello) on horseba!# seemed to be )aiting for them/ and 1usgro-e gre) more
!urious as the( mo-ed !loser6 1a(be this gu( !an spea# some +nglish/ he thought6 Sure
)ould be good to find out )here )e are and )here )e're going6
As the( !ame !loser/ 1usgro-e !ould see that the man on horseba!# seemed to be a
lo!al/ a bra)n( gu( )ith a bush( beard/ similar to man( of the other men the( had
en!ountered along the )a(6 The Ameri!ans loo#ed to their es!orts e:pe!tantl(/ thin#ing
the( )ould sa( something to the man/ but instead the( Gust stopped )hen the group
approa!hed him6 Then the man on horseba!# spo#e and on!e again 1usgro-e )as
pleasantl( surprised to hear +nglish6
D5i/ bo(s/D the man said in a deep -oi!e/ using perfe!t +nglish6 DWel!ome to ranGane6D
9t sounded li#e pran-(an-a(6
The Ameri!ans didn't #no) )hat to ma#e of this6 The man loo#ed ,ugosla- but spo#e
!lear +nglish/ and 6 6 6 )as that a 8e) ,or# a!!ent$
The rider )as George 1usulin/ a spe!ial agent )ith the OSS-the elite group of spies and
!o-ert operati-es that )ould later be!ome the C9A-)ho had been dropped behind enem(
lines to help the do)ned airmen6 5e and his team had been on the ground for a fe)
)ee#s alread(/ about as long as 1usgro-e/ and the( had ne)s for the tired and hungr(
Ameri!ans6
D,ou made it6 ,ou're here/D he said6 5e loo#ed do)n at the Ameri!ans as if he e:pe!ted
them to be happ( )ith that/ but 1usgro-e and his !ompanions still didn't #no) )here
DhereD )as6
DWhere are )e$D he as#ed6 DWhat are )e going to do here$D
9t )as then that 1usulin realiFed the ne) arri-als hadn't been !lued in (et6 Some of the
airmen arri-ing in ranGane found out along the )a( about the plan/ and others li#e this
group sho)ed up )ith no #no)ledge at all6
DWe're going to get (ou out of here/ bo(s/D 1usulin said/ a smile sho)ing through his
bush( bla!# beard6 DThere's going to be a res!ue6 There are alread( about t)o hundred
Ameri!ans here6 The('-e been assembling sin!e 'anuar(6D
A res!ue! =inall( some good ne)s6 1usgro-e and the other airmen reGoi!ed/ finding the
energ( to raise their arms and shout/ !lapping their ,ugosla- es!orts on the ba!# and
hugging one another6 The( )ould be res!ued! The( !ould go home!
4ut ho)$
DC-".s/D 1usulin said/ referring to the )or#horse !argo planes that e-er( airman #ne)
)ell6 DThe('re going to land in a field right o-er there6D 1usulin gestured off in the
distan!e6 DWe'-e been )or#ing on a big plan that )ill get (ou bo(s out of here before
long6 Gotta build a landing strip/ though6D
And )ith that/ 1usulin turned his horse and trotted off6
1usgro-e and the others stood there in the road/ Go(ous but a little puFFled too6 To be
sure the( understood/ one of their ,ugosla- es!orts raised his flat hand and mo-ed it
along li#e an airplane/ ma#ing a buFFing sound6 1usgro-e and the other t)o Ameri!ans
nodded at him6 The( understood the plan6
4ut it sounded a little !raF( to them6 4uild a landing strip$ The( !ertainl( )anted to be
res!ued/ but ho) !ould planes land in this mountainous region )here the( !ouldn't e-en
)al# do)n a !ountr( road )ithout du!#ing into the bushes e-er( time a -ehi!le passed/
hoping the( )ouldn't be found b( the Germans$
The same Juestions )ere going through the mind of George AuGno-i!h/ the OSS !ontrol
agent in 4ari/ 9tal(/ )ith responsibilit( for sending se!ret agents on missions throughout
mu!h of +urope/ in!luding ,ugosla-ia6 When AuGno-i!h heard that there )ere Ameri!an
fliers )aiting for help in ,ugosla-ia/ he #ne) the( had to !ome up )ith a plan to get
them out6 5e also #ne) right a)a( that this )ould be no ordinar( res!ue6
Could the( reall( pull this off$ Could the( go right into German territor( and snat!h
these men out of harm's )a($ 5e had dis!ussed the ris#s at length )ith 1usulin before
sending him behind enem( lines/ but e-en )ith 1usulin on the ground in ,ugosla-ia the
Juestions remained6
9t )as more than his Gob duties that moti-ated AuGno-i!h6 5e )as dri-en b( his o)n
memories of being trapped behind enem( lines in ,ugosla-ia a fe) (ears earlierH he felt
a #indred spirit )ith the Ameri!ans stranded in the !ountr( )here his parents had gro)n
up6 The ittsburgh nati-e )as attending !ollege in ,ugosla-ia )hen his studies-and his
fledgling relationship )ith a beautiful lo!al girl-)ere interrupted b( the rapidl(
ad-an!ing German arm(6 T)o (ears of running from the 8aFis/ tr(ing to find a )a( out
of ,ugosla-ia and ba!# to freedom/ ga-e him a real appre!iation for )hat these (oung
airmen )ere going through6 AuGno-i!h )as determined to get them out of their limbo6
Could he ma#e it happen$ 9t hadn't been too diffi!ult to send in 1usulin and the rest of
his team/ but getting more than a hundred airmen out )as a totall( different matter6 The
plan/ )hi!h the 4ritish )ere fighting -igorousl(/ )as to send in C-". !argo planes to
pi!# up the do)ned airmen and )his# them ba!# to 9tal(6 That )as the plan< 'ust send in
planes to pi!# them up6 Allied planes fle) o-er ,ugosla-ia all the time on the )a( to
bomb targets in German territor(/ so it )asn't farfet!hed to thin# that one !ould drop
do)n and pi!# up a fe) airmen6 9t sounded simple until AuGno-i!h started tr(ing to )or#
out the details6 Alread( 1usulin's team had radioed ba!# that there )ere far more airmen
to res!ue than the one hundred and fift( that the('d e:pe!ted )hen the( para!huted in to
!oordinate the pi!#up6 1usulin's last message had informed AuGno-i!h that there )ere at
least t)o hundred men there alread(/ and more )ere !oming in e-er( da(/ sometimes a
doFen or more at a time6
That meant the mission )as gro)ing e:ponentiall( harder e-er( da(/ AuGno-i!h
realiFed6 9t )as not simpl( a matter of sending in a fe) planes to s)oop do)n and
snat!h the men in a hurr(H res!uing that man( airmen )ould reJuire a series of planes
landing one after another6 1ore planes meant more of a spe!ta!le for the Germans to
noti!e and mu!h more time )hen the planes and the airmen )ould be eas( targets for
German fighters or ground troops6 And the more he thought about it/ the more AuGno-i!h
)orried that sending in an( planes/ e-en one/ to this area )as e:tremel( ris#(6 5e #ne)
the area )as rugged and mountainous/ )ith no airstrip nearb(/ and not e-en a !lear field
that !ould ser-e as a run)a( in a pin!h6 That )as )h( all the bomber !re)s bailed out
)hen their planes )ere d(ing in this areaH there )as no)here to e-en attempt a !rash
landing6 The best the( !ould hope for )as to Gump out and hang under a para!hute as
the( )at!hed the plane !rash into a mountainside6
8o) AuGno-i!h )as tr(ing to organiFe not Gust one but a )hole series of !argo planes to
land in that rugged !ountr(side/ right under the Germans' noses6 9t )as an auda!ious
plan/ and some in the offi!e )eren't sh( about telling AuGno-i!h that it )as more than
that/ that it )as Gust plain !raF(6 4ut AuGno-i!h #ept thin#ing about all the (oung men
trapped in 8aFi territor(/ struggling to get through another da( )ithout being !aptured
and hoping that someone )as )or#ing on a )a( to get them out6 5e !ould identif( )ith
them6 5e !ould remember the !old terror that gripped his )hole bod( as he held his
breath and hoped a German patrol )ould pass b( the (oung Ameri!an and the girl he
lo-ed/ the desperation of )anting to Gust get out of danger/ to Gust get o-er the border/ to
get ba!# home6
We'll ha-e to ma#e it )or#6 We'll get them out6
Chapter 2
Abandon Ship!
Clare 1usgro-e ended up in ,ugosla-ia in the same )a( hundreds of other Allied
airmen had in the fe) (ears before him and as man( more )ould after him< 5e !limbed
into a bomber in 9tal(/ fle) into 8aFi territor( to bomb !riti!al oil refineries and other
targets/ and ne-er made it ba!# to the safet( of his home base6 +-er( time a fleet of
bombers )ent out/ some )ere hea-il( damaged b( German defenses and either )ent
do)n immediatel( or limped ba!# to)ard 9tal(/ tr(ing to ma#e it as far as the( !ould6
4( 12"" do)ned Ameri!an airmen )ere piling up Jui!#l( in ,ugosla-ia as bombing
raids on 8aFi targets/ espe!iall( the oil refineries of loesti/ 7omania/ resulted in man(
planes ma#ing it onl( that far on their return Gourne( before the !re)s had to bail out and
tr( to sur-i-e behind enem( lines6 The Juest to destro( loesti )ould lea-e hundreds of
airmen stranded in the hills of ,ugosla-ia6
To get to 7omania/ the Allied bomber !re)s had to fl( )est)ard/ usuall( from bases in
the re!entl( liberated 9tal(/ a!ross the Adriati! Sea/ then a!ross ,ugosla-ia to their
targets in 7omania6 Then the( had to get ba!# again/ often limping home )ith planes
and !re) inGured from the intense fighting at the target site6 7omania )as a top target
be!ause it represented one of the )est)ard strongholds of the German militar(/ and
parti!ularl( be!ause it )as the maGor sour!e of fuel for the German )ar ma!hine6 The
!ountr( )as smaller than the state of Oregon and had little !han!e of resisting the
Germans/ though it too# a shot at sta(ing neutral6 5itler/ of !ourse/ sa) pleas for
neutralit( as a sign of )ea#ness and rolled into the !ountr(6
7omania )as in an untenable situation/ per!hed bet)een German ad-an!es in oland
and 5ungar( and So-iet ad-an!es from the >#raine6 9n 'une 12"1 7omania offi!iall(
Goined the A:is/ primaril( in hopes of regaining some pro-in!es that it had pre-iousl(
been for!ed to gi-e up6 Though 7omania had fought German( in the first World War/ the
!ountr( allied itself )ith the 8aFis stri!tl( as a desperate measure for self-preser-ation6
7omania's pa!t )ith the de-il )ould be !ostl(/ ho)e-er6 9t )as no surprise that on!e the
!ountr( Goined the German rampage a!ross +urope/ 4ritain de!lared )ar on 7omania on
;e!ember %/ 12"16
On 'une %/ 12"2/ the >nited States e:tended its de!laration of )ar on German( and 9tal(
to in!lude 7omania/ 5ungar(/ and 4ulgaria6 4efore long/ the same resour!e that had
made 7omania so desirable to the German )ar ma!hine-massi-e oil fields and high-
!apa!it( refineries-made it a prime target for the Allies6 Ameri!an bomber !re)s )ho
had barel( heard of 7omania months before soon learned all about a 7omanian !it(
!alled loesti/ an oil boom !it( in the plains belo) the Trans(l-anian Alps in northern
7omania and thirt(-fi-e miles north of 4u!harest/ the national !apital6 loesti )as a
massi-e !omple: !onsisting of se-en maGor refineries/ storage tan#s/ and related
stru!tures !o-ering nineteen sJuare miles6
Oil refining had been big business in loesti sin!e 10%./ )hi!h means the !it( )as one
of the first to build ri!hes on the resour!e that )ould dominate the )orld's e!onom(
)ithin de!ades6 4( 12"2 the refineries at loesti )ere produ!ing nearl( a million tons of
oil a month/ a!!ounting for "3 per!ent of 7omania's total e:ports6 1ost of that oil/ as
)ell as the highest-Jualit( 23-o!tane a-iation fuel in +urope/ )ent to the A:is )ar
effort6 loesti/ a prosperous but other)ise little-#no)n !it( in a Juiet !ountr( before the
)ar/ suddenl( be!ame a !entral !omponent of the 8aFi militar(/ #e( to e-er(thing 5itler
)anted to a!!omplish6 The refineries of loesti pro-ided nearl( a third of the petroleum
produ!ts that fueled 5itler's tan#s/ battleships/ submarines/ and air!raft6
The Allies had to put loesti out of the oil refining business and the( )ere )illing to ris#
as man( li-es as ne!essar( to do it6 The Germans )ere Gust as determined to prote!t this
-ital suppl( of oil/ and the( installed an astonishing arra( of antiair!raft guns all around
the refineries for miles and miles6 Some of the best German fighter pilots )ere stationed
at airfields around loesti/ )ith orders to prote!t the refineries from Allied bombers6
loesti )as the first target in +urope bombed b( Ameri!an air!raft6 1an( more atta!#s
)ould follo) the first6
The honor of hitting loesti first )ent to Colonel 5arr( A6 5al-erson in 1a( 12"26 5e
led t)ent(-three fa!tor(-fresh 4-2" bombers from =lorida on a Gourne( to bomb To#(o
in a follo)-up to the ;oolittle 7aid/ the daring assault on the 'apanese homeland that
)as !arried out as retribution for the atta!# on earl 5arbor6 4ut )hen the bombers
rea!hed +g(pt/ 5al-erson and his !re)s )ere informed that the( had a ne) destination<
loesti6 The planes too# off for their ne) target on the e-ening of 'une 11/ arri-ing o-er
the target at da)n the follo)ing da(6 The mission )as a su!!ess< Ten of the bombers hit
the Astra refiner( at loesti/ one 4-2" atta!#ed the port area of Constanta/ and the
remaining t)o 4-2"s stru!# unidentified targets6 ;amage to the planes )as minimal6
The first bombing run !aused substantial damage/ but it )as !lear to the Allies that man(
more (oung men )ould ha-e to ris# their li-es to #eep the refineries off-line6 4ombing
runs !ontinued/ and then in August 12"3 the Allies laun!hed Operation Tidal Wa-e/
intended as an all-out effort against loesti6 >nli#e pre-ious atta!#s that had been made
from thousands of feet in the air/ Operation Tidal Wa-e !alled for stri#ing the oil fields
at -er( lo) le-els-treetop le-el sometimes/ so lo) that the e:ploding bombs and oil fires
a!tuall( threatened the planes6 And then/ of !ourse/ there )as the problem of a 4-2"
bomber ma#ing a -er( big/ -er( eas( target at that altitude6
The e:treme ris# reJuired that the plan be appro-ed all the )a( up the !hain of
!ommand/ )ith e-en resident =ran#lin ;6 7oose-elt agoniFing o-er )hether the need
to #no!# out loesti Gustified the e:treme ris# to the air!re)s6 5e de!ided that it did/ and
the bomber !re)s )ere gi-en terrif(ing orders6
The in!reased danger !alled for more than the usual mission preparation6 The lo)-le-el
raids on loesti )ere pra!ti!ed on a full-s!ale repli!a of loesti built in the desert6 The
!re)s had to perfe!t their na-igation s#ills and fl( in stri!t radio silen!e if there )as an(
hope of rea!hing their target )ithout being shot do)n6 Getting ba!# home )as e-en
tougher/ and more of an afterthought in the training6
One hundred and se-ent(-se-en 4-2"s too# off in Operation Tidal Wa-e on August 1/
12"3/ a huge )a-e of bombers that filled the s#( but ne-ertheless intended to snea# into
loesti6 The e:tensi-e planning did not ensure su!!ess6 Things )ent badl( right from the
start/ as one 4-2" !rashed on ta#eoff6 The stri!t radio silen!e !aused the bomber groups
to be!ame separated on the long flight a!ross the Adriati!/ and then )hen the planes
neared Corfu/ Gree!e/ the lead air!raft-the one !arr(ing the route na-igator that )as to
lead the )hole group into loesti-suddenl( do-e into the )ater for no apparent reason6
Another plane/ this one !arr(ing the ba!#up route na-igator/ !ir!led do)n to !he!# for
sur-i-ors but lost so mu!h time doing so that it !ouldn't !at!h up )ith the formation6 So
it turned ba!# to base/ lea-ing the lead bomber group )ith no e:pert na-igators to lead it
on this e:tremel( dangerous lo)-le-el approa!h to loesti6
The planes !ontinued on an()a(/ the importan!e of their mission ha-ing been drilled
into them6 The( met thi!# !loud !o-er as the( approa!hed the mountains around loesti/
and the -arious bomber groups ma#ing up the o-erall atta!# !hose different paths
through the !louds6 The t)o lead bomber groups !arefull( made their )a( through or
under the !louds/ )hile the three other groups !limbed o-er them6 The high-fl(ing
bombers too# a )hile to get ba!# do)n and b( then the( )ere half an hour behind the
others6 The !arefull( !horeographed mission )as falling apart6
As the( approa!hed loesti/ the !re)s )ere loo#ing for )a(points to mar# their path/
espe!iall( other to)ns the( !ould re!ogniFe from the air6 One of the bomber grouKte for
=loreKti/ an error that )ent undis!o-ered until it led them to the outs#irts of 4u!harest/
)a( off target6 At that point/ the !re)s realiFed there )as little hope of !arr(ing out the
atta!# the( had pra!ti!ed for so long6 The( bro#e radio silen!e and turned north to atta!#
the !omple: of refineries in loesti as best the( !ould6 5it an(thing (ou !an/ the( told
one another6 'ust find a target and drop (our bombs6
German fighters atta!#ed the bombers/ )hi!h did their best to pi!# out high--alue
targets and bomb them at -er( lo) altitude/ as planned6 The fighters pursued the
bombers as the( left loesti/ shooting do)n fift(-four planes/ ea!h )ith a !re) of ten or
t)el-e men6 Another fift(-three planes )ere hea-il( damaged6 Though re!onnaissan!e
flights !onfirmed that the damage to loesti )as signifi!ant/ it )as a !ostl( -i!tor(6
Allied bombers )ould !ontinue hitting loesti o-er and o-er again until August 12/
12""6
+-er( bomber that left from an Allied base to bomb loesti !arried up to a doFen (oung
men li#e Clare 1usgro-e6 Some of them )ould die before the( e-er rea!hed their target/
man( )ould die as the( rea!hed the target and met )ithering antiair!raft fire and atta!#s
from German fighter planes/ and others )ould ma#e it through the )orst of the fighting
onl( to find themsel-es in a !rippled/ rapidl( d(ing airplane that )ould not ma#e it ba!#
to base6 The bombing runs )ere al)a(s harro)ing and -iolent/ )ith e-er( su!!essful
return seeming li#e a triumph o-er fate6
1usgro-e )as t(pi!al of the bomber !re)s that fle) these !riti!al missions/ )ondering
ea!h time he !limbed into the plane if he )ould ma#e it ba!# ali-e6 Gro)ing up in
5erse(/ 1i!higan/ a small !ommunit( north of Grand 7apids/ 1usgro-e ne-er imagined
he )ould be fl(ing missions that )ere so important to the Allied )ar effort and that
!ould #ill him e-er( time6 One of four !hildren/ 1usgro-e had spent mu!h of his
!hildhood helping his grandparents on their small/ t)ent(-fi-e-!o) dair( farm and
graduated from high s!hool in 123.6 5e then )ent to a lo!al !ommunit( !ollege and
spent four (ears tea!hing in rural s!hools/ )hi!h he enGo(ed but #ne) he )ould not
ma#e his life's )or#6 9nstead/ 1usgro-e loo#ed to the militar( for a better !areer/ one
that might offer more ad-enture than he sa) in !entral 1i!higan6 When the 'apanese
atta!#ed earl 5arbor/ 1usgro-e #ne) his path )as !lear6
Ameri!a had been at )ar in +urope for about si: months in 12"2 )hen/ at age t)ent(-
t)o/ 1usgro-e -olunteered for the air for!e be!ause he )anted to fl(6 1ost of his
former !lassmates and most of his friends )ere -olunteering also6 +-er(one )anted to
fl( be!ause it )as the glamorous )a( to ser-e in the militar(6 The re!ruiting posters
sho)ed handsome (oung men in flight suits and leather !aps/ heading off for grand es!a
pades that outshone an(thing in a s!hooltea!her's life/ so that )as the !hoi!e for
1usgro-e6 >nfortunatel(/ 1usgro-e ran into the same road-blo!# that st(mied man(
(oung men's aspirations for flight6 5e !ouldn't pass the e(e test6 1usgro-e's less-than-
perfe!t depth per!eption meant the go-ernment )asn't going to put him in the pilot's
seat/ but he(/ there are plent( of other seats on those big bombers/ the air for!e pointed
out6
1usgro-e !ould still fl( if he found another position/ so he !onsidered na-igator/ radio
operator/ and engineer6 4ut the one that sounded best )as aerial gunner6 The air for!e
obliged and transferred him from Shepherd =ield/ near Wi!hita =alls/ Te:as/ )here he
had undergone basi! training/ to &aredo/ Te:as/ on 7io Grande 7i-er at the border )ith
1e:i!o6 This )as the site of the air for!e's first aerial gunner s!hool/ and 1usgro-e
e:!elled at his )or# so mu!h that he )as tapped to sta( on as an instru!tor in ho) to use
the ball turret gun on a 4-2" bomber6 5a-ing alread( gotten his fill of tea!hing before
Goining the ser-i!e/ 1usgro-e taught for a (ear before be!oming restless as he )at!hed
other/ less e:perien!ed men/ go off to )ar6 5e lobbied for an assignment to a!ti-e dut(
and the air for!e relented/ sending him o-erseas to the =ifteenth Air =or!e stationed in
9tal(6
1usgro-e still didn't lea-e his tea!hing role/ ho)e-er6 The air for!e assigned him to be
the instru!tor for ball turret gunners )ith the =ifteenth Air =or!e/ reinfor!ing )hat the
ne)l( arri-ing !re) members had been taught Stateside and helping them hone their
s#ills for life-or-death missions o-er +urope6 And there )ere al)a(s plent( of ne)
re!ruits to bring up to speed6 +-er( time a plane )ent off on a bombing mission and
!ame ba!# loaded )ith dead and d(ing !re)men )ho lost their fight )ith a storm of
shrapnel/ or )hen a plane ne-er returned at all/ that meant more (oung men had to be
brought in as repla!ements6 1usgro-e sta(ed bus( tea!hing the ne) ball turret gunners
ho) to prote!t their bombers and ho) to sta( ali-e6 8either )as an eas( tas# for
someone hanging in a le:iglas sphere from the bell( of a bomber6
8obod( reall( )anted to be in a ball turret6 This le:iglas ball hanging from the bottom
of the bomber )as one of Ameri!a's latest inno-ations in )arfare6 An ingenious pie!e of
ma!hiner( built b( the Sperr( Corporation/ the ball turret )as a hea-il( armed bubble
Gust big enough to hold a gro)n man-but onl( one on the small side6 9t had room for the
gunner and its t)o fift(-!aliber ma!hine guns-and little else6 The e:tremel( !ramped
Juarters meant that the gunner )as the onl( !re) member on a bomber )ho did not
)ear a para!hute during the mission6 5is )as left sitting up in the main part of the plane/
)here he )ould ha-e to go get it and put it on before es!aping )ith the rest of the !re)6
1usgro-e al)a(s told his students< DSto) (our !hute )here (ou !an find it in a hurr(6
,ou )on't ha-e mu!h time6D
The ball turret )as not a pla!e for the !laustrophobi!6 9t )as a tin( spa!e/ though it had a
great -ie) of the s!ener( belo)-or the fighter planes !oming up to #ill (ou6 The entire
unit rotated around in a !ir!le and also up and do)n/ so that the gunner !ould fire on
planes !oming from an( dire!tion6 4eing suspended underneath the plane ga-e the
gunner a sensation of fl(ing free/ and that often meant that the atta!#ing fighters seemed
to be going after him personall( rather than tr(ing to shoot do)n the bomber itself6
+-er(one on the plane )as riding an adrenaline surge during a fighter atta!#/ but none
more so than the ball turret gunner )ho )as furiousl( firing his fift(-!aliber ma!hine
guns at the German plane tr(ing to #ill him in his little glass bubble6
The ball turret gunner sat !urled up in a fetal position/ s)i-eling the entire turret as he
aimed the t)o guns6 As he mo-ed the turret Jui!#l( to find atta!#ing planes and then
follo) them )ith his guns/ the gunner !ould be in an( position from l(ing on his ba!# to
standing on his feet6 The gunner sat bet)een the guns/ his feet in stirrups positioned on
either side of a thirteen-in!h-diameter )indo) in front/ his #nees up around his ears and
-er( little room for mo-ing an(thing but his hands6 5is flight suit pro-ided the onl(
padding for !omfort6
An opti!al gunsight hung in front of his fa!e/ and a pedal under his left foot adGusted a
reti!ule on the gunsight glass6 When the target )as framed in the sight/ the gunner #ne)
the range )as !orre!t and he let fl( )ith the ma!hine guns/ pushing do)n on the t)o
firing buttons lo!ated on the )ooden handles that also !ontrolled the mo-ement of the
ball6 Shell !asings )ere eGe!ted through a port Gust belo) the gun barrel/ pouring out as
fast as the beads of s)eat on the gunner's fa!e6
The plane !arried t)o hundred fift( rounds of ammunition per gun for the ball turret/ fed
do)n from bo:es mounted on either side of the hoist6 The ball turret in the 4-2"/ )hi!h
1usgro-e fle)/ )as ele!tri!all( raised and lo)ered/ unli#e those in the 4-1. bombers/
)hi!h had to be manuall( !ran#ed up into the fuselage6 1usgro-e thought this )as a
great impro-ement o-er the 4-1. design/ be!ause no one )anted to be trapped in a ball
turret6 There )as no )a( to e:it the turret )ithout raising it into the fuselage of the
plane/ so a turret that !ould not be retra!ted )as a deathtrap for the gunner6 An( s(stem
that made it faster and easier to retra!t the turret )as )el!omed b( the gunners6 The(
had all heard the stories of ball turret gunners )ho )ere trapped in their glass bubbles
)hen battle damage pre-ented them being retra!ted into the fuselage6 8ot onl( )as the
gunner left out there )ith no prote!tion/ probabl( )ith his guns empt( or inoperable/ but
he also fa!ed the prospe!t of the big plane landing )ith him hanging from the bell(6
9t )as e-er( ball turret gunner's nightmare/ and it be!ame a horrif(ing realit( for some6
9f the gunner )as alread( dead in the turret and it !ould not be retra!ted into the plane/
the !re) sometimes )ould Gettison the )hole apparatus be!ause the plane )as not
designed to land )ith the ball turret hanging underneath6 4ut if the gunner )as ali-e/
the( )ould ha-e to tell him that the( had no !hoi!e but to put the plane do)n e-entuall(6
The ball turret gunner had a long time to !ontemplate his fate/ ma(be to sa( good-b(e on
the inter!om to his !re)mates/ as the damaged plane limped ba!# to base or loo#ed for a
field in )hi!h to !rash6 All he !ould do )as sit in the glass bubble li#e a helpless fetus in
the )omb/ )at!hing the ground !ome up !loser and !loser6
When the plane landed/ the ball turret )as s!raped off the bell(/ ta#ing the gunner )ith
it6
1usgro-e #ne) the ris#s/ and he had heard all the terrible stories about ho) ball turret
gunners died6 4ut he )anted to fl( missions/ not Gust tea!h others ho) to ris# their o)n
li-es6 5is superiors agreed to let him fl( missions as long as his main priorit( remained
tea!hing the ne) !re) members )ho )ere streaming in all the time6 That meant
1usgro-e !ouldn't be teamed up )ith one flight !re) that al)a(s )ent out on missions
together/ as most of the !re) members did6 9nstead/ he )ould rotate through the different
flight !re)s to fill in for ball turret gunners )ho )ere out of a!tion that da( or )hose
repla!ements had not (et been assigned6
1usgro-e ne-er #ne) )hen he )as going to fl( and )hen he )as going to sta( at the
base and )at!h the planes lea-e on their bombing missions6 &ess than t)o )ee#s sh( of
his t)ent(-fifth birthda(/ he had been on eight missions alread(-bombing po)er plants
and railroad Gun!tions and parti!ipating in the in-asion of southern =ran!e-and he had
seen a fair share of hea-(-dut( !ombat from his position in the ball turret6 5e )as
sleeping soundl( )hen/ on the morning of 'ul( 20/ 12""/ an offi!er !ame to his bun#
and )o#e him up mu!h earlier than he had planned6
DGet read( to fl(6 4e at the briefing b( 3"33/D the offi!er said/ pausing onl( briefl( to
ma#e sure 1usgro-e )as a)a#e and then turning to lea-e6 When 1usgro-e made his
)a( to the briefing )ith a doFen other blear(-e(ed men/ he found out that he )as fl(ing
on a mission to loesti6 The briefing offi!er e:plained that a number of bombers )ould
be fl(ing dire!tl( o-er the main produ!tion areas of the loesti oil fields6
D9t's a -er( hot target area/ )ell prote!ted b( the Germans/D the offi!er e:plained6 DThis
target's been hit almost dail( for about ten da(s/ and )e're tr(ing to eliminate this last
energ( sour!e for the Germans6 The('re desperate to prote!t it/ so (ou !an e:pe!t a lot of
resistan!e6 4ut (ou're the best damn bomber !re)s in the air for!e/ so the('-e got a real
fight !oming!D
;espite the somber )arning about ho) tough the mission )ould be/ the (oung airmen
left the briefing feeling elated and eager to get under)a(6 At da)n/ 1usgro-e !limbed
into a 4-2" )ith nine other men and found a position near the tail gunner for ta#eoff6 9n
addition to 1usgro-e/ the 4-2" !arried a pilot/ !opilot/ na-igator/ and a bombardier-all
offi!ers6 The !re) also in!luded an airplane me!hani!/ )ho operated the top turret
lo!ated abo-e the !o!#pit/ and a radio operator/ )ho manned the nose turret )hen he
)asn't on the radio6 T)o )ing gunners manned the big fift(-!aliber ma!hine guns on
either side of the fuselage/ and the tail gunner prote!ted the rear of the plane6 4e!ause
the ball turret gunner didn't lo)er the ball until after ta#eoff/ he )as the onl( !re)
member )ho )as a)a( from his assigned position )hen the plane sped do)n the
run)a(6 And be!ause 1usgro-e )as a floater )ho fle) )ith )hate-er !re) needed him/
he )as the onl( member of this !re) that had not flo)n )ith the others on pre-ious
missions6 5e )as )el!omed and the rest of the !re) )ere glad to ha-e a talented gunner
onboard/ but 1usgro-e #ne) he )as not part of this plane's tight-#nit brotherhood/ a
bond that forms naturall( )hen men fl( into danger together o-er and o-er6 This !re)
had been in 9tal( for onl( a short time/ and the( )ere going out on their third mission6
4ut 1usgro-e #ne) the( had trained and flo)n together/ so the( )ere a famil(/ and he
)as a stranger to them6
DAll right bo(s/ let's go sho) 'em )hat )e got!D the pilot !alled out o-er the inter!om as
the plane ta:ied for ta#eoff6 1usgro-e and the other !re) responded )ith a heart( (ell6
Thirt(-si: 4-2" bombers from bases all o-er 9tal( formed up for this mission to loesti6
1usgro-e and the other !re) members )ere mostl( lost in their o)n thoughts as the(
fle) four hours to the oil refineries in loesti/ the unmuffled noise of the plane
!ombining )ith the rushing )ind to ma#e !on-ersation diffi!ult )ithout using the
inter!om6 The( ea!h sat at their stations/ going through !he!#lists and !onfirming
operational details )ith one another/ sharing a bit of dar# humor here and there about
their prospe!ts of returning from the mission6 The( all #ne) that ea!h mission !ould be
their last6 4ut despite the looming threat of death/ the men )ere not o-ertl( s!ared or
apprehensi-e6 The( )ere e:!ited/ eager to do the Gob the( )ere trained for/ to
a!!omplish the tas# the( #ne) )as so important for the Allied )ar effort6 &i#e the rest
of the (oung men on the 4-2"/ 1usgro-e )anted to get the Gob done/ return/ and
!elebrate a su!!essful mission6
1usgro-e )as tr(ing to sta( )arm as the plane !limbed higher and higher/ soon putting
on a flight suit o-er his summer #ha#is )hen the air be!ame !older and !older6 4( the
time the plane rea!hed t)ent(-t)o thousand feet/ 1usgro-e had alread( plugged his
flight suit into an ele!tri!al port that allo)ed the garment to heat up li#e an ele!tri!
blan#et6 After a fe) minutes/ the suit )as )arm enough that he !ould forget the bone-
!hilling !old )ind rushing through the plane6
As the( !rossed o-er into enem( territor(/ 1usgro-e heard the pilot !all out to him on
the inter!om6 D4all turret gunner/ ta#e (our position6D That )as his signal that it )as
time to lea-e the interior of the plane and drop do)n underneath it6 5e unplugged his
flight suit from the port in the plane and stuffed himself into the ball turret so that his
#nees )ere almost up around his ears6 Then he used the ele!tro-h(drauli! !ontrols to
lo)er it into position beneath the plane6 On!e he )as in position/ 1usgro-e gripped the
handles to maneu-er the turret full( through its rotations and test the mo-ement of the
guns/ ensuring that the turret )as read( for a!tion as soon as German planes sho)ed up6
On!e he )as satisfied that e-er(thing )as in order/ 1usgro-e plugged his suit ba!# into
the )arming port and settled in6 There )as nothing for him to do but sit and )ait for the
ine-itable leg !ramps and the it!h (ou !ouldn't rea!h6
5e rode another !ouple of hours to)ard loesti/ s!anning the s#ies all around the
bomber for an( sign of German fighters as the formation des!ended do)n to ten
thousand feet6 The planes made it nearl( all the )a( to the target )ithout being
inter!epted/ but then 1usgro-e !ould see that the Germans )ere )ell a)are of their
arri-al6 The s#( ahead of the bomber )as alread( filled )ith the in#( bla!# bursts of
antiair!raft fire6
The fla# o-er the target rattled 1usgro-e li#e a piLata/ the e:plosi-e !on!ussions
sha#ing the plane hard and boun!ing him around in the tight !onfines of the turret
bubble6 With e-er( booming blast/ 1usgro-e )aited for the one pie!e of red-hot
shrapnel that !ould !ome fl(ing through the le:iglas and #ill him li#e so man( other
ball turret gunners6 That pie!e of shell !asing ne-er !ame/ and the plane fle) on through
the in#( bla!# !louds left b( the e:plosions6 After )hat seemed an eternit(/ as an( flight
did )hen fla# )as e:ploding all around (ou/ 1usgro-e sa) the bombs fall and felt the
lightened plane rise higher in the air6
1usgro-e began to breathe a bit easier after the bombs )ere a)a( and the plane pulled
a)a( from the target/ but on!e the immediate danger died do)n a bit/ 1usgro-e !ould
hear the telltale sounds of a sputtering 4-2" engine6 The plane had been hit b( the fla#/
and 1usgro-e !ould tell right a)a( that the damage )as serious6 5e heard )hat he
thought )as first one/ and then t)o of the plane's four engines !oughing and sputtering/
sounds that )ere disturbingl( different from the in!essant drone that the !re) listened to
for hours on end )hen fl(ing6 The open inter!om line allo)ed the entire !re) to hear the
pilot and !opilot tal#ing/ so 1usgro-e follo)ed the pla(-b(-pla( as the( dealt )ith the
damaged engines6
D+ngine t)o! &osing po)er!D the !opilot shouted6 D+ngine three's going6 We got hit
bad!D
And then he heard the t)o troubled engines shut do)n6 =irst engine t)o stopped
struggling/ and then engine three6 4oth inside engines )ere dead6 The sudden end to the
noise )as e-en more troubling than the rough engine sounds6 1usgro-e listened as the
pilots throttled up the other t)o engines to !ompensate and tr( to #eep the plane aloft6
The plane sta(ed in the air/ but on onl( t)o engines it )as too slo) to #eep up )ith the
formation as all the sur-i-ing planes turned a)a( from loesti and started their Gourne(s
home6
=rom his position in the ball turret/ 1usgro-e !ould see that his 4-2" )as dropping out
of formation6 Then he )at!hed as the doFens of other 4-2"s fle) on to)ard 9tal(/
lea-ing 1usgro-e's plane to limp along behind6 The plane !ould ma#e it ba!# on Gust
t)o engines/ 1usgro-e #ne)6 5e'd seen plent( of planes !ome struggling ba!# to the
base on t)o enginesH the( Gust sho)ed up a lot later than e-er(one else6
The real danger !ame from being alone in the s#(6 With doFens of bombers fl(ing in
formation/ ea!h of them loaded )ith fift(-!aliber ma!hine guns/ there )as safet( in
numbers6 =ighter planes atta!#ing the formation had to get through not Gust one plane's
defenses/ but se-eral6 8o) 1usgro-e and the rest of his !re) )ere on their o)n6 9f a
German fighter found the lame du!#/ defending the bomber )ould be mu!h more
diffi!ult6 1usgro-e )as s)eating in his flight suit no) and unplugged the heating port6
5e mo-ed the ball turret around in all dire!tions again/ ma#ing sure it )as read( if a
fighter appeared6 5e had not (et fired a single shot that da( be!ause German fighters
ne-er !ame up to greet them6
1usgro-e listened in as the 4-2" pilot !alled on the radio for a fighter es!ort to help
them ma#e it ba!# )ithout being torn to shreds b( a German atta!#/ and then it )as onl(
about ten minutes before t)o -%1 1ustangs !ame alongside to offer prote!tion/ di-ing
do)n from )here the( and other 1ustangs had been pro-iding !o-er for the entire
formation during the bombing run6 The other fighters remained )ith the faster-mo-ing
pa!# of bombers in formation6 1usgro-e )as glad to see the slee# fighters and ga-e the
pilots a )a-e as the( too# up positions on either side of the slo)/ lumbering bomber6 5e
#ept his hands on the ball turret !ontrols/ read( if a German fighter thought the slo)
plane made a good target6
After a short )hile/ 1usgro-e !ould see that the plane )as steadil( losing altitude6 5e
!ould hear the pilots tal#ing about losing po)er and tr(ing different strategies to #eep
the plane up/ but it )as !lear to him that the plane )as not going to ma#e it ba!# to 9tal(6
Then the pilot made an announ!ement to the !re)6
D5e(/ gu(s/ 9 don't thin# )e're going to ma#e it ba!# to our base/D the pilot said !alml(6
DWe Gust don't ha-e the energ( to get ba!# o-er the mountains6D 5e didn't sa( an(thing
else/ but the !re) #ne) )hat he meant< Get read( to bail out6 9t )on't be long6
A fe) minutes later the na-igator !ame on the inter!om and told the !re) that the plane
)as approa!hing the 4ulgarianE,ugosla-ian border6 Than#s for the information/
1usgro-e thought/ but it doesn't help me mu!h6 Where on the border$ Where are )e
going do)n$
9t )as about ele-en a6m6 )hen the pilot !ame on again6
DWe're going to ha-e to get read( to abandon ship be!ause )e're Gust not going to ma#e
it/D he said/ sounding more tense than before6 1usgro-e's stoma!h !ame up into his
mouth as he heard the )ords Dabandon ship6D &i#e the rest of the !re)/ he had been
trained in the pro!edures but hoped he )ould ne-er ha-e to Gump out of a 4-2"6 The
-er( idea si!#ened him/ the thought of Gumping into the un#no)n )hen (ou thought (ou
)ould be sleeping in (our o)n bun# again that night6
DO#a(/ )e'-e gone as far as )e !an go6 We better bail out/D the pilot said/ hitting the
s)it!h for the bailout bell/ an alarm no flier )anted to hear6 The )ords seemed to pound
in 1usgro-e's ears through the inter!om headset6 D+-er(bod( bail out6 4ail out!D
The bailout bell rang in!essantl( as the rest of the !re) started double-!he!#ing their
para!hute harnesses and then ma#ing their )a( to a side door in the fuselage and
thro)ing themsel-es out6 1usgro-e first had to get out of the ball turret/ so he hit the
s)it!h to raise it up into the plane and !limb out6 8othing happened6 5e hit the s)it!h
again6 8othing6 5e hit the damn thing o-er and o-er/ harder and harder/ and still the
turret didn't mo-e6 5e )as trapped6
1usgro-e !alled out on the inter!om/ D9'-e got no po)er! 8o po)er! 9 !an't get up!D
There )as no repl(6 The rest of the !re) )ere bailing out alread(/ and besides/
1usgro-e #ne) there )as nothing the !re) !ould do for him an()a(6 5e )as on his
o)n6
1usgro-e realiFed he had to use the ba!#up method for raising the turret-a hand !ran#
that relied on pure mus!le and a fe) gears to lift the hea-( me!hanism up into the
fuselage6 5e had taught his students this lesson a thousand times and no) it )as his turn
to put it to use6 1usgro-e )asted no time grabbing the !ran# and furiousl( )inding/
)inding/ and )inding6 5e !ould feel the turret mo-ing/ but he )as sure the ground )as
!oming up faster6 1usgro-e's adrenaline surged and s)eat poured off his fa!e as he
!ran#ed as hard and as fast as he !ould in the !ramped bubble/ his heart pounding so
-igorousl( he felt it throbbing in his eardrums6
9'-e got to get out! 9'-e got to get out before 9'm too lo) for m( !hute to )or#!
1usgro-e !ran#ed the handle for almost ten minutes/ his )ide e(es fo!used intentl( on
the lands!ape belo)/ tr(ing to gauge ho) lo) the plane )as getting6 =inall(/ )ith his
arms searing from the )or#/ the turret )as up in the fuselage far enough for 1usgro-e
to get out6 5e furiousl( undid the lat!hes and s!rambled out of the hat!h/ !ra)ling out
ba!#)ards6 5e stood up Jui!#l( and loo#ed around/ but he )as all alone6 There )as no
one else on the bomber )ith 1usgro-e6 9n the ten minutes it too# him to get ba!# up
into the plane/ the( had all su!!essfull( abandoned ship/ e-en the pilots )ho !ustomaril(
)ere the last out6 The( #ne) it )ould ta#e 1usgro-e a )hile and the( !ouldn't do
an(thing to help/ so the( )isel( left )ithout him6 1usgro-e )as eager to follo) them/
so he )ent to the spot )here he had sto)ed his para!hute at the beginning of the flight/
in a !orner of the fuselage framing Gust behind the ball turret6
9t )asn't there6
The rough flight and fla# !on!ussions o-er loesti had boun!ed the plane around so
mu!h that 1usgro-e's para!hute )asn't )here he left it6 9t too# a pani!-filled moment to
loo# around and find itH then 1usgro-e Jui!#l( atta!hed it to the para!hute harness he
alread( )ore6 With the para!hute in pla!e/ 1usgro-e )ent to a side door and loo#ed out6
The plane )as getting lo)er all the time/ but he thought it )as still high enough for his
!hute to )or#6 5e got do)n on his #nees/ as he had been trained/ and rolled out into the
rushing )ind6
After )aiting as long as he !ould stand/ to ensure he )as !lear of the plane/ 1usgro-e
pulled the rip !ord on his para!hute and bra!ed for the sharp Ger# on his harness6 5e had
alread( )in!ed in anti!ipation )hen he realiFed nothing )as happening6 5e loo#ed
do)n to ma#e sure he had reall( pulled the rip !ord and/ sure enough/ there )as the
thing !len!hed tightl( in his hand6 5is !hute )asn't opening6
=uriousl(/ as fast as he !ould )hile in a free fall from about ten thousand feet high/
1usgro-e rea!hed into the para!hute pa!# and dug out the !loth )ith his o)n hands6 5e
grabbed the soft sil# and pulled o-er and o-er/ until a po!#et of the !loth !aught the air
and the rest e:ploded out abo-e him6
Chapter 3
Counting ara!hutes
The (oung men para!huting into the hills of ,ugosla-ia had no idea )hat a)aited them6
The( #ne) onl( that this )as their last !han!e to li-e )hen their bomber )as on fire or
the engines )ent out or the( had lost too mu!h fuel from shrapnel on their bombing runs
o-er 7omania6 Some/ li#e 1usgro-e/ made se-eral death-def(ing missions before the(
)ere for!ed to get out of their !rashing planes/ )hile others li#e t)ent(-one-(ear-old
Ton( Orsini had to bail out of his bomber on his first mission6
Orsini had been in 9tal( for onl( a )ee# )hen he )as assigned to his first bombing
mission o-er loesti6 A na-igator/ Orsini had guided a 4-2" from &in!oln/ 8ebras#a/
a!ross the Atlanti! O!ean and up the !oast of Afri!a6 The !re) of green-horns reported
to an air for!e base in southern 9tal( named Grottaglie as part of the .1*th SJuadron of
the ""2th 4omb Group6 Orsini had been there for onl( a fe) da(s/ )aiting for more
orientation and lo!al maps/ )hen he )as a)a#ened at four a6m6 on 'ul( 21/ 12""/ b(
someone shouting/ D4riefing at 3*33!D At the briefing/ Orsini learned he had been
assigned to fl( a mission )ith a more e:perien!ed !re)6 The( )ould be bombing the
loesti oil refineries6
9n addition to all the usual information about the target/ the bomb loads/ the route/ and
)hat resistan!e to e:pe!t/ the offi!er briefing the !re) ga-e them a !urious )arning/ one
the( had ne-er heard before6
D,ou're going to be fl(ing o-er ,ugosla-ia6 9f (ou ha-e to bail out/ a-oid the Chetni#s6
The('re the follo)ers of General 1ihailo-i!h/D the offi!er said sternl(6 DSee# out the
artisans6 The('re the follo)ers of General Tito6D
The ad-i!e )as !ompletel( )rong/ but the offi!er belie-ed it and )as tr(ing to be
helpful6 9t )ould be (ears before the sour!e of the misinformation be!ame !lear6 4ut at
the moment/ Orsini didn't gi-e it mu!h thought an()a(6 Orsini had heard onl( the
s#et!hiest information about the ongoing !i-il )ar in ,ugosla-ia and the t)o fa!tions
that )ere fighting for !ontrol of the !ountr( )hile simultaneousl( fending off the
Germans )ho o!!upied their land6 5e too# note of the )arning/ but ga-e it mu!h lo)er
priorit( than e-er(thing else he had heard that morning6 This )as Orsini's -er( first
mission/ and the rest of the !re) )ould be depending on him to na-igate their 4-2"
s#illfull(6 5e didn't )ant to miss an(thing6
Orsini )as s!ared to death as the plane neared its target in 7omania6 5e tried to fo!us on
the maps on his small des# in the plane/ !he!#ing and double-!he!#ing e-er(thing he
!ould thin# of/ but he )as terrified b( the thought of the air defenses around loesti6
When his map !oordinates sho)ed that the( )ere nearing the oil fields/ Orsini loo#ed
out a )indo) and sa) his fears ta#e form6 The s#( )as filled )ith e:ploding shells/ the
shrapnel tearing through an(thing in its path-aluminum/ steel/ or flesh6 German fighter
planes )ere Fooming through the bomber formation/ strafing planes as the( held their
!ourse and attempted to drop their loads on the target6 Orsini )as )aiting to hear the
bombardier !all out/ D4ombs a)a(!D o-er the inter!om/ be!ause that )ould mean their
)or# )as done and the pilots !ould hightail it out of that god-a)ful mess6 After )hat
seemed an eternit(/ )ith e:plosions booming all around and buffeting the plane ba!#
and forth/ Orsini heard the bombardier's !all6
And almost immediatel( after/ he felt the plane shudder -iolentl(/ a sensation he hadn't
felt before6 5e #ne) right a)a( that the bomber had ta#en a dire!t hit from the
antiair!raft fire6 The e:plosion #no!#ed the 4-2" out of formation and the pilots
struggled to maintain le-el flight as t)o of the four engines died6 'ust as )ith
1usgro-e's !rippled bomber/ the !re) of Orsini's plane )orried that a German fighter
)ould find them separated from the prote!tion of the pa!#/ fl(ing slo) and lo)6 +-er(
so often the pilot )ould as# Orsini/ )ho had been !arefull( plotting the plane's progress/
for an update on )hether the( !ould ma#e it ba!# to 9tal( at this speed and fuel
!onsumption6 +a!h time/ Orsini replied that it )ould be !lose/ but the( !ould probabl(
ma#e it6 A !ouple of hours )ent b( that )a(/ the plane slo)l( losing altitude and the
!re) deathl( silent as the( pra(ed for a good out!ome and )at!hed the s#ies intentl( for
German planes6 The Juiet )as bro#en )hen the tail gunner's -oi!e !ame on the
inter!om6
D=ighters at si: o'!lo!#!D he s!reamed/ indi!ating the s#( behind the plane6 D=ighters at
si: o'!lo!#!D
The gunners all tensed and prepared to fight off the atta!#/ but then the tail gunner !ame
ba!# on the inter!om about thirt( se!onds later and said/ DThe('re -30s6 9t's o#a(6D -
30s )ere Ameri!an fighters/ and these had spotted the 4-2" limping home6 The( fle) in
alongside and es!orted the 4-2" as it !ontinued des!ending/ e-entuall( rea!hing ten
thousand feet/ far lo)er than the t)ent(-one thousand feet )here it had dropped its
bombs6 At that point/ the pilot turned ba!# to Orsini and as#ed him for a final assessment
of )hether the( )ere going to ma#e it ba!# if the( !ontinued des!ending at that rate6
D8o sir/D Orsini ans)ered6 DThere's no )a(6D The !ontinuing rate of des!ent had
remo-ed an( optimism6
The pilot )as prepared for that ans)er and immediatel( !alled out on the inter!om/
DAbandon ship! Abandon ship! 9 repeat/ abandon ship!D Orsini )asn't surprised be!ause
he had !ontemplated that possibilit( for the past hour/ and he #ne) the pilot )as ma#ing
the right de!ision6 4etter to bail out no) instead of )aiting until the( )ere o-er the
Adriati! Sea6 The bailout bell )as almost a )el!ome sound b( then6
The onl( problem )as that Orsini didn't #no) e:a!tl( )here the( )ere6 5e !ould tell
from his !al!ulations that the( )ouldn't ma#e it ba!#/ but he )as missing se-eral #e(
maps that )ould ha-e told him )hat region the( )ere about to Gump into6 When he
realiFed at the morning briefing that he )as missing the designated maps/ he had as#ed
an offi!er for them6 4ut the offi!er dismissed him/ telling him not to )orr( be!ause his
plane )ould be number four in the formation and he onl( had to pla( follo) the leader6
8o) Orsini )as frustrated that he !ouldn't gi-e the !re) an( idea )hat the( )ere
Gumping into6 5e had some idea that the( )ere o-er Serbia/ but he didn't #no) the(
)ere in a -er( mountainous region !alled 7a-na Gora6
As Orsini prepared to Gump out of the ailing plane/ he suddenl( )ished he had ta#en
better !are of his para!hute6 Sin!e it )as issued to him nearl( si: months earlier/ he had
tossed it around non!halantl(/ using it for a pillo) and a football on more than one
o!!asion6 8o) his life )ould depend on that !hute opening6
5e had been trained to !ount one-thousand-one/ one-thousand-t)o/ one-thousand-three
before pulling the rip !ord/ but Orsini )as so an:ious about )hether the abused
para!hute )ould )or# that he !ouldn't )ait6 5e (an#ed the rip !ord immediatel( and
)as relie-ed to see the !anop( snap to attention o-er his head6 After the brutal (an# of
the !hute on his harness/ e-er(thing be!ame surreal6
The s#( )as so Juiet/ )ith Gust a soft )hisper of )ind passing his ears6 Orsini had been
in the loud plane for hours/ the !onstant rumble of the engines o-ershado)ed onl( b( the
deafening booms of the antiair!raft fire6 The sudden silen!e )as unsettling6
Orsini felt li#e he )as suspended in spa!e/ as if he )ere not des!ending at all but Gust
s)a(ing ba!# and forth/ ba!# and forth/ ba!# and forth6 The sensation/ along )ith all the
fear and dread that gripped him for hours alread(/ !aused him to -omit on the )a( do)n6
A na-igator li#e Orsini/ 7obert Wilson #ne) it )as pra!ti!all( ine-itable that he )ould
be shot do)n e-entuall(6 5e )as a na-igator on 4-1. bombers/ similar to 4-2"s/ and he
)as spe!iall( trained in a ne) t(pe of radar that enabled the Allies to bomb the loesti
oil fields e-en )hen there )as hea-( !loud !o-er or smo#e6 8ormall( the bombing runs
had to be dela(ed or !an!elled )hen the !loud !o-er or smo#e )as too hea-( or else the
bombardiers )ould Gust be ta#ing a )ild guess at )here the( )ere dumping all that
firepo)er6 The Allies did not indis!riminatel( drop bombs/ so the planes )ould di-ert to
another target that the( !ould see6 The Germans #ne) this and installed giant smo#e pots
all around loesti/ !reating bla!# !louds that effe!ti-el( obs!ured the target on some
da(s6
4ut )ith the s(stem Wilson used/ the planes !ould still find their targets no matter ho)
obs!ured the( )ere6 Wilson had gro)n up in eoria/ 9llinois/ and had !ompleted one
semester of !ollege )hen/ at age nineteen/ he signed up for the air !orps/ attra!ted b( the
glamour of fl(ing li#e so man( others6 And li#e man( others/ he )as !ut from pilot
training6 5e )ent to na-igation s!hool instead and !ompleted his training in ;e!ember
12"36 4-1. !re)s trained as a unit/ but )hen Wilson's !re) graduated the( didn't
immediatel( go to a!ti-e dut( li#e their !lassmates6 9nstead the( )ere sent for se!ret
training on the ne) eJuipment that reJuired Wilson to be loo#ing for the target on his
eJuipment at the same the time the bombardier )as loo#ing for the target -isuall( )ith
the 8orden bombsight6 9f the bombardier !ouldn't see the target/ Wilson released the
bombs based on his readings6
The radar s(stem impro-ed the effe!ti-eness of the loesti bombing runs6 5o)e-er/ the
air for!e didn't ha-e man( of these ne) units6 There )as onl( one in the region around
9tal( )here Wilson )as based/ so it )as used as mu!h as possible6 The other problem
)as that the one 4-1. )ith that radar unit-and Wilson operating it-had to be at the front
of the pa!# of bombers e-er( time it fle)6 8ormall(/ the man( flight !re)s too# turns as
the lead plane be!ause that )as !onsidered the most dangerous spot in the formation/
and the pilots had to )or# mu!h harder to manage the formation and get the bombers to
the target6 With enough !re)s rotating/ nobod( had to put themsel-es at the head of the
pa!# too often6 4ut )hen the mission depended on the radar unit finding the target/
Wilson's plane had to be at the front so it !ould drop its bombs first6 Seeing the bombs
a)a( on Wilson's plane )as the signal for all the other bombers to drop theirs6
When the( got to their base in 9tal( to begin a!ti-e dut(/ the rest of the !re) that Wilson
had trained )ith )as assigned to another 4-1. and the( rotated through the front
position li#e e-er(one else6 4ut not Wilson6 5e )as permanentl( atta!hed to the one
plane that housed the radar unit/ and a different !re) )as slotted to fl( that plane at the
lead on e-er( mission6 =or the other nine !re) members onboard/ it )as Gust their
unlu!#( da( to be in the most dangerous position6 =or Wilson/ it )as e-er( mission6
9n 'ul( 12""/ )ith t)ent( missions under his belt alread(/ Wilson )as one of the more
e:perien!ed fliers in his unit6 4ut he #ne) that e-er( time he !limbed into the 4-1.
again/ he )as pressing his lu!#6 5o) man( times !ould he fl( into danger/ at the head of
the formation/ and ma#e it ba!# to the base$ 5e found out on his t)ent(-first mission6
9t )as 'ul( 1%/ 12""/ and Wilson )as ma#ing his third trip to loesti6 As he had t)ent(
times before/ Wilson bra!ed himself for the long/ un!omfortable ride to the target-
bundling up as the plane !limbed into the high-altitude !hill/ donning his o:(gen mas#
at t)el-e thousand feet and then a steel helmet and bul#(/ !hafing fla# -est as the plane
neared the target6 9t )as standard on these flights for ea!h !re) member to be e:tremel(
un!omfortable for as long as nine hours-!old/ s)eat(/ )ith gear rubbing the )rong )a(/
the griping in (our head momentaril( ta#ing (our mind off the fa!t that (ou might die
-er( shortl(6
When the 4-1. approa!hed the target at loesti/ the pilot put the plane on a form of
automati! pilot that shifted !ontrol to the bombardier/ and in this !ase/ to Wilson also6
The( )ould fl( the plane/ ma#ing minor !ourse adGustments to get the plane on target
and then release the bombs6 As the outs#irts of loesti !ame into -ie)/ Wilson !ould see
that the refiner( the( )ere hitting that da(/ 7omana Ameri!ana/ )as !o-ered b( smo#e6
5e #ne) he )ould be dropping the bombs on this mission6
As soon as Wilson !alled/ D4ombs a)a(!D he felt a dire!t hit on the left )ing/ and then
the t)o engines on that side sputtered to a stop6 About the same time/ Wilson heard
someone !alling o-er the inter!om6
D&arr('s hit!D someone (elled urgentl(/ referring to &a)ren!e 8orton/ the engineer6 D5e
got it in the head!D
Wilson ran for)ard from his station to see about 8orton and found the (oung man
daFed/ )ith blood strea#ing do)n his fa!e6 8orton )as leaning against a support frame
in the plane as Wilson too# a loo# at his inGur(/ tr(ing not to rea!t too strongl( as he sa)
the large pie!e of Gagged shrapnel sti!#ing out of the man's head/ right on top6 The still-
hot pie!e of an e:ploding antiair!raft shell had !ome through the fuselage of the plane/
penetrated 8orton's steel helmet/ and embedded itself deepl( in his head6 The )ound
)as not bleeding profusel(/ but it left 8orton semi-!ons!ious6 Wilson and another !re)
member applied a dressing to the )ound and helped 8orton sit do)n6 Then the( ga-e
him a dose of morphine from one of their es!ape #its/ opening his )arm flight suit to
press the s(ringe into his upper arm/ but there )as little time to fret about their inGured
!re)mate6
There )as more trouble6 The antiair!raft fire had se-ered the fuel tan# in that )ing also/
and Wilson loo#ed up from his radar station to see gasoline pouring into the fuselage
from the bro#en lines6 The fumes from the fuel started filling the fuselage/ burning
Wilson's e(es/ and in moments the !re) members )ere standing in t)o in!hes of
gasoline6
Wilson/ and e-er( other man onboard/ )as terrified6 The gasoline had them thin#ing that
the ne:t bit of red-hot fla#/ a spar# from the damaged )iring/ an(thing/ might turn them
into a fl(ing fireball6 There )as nothing the( !ould do to stop the fuel rushing into the
fuselage and no )a( to get the gas out/ so the( sloshed around in it as the( !ontinued
loo#ing for German fighters that might )ant an eas( target6 1ean)hile/ the pilot )as
struggling to #eep the plane aloft )ith Gust t)o engines on one side of the plane6 The
plane )as des!ending Jui!#l(/ e-en )ith the remaining engines pushed to their limits6
DWe gotta lighten the load! Get rid of e-er(thing! +-er(thing!D the pilot !alled out on
the inter!om6 DThe guns/ ammunition/ an(thing (ou !an thro) out!D
The !re) rea!ted Jui!#l(/ hea-ing out an(thing the( !ould pi!# up< !hairs/ spare
eJuipment/ ammunition bo:es/ and finall( the big fift(-!aliber ma!hine guns6 The(
hated to fl( )ithout the big guns/ their onl( defense against a fighter atta!#/ but the(
)ere desperate to get lighter and sta( aloft6 All the )hile as the( )ere hea-ing the gear
o-er/ Wilson and the other !re) thought the gasoline might e:plode at an( moment6 4(
no)/ the( )ere all soa#ed in it6 The( !ould feel the !austi! liJuid burning their s#in as
the( )or#edH the fumes stung their e(es and burned in their noses6 The( #ne) that if the
fuel ignited/ the( had no hope of sur-i-al6 This )as the )orst/ Wilson thought/ s)eat
pouring off his fa!e e-en in the frigid air6 8ot onl( am 9 going to die on this mission/ but
9'm going to burn to death6
The lighter load enabled the plane to hold its altitude enough to get o-er the first !hain
of mountains on the )a( ba!# to 9tal(/ and on!e he )as finished thro)ing out an(thing
not essential to fl(ing the plane/ Wilson sa) something that surprised him6 The rest of
the sJuadron had sta(ed )ith them6 5is 4-1. )as !rippled/ fl(ing lo) and slo)/ but the
rest of the formation had sta(ed )ith it instead of !ontinuing on6 Wilson )as surprised
and elated6 At least the( )eren't alone6
The safet( of numbers pro-ed its -alue before long )hen German fighters sho)ed up
and immediatel( Feroed in on Wilson's 4-1. as the )ea# point of the formation6 5is
!re) !ouldn't do an(thing sin!e their ma!hine guns had been thro)n o-erboard/ and
the( #ne) that Gust one lu!#( shot b( a German pilot )ould send the 4-1. up li#e a
7oman !andle6 All the( !ould do )as !rou!h and tr( to a-oid an( stra( gunfire as the
other bombers in the formation fired on the German planes s)ooping in and out of the
formation6 Wilson s!ar!el( breathed for se-eral long minutes/ and then the fighters
turned/ lea-ing the bomber formation on its o)n again6
With the situation !alm again/ but far from resol-ed/ Wilson and se-eral other !re)
members turned their attention ba!# to 8orton/ the engineer )ith the serious head
)ound6 The( #ne) the( might ha-e to bail out of the d(ing plane before long/ and the(
)orried that 8orton might not be in an( shape to para!hute out and land safel(6 The(
debated )hat to do6
DWe !ould Gust pull his !hute and thro) him out6 9t should open o#a(/D one man offered6
D5e'd land li#e a bag of bri!#s6 5e's barel( a)a#e/D another !ountered6 DThat thing in his
head has him all messed up6 4esides/ if he lands hard and hits his head/ he might Gust
Gam that thing in deeper6 9t )ould #ill him right a)a(6D
Wilson agreed and offered the onl( solution he !ould thin# of6 5e didn't li#e the idea/
but he said it an()a(6
DWe need to pull that shrapnel out/D Wilson said6 The( all loo#ed o-er to 8orton/ )ho
)as still too grogg( to #no) )hat the( )ere tal#ing about6 8obod( )anted to do it/ but
Wilson -olunteered6 D9 need some pliers6D
9t too# a )hile be!ause the toolbo:es had been thro)n o-erboard/ but Wilson !ame up
)ith a set of pliers and )ent o-er to 8orton/ follo)ed b( three other !re) members6 One
held 8orton's shoulders firml( and another tried to stead( his head as Wilson )ent in
)ith the pliers6 5e )anted to do it Jui!#l( and firml(6 5e !ouldn't stand the thought of
)ren!hing and t)isting on something that might be deep in 8orton's brain6
One good (an# pulled the Gagged metal out of 8orton's head and Wilson thre) it do)n
in disgust6 O-er the ne:t half hour/ the inGured man re!o-ered his senses some)hat and
the !re) felt more !onfident that he )ould be able to bail out if that time !ame6
That time !ame in short order6 The t)o engines on the undamaged side of the plane had
been pushed be(ond their limits and/ as e:pe!ted/ the( started to o-erheat and !hurn out
thi!# bla!# smo#e6 The pilot/ William '6 Iilpatri!#/ ga-e the order that e-er(one #ne)
)as !oming sooner or later< DAbandon ship! 4ail out no)!D
The !re) members )ere read( for the order and/ after ma#ing sure 8orton made it out/
the( started tumbling out of the side door one after another6 Wilson Gumped out and
bra!ed for the Ger# of the !hute on his harness/ )el!oming it e-en as he !ringed )ith
pain6 5e had made it out of that fl(ing bomb ali-e/ and assuming he !ould ma#e it to the
ground )ithout running into an( ignition sour!es/ he )ouldn't burst into flames the )a(
he had been fearing for hours6
4ut e-en as Wilson realiFed his )orst fear )ould not !ome to pass/ he sa) more traged(
unfold6 This terrible da( )as not e-en !lose to finished6 Wilson hung under his
para!hute/ gentl( gliding to )hate-er fate a)aited him on the ground and )at!hed his 4-
1. !ontinue on )ithout him6 5e loo#ed around and !ould see se-eral other !hutes in the
air and he thought he sa) se-en others/ plus his6 That )as eight !hutes in the air6
Good6 That means )e're all out e:!ept for the pilot and !opilot6
Wilson #ne) that )hen bomber !re)s bailed out/ it )as !ustomar( for the pilot and
!opilot to be the last out be!ause the( remained at their post as long as possible/ holding
the plane stead( to fa!ilitate e-er(one else's bailout6 Wilson #ept his e(es on the 4-1./
)aiting for the other t)o !hutes to appear6
5e !ould see that another bomber had dropped out of the formation to fl( alongside the
!rippled bomber/ its !re) )at!hing intentl( as the (oung men bailed out one b( one6 The
!re) of the other plane )as espe!iall( interested in the out!ome of this drama be!ause
Iilpatri!#/ the pilot on the ailing plane/ )as the pilot that usuall( led most of the !re)
on the other/ undamaged 4-1.6 The !re) rotations had split them up that da(/ and
Iilpatri!#'s regular !re) members )anted to ma#e sure he made it out of the damaged
plane safel(6 Se-eral of them )ere at the hat!h on that side of their bomber/ )at!hing the
damaged plane6
Iilpatri!#'s buddies in the other bomber fle) alongside/ !ounting the para!hutes as
Wilson and his fello) !re) bailed out6 Then the( )at!hed intentl( to see Iilpatri!# and
the !opilot bail6 The entire !re) on the other plane )as )at!hing out the )indo)s and
hat!hes/ )anting to !ount ten !hutes and be !ertain their !re) leader had made it6
Wilson )at!hed too/ pra(ing that e-er(one )ould ma#e it out safel(6 Then the t)o 4-
1.s fle) into a !loud/ obs!uring the moment )hen the pilot and !opilot bailed out6
Wilson sa) their !hutes emerge a moment later from underneath the !loud6 5e )as
relie-ed/ realiFing his entire !re) had made it out safel(/ but then he felt a horrifi! #not
in his stoma!h as he sa) the t)o bombers emerge from the !loud/ still side b( side6 The
undamaged 4-1. )as not brea#ing a)a( e-en though all of Wilson's !re) had made it
out6 And the( )ere rapidl( approa!hing a mountainside6
Oh m( God6 The( didn't see the pilots get out6 The('re still )aiting6
Wilson understood that Iilpatri!#'s regular !re) mates had not seen him bail out
be!ause the( )ere in a !loud/ and no) it loo#ed li#e the( )ere so fo!used on )aiting for
t)o more !hutes that the( didn't realiFe the( )ere follo)ing the !rippled plane do)n6
All he !ould do )as hang there under his !hute and )at!h6
The('re out! ull up!
5e )at!hed helplessl( as both planes !rashed into the mountainside6 +-er(one had made
it out of Wilson's damaged 4-1.6 All ten !re) on the other plane died as the bombers
e:ploded and fell in heaps on the mountain6
Wilson floated there in eerie silen!e/ gentl( mo-ing through the s#( )here-er the breeFe
sent him6 All he !ould do )as turn his head to the side and !lose his e(es tightl(6 5e
!ouldn't stand to loo# an(more6
Chapter "
Ameri!ans#i$
As terrif(ing as a 4-2" bomber !ould be )hen the enem( )as lobbing antiair!raft shells/
fighters )ere Fooming to strafe (ou )ith large-!aliber ma!hine guns/ and the plane )as
d(ing a slo) but stead( death/ Clare 1usgro-e found it e-en more frightening to be
hanging in the !alm air o-er a land he #ne) nothing about/ )ith no idea )hat a)aited
him on the ground6
;es!ending from thousands of feet/ 1usgro-e had time to pra(6
;ear God/ 9 as# (ou to )at!h o-er me and prote!t me in this pla!e6 lease guide me/
&ord/ and dire!t me to someone )ho !an help me6 lease )at!h o-er me/ God6
5a-ing sur-i-ed the terror of being trapped in his ball turret and ha-ing to dig his
para!hute out )ith his bare hands/ Clare 1usgro-e did find relati-e pea!e in the near
silen!e/ hanging under his !anop( and loo#ing out o-er the rugged !ountr(side belo) as
he pra(ed6 5e !ouldn't see an( of the !re) of his 4-2" be!ause the( had bailed out of the
plane mu!h earlier/ meaning the( )ere probabl( miles behind 1usgro-e6 The immediate
danger seemed to be o-er/ but he #ne) that his time in the air )ould be onl( a brief
respite6 9t )ould ta#e onl( moments to land/ and then he had no idea )hat )ould happen
to him6 5e had onl( a -ague sense of )here he )as-some)here in ,ugosla-ia-and all he
!ould remember from his briefings )as that there )ere some people in this area )ho
)ould help (ou/ and some )ho )ould #ill (ou/ or )orse6
As the para!hute drifted lo)er/ 1usgro-e spotted a small flo!# of sheep graFing on a
hillside/ obli-ious to the Ameri!an airman des!ending nearb(6 5e #ne) that he had to
find help on!e he hit the ground/ be!ause a lone airman )ould ne-er sur-i-e in rugged/
enem(-o!!upied territor(6
9f 9 e-er get on the ground/ 9'm going to head to)ard those sheep6 9 might as )ell find
out )ho's around here6
The para!hutes )orn b( the bomber !re)s afforded -er( little abilit( to steer/ so
1usgro-e )as nearl( helpless as he drifted into a stand of trees and hit the limbs hard6
5is para!hute lines tangled in the tree/ the !hute draped o-er the top/ lea-ing 1usgro-e
dangling about fifteen feet off the ground6 With some diffi!ult(/ he managed to get out
of his para!hute harness and s!urr( a!ross a large limb/ !limbing do)n to others until he
)as lo) enough to Gump do)n to the ground6 =ollo)ing his training/ 1usgro-e snagged
a dangling line from this para!hute and )or#ed hard to pull the rest of the !hute do)n to
the ground/ bundling it up as small as he !ould and sho-ing it under some bushes to
!on!eal the e-iden!e of his landing6 The e:ertion left him s)eating in his hea-( flight
suit/ )hi!h reminded him that the temperature on the ground )as mu!h )armer than it
had been at se-eral thousand feet6 5e peeled off the flight suit and hid it also6
;espite the rough landing in the tree/ 1usgro-e )as unhurt other than a fe) !uts and
s!rat!hes6 With his heart pounding from the e:ertion and the adrenaline !oursing
through his bod(/ 1usgro-e s!anned the area for an( threats/ or an(one )ho might help
him6 5e sa) no one6 5e had a general sense of the dire!tion in )hi!h he had seen the
flo!# of sheep/ so he headed that )a(/ planning to approa!h !autiousl( until he #ne)
)ho )as in this area6
On!e he !rossed a small ridge/ he sa) the sheep again6 And then he sa) people6 =rom at
least a half mile a)a(/ he thought he !ould ma#e out t)o )omen and t)o (oung bo(s6
The( )ere staring ba!# at him but didn't seem to be ma#ing an( mo-ement to)ard him
or a)a( from him6 1usgro-e )as relie-ed to see the seemingl( harmless group/ though
he also suspe!ted that the( !ould summon men )ith )eapons if the( )ere so in!lined6
5e almost )ould ha-e rather seen men there instead/ he thought/ be!ause the( probabl(
)ould be more helpful6 The )omen and bo(s !ontinued to )at!h 1usgro-e as he began
)al#ing to)ard them/ )ith no spe!ifi! plan other than going !loser to see )hat the(
)ould do6
As he got )ithin a fe) hundred (ards of them/ 1usgro-e slo)ed his pa!e and then sat
do)n on the ground for a minute/ primaril( to rest but also to let the others #no) that he
)as not approa!hing in an aggressi-e )a(6 5e sat there for a fe) minutes/ tr(ing to thin#
!learl( about the situation6 Was he doing the right thing$ Should he Gust )al# up and sa(
hello$
;ear God/ please help me through this6 9 don't #no) )hat these people )ill do )ith me/
but please loo# o-er me and prote!t me6
5e rose again and )al#ed slo)l( up the hill to)ard the group still )at!hing him6 5e
didn't #no) )hat he )ould do or sa( )hen he got there/ be!ause he didn't spea# an(
lo!al language6 1usgro-e #ept going !loser and !loser/ seeing no mo-ement from the
)omen and bo(s6 As he got )ithin a fe) (ards/ he stopped/ his heart pounding/ e-er(
sense heightened6 The( all stared at one another for a moment/ and 1usgro-e !ould tell
the others )ere apprehensi-e too6
1usgro-e )anted to tell them he )as Ameri!an/ one of the good gu(s6 So he pointed to
the unit pat!h on his uniform shirt and said/ D>6S6 6 6 6 Air =or!e 6 6 6 Ameri!an6D The
sturd(/ gra(-haired )oman nodded and seemed relie-ed/ understanding 1usgro-e6 The
)omen nodded their heads and pointed to themsel-es/ sa(ing/ D,ugosla-ian6D The
tension eased/ but 1usgro-e still had no )a( to !ommuni!ate )ith these people6 Then
he thought of the hard !and( he had stashed in a po!#et of his uniform6 5e rea!hed in
and brought out se-eral pie!es/ then offered one to ea!h of his ne) a!Juaintan!es6 This
bro#e the i!e more/ and the )omen said things that 1usgro-e assumed )ere than#-(ous6
The (oung bo(s smiled at him and seemed to be hoping for more to !ome from his
po!#ets6
After that/ 1usgro-e )as out of ideas6 The )omen seemed fine )ith him being there/
but the( didn't offer an(thing or e-en tr( to tal# to him/ realiFing the effort )ould be
futile6 The( tal#ed among themsel-es and !ontinued tending the sheep/ )hile 1usgro-e
Gust sat nearb( and )at!hed6 Apparentl( the( )ere uninterested in !hanging their routine
Gust be!ause a s)eat( airman dropped out of the s#( and ga-e them !and(/ so all
1usgro-e !ould do )as sit and )ait )hile the afternoon passed and the sheep graFed6
5e #ne) the( )ould go ba!# to their -illage before dar#/ but he had no idea if the(
)ould ta#e him along6 5e desperatel( )anted them to6 The idea of sta(ing out in this
!ountr(side on his o)n s!ared him to death6 9f he !ould ha-e !ommuni!ated )ith them/
he )ould ha-e been pleading )ith them to ta#e him along6 4ut he !ould onl( sit and
)ait to see )hat )ould happen6
The hours passed slo)l( and 1usgro-e )at!hed the sun begin to dip lo)er6 5e follo)ed
the )omen's mo-ements intentl(/ )aiting for an( sign that the( )ere about to lea-e6
Then the( non!halantl( pi!#ed up their fe) belongings and started herding the sheep
do)n a path6 The( had gone a fe) (ards/ )ith 1usgro-e )at!hing and his heart ra!ing/
before one of them turned around and motioned for him to follo)6 She did it as if she
)as surprised he )asn't alread( on their heels6
1usgro-e )as grateful6 5e sprinted to !at!h up )ith them and then )al#ed in silen!e for
more than an hour6 As the( approa!hed a little -illage/ no more than a doFen stone and
that!h !ottages/ a burl( man )ith a beard !ame out to greet them6 1usgro-e thought he
must be the husband of one of the )omen from the )a( the( spo#e )ith ea!h other/ and
he )as pleased to see the big man )al# right up and sti!# out his hand6 1usgro-e
grabbed the man's hand and shoo# it hard and tight/ assured no) that he )as in friendl(
hands6 5e didn't #no) (et that the man )as a Chetni#/ a follo)er of ,ugosla-ian
General ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h/ )ho )as fier!el( lo(al to the Ameri!ans/ but the )arm
handsha#e )as a )el!ome sign for 1usgro-e6 These people are going to help me/
)hoe-er the( are6
The man spo#e more to the )omen and the group )ent inside the modest home6
1usgro-e sat on a small )ooden !hair outside the front door/ feeling uneas( about
)al#ing into the house )ithout an e:pli!it in-itation6 5e )at!hed as a fe) people !ame
and )ent in the -illage/ ea!h one loo#ing at 1usgro-e )ith a strong !uriosit(/ espe!iall(
the !hildren6 4ut e-er(one #ept their distan!e6 1usgro-e sat for a long )hile/ )ondering
if these people )ere going to help him find a )a( out of ,ugosla-ia or if the( sa) him
more li#e a stra( dog6 5is thoughts )ere interrupted )hen one of the )omen stepped
outside and motioned for him to !ome in/ then dire!ted him to the )ooden table near the
firepla!e6 1usgro-e !ould see that dinner )as set on the table and he realiFed he )as
being in-ited to a dinner of mutton/ potatoes/ and bread6 5e )as too upset and an:ious
to ha-e mu!h of an appetite/ but he nodded a than#-(ou to the )oman and sat do)n ne:t
to the man of the house/ )ho nodded to)ard 1usgro-e and began eating6 The rest of the
famil(/ t)o sons and a daughter/ sat at the table but seemed more interested in staring at
1usgro-e than eating6 The Ameri!an )as po#ing at a bit of tough mutton and eating a
bit of potato )hen suddenl( there )as a hard rapping on the )ooden door6 +-er(one
loo#ed at one another e:pe!tantl(/ and then the Serb man stood up and )ent to the door/
opening it to find another bearded -illager there6 The t)o e:!hanged )ords that
1usgro-e !ould not understand/ but he !ould tell that the( )ere arguing about
something and the freJuent gestures and glan!es to)ard him made 1usgro-e thin# he
must be the topi!6 5is best guess )as that the other -illager )as sa(ing the Ameri!an
had to go or the Germans )ould !ome loo#ing for him/ and 1usgro-e's host )as sa(ing
he !ould sta(6 The t)o men argued harshl(/ )ith -igorous gesti!ulation and raised
-oi!es/ but finall( 1usgro-e's host told the other man to lea-e and slammed the door in
his fa!e6 Then he !ame ba!# to)ard the table/ muttering something to the )omen/ )ho
seemed alarmed b( the argument6 1usgro-e didn't Juite #no) )hat to thin#6 5e )as
grateful that the man had defended him/ but he )as more )orried than e-er that the
Germans )ere !oming for him6 When the man did not sit do)n at the table to finish his
meal/ 1usgro-e #ne) he )as right6 The big -illager grabbed 1usgro-e b( an arm and
pulled him from the table/ )al#ing to a small bedroom in the ba!# of the house and
motioning for him to get under the bed6 1usgro-e didn't #no) e:a!tl( )hat )as
happening/ but he figured he had no !hoi!e but to follo) the man's instru!tions6 5e got
do)n on the floor and slipped under the hea-( )ooden bed/ his heart ra!ing as he la(
there )aiting for something else to o!!ur6 5e !ould see the man )al# ba!# into the main
room and sit do)n at the table/ resuming his meal and tal#ing to his )ife6 1usgro-e la(
Juietl(/ tr(ing to slo) his breathing/ Gust )aiting6 =rom his -antage point under the bed/
he !ould see onl( the floor in the bedroom and into the other room/ nothing higher than
#nee le-el6 1usgro-e la( there for about t)o hours/ alert and an:ious/ )aiting for
)hate-er )as going to happen/ and finall( there )as another hard #no!# at the door/
more li#e a pounding6
4efore the man of the house !ould get to the door/ it )as flung open so that it banged
against the )all and !aused the )omen to gasp )ith fright6 There )as a length(
!on-ersation bet)een the -isitor and the man of the house/ but this time the -isitor spo#e
)ith a German a!!ent and !learl( had the upper hand6 Then the !on-ersation stopped
and the onl( sound )as a pair of boots )al#ing a!ross the )ooden floor6 1usgro-e )as
s)eating and his heart )as pounding so hard in his !hest that he )as sure it must be
heard throughout the house no)/ and his e(es )ere froFen on the s)ath of floor that he
!ould see from under the bed6 5e s!ooted ba!# against the far )all another half in!h/
tr(ing to hide himself as best he !ould6
5is )hole bod( tensed as he sa) the big bla!# boots/ shined so bright that the( stood out
against e-er(thing in this drab -illage6 The( )al#ed around the farmhouse/ the heels
!li!#ing on the floor/ and 1usgro-e )as not surprised )hen the( started )al#ing right
to)ard his hiding pla!e6 5e #ne) )ithout seeing an(thing more than the boots that this
)as a German offi!er loo#ing for the do)ned airman6 This is it6 The('-e got me6 God/
please Gust don't let them #ill this famil( for helping me6
The boots )al#ed right into the small bedroom and stopped/ no more than a !ouple feet
from 1usgro-e's fa!e6 5e !ouldn't ta#e his e(es off the shin( bla!# leather6 The(
remained motionless for a moment/ the house totall( Juiet/ 1usgro-e pra(ing that he
!ould remain perfe!tl( still/ perfe!tl( silent6 All the German offi!er had to do )as bend
do)n and loo# under the bed/ )here 1usgro-e had little room to hide himself from
-ie)/ and the airman )ould be !aptured6 4ut he didn't6
After a long/ long time/ the boots turned and )al#ed out of the room bris#l(/ stomping
through the main room and out the door6 1usgro-e breathed again6
The offi!er )as loo#ing for 1usgro-e be!ause he )as the onl( !re)man missing from
his bomber6 The other nine had been !aptured alread( and )ere on their )a( to a
prisoner-of-)ar !amp6
1usgro-e's e:perien!e )as t(pi!al of the airmen drifting do)n in ,ugosla-ia6 On the
ground/ the lo!al -illagers )ere !ounting para!hutes too6 The( )anted to send help to
e-er( Ameri!an )ho made it out/ before the Germans !ould find them/ but the airmen
didn't #no) )hat to e:pe!t as the( drifted do)n into the hills of ,ugosla-ia6 The( had
been gi-en onl( s!ant briefings about the !onditions in this 8aFi-o!!upied territor( that
the( fle) o-er on e-er( bombing run/ and all the( reall( understood )as that there )ere
plent( of people to sta( a)a( from6 There )ere Germans e-er()here/ and the lo!al
people )ere split into t)o )arring groups-those )ho follo)ed 1ihailo-i!h and )anted
him to run the !ountr( after #i!#ing out the Germans/ and those )ho follo)ed a man
named 'osip 4roF Tito6 Some of the airmen )ere told to see# out Tito's for!es if the(
)ent do)n in ,ugosla-ia and not to trust the 1ihailo-i!h arm(6
4ut it turned out that the airmen didn't ha-e mu!h opportunit( to see# out one side or the
other6 Where-er (ou landed/ the lo!als found (ou Jui!#l(6 1ost of the airmen landing in
the hills of northern ,ugosla-ia/ li#e 1usgro-e/ Orsini/ and Wilson/ )ere lu!#( to land
in the hands of 1ihailo-i!h's for!es and the -illagers )ho supported him6
Though most of the Ameri!ans didn't #no) for a )hile if the( )ere in good hands or
bad/ before long/ a big/ rough-loo#ing/ bearded man )ith a rifle-one of 1ihailo-i!h's
for!es-)ould sho) up and sa(/ DAmeri!ans#i$D When the airman said (es/ the s!ar(
fello) )ould embra!e the flier in a bear hug and let him #no) that he )as safe6
The airmen had time for the fear to build as the( drifted do)n/ sometimes ta#ing as long
as t)ent( minutes to rea!h the ground6 As Ton( Orsini )as drifting do)n to an un#no)n
fate/ he sa) a hea-(set )oman in a long dress ra!ing to)ard him6 5e didn't #no) )hat
to thin# of this/ other than to be glad that she )as not a German soldier !arr(ing a rifle6
5e #ept his e(es on her as he drifted do)n and didn't realiFe until the last moment that
he )as fl(ing right into a tree6 With little time to bra!e/ Orsini hit the tree hard and bro#e
his !la-i!le/ falling hard to the ground and passing out6
When he a)o#e/ his fa!e )as in the ample bosom of the )oman he had seen ra!ing
to)ard him6 She )as !radling his head and )iping his fa!e/ )rapping her arms around to
hug him and sa(ing soothing things in a -oi!e that )as foreign to him (et still
remar#abl( !omforting6 The pain from his shoulder )as sharp and un(ielding/ but he
immediatel( #ne) he had !ome do)n in the right pla!e6 After )aiting for him to regain
his strength a bit/ the )oman helped Orsini to his feet and then guided him do)n a
rugged path to)ard her -illage6 As he approa!hed/ Orsini !ould see that the bombardier
from his !re) also had been found and had arri-ed in the -illage onl( moments earlier6
The residents of the -illage )ere pouring out of their homes to greet the t)o Ameri!ans/
e-er(one e:!ited and !hattering among themsel-es as Orsini and the other man tried to
ta#e in this in!redible s!ene6 Onl( a short time earlier/ the('d had no idea )hat the(
)ould find on the ground and here the( )ere being greeted li#e heroes6 One famil( e-en
brought out a pie!e of red !arpet for the Ameri!ans to sit on as the other -illagers
brought them )ater/ goats' mil#/ and bread6
After a fe) hours of so!ialiFing and eating/ Orsini and the bombardier )ere sent off )ith
se-eral men/ the rest of the -illage )a-ing good b(e and #issing them on the !hee#s as if
the( )ere sons going off to )ar6 The Ameri!ans had no idea )here the( )ere going/
sin!e the( still had not met an(one )ho spo#e +nglish/ but the( felt assured b( this point
that the lo!al people )ere loo#ing out for them6 After a hi#e of an hour or t)o/ the
Ameri!ans arri-ed at an en!ampment of 1ihailo-i!h's guerilla fighters in a mountainous
area6 >nli#e in the -illage/ these )ere all tough-loo#ing men/ loo#ing older than their
(ears be!ause of their bush( Old Testament beards and )eather-)orn fa!es6 Their
!lothing -aried some)hat/ the offi!ers )earing more !omplete uniforms/ the lo)er ran#s
outfitted in bits and pie!es of uniforms plus )hate-er else the( !ould find6 The better-
dressed offi!ers )ore )oolen Ga!#ets )ith leather belts/ )oolen bree!hes )ith leggings
that )rapped from the an#le to the #nee/ and round !aps )ith no bill and a !rest on the
front6 The lu!#ier guerillas had sturd( militar( boots/ but man( had to ma#e do )ith
simple felt slippers6
The( )ere a formidable sight to leer( fliers/ but the( greeted Orsini and the other
Ameri!ans in the same )a(/ )ith bear hugs and heart( !laps on the ba!#/ a!!ompanied
b( shouts of/ DAmeri!ans#i!D
There )as still not mu!h !ommuni!ation/ other than a fe) simple )ords of +nglish from
some of the ,ugosla- guerillas/ but Orsini #ne) he )as safe for the moment6 5e still
didn't #no) ho) he )ould get home/ but he !ould trust these fier!e-loo#ing soldiers to
prote!t him in the meantime6
As he la( do)n to sleep that night/ Orsini found that one of 1ihailo-i!h's soldiers had
ta#en a parti!ular li#ing to the good-loo#ing (oung 9talian-Ameri!an bo(6 ;rifting off to
sleep after a long da(/ Orsini suddenl( a)o#e )hen he felt the man sleeping ne:t to him
fumbling )ith the Fipper on his uniform pants6 Orsini pushed the man's hands a)a(/
e:plaining that he )asn't interested/ but the man )as insistent6 The Ameri!an had to
#eep fending off the bra)n(/ hair( man's ad-an!es for se-eral minutes/ finall( pointing
to his inGured shoulder and e:plaining that it hurt too mu!h6 This seemed to !on-in!e the
amorous ,ugosla-/ )ho nodded and smiled at Orsini before going ba!# to his o)n
blan#et6
Orsini )as relie-ed6 After su!h an e-entful da(/ the man's ad-an!es )ere Gust one more
une:pe!ted problem that he had o-er!ome6 5e )as too tired to thin# mu!h about it and
soon )ent to sleep6 The ne:t morning/ ho)e-er/ the same man approa!hed Orsini )ith a
smile and handed him a pi!ture of himself6 The ,ugosla- #ne) Orsini )ould be mo-ing
on soon/ and he )anted the Ameri!an to remember him6 On the ba!# of the pi!ture/ he
had )ritten/ D7emember (our da(s in 7a-na Gora6D
Orsini than#ed the man and shoo# his hand6 8o hard feelings6 5e put the pi!ture in his
po!#et and )ould end up #eeping it for man( (ears6
Still reeling from )at!hing the tragi! !rash of the bomber fl(ing alongside the one he
had Gust bailed out of/ Wilson had his e(es !losed tight )hen he heard dogs bar#ing6 The
sound !aused him to open his e(es and loo# at the !ountr(side he )as dropping into6 9t
)as rugged terrain/ but he !ould see that parts of it )ere farmland also/ and the dogs
seemed to be )ith a flo!# of sheep nearb(6 Though these dogs )eren't ma#ing a mo-e
to)ard Wilson/ man( of the airmen dropping into northern ,ugosla-ia had to !ontend
immediatel( )ith angr( dogs that the lo!al shepherds used not Gust to herd the flo!# but
also to #eep the )ol-es a)a(6 The aggressi-e dogs loo#ed e-en s!arier )ith the large/
spi#ed iron !ollars that man( )ore to help prote!t them in fights )ith )ol-es6
=ortunatel( for most of the airmen/ the bar#ing of the dogs attra!ted the shepherds
before an( serious damage )as done6
Wilson !ould see lo!al people in the fields and realiFed immediatel( that he )ould not
be able to hide after landing6 +-er(one sa) him !oming do)n/ and he )as sure the(
)ould be on him soon/ friendl( or not6 5e landed )ell and undid his para!hute harness
Jui!#l(/ lea-ing the !anop( snagged in a tree be!ause there )as no use tr(ing to hide it6
5e )al#ed out of the small !learing )here he !ame do)n and sa) a burl( man in hea-(
)oolen !lothes )al#ing to)ard him6 9n the 'ul( heat/ Wilson thought it )as a strange
sight6 The man's appearan!e made Wilson feel li#e he had landed in the 1iddle Ages6
The man )as )al#ing to)ard Wilson bris#l( and )hen he got )ithin earshot/ Wilson
!ould hear him (elling/ DAmeri!ans#i or +nglaise$D 8ot #no)ing (et )hether the man
)ould help or hurt him/ Wilson felt li#e he had no !hoi!e but to ans)er6 DAmeri!an!D he
(elled ba!#6 D9'm Ameri!an!D
That !aused the man to brea# into a Gog and then embra!e Wilson in a tight bear hug/
almost lifting the be)ildered Ameri!an off his feet6 Wilson didn't Juite #no) ho) to
respond as the man #issed him on both !hee#s/ his beard s!rat!hing the airman's fa!e6
The ,ugosla- )as all smiles as he shoo# Wilson's hand and slapped him on the ba!#/
sa(ing/ DAmeri!ans#i!D o-er and o-er6 Wilson !ould onl( manage a )ea# smile be!ause
he )as e:hausted from the ordeal on the plane/ plus he didn't reall( #no) )hat )as
going on6 4ut )hen he sa) the man gesture to a girl nearb( )ho )as !arr(ing a )ooden
!as#/ he per#ed up at the sight6 5e )as desperatel( thirst( and )anted nothing more at
that moment than a drin# of )ater6
The girl ran o-er and handed him the !as# as the big man smiled and gestured for him to
drin#6 Wilson pulled out the )ooden plug and turned the !as# up/ drin#ing deep before
he realiFed it )asn't )ater but )hat the lo!als !alled ra#iGa/ a strong plum brand(6
Wilson !ho#ed and !oughed as the man laughed and the girl smiled at him6
The brand( helped Juen!h Wilson's thirst some)hat/ and the resulting buFF too# the
edge off the rest of his dis!omfort for a )hile6 5e )asn't at all sure )hat these people
)ere going to do )ith him/ but the( did seem happ( to help him so Wilson began to
rela: a bit after the terrible ordeal he'd been through6 5e sat and rested )hile the others
tal#ed e:!itedl(/ loo#ing to)ard him often and gesturing in a )a( that made it !lear the(
)ere dis!ussing him6 4efore long/ the burl( man )ho had hugged him gestured to)ard a
nearb( path and helped Wilson stand up/ sa(ing something that Wilson understood to
mean the( )ere lea-ing6 5e )al#ed )ith a small group of men for a short )hile/ !oming
upon a building that Wilson too# to be some sort of militar( site/ east of a fairl( large
to)n !alled 'agodina and southeast of 4elgrade/ the national !apital6 There )ere se-eral
men )ith rifles standing guard/ and Wilson !ould see bo:es of ammunition and other
supplies6
The group rested for a long time/ the ,ugosla-s tal#ing but Wilson not understanding
an(thing6 Then he noti!ed another group approa!hing the building/ and as the( !ame
!loser he !ould see that one of the group )as not li#e the others6 5e )as )earing a flight
suit6 9t didn't ta#e long for Wilson to re!ogniFe one of his !re)mates from the 4-1. and
he rushed out to greet him6 O-er the ne:t eight hours/ se-eral more groups straggled in
)ith an airmen or t)o in to)/ until eight of the 4-1.'s !re) )ere gathered together
again6 Onl( the pilot and !opilot )ere still missing/ and Wilson suspe!ted that )as
be!ause the( had bailed out mu!h later and farther a)a( than the other !re)6
The plane's radio operator/ 8orman 4roo#s/ had bro#en his an#le on landing/ but
other)ise the !re) )ere in prett( good shape !onsidering the ordeal the( had been
through6
The same s!enes )ere repeated all o-er northern ,ugosla-ia throughout mu!h of 12""6
1i#e 1!Iool/ a Te:as nati-e/ )as a ma!hine gunner on a 4-1. )hen he bailed out o-er
,ugosla-ia on 'ul( "/ 12""6 5is stor( )as similar to those of the other fliers< 5is bomber
)as on a mission from 1anduria in southern 9tal( to the oil fields of loesti )hen t)o
engines )ent out on the return flight o-er ,ugosla-ia6 T)o German fighters had been
)aiting in the area for damaged bombers and atta!#ed/ destro(ing a third engine and
prompting the !re) to bail out near &apo-o/ about eight( miles south of 4elgrade6 On
landing/ 1!Iool immediatel( found a hole to hide in but )at!hed )ith trepidation as
fifteen to t)ent( people !ame running to)ard him )ith pit!hfor#s and si!#les6 1!Iool
)orried that he )as about to be ha!#ed to death b( angr( -illagers/ but the( thre) do)n
their farming tools )hen the( got to 1!Iool and hugged him tightl(/ fighting one
another for the !han!e to #iss him on the !hee#6 1!Iool )as still be)ildered b( the
)arm )el!ome )hen t)o men )ith rifles !ame running up/ shouting to the !ro)d
urgentl(6 Whate-er he )as sa(ing/ 1!Iool understood that Germans )ere !oming6 The(
must ha-e seen his para!hute6
The t)o soldiers/ members of 1ihailo-i!h's for!es/ pushed the other lo!als a)a( and
one grabbed 1!Iool's para!hute/ Jui!#l( bundling it into a ball and !arr(ing it a)a(6
The other one grabbed him b( the arm and urged him to !ome along6 =or the ne:t si:
hours/ 1!Iool )as on the run )ith his es!orts through thi!# )oods and up steep
hillsides6 The( #ept mo-ing be!ause the( !ould hear German soldiers !hasing them/
along )ith the o!!asional gunshot6
Thomas Oli-er's flight on 1a( */ 12""/ started out badl( be!ause he )as fl(ing a
borro)ed plane6 A 4-2" pilot/ he normall( fle) the =l(ing 1ud!at/ but the plane )as
being repaired that da( so he and his !re) had to ta#e another6 Oli-er )as a superstitious
man and didn't li#e it6
5e had another little superstition for ea!h flight6 ;uring the briefing for ea!h mission/ he
)ould estimate his return time and )rite it on the briefing sheet/ then stuff it in a po!#et
of his flight suit6 The estimate didn't ser-e an( real purpose/ but Oli-er li#ed to ha-e
some )ritten proof that he intended to !ome ba!#6 5a-ing the time )ritten do)n ga-e
him some sense of !onfiden!e that he )as going to ma#e it ba!#/ and he ne-er fle)
)ithout the pie!e of paper on him6 On 1a( */ he )as ta:iing the plane a!ross the
run)a( in preparation for ta#eoff )hen he rea!hed for something in his po!#et and the
paper )ith his estimated return time fle) out the open !o!#pit )indo)6 8ot a good sign/
he thought6
5ours later/ Oli-er's 4-2" )as in the middle of a hell fight o-er loesti/ fla# ro!#ing the
plane and German fighters atta!#ing )ith a -engean!e6 Soon after the !all of Dbombs
a)a(/D the number three engine )as hit and started losing oil pressure6 9t )asn't long
before the engine seiFed up/ follo)ed soon b( number four6 The !re) Gettisoned
an(thing that !ould be hea-ed o-erboard/ but the plane !ould maintain onl( eight
thousand feet of altitude/ barel( enough to !lear the ;almatian Alps near the Adriati!
Sea6 1a(be the( !ould ma#e it ba!# to 9tal(6 1a(be6
The na-igator/ 'ohn Thibadeau/ )as tr(ing to #eep the plane on a !ourse that )ould
a-oid an( antiair!raft batteries/ but it turned out that one German batter( near the
,ugosla-ian to)n of 4or )as not on his maps6 A dire!t hit of antiair!raft fire too# out
their number t)o engine and set the plane on fire6 Oli-er hit the bailout bell and told his
!re) o-er the inter!om to abandon ship6 5e )as the last to bail out/ )at!hing the
bomber di-e nose first into the ground and e:plode in a massi-e fireball as he hung
under his para!hute6
Oli-er )as alarmed at ho) slo)l( he )as des!ending/ figuring there )ould be plent( of
time for a German patrol to spot him and meet him on the ground6 As it turned out/ he
drifted dire!tl( do)n on top of a famil( of ,ugosla-s )ho )ere ha-ing lun!h at a
)ooden table outside their small farmhouse6 Oli-er immediatel( noti!ed from his high
-antage point that there )as an entire sheep's head sitting on the table/ staring up at him6
The famil( loo#ed up in time to see an Ameri!an !rashing do)n on them and )ere able
to Gump up and grab Oli-er as he !ame !loser6 &i#e the other airmen/ Oli-er )as greeted
)arml( )ith hugs and #isses and )ords he !ouldn't understand6 Though unin-ited/ he
felt li#e an honored guest at their pi!ni!/ )hi!h )as !onfirmed )hen the( offered him
the e(eballs right out of the sheep's head6 Oli-er politel( de!lined/ but he eagerl(
a!!epted a glass of )ine6
Oli-er had been at the table for onl( ten minutes )hen t)o men approa!hed )ith rifles
o-er their shoulders/ leading a horse6 The( tal#ed briefl( to the famil( and to Oli-er/ and
he thought he heard them mention ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h6 One of the men motioned for him
to mount the horse/ and after more bear hugs and #isses from the famil(/ Oli-er )as off6
Another pilot blamed ;inah Shore )hen he found himself in trouble o-er ,ugosla-ia6 9n
12"2 the 8e) ,or# nati-e )as full of patrioti! fer-or and en-isioning a glorious militar(
!areer as a pilot/ and hearing the )holesome blond beaut( sing D5e Wears a air of
Sil-er WingsD )as all it too# to push 7i!hard =elman o-er the edge6 5umming the song
the )hole )a(/ he immediatel( )ent out and -olunteered for the air for!e6 5e soon
found himself piloting a 4-2" from a base in &e!!e/ 9tal(/ leading a !re) of ten men )ho
had trained together and bonded li#e famil(6
9n Gust o-er t)o months/ the !re) of the D8e-er a ;ull 1omentD had flo)n t)ent(-three
missions and !ounted up 212 hits all o-er the plane6 ,et not one of the !re) had suffered
e-en the slightest inGur(6 4ut then !ame a mission in 'ul( 12""6 At three a6m6/ the dut(
offi!er )o#e =elman and his !re) and told them to report for a mission briefing6 The(
found out the( )ere fl(ing that da( to bomb Ostro 7omano/ the most )ell-defended oil
refiner( in loesti6 After the usual briefings about the target/ the bomb load/ e:pe!ted
resistan!e and so forth/ the !re) )as gi-en one more bit of ad-i!e/ )ith the no)-
!ommon )arning to prote!t their ears< D9f (ou go do)n o-er ,ugosla-ia/ loo# for the
artisan fighters/ the supporters of Tito6 The( )ear !aps )ith a red star6 Sta( a)a( from
the Chetni#s/ the lo!al peasants )ho support 1ihailo-i!h6 The('ll !ut (our ears off and
hand (ou o-er to the Germans6D
=elman thought that sounded odd6 5e didn't #no) mu!h about the )arring fa!tions in
,ugosla-ia/ but he #ne) that 1ihailo-i!h had been on the !o-er of Time magaFine not
too mu!h earlier/ profiled as a heroi! Ameri!an all(6 8o) he's going to !ut off m( ears$
The )arning )as !urious but o-ershado)ed b( all the other dangers of the mission6 At
%<13 a6m6/ =elman's 4-2" too# flight and Goined a )a-e of t)o hundred and fift(
bombers headed to loesti6 =elman and his !re) had seen rough times o-er 7omania
before/ but on this mission the( sa) hell open up before them )hen the( )ere ten
minutes a)a( from their target6 The antiair!raft fire )as intenseH =elman )at!hed
bombers e:plode in front of him and drop out of the air6 5e and his !re) )ere s!ared
and )anted so badl( to Gust turn the plane around and run/ but the( #ne) the( had to get
to their target and drop their bombs6 After )hat seemed an eternit(/ =elman finall( heard
the bombardier !all/ D4ombs a)a(6D The plane Gumped up abruptl( as the fi-e-thousand-
pound pa(load )as released/ and =elman too# the !ontrols to turn the plane ba!# to)ard
home6
After es!aping the target area/ the !re) )as relie-ed to see that/ on!e again/ the( had
made it through loesti )ithout an( inGuries/ and the plane )as still fl(ing Gust fine6
Then =elman heard one of the gunners !all out/ D5e(/ loo# at that -%1 o-er there6 What
a beaut(6D A -%1 )as an Ameri!an fighter plane/ and bomber !re)s al)a(s )el!omed
the sight of one !oming alongside to pro-ide prote!tion6 The problem )as that this
gunner/ #no)n to the !re) as Sergeant Carl/ a!tuall( )as a Juartermaster sergeant the
!re) met in 9tal( )ho had ne-er been trained to fl(6 The !re) unoffi!iall( adopted him
as a sometimes member be!ause he had gro)n bored of his ground duties in 9tal( and
)anted some air e:perien!e that might hasten his rotation out of the unit6 The( taught
him ho) to man the fift(-!aliber ma!hine guns and )ere satisfied )ith his performan!e6
>nfortunatel(/ Sergeant Carl had ne-er been trained to re!ogniFe enem( planes from the
air/ so the -%1 he thought he sa) )as a!tuall( a German 1essers!hmitt/ a German
fighter that !ould poun!e on a bomber )ith little )arning6 And it )asn't the onl( one
e(eing them6
Within minutes/ the 1essers!hmitts tore the bomber to bits from nose to tail6 =uel )as
pumping into the fuselage from bro#en lines and =elman !ould tell right a)a( that the
flight )as doomed6 9t all happened so fast that there )as no time for dis!ussion/ no time
to )arn an(one6 =elman issued the !ommand to abandon ship/ hit the bailout button/ and
he )as fl(ing out the side hat!h before he had time to thin# about ho) s!ared he should
be6 5e )aited as long as he !ould stand it before pulling the rip !ord on his !hute/ not
)anting to hang in the air and ma#e himself a good target an( longer than ne!essar(6
When he landed hard/ he first thought he might ha-e bro#en his leg6 9t too# a moment to
realiFe he had been shot in the leg6 >ntil no)/ he'd been too fo!used on other matters to
noti!e6 5e tried to stand but !ouldn't6
Suddenl( it seemed that -illagers )ere !oming out of e-er( bush and from behind e-er(
tree6 5e loo#ed all around him in sho!#/ and )ith great trepidation/ as at least t)ent(
people !ame running to)ard him from all dire!tions-men/ )omen/ and !hildren6 4efore
he !ould de!ide )hether it )as )orth tr(ing to defend himself/ the( )ere on him/
hugging and #issing him fer-entl(/ smiling from ear to ear6 1ore )omen and !hildren
stood at a distan!e/ )at!hing eagerl( and tr(ing to get a loo# at the Ameri!an6
=elman realiFed immediatel( that these people )ere Chetni#s/ the lo!als he )as
supposed to a-oid6 4ut the( )eren't ma#ing an( mo-es to !ut off his ears6 9n fa!t/ the(
)ere a!tuall( lining up so the( !ould ea!h ta#e a turn at hugging and #issing him6
After e-er(one )as satisfied that the( had greeted the airman suffi!ientl(/ se-eral of the
bigger men pi!#ed =elman up and !arried him on their shoulders for about half a mile to
a grouping of three small !ottages/ the rest of the group follo)ing and !hattering
e:!itedl(6 As the( arri-ed/ another thirt( -illagers started streaming in from the
!ountr(side/ ha-ing heard that an Ameri!an dropped out of the s#(6 With ea!h ne)
-illager/ =elman )as greeted li#e a !elebrit( and a!!epted more hugs and #isses6 5e
!ouldn't understand e:a!tl( )h( the( )ere treating him li#e ro(alt(/ but he )asn't
!omplaining6
The Chetni#s )ere in a festi-e mood and brought out fruits/ flo)ers/ and a bottle of
raGi#a/ the plum brand( that !ould be found in most -illages6 Someone started pla(ing
musi! and !hildren dan!ed6 After offering =elman a toast of raGi#a/ a burl( Chetni# man
Jui!#l( poured the rest of his !up o-er =elman's leg )ound )ithout )arning6 The
Ameri!an )in!ed as the al!ohol seared his open flesh/ but the man offered another drin#
of brand( and =elman soon forgot the pain6 When he ne:t loo#ed do)n at his leg/ there
)as a !lean bandage !o-ering the )ound6
The part( !ontinued for some time/ and later =elman )as resting in one of the !ottages
)hen an older -illager approa!hed him !autiousl(6 The old man seemed as if he didn't
)ant to intrude on =elman/ but he pointed outside the !ottage/ gesturing as if he )ere
as#ing =elman to go )ith him6 =elman )asn't sure )hat he meant/ and he )as too tired
to go outside for more festi-ities/ so he onl( smiled in return6 Then the mee# man put his
hands together as if pra(ing and nodded to)ard the door6 =elman understood and nodded
(es6
The old man ga-e =elman a sti!# to use as a !rut!h and then helped him hobble o-er to
the -illage's small !hur!h6 =elman #nelt )ith the man and pra(ed/ ea!h of them spea#ing
to the same God in a language the other !ould not understand6 The Ameri!an !ould not
tell )hat the Chetni# )as than#ing God for/ but he )as than#ing the &ord for deli-ering
him into the hands of the -er( people he had been told to a-oid6
&ater that afternoon/ =elman )as introdu!ed to Colonel ;ragisM Aa si
/ a senior offi!er under 1ihailo-i!h )ho had !ome to meet the do)ned Ameri!an6
=elman )as immediatel( stru!# b( Aasi
's appearan!e6 >nli#e the burl(/ rough-loo#ing soldiers and -illagers he had met so far/
Aasi
had a more refined/ almost !ourtl( air about him6 5e )as in his mid-se-enties/ )ith
sno)-)hite hair and a neatl( trimmed musta!he and goatee6 Aasi
)as dressed in a !lean/ handsome uniform6 5is )ife a!!ompanied him/ and =elman )as
relie-ed )hen she introdu!ed herself and Aasi
in +nglish6 She )as the first +nglish-spea#ing person he had met in ,ugosla-ia6
The three of them sat under a large tree/ )ith soldiers standing guard nearb( and the
-illagers )at!hing )ith interest from a polite distan!e6 With his )ife a!ting as
interpreter/ Aasi
e:plained that he had been a prominent )riter before the 8aFi in-asion but had left his
home in the !it( to Goin 1ihailo-i!h's for!es in the mountains6 5e )as ser-ing as a
politi!al !ounselor to 1ihailo-i!h himself6
Aasi
)as )arm and !ordial/ e:plaining to =elman that 1ihailo-i!h )ould do e-er(thing in
his po)er to prote!t the do)ned airmen6 =elman e:pressed his gratitude and related that
the -illagers had been -er( #ind to him alread(6 The lo!al people felt honored in his
presen!e/ Aasi
e:plained/ be!ause the( !onsidered Ameri!an airmen to be bra-e )arriors )ho )ere
ris#ing their li-es to help them beat ba!# the German in-aders6 And for most of them/
=elman )as the first of these heroi! fliers the( had e-er seen6
The !olonel )ent on to e:plain ho) he and others had retreated into the mountains after
,ugosla-ia fell to the Germans in 12"1/ follo)ing 1ihailo-i!h/ )ho had been minister
of defense under Iing eter the Se!ond6 Though the guerilla for!es )ere poorl( armed/
the( )ere determined to fight the 8aFis )ith )hate-er the( had6 =elman )as inspired b(
Aasi
's demeanor/ the loo# of determination in his e(es )hen he spo#e of beating ba!# the
German o!!upiers6 As the( )ound up their dis!ussion/ Aasi
's )ife e:plained that there )as one more thing the !olonel needed to tell =elman6
DOur soldiers found ten para!hutes/D she said/ translating Aasi
's Juietl( spo#en )ords6 =elman #ne) he )as tal#ing about the !rash of his o)n plane/
and that there had been ele-en !re) members onboard that da(-the usual ten plus a
photographer on a spe!ial assignment6 DThe Germans rea!hed the plane first and the
other man )as dead6 We do not #no) his name be!ause the Germans too# his
identifi!ation tile6 The Germans too# e-er(thing -aluable in the plane and then started
loo#ing for (ou and (our friends6D
Aasi
e:plained that 1ihailo-i!h's orders )ere to prote!t the Ameri!ans at all !osts/ )hi!h
=elman understood to ha-e real meaning )hen the !ost might in!lude retaliation against
the lo!al -illagers6 5e then !alled o-er a (oung soldier )ho had been standing nearb(
and introdu!ed him as 1iodrag Stefano-i!6
D5e )ill be (our bod(guard/D Aasi
's )ife e:plained6 D5e is one of the best fighters6 5e )ill prote!t (ou6D
=rom that da( for)ard/ Stefano-i! sta(ed b( =elman's side da( and night/ ne-er lea-ing
him unguarded for a moment6 The ne:t morning/ after a sound sleep on a stra) mattress/
=elman a)o#e to a hard pounding rain6 When he loo#ed outside the door of the little
!ottage )here he had been put up/ he sa) Stefano-i! huddled )ith nine other soldiers
out under a nearb( tree/ shi-ering in the do)npour6 =elman !alled his guard o-er and
as#ed/ through hand gestures sin!e Stefano-i! understood no +nglish/ )h( the soldiers
had not !ome inside6 Stefano-i! mimed the ans)er< The( had been afraid of )a#ing
their spe!ial guest6
&ater that morning/ the rest of =elman's !re) started arri-ing in the -illage/ brought in
b( soldiers a fe) at a time/ and in one !ase/ b( t)o bo(s )ho led a !ouple of horses on
)hi!h the flight engineer &eonard DTe:D rit!hett and radio operator 9srael D4ron:D
1a(er rode )ith flo)ers in their hair and stu!# in their uniforms b( the -illagers the(
had met earlier6 Another !re) member abandoned his hideout in the )oods/ )here he
)as follo)ing his training b( la(ing lo) and )aiting for res!ue6 >nable to stand the !old
and hunger an( longer/ he Gust )al#ed do)n to the nearest -illage and )as sho!#ed to
see =elman and the rest of his !re) there/ being treated li#e ro(alt(6
+-entuall( all of the sur-i-ing members of =elman's !re) made it to the -illage6 After
an initial !elebration that in!luded rolling around on the ground/ )restling one another/
and laughing )ildl( )ith ea!h ne) arri-al/ the !re) soon !ame to realiFe )ho )as
missing6 9t )as Tom 6 &o-ett/ a nose gunner from 7o:bur(/ 1assa!husetts6 On!e the(
sa) he )asn't among them/ the( remembered that he had dela(ed bailing out of the
plane/ sta(ing at his position )hile the others bailed out/ (elling that he )anted to sta(
Gust a moment longer to #ill another 8aFi fighter6 Apparentl( he ne-er left his post and
)ent do)n )ith the plane6
The lo!al -illagers re!o-ered &o-ett's bod( and held a formal funeral/ attended b( three
hundred people/ in!luding =elman and his !re)mates6 The Serbs made a small
headstone ins!ribed )ith &o-ett's name/ militar( number/ and hometo)n6 &ater the(
ga-e =elman some photographs of the gra-e and the funeral !eremon( to ta#e ba!# to
&o-ett's famil(6
1ean)hile/ ne)s of the airmen's plight )as rea!hing their relati-es ba!# home6 All o-er
the !ountr(/ families )ere fa!ing the moment that the( feared as soon as a lo-ed one left
to Goin the ser-i!e6 The( ans)ered a doorbell in the midst of !oo#ing a pie/ or the(
!ra)led out from under a !ar the( )ere )or#ing on )hen someone !alled from the
dri-e)a(/ or the( )ent to the )indo) to see )hat the dogs )ere bar#ing at6 Their hearts
s#ipped and their throats gre) dr( in an instant as the( sa) the Western >nion deli-er(
bo( standing there )ith a telegram in his hand6
Ton( Orsini's mother/ Angiolina Orsini/ )as in the #it!hen on August 3/ 12""/ )hen she
heard the #no!# at the door6 >na!!ustomed to re!ei-ing -isitors )ith no noti!e/ she
immediatel( tensed and )ondered if an(thing )as amiss6 4ut it !ouldn't be Ton(/ she
thought6 She had tal#ed )ith him on the phone onl( t)o )ee#s earlier )hen he )as in
1an!hes ter/ 8e) 5ampshire/ preparing to go o-erseas6 And she #ne) he had been in
+urope for onl( about a )ee#6 She )orried about him !onstantl(/ but she had not (et
started dreading e-er( #no!# at the door6
&oo#ing e-er( bit the part of the 9talian immigrant mother in the #it!hen/ 1rs6 Orsini
)iped her hands on her apron before heading to the front door6 As she opened the door/
she sa) a (oung bo( in a Western >nion hat standing there6 5e !ouldn't ha-e been more
than fifteen (ears old6 She sa) his bi#e leaning against the front steps6 The bo( stared
do)n at the floor and mumbled/ DTelegram for (ou/ ma'am/D ne-er ma#ing e(e !onta!t6
5e had done this man( times before/ and he )anted to Gust hand o-er the telegram and
lea-e6
Der me$ Che !osa N esso$D she as#ed/ not #no)ing )hat the telegram )as or )h( he
)as handing it to her6
The bo( thrust the en-elope at her and she instin!ti-el( too# it from him/ freeing the bo(
to turn Jui!#l( and Gump on his bi#e6 5e pedaled hard and ra!ed a)a(/ lea-ing Orsini's
mother standing there )ith an en-elope that said DWestern >nion TelegramD and D1rs6
Angiolina Orsini O 20 4ea!on St/ 'erse( Cit(/ 8'6D She loo#ed do)n at it and suddenl(
realiFed )hat it )as6 She gasped and put a hand to her mouth/ then tore the en-elope
open6 She fumbled )ith the paper folded inside but Jui!#l( sa) that it )as in +nglish6
She !ould not read a )ord of it/ but she #ne) it )as about her dear Anthon(6
She began to !r( as she stared at the telegram/ fearing the )orst6 Then she loo#ed ne:t
door and bolted do)n the front steps to)ard a neighbor )ho )as an 9talian immigrant
li#e herself but )ho !ould read and )rite +nglish6 She )ent to the side door and
pounded hard6 When the )oman appeared/ she sa) Orsini's mother standing there in a
pani!/ tears running do)n her fa!e and !lut!hing the telegram tightl( in both hands6
DColto esso a me! rego !olto esso a me!D she !ried to the neighbor6 lease read it to me!
Startled/ the )oman had no idea )hat the distraught )oman )as tal#ing about6 Then she
sa) that it )as a telegram Angiolina Orsini )as holding6 She #ne) immediatel( that this
)ould be terrible ne)s6 She didn't )ant to read the telegram6
D8o/ no/ non posso/D she replied/ sha#ing her head/ full of s(mpath( but not )anting to
be the one to gi-e this poor )oman su!h bad ne)s6 8o/ 9 !an't6
Der fa-ore! rego/ do-ete!D Orsini's mother !ried6 DP !ir!a il mio Anthon(!D lease/ (ou
must6 9t's about m( Anthon(6
The neighbor !ouldn't resist the anguished )oman's pleas6 She too# the telegram and
slo)l( read it aloud in 9talian as Orsini's mother began to sob into her apron6
D&a Segretaria della Guerra lo -uole per esprimere il suo rin!res!i mento profondo !he il
-ostro tenente Anthon( '6 Orsini del figlio in Se!- ondo &uogo N stato segnalato 9
missing nell'aFione 6 6 6D she read6 DThe Se!retar( of War desires me to e:press his deep
regret that (our son Se!ond &ieutenant Anthon( '6 Orsini has been reported missing in
a!tion 6 6 6D
5er Anthon( had been a)a( su!h a short time and alread( he )as gone6 She pra(ed that
he )as still ali-e/ but she #ne) that this telegram )as often follo)ed b( another6
Chapter %
&ong 'ourne( to Some)here
On!e the( )ere on the ground/ the airmen's onl( goal )as to sur-i-e6 Sur-i-e right no)/
sur-i-e for another hour/ for toda(/ then for another da(6 The( had no )a( to
!ommuni!ate )ith their home bases/ and there )as ne:t to nothing in the !ountr(side
that )ould help them/ other than the generous lo!al people )ho too# them in6 The rough
terrain made an( tra-el diffi!ult/ and besides/ the airmen didn't ha-e an( idea )hi!h )a(
to go6 1o-ing do)n the mountains into more populated areas might offer more
opportunit( for es!ape or signaling for help/ but that )ould mean )al#ing right into
areas that )ere hea-il( patrolled b( Germans6 4etter to sta( hidden in the mountainside
e-en if the( didn't #no) )hat the( )ould do ne:t6
+s!aping from this 8aFi-held territor( seemed li#e an impossibilit( to most of them6
The( )ere airmen used to fl(ing o-er dangerous !ountr(/ not spe!ial agents trained to
infiltrate and ma#e their )a( through enem( territor( on the ground6
After meeting up )ith his fello) !re) members at the militar( outpost of 1ihailo-i!h's
guerillas/ Wilson realiFed that his best bet for sur-i-al )as to sti!# )ith these armed men
for as long as the( )ould ha-e him6 =or the ne:t t)o months/ the Serbian fighters
harbored Wilson and his !re)mates/ feeding them as )ell as the( !ould manage and
ta#ing them along )hen the group mo-ed from one -illage to the ne:t b( narro)/
sometimes o-ergro)n trails-another group of ragtag Ameri!ans mo-ing through
,ugosla-ia/ li#e the groups that in!luded 1usgro-e and Orsini6 +a!h group had their
o)n ad-entures and diffi!ulties along the )a(/ and one of the )orst parts )as not
#no)ing )hat other Ameri!ans )ere out there and )hether the( )ould e-er Goin up6
O!!asionall( the Chetni# soldiers )ould hide Wilson and the other Ameri!ans in the
bushes until a German patrol passed or until the( !ould be !ertain that a -illage )as safe6
Wilson got used to trudging through the mountainous !ountr(side and loo#ed for)ard to
ea!h ne) -illage/ )here the fliers )ould be greeted as heroes and offered )hate-er
rations !ould be found6 Though the -illagers al)a(s )el!omed them/ the soldiers
es!orting them )ould allo) the group to sta( onl( a da( or so before mo-ing on6 The(
#ne) that the generous -illagers )ould gi-e e-er( s!rap of food to the Ameri!ans if the(
sta(ed too long6
The mood of the Ameri!ans !hanged )hen the( met a man named 4ogdan/ )ho greeted
them in +nglish as the( entered another -illage6 5e embra!ed the fliers and )el!omed
them/ !ausing the Ameri!ans to brea# into broad grins as the( realiFed that finall( the(
)ere meeting a Chetni# )ho spo#e +nglish6 1a(be the('d find out )here the( )ere
going and )hat )ould happen to them6
The( Jui!#l( found out that 4ogdan had learned +nglish )hile )or#ing in the steel mills
of Gar(/ 9ndiana6 5e had returned to ,ugosla-ia to retire and found himself dire!tl( in
the path of 5itler's arm(6 The( spo#e eagerl( )ith 4ogdan/ pumping him for an(
information/ but he had little to pass on6 All he !ould tell them )as that the soldiers )ere
prote!ting them until the( !ould figure out some)here to ta#e them6
D7ight no)/ the( )ill ta#e (ou from one pla!e to ne:t/D he said6 DThe( )ill prote!t (ou6
4ut 9 don't #no) )here (ou are going6D
4ogdan Goined them on their Gourne(/ ser-ing as their interpreter/ helping the Ameri!ans
understand )hat little there )as to dis!uss along the )a(6 9f nothing else/ he !ould help
the Ameri!ans understand ho) far the ne:t -illage )as/ ho) long it might be before the(
found some food6 As the( mo-ed on/ the Ameri!ans )ould )at!h for an(thing edible
along the )a(/ stopping to gather berries or an( fruit that loo#ed remotel( li#e
something the( re!ogniFed6 Whene-er the( !ame a!ross a stream )ith small minno)li#e
fish/ the airmen used their shirts to )ea-e a seine that )ould !at!h the little fish b( the
doFens6 The( didn't seem li#e mu!h of a meal/ but the Ameri!ans )ould ta#e the fish to
the ne:t -illage and as# a lo!al )oman to fr( them/ offering some of the fish in
appre!iation for the !oo#ing and an( butter/ goat !heese/ or bread she might spare6
When the( !ame to a bigger ri-er/ the men sometimes too# ad-antage of the !han!e to
get out of the 'ul( heat and !ool off6 One da( the men )ere dra)n to the sound of
rushing )ater/ )hi!h promised relief from the in!essant heat of the da( and the( !ouldn't
)ait to Gump in )hen the( sa) the ri-er up ahead6 With the blessing of their Chetni#
es!orts the Ameri!ans stripped do)n and Gumped in the !ool )ater/ forgetting for a
moment that the( )ere in enem( territor( and in !onstant danger6 One of the guerillas
indi!ated that he )as going off in the dire!tion of the lo!al -illage to see if the( should
stop there or #eep mo-ing on/ disappearing ba!# through the )oods and lea-ing the
Ameri!ans )ith a fe) other Chetni#s )ho sat do)n in the shade and indi!ated that it
)as o#a( if Wilson and his friends )anted to s)im6 The (oung men Gumped in
immediatel(/ and it didn't ta#e them long to let their guard do)n6 The( )ere Gust (oung
men ta#ing a s)im/ sho-ing one another under)ater and splashing )ith abandon6
Wilson )as enGo(ing himself/ immersing himself o-er and o-er again to !ool do)n/
)hile tr(ing to s!rub off some of the grime that )as ground into e-er( in!h of his s#in6
5e )as s!rubbing )hen he loo#ed do)nstream and noti!ed someone else in the )ater/
ma(be half a mile a)a(6
Wilson !ouldn't see him !learl(/ but he pointed the man out to the other Ameri!ans and
)ondered aloud )ho it might be6 +-er(one !almed do)n for a moment to ta#e a loo#/
but then the group de!ided the man must Gust be a lo!al -illager6 The man appeared to be
na#ed/ li#e them/ and he )as standing there staring ba!# at them6 Se-eral of the men
)a-ed at the other fello)/ but he Gust stood there6 One of the Ameri!ans got the attention
of a Chetni# soldier on the shore and pointed do)n-ri-er to the other man6 The soldier
too# a loo# and/ seeing nothing to suggest the man )as an(thing other than a lo!al
-illager/ shoo# his head as if to sa( there )as no problem/ then )ent ba!# to resting
under a tree6 Wilson and his !re)mates shrugged their shoulders and returned to
enGo(ing the !ool )ater6
Suddenl( the( !ould hear the Chetni# guerrilla )ho had gone to the -illage !rashing
through the )oods/ hurriedl( returning to the ri-er-ban#6 5e started shouting to the other
Chetni#s e:!itedl(/ (elling something that !aused the men )ith rifles to spring to their
feet6 The( started )a-ing furiousl( at the Ameri!ans in the )ater6 Wilson and his
!re)mates stopped their horsing around and loo#ed up at the an:ious men on the ban#/
not #no)ing )hat )as )rong but getting the message that something )as6 The( )ere
starting to slo)l( ma#e their )a( out of the )ater )hen 4ogdan ran o-er and shouted to
them6
DGermans! There are Germans here! ,ou must go! Go no)!D
The Ameri!ans !hurned the )ater as the( ran to shore Jui!#l(/ as fast as the( !ould/
grabbing their !lothes on the )a( out and sprinting into the )oods on the heels of the
Chetni#s6 The( ran for a long time/ na#ed and half na#ed/ struggling to put on some
!lothes along the )a(/ until finall( the guerillas de!ided the( had run far enough6 The(
all sat do)n in the )oods/ panting from the e:ertion/ the Ameri!ans still soa#ing )et6
DWhere are the Germans$D one of the Ameri!ans as#ed 4ogdan6
Their interpreter !ould hardl( spea# as he tried to !at!h his breath6 DThe -illage 6 6 6
Germans are in the -illage6 Ta#ing pigs/ other food/D he said6
Se-eral of the Ameri!ans loo#ed puFFled6 The -illage )asn't all that !lose to )here the(
)ere s)imming/ so )h( )ere the( running for their li-es li#e that$
4ogdan )as breathing better no) and !ould e:plain more6 DThat man (ou sa) in the
ri-er/ he )as the !ommandant of that unit/ the Germans/D he said6 D5e )ent to the ri-er
to bathe )hile his men )ent to the -illage6D
Suddenl( the pi!ture be!ame !lear to the Ameri!ans6 The( )ere )hooping and hollering
li#e s!hoolbo(s Gust upstream from a German offi!er )ho !ould ha-e had them all
arrested or #illed on the spot6 The( had e-en )a-ed at him6 The onl( reason the( )ere
still ali-e and free/ the( figured/ )as that the German offi!er )as b( himself and didn't
#no) ho) )ell armed the Ameri!an group might be6
4ut surel( he had reported the Ameri!ans/ and he might e-en be mobiliFing his o)n unit
to !hase them do)n6 The( had to #eep mo-ing6
As the( mar!hed on and on/ nearl( e-er( da(/ the Ameri!ans )ondered )here the( )ere
going6 4efore long/ the )ondering be!ame Gust an idle thought in the ba!# of their
minds/ not the all-!onsuming Juestion it had been at first6 9t )as onl( da(s before
Wilson stopped obsessing about ho) he )as going to get out of ,ugosla-ia and ba!# to
his base in 9tal(6 With ea!h passing da(/ the Juestion seemed more futile and soon he put
it out of his mind6 5e Gust #ept )al#ing through ,ugosla-ia6 Wilson and his !re)mates
tal#ed among themsel-es about e-er(thing under the sun be!ause the( had plent( of
time to pass6 4aseball ga-e )a( to !ars/ and then to fa-orite foods/ )hi!h led to starlets
and pinup girls/ )hi!h segued into girlfriends/ )i-es/ and mothers6 8o matter ho)
Go!ular the !on-ersation started/ it seemed to al)a(s lead to morose longing for those
ba!# home6 And that led to silen!e as the men mar!hed on6
All o-er northern ,ugosla-ia/ Ameri!an airmen )ere trudging along/ hoping the ne:t
turn of the trail )ould offer more hope6 1i#e 1!Iool had spent se-eral da(s at a
militar( !amp )ith Chetni# es!orts/ )aiting )hile the other members of his !re) )ere
brought in from the surrounding !ountr(side6 =ortunatel( for 1!Iool and his fello)
!re) members/ the !ommander of the 1ihailo-i!h arm( post/ #no)n as Captain
1ilan#o-i!/ spo#e +nglish6 Though he !ould reassure the Ameri!ans that the( )ould be
prote!ted/ he also e:plained ho) serious their situation )as6
A !ouple of da(s after the( landed in ,ugosla-ia/ Captain 1ilan#o-i! e:plained to
1!Iool that the Germans )ere loo#ing for them6 And )orse/ the( had ta#en t)ent(
-illagers prisoner/ threatening to #ill them if the( did not re-eal the )hereabouts of the
Ameri!ans6 1!Iool and his !re)mates )ere horrified at the idea and )ondered aloud if
the( should gi-e themsel-es up6
D9t )ill not help/D the Chetni# offi!er e:plained6 DThe Germans )ill #ill )ho the( )ish6
,ou !annot stop them6D
8e-ertheless/ the -illagers )eighed hea-il( on the minds of the Ameri!ans as the( rested
in the se!ret militar( !amp/ eating and drin#ing plum brand(6 After se-eral da(s/ the(
left the !amp and started )al#ing to)ard General 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters/ eight(
miles a)a(6 The( mo-ed mainl( at night and sta(ed a)a( from roads/ until the( met up
)ith a brigade of 1ihailo-i!h's fighters numbering eight hundred6 When the !ommander
of the brigade )as introdu!ed to the Ameri!ans and found out that 1!Iool )as from
Te:as/ he ni!#named him DTom 1i:/D after the mo-ie !o)bo( popular at the time/ and
ga-e him a horse to ride6
With the prote!tion of the brigade/ the group's tra-el )as safer but no faster6 9t too# three
)ee#s to rea!h their destination/ during )hi!h there )ere se-eral s#irmishes )ith
German patrols6 4ut e-en more than the moments of danger/ the Ameri!ans )ere
impressed b( the )a( the Serbian people greeted them along the )a(6 The( )ere offered
the best food in the -illage and learned not to eat all the( )ere offered/ lest the famil( be
left )ith nothing6 Aillagers offered their homes and beds for rest/ and )hen the brigade
mo-ed out again/ the Ameri!ans )ere singled out for spe!ial good-b(es and bits of bread
and goat !heese )rapped in a small !loth6 As the group mar!hed on/ the !olumn more
than half a mile long/ lo!al Serbs )ould line the path or road to see the soldiers and
espe!iall( the Ameri!ans the( had onl( heard about/ ne-er seen6 1ore often than not/
the( )ould step for)ard as the Ameri!ans passed b(/ offering a #iss on the !hee# or a
!up of goats' mil#6
Sometimes the Ameri!an airmen didn't e-en realiFe immediatel( ho) generous the lo!al
people )ere/ not until it )as too late to be gra!ious6 Some of the airmen/ )hen first on
the ground )ith the lo!al -illagers/ eagerl( s!arfed do)n all the food put in front of
them be!ause the amount )as small/ the( )ere hungr(/ and the( thought it )as all
intended for them6 Their bellies )ere full b( the time the( realiFed the peasant !ouple
and their !hild had intended to share the food and )ere onl( )aiting for them to eat first6
One airman )as sheltered in a -illager's home on his first night in ,ugosla-ia and made
a snide !omment the ne:t morning about the un!omfortable )ooden bed6 Another
airman/ )ho had been there longer and #ne) ho) far the -illagers' hospitalit( e:tended/
too# the first airman around to the small stone barn behind the house and sho)ed him
that the mother and her t)o !hildren had slept )ith the animals so the Ameri!an !ould
ha-e their bed6
One da( 1!Iool )as o-er!ome b( the outpouring of emotion from an elderl( )oman in
a long dress and the traditional head !o-ering )ho rushed for)ard and grabbed his hand
as he passed b( on horseba!#/ #issing it fer-entl( and spea#ing )ords he !ould not
understand6 5e !ould tell/ ho)e-er/ that there )as great emotion behind the )ords6 She
sobbed and held on to his hand as long as she !ould6 As the( passed and the )oman fell
ba!#/ 1!Iool as#ed the Serbian offi!er he )as riding alongside )h( the )oman
responded that )a( to him6
D1an( of these people ha-e lost sons to this )ar6 Some of them ha-e sons in German
prisoner !amps/D he e:plained/ loo#ing ahead as his horse )al#ed on6 DThe( see (ou as
their o)n !hildren/ Ameri!ans espe!iall(/ be!ause (ou !ome here to help us fight6 That
)oman )as #issing her son )hen she #issed (ou6D
Thomas Oli-er's brief sta( )ith the famil( )ho found him )as follo)ed b( an afternoon
on horseba!#/ a!!ompanied b( three soldiers6 5e understood almost nothing the( said to
him along the )a(/ other than their mention of the name ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h6 Oli-er
didn't #no) a lot about 1ihailo-i!h but figured that the men )ere ta#ing him to the
general6
The group mo-ed at a stead( pa!e through the hills/ stopping late in the afternoon to tal#
)ith a ,ugosla-ian do!tor )ho had been edu!ated in =ran!e6 5e didn't spea# an(
+nglish/ but Oli-er )as able to use his rudimentar( =ren!h to !ommuni!ate/ noting that
tal#ing )ith a ,ugosla-ian )ho spo#e =ren!h )as mu!h easier than an( of his pre-ious
attempts to spea# =ren!h )ith a =ren!hman6 The do!tor understood that Oli-er !ould not
spea# =ren!h )ell but understood the language )hen he heard it6 So the do!tor
translated in =ren!h )hat the soldiers told him/ and Oli-er had onl( to ans)er/ DOui/D or
as#/ DOu$D The do!tor !on-e(ed that the rest of Oli-er's !re)mates had been found/ and
one )as slightl( )ounded6
With an DAu re-oir!D to the do!tor/ Oli-er got ba!# on his horse and #ept mo-ing
through the !ountr(side/ stopping in the e-ening at a farmhouse )here the )oman
offered him a !up of hot goats' mil#6 Oli-er )as ra-enousl( hungr( b( then and too# the
!up eagerl(/ but he hesitated )hen he loo#ed at the !up6 The mil# had some #ind of
s!um all o-er the top/ and )hate-er it )as/ it didn't loo# appetiFing6 4ut Oli-er thought
to himself that he had to eat something/ and )hate-er this )as/ apparentl( the lo!als did
fine )ith it6 So he brought the !up to his lips and tossed the s!umm( mil# ba!# in one
big gulp/ hoping not to taste it on the )a( do)n6 9t turned out not to be as bad as he'd
e:pe!ted6
After that meager supper/ Oli-er )as put to bed on a pile of stra)/ )here he slept
soundl( for a fe) hours until the soldiers )o#e him up6 5e sa) that three other soldiers
had arri-ed in the night/ and the group of se-en all rode off into the night/ Oli-er in his
flight suit and the Chetni#s in their tight-fitting Ga!#ets and Cossa!#-st(le fur hats6 As
the( mo-ed along Juietl(/ the onl( sound the Gangling of the horse bridles and the
s!uffing of hoo-es on the trail/ Oli-er felt li#e he )as in a Grade 4 !o)bo( mo-ie6
When the sun rose/ the group tra-eled through a series of larger -illages and !ontinued
their Gourne( at a more leisurel( pa!e6 As the da( )ore on/ Oli-er started to thin# that
the goal )as to stop at e-er( !afQ in e-er( -illage/ or at least an( establishment that
!ould sell them a round of drin#s6 The Chetni#s )ere generous in bu(ing brand( and
)hate-er other libations might be a-ailable for Oli-er/ )hi!h helped ta#e his mind off
not #no)ing )here he )as going6 With the brand( flo)ing/ the Chetni#s es!orting
Oli-er loosened up and started laughing/ telling Go#es he !ouldn't understand but
ne-ertheless in!luding him in the re-elr(6 At one point/ one of the soldiers noti!ed that
Oli-er !arried t)o #ni-es/ one on his belt and one strapped to his leg6
The Chetni# motioned to Oli-er as if to as# )h( he had t)o #ni-es instead of Gust one6
Oli-er )as tr(ing to figure out ho) to e:plain that he li#ed ha-ing a ba!#up )hen
another of the soldiers interGe!ted6 5e pointed to the #nife on Oli-er's belt and said/
DAhhh 6 6 6 5itler!D and made a gesture as if !utting his throat/ follo)ed b( a dramati!
death6 Then he pointed to the #nife on Oli-er's leg and said/ D1ussolini!D follo)ed b(
the same gesture and o-era!ting6 Oli-er Goined the other Chetni#s in h(steri!al laughter6
After a night of re-elr( )ith his es!orts/ Oli-er e:perien!ed a more somber morning6
The soldiers and the lo!al Serbs too# Oli-er to a religious !eremon( at the gra-es of t)o
Ameri!an airmen )ho had been shot do)n earlier but hadn't made it safel( into the arms
of the lo!al people6 Oli-er )at!hed silentl( as a Serbian Orthodo: priest !ondu!ted a
ser-i!e for the dead/ passing a !up of )ine around for all to sip6 Then he poured a small
amount from the !up onto ea!h gra-e6 Oli-er )as mo-ed b( the solemnit( of the
moment/ the )a( these lo!al people !ondu!ted the ser-i!e as if the Ameri!ans )ere their
o)n brothers6
5e thought about it for the rest of the da( as he )aited in the small -illage/ not #no)ing
ho) long the( )ere sta(ing before mo-ing on again6 As night fell and he )as gi-en a
bed to sleep in/ Oli-er figured the group )ould head out after da(brea# the ne:t
morning6 4ut in the dar#est earl( hours/ Oli-er a)o#e to s!reams of D5eidi! 5eidi!D or
at least that )as )hat it sounded li#e to him6 The Serbs )ere (elling D5urr(!D in their
language/ the terror in their -oi!es !on-e(ing Jui!#l( to Oli-er that Germans )ere
!oming6 Se-eral men rushed into the !ottage and grabbed Oli-er/ pra!ti!all( dragging
him outside and deep into the )oods/ )here he hid for hours until the danger had passed6
&ater that da(/ as he lounged around the -illage )aiting for an( signal that he )as
mo-ing on/ the rest of his bomber !re) straggled in/ led b( a fe) more Chetni# soldiers6
The( )ere a!!ompanied b( an old man )ho )as a!ting as their interpreter/ ha-ing spent
se-eral (ears li-ing in Wis!onsin and )or#ing in the logging business6 4e!ause he had
)or#ed mostl( )ith S)edish immigrants/ the Serb spo#e +nglish )ith a S)edish a!!ent
that al)a(s made Oli-er !hu!#le6 With the help of the old man's +nglish/ Oli-er )as
introdu!ed to the lo!al Chetni# !ommander/ #no)n as Ient6 5e )as (oung and
handsome/ !harismati! and a natural leader/ Oli-er thought6 9t )as no )onder that he
)as leading all these soldiers6 Ient e:plained to Oli-er that he and the other Ameri!ans
in the -illage/ totaling t)ent(-four no) that se-eral groups had been brought to the same
pla!e/ )ere not going an()here an(time soon6 The( )ould sta( in this small -illage
!lose to the ;anube 7i-er on the eastern border of ,ugosla-ia )hile Ient tried to
arrange an e-a!uation )ith the Allies6 Ient hoped to get supplies or other aid from the
Allies in return for his help6
So Oli-er and the other Ameri!ans )aited and )aited6 A month passed )ith almost
nothing happening6 Ient #ept sa(ing he )as )aiting on the Allies to agree to an
e-a!uation plan/ but the men sa) no e-iden!e of an( for)ard progress6 The( had little to
do but lie around the -illage/ helping the lo!als )ith their !hores and s!rounging for
food as the( gre) thinner and thinner6 Oli-er and the other Ameri!ans started pressuring
Ient to do something )ith them/ an(thing6 The( !ouldn't stand the thought of sta(ing in
this little -illage for mu!h longer/ )ith the food shortage getting more desperate e-er(
da(6 =inall( the( !on-in!ed him to send them )est to an area !loser to General
1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters6 1a(be something more !ould be done for them there/ the(
thought6
Ient arranged to ha-e the Ameri!ans ta#en )est/ appointing Captain 9-an 1ila! as the
leader of their es!orts6 The Ameri!ans )ere pleased/ as 1ila! )as one of their fa-orites
in the -illage/ a former offi!er in the ,ugosla- 7egular Arm( )ho had learned +nglish
mostl( from listening to radio broad!asts6 1ila! issued rifles to the Ameri!ans and
)arned them that their Gourne( )ould be dangerous6 The -illage the( )ere in )as
relati-el( safe be!ause it )as remote and offered nothing that )ould attra!t the
Germans6 4ut tra-eling to the )est )ould mean heading into more hea-il( o!!upied
territor(6 The Ameri!ans had to be read( to defend themsel-es6
Their Gourne( started on a mountain railroad/ )here the( follo)ed the tra!#s until the(
approa!hed a large to)n that )as sure to ha-e German units patrolling6 =rom there the
group hi#ed through the )oods/ through fields/ in the sun and the rain/ Gust !onstantl(
mar!hing )est)ard and tr(ing to a-oid Germans6 The( tra-eled in the brush and
sometimes at night to a-oid the German patrols that the( #ne) )ould either ta#e them
prisoner or Gust #ill them6 The( #ne) that the short-handed German o!!upiers had little
time to !orral and !are for doFens of do)ned airmen/ so the more e:pedient solution
)ould be to open fire )ith a ma!hine gun6
The( )ould sleep in ha(sta!#s/ on the )ooden floors of )hate-er buildings the( !ame
a!ross/ an()here the( happened to be )hen night fell6 ;a(s blended into )ee#s/ and
Oli-er !ould s!ar!el( tell )hen one da( ended and the ne:t began6 The( )ere all filled
)ith the same hunger/ the longing for home/ and fears about )hat might be around the
ne:t bend6
Onl( on!e on the Gourne( did Oli-er forget his a!hing feet and his desire to be an()here
but ,ugosla-ia6 9t )as the middle of the da( )hen the group of Ameri!ans and their
Chetni# es!orts !ame to a -illage )here the lo!als greeted them )arml(/ as al)a(s/ and
offered them bits of food and drin#6 4ut Oli-er and a !ouple of his !re)mates )ere
singled out b( three girls )ho stood out from the rest6 The( )ere (oung/ probabl( in
their late teens/ and the Ameri!ans immediatel( lo!#ed onto them as the most beautiful
girls the( had seen sin!e landing in this !ountr(6 While all the -illagers )ere as
hospitable as an(one !ould desire/ the Ameri!ans had noti!ed that the girls in the
mountains tended to the robust and hard(/ )ith babush#a-t(pe #er!hiefs on their heads
that reminded them more of grandmothers than pinups6 These girls/ ho)e-er/ )ere
different6 The( )ere more slender/ the( )ore ni!er dresses/ though still simple/ and their
hair )as un!o-ered6 Oli-er and his !re)mates surmised that the( must be !it( girls )ho
someho) landed in this !ountr( -illage/ possibl( fleeing the Germans in to)n6
The Ameri!an bo(s )ere smiling from to ear to ear and doing their best to !harm the
girls/ )ho seemed eJuall( interested in the ,an#s6 The girls gestured for the three
Ameri!ans to !ome into their !ottage and ha-e lun!h/ and the( didn't ha-e to as# t)i!e6
Oli-er and his friends eagerl( too# seats at the rough-he)n )ooden table and smiled at
the girls/ )ho shot flirtatious loo#s e-er( time the( brought a plate )ith bread and
!heese to the table6 The si: of them sat there smiling at one another/ the men eating and
!ommenting among themsel-es about ho) ni!e it )as to see a prett( girl again6 The girls
)ere !hatting among themsel-es too/ Juietl(/ and giggling e-er( so often as the( loo#ed
at the three men6
Then one of the girls started tal#ing to the men and gesturing to)ard the ba!# room/
)hi!h had t)o simple beds6 At first the men didn't #no) )hat the( meant/ but )ith more
gestures and simple )ords/ the( got the idea6 The girls )ere telling them that the( !ould
sta( )ith them for the night6 When it da)ned on them/ the Ameri!ans !ould hardl(
!ontain their e:!itement6 The( loo#ed at one another and grinnedH then the( turned ba!#
to the girls and all three men said (es at on!e6 The( nodded in the affirmati-e/ said (es
se-eral more times/ and nodded some more to ma#e sure the girls understood6
And Gust at that point/ the( heard the Chetni# soldiers !ome running b( outside6 D5eidi!
5eidi!D the( (elled6 The Germans )ere !oming6 The Ameri!ans had to run6 The( trul(
hated to lea-e these beautiful girls/ stuffing do)n more bread and !heese before ta#ing a
moment for Gust the briefest of #isses on the girls' !hee#s as the( ra!ed out the door and
into the )oods6
7i!hard =elman/ a!!ompanied b( his doggedl( lo(al bod(guard/ )as gro)ing more and
more fond of the Serbian people as he !ontinued his o)n mar!h through the ,ugosla-ian
!ountr(side6 Though he and his !re)mates )ere in !onstant danger/ he !ame to
appre!iate the intera!tion )ith lo!al people and )anted to learn more about this !ountr(6
5is bod(guard Stefano-i! managed to find an old Serbian-+nglish di!tionar(
some)here along the )a(/ and =elman eagerl( too# to learning the lo!al language6 At
ea!h -illage )here the( stopped to rest and eat/ =elman tried to spea# a fe) )ords of
Serbian/ )hi!h in-ariabl( thrilled the lo!als6 Stefano-i! beamed )ith pride/ as if
sho)ing off his pupil6 On!e the( be!ame !omfortable !ommuni!ating )ith short phrases
and pantomime/ the -illagers usuall( got around to as#ing =elman about his home/ this
)ondrous pla!e the( had onl( heard of6 D5o) mu!h does a )or#er earn$D )as a
!ommon Juestion6 Ino)ing that dollars )ould ha-e little meaning to these people )ho
)ere al)a(s hungr(/ =elman instead told them of ho) mu!h bread or ho) man( doFens
of eggs !ould be earned in one da( b( a t(pi!al )or#er in Ameri!a6 The ans)er al)a(s
astounded them/ and man( said the( )anted to go to Ameri!a after the )ar6
Onl( on!e did =elman en!ounter a Serbian -illager )ho )as not happ( to see the
Ameri!an6 As )as their !ustom )hen entering a -illage to sta( for the night/ the soldiers
di-ided the Ameri!ans up among the -arious homes and e:pe!ted the lo!al people to
pla( host6 Stefano-i! had ta#en =elman to a house )here the married !ouple )el!omed
him as usual/ but it didn't ta#e long for the mother-in-la) to ma#e it !lear that she didn't
appre!iate some strange Ameri!an barging in and eating their s!ar!e food6 The old lad(
)as railing about =elman's presen!e/ )hile the married !ouple tried to !alm her do)n/
)hen =elman tried to smooth things o-er6 5e pi!#ed up a !up of plum brand( and raised
it high6
D&ong li-e Iing eter!D he shouted/ loo#ing e:pe!tantl( at the old )oman6 5e motioned
to her )ith the !up/ and she !ould not refuse the toast6 She begrudgingl( too# a sip/
follo)ed b( =elman6
D&ong li-e ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h!D =elman shouted6 The )oman muttered something and
too# another sip of brand(6 =elman follo)ed )ith enthusiasti! toasts to resident
=ran#lin 7oose-elt and 4ritish rime 1inister Winston Chur!hill6 The )oman stopped
!omplaining about =elman and soon be!ame )armer/ e-entuall( laughing )ith him and
offering him more food6 When =elman left )ith the soldiers the ne:t morning/ the old
)oman !lut!hed him tightl( and sobbed/ #issing his hands and )a-ing her #er!hief as he
pulled a)a(6
After )ee#s more of mar!hing and s!rounging for food/ but no more prett( girls/ Oli-er
and his !ohorts finall( arri-ed near General 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters6 1ila! e:plained
that the( )ere going to sta( there/ the men dispersed throughout the peasant farmhouses
in the area/ until 1ihailo-i!h !ould determine ho) to get them home6 Oli-er loo#ed
around and didn't see an(thing that )ould e:plain )h( the( had )al#ed for )ee#s to get
here6
DWh( here$D Oli-er as#ed 1ila!6 DWhere are )e$D
DranGane/D he replied6 DThis is )here (ou )ill )ait6 There )ill be more6D
And soon there )ere6 1i#e 1!Iool/ 7i!hard =elman/ Ton( Orsini/ Clare 1usgro-e/ and
7obert Wilson also !on-erged on ranGane o-er the !ourse of se-eral months/ along )ith
hundreds of other airmen6 The( all had been shot do)n o-er ,ugosla-ia/ bailing out of
their bombers and landing in the arms of the lo!al Chetni#s6 +a!h )as greeted li#e a
long-lost brother and then assigned to a group/ the hundreds of airmen di-ided
informall( to fa!ilitate housing assignments in the lo!al -illage and the assignment of
some small tas#s6 The( all had similar stories to tell )hen the( straggled into the remote
mountain -illage and )ere assigned to sta( )ith different farm families6 Ton( Orsini
regaled the Ameri!ans )ith the stor( of ho) he re!ei-ed three marriage proposals along
the )a(/ in!luding one from the daughter of a lo!al bre)er( o)ner )ho )as -er(
insistent that the (oung 9talian-Ameri!an ta#e his daughter ba!# to the >nited States
)ith him6 8oting that the girl )ould ha-e made a better lineba!#er than a )ife/ Orsini
politel( de!lined6
On!e the( arri-ed in ranGane/ the Ameri!ans had plent( of time on their hands6 There
)as little to do e:!ept sta( out of sight of an( Germans that might pass b(/ but than#s to
the remote mountainous lo!ation and the nearl( ten thousand 1ihailo-i!h soldiers
surrounding ranGane/ German units rarel( -entured into this territor(6 Still/ the
Ameri!ans )ere al)a(s read( to sprint into the )oods or bur( themsel-es in a ha(sta!#
if someone shouted that Germans )ere !oming/ or if a German plane fle) o-erhead6 The
Ameri!ans )ere #eenl( a)are that their presen!e put all the lo!al -illagers in danger/ so
the( didn't )ant to be spotted and in-ite a brutal German retaliation on these lo!als )ho
)ere being so generous6 1ost of the Ameri!ans spent their da(s idl( in the -illages/
)hittling !orn!ob pipes and smo#ing )hate-er lo!all( gro)n toba!!o the( !ould find6
The( all rued the fa!t that the normal sour!e of toba!!o in ,ugosla-ia/ a !it( to the south
!alled 8is/ had been bombed6 The airmen )at!hed the lo!als go about their humble dail(
routines/ learning ho) to ba#e bread b( putting the dough on a plate in the firepla!e/
!o-ering it )ith an o-erturned bo)l and then heaping hot ashes on top6 The( also
pit!hed in )ith the lo!al -illagers as the( )or#ed the fields/ sometimes Goining in )hat
the lo!als !alled Dmass )or#/D in )hi!h man( residents )ould )or# on one farmer's
fields at the same time to get the season's )or# done6 Then the( )ould mo-e on to the
ne:t farmer's fields/ ea!h grateful lando)ner than#ing them )ith a !elebrator( meal-or
the !losest that !ould be pro-ided under the !ir!umstan!es-)hen the )or# )as !omplete6
+-en on the best da(s/ the food )as al)a(s simple< )hole-grain bread/ !heese/ mil#/
ma(be some butter/ and mi:ed root -egetables6 An( sort of meat )as a rarit(/ but it
)ould al)a(s be offered first to the Ameri!ans6 The one thing that !ould al)a(s be
!ounted on )as plum brand(6 lum trees !o-ered this part of the !ountr(/ gro)ing )ild
and hea-( )ith fruit/ so e-en the poorest household had its o)n still for ma#ing plum
brand( and plent( of !as#s to get them through to the ne:t spring )hen the trees )ould
be full again6 The -illagers and the airmen might ha-e been hungr( most of the time/ but
their !ups )ere al)a(s full6
O!!asionall( as the( )or#ed in the fields or la( around )aiting for something to happen/
the airmen )ould see sJuadrons of bombers fl(ing o-erhead/ more planes from the
=ifteenth Air =or!e in 9tal(/ their o)n home bases6 =irst the( )ould hear the rumble in
the distan!e and then the sound )ould get louder and louder as the big planes fle) o-er/
prompting the airmen and the -illagers to )hoop and holler/ !heering the Allied planes
on6 4ut ea!h flight of bombers made the airmen gro) )istful as )ell/ the planes so !lose
but so out of rea!h and then disappearing into the distan!e )ithout them6 The( also
#ne) that e-er( time the( sa) another doFen planes on their )a( to loesti/ a fe) of
those !re)s )ould soon be Goining them in ranGane6
While most of the airmen sta(ed in ranGane and gre) more and more bored/ others/ li#e
=elman/ )anted to get ba!# in the fight6 =elman/ )ho Jui!#l( emerged as a de fa!to
leader of the do)ned airmen gathering in ranGane/ made more !onta!ts )ith the
Chetni# fighters in the area and !on-in!ed them that he !ould be an asset to their )or#
against the 8aFis6 7el(ing on his gro)ing familiarit( )ith the lo!al language/ =elman
Goined 1ihailo-i!h's for!es in !ondu!ting sabotage against the Germans6 =elman had
been mo-ed b( Colonel Aasi
'! des!ription of the Chetni#s' determination to fight against o-er)helming odds/ and his
en!ounters )ith the lo!al people moti-ated him to help in an( )a(6 5e !ould not sit idl(
b( )hile these people ris#ed their li-es for him and his fello) airmen6
Sabotage/ espe!iall( the -er( !areful use of !ertain t(pes that )ere hard to tra!e/ )as a
#e( element in the Chetni#s' fight against the Germans o!!up(ing their homeland6
Though the( )ere not o-erl( sentimental about losing their li-es in defense of their
!ountr(/ the Serbs had learned earl( on in the 8aFi o!!upation that s#irmishes )ith
German patrols and open defian!e resulted onl( in a disproportionate response from
their enem(6 Shooting a fe) German soldiers )ho )andered into 1ihailo-i!h's territor(
might prompt a blood( raid on an entire -illage/ and snea#ing into a rail (ard to blo) up
a 8aFi suppl( train might lead to doFens of inno!ent Serbs being hung from the light
poles as a )arning against further uprising6 The Chetni#s )ere not dis!ouraged from
fighting/ ho)e-er6 The( Gust had to fight smarter/ and the( taught =elman )hat the( had
learned6
=elman and Stefano-i! Goined si: other guerillas on a dar# night/ )or#ing their )a(
Juietl( through the )oods to a rail)a( station farther do)n the mountainside6 A rail)a(
)or#er had ris#ed his life b( informing 1ihailo-i!h's for!es that a train loaded )ith
food )as lea-ing the ne:t morning for German units stationed in 7omania6 The eight
men !arefull( made their )a( to the station/ stopping at the edge of the )oods and
s!anning the area for German guards6 =e) )ere out at that hour/ but all of the men )ere
armed and read( to fight if ne!essar(6 The( la( lo) and )at!hed for a )hile/ ma#ing
sure the train (ard )as Juiet before !arr(ing out their obGe!ti-e6 On!e the Chetni#
soldiers )ere !onfident that a German guard )ould not surprise them/ the (oungest of
them-a fifteen-(ear-old bo( )ith more e:perien!e in sabotage than =elman )ould e-er
#no)-s!urried out of the )ood line and to the train par#ed on a siding6 As =elman and
the others )at!hed from the distan!e/ the bo( hid among the big engine's )heels for a
moment/ ma#ing sure he had not been seen/ and then he !lambered up onto the !oal
tender dire!tl( behind the engine6 5e Jui!#l( pushed aside the top la(er of !oal/ digging
do)n as far as his arms !ould rea!h/ and then he pulled a small bla!# pa!#age out of his
!oat6 5e sho-ed this par!el do)n into the hole and ra#ed the !oal ba!# o-er it/ !o-ering
it !ompletel(6 Ta#ing a Jui!# loo# around before Gumping off the tender/ the (oung man
ra!ed ba!# to the )ood line/ )here the men greeted him )ith )hispered !ongratulations
for a Gob )ell done6 The saboteur )as !o-ered in !oal dust/ his smile sho)ing !learl(
against his bla!# s#in6
The group turned to lea-e/ and =elman at first thought the( )ere onl( going ba!# into
the )oods a short distan!e for more safet(/ sin!e the Germans )ould be on high alert
after the train ble) up6 4ut as the( #ept mo-ing/ =elman as#ed his friend Stefano-i!
)h( the( )ere not )aiting to ma#e sure the train ble) up6
D8o/ not no)/D Stefano-i! )hispered/ using a fe) )ords of +nglish that =elman had
taught him6 Then he said something in Serbian that =elman !ouldn't understand and
motioned )ith his hands to sho) the train lea-ing and then-boom!-blo)ing up6 9t )as
then that =elman understood6 This )as dela(ed sabotage6 The bomb the bo( hid in the
!oal tender )asn't intended to blo) up no)/ )hile the train )as still in the station/
be!ause then the Germans )ould #no) it )as the lo!al Serbs )ho did it and the( )ould
e:a!t re-enge6 The e:plosi-e )as hidden deep in the !oal tender so that later/ long after
the train had left ranGane/ the train's fireman )ould un#no)ingl( sho-el it dire!tl( into
the boiler of the engine6 The fire )ould set off the e:plosi-e/ the train )ould be
destro(ed/ and it )ould not be ob-ious to the Germans ho) it happened or )ho did it6
9ngenious/ =elman thought6 As he )ent out on more sabotage runs )ith the Chetni#s/ he
learned other )a(s to sabotage the Germans )ithout in-iting a bloodbath6 One fa-orite
method )as to dis!reetl( pour sand into the engines of German -ehi!les6 The damage
)ould be dela(ed but !rippling to the ma!hiner(6
=elman's )or# helped him blend in seamlessl( )ith the lo!al people/ and after months
on the ground/ he started to loo# li#e one too6 5is !lothes )ere in tatters and !onstantl(
filth(/ and he )ore pie!es of gear that his Chetni# friends had offered him along the )a(6
5e fit in so )ell that the Chetni#s )ere !omfortable ta#ing him along )hen the( )ent
into nearb( to)ns )ithout )eapons or an(thing else that )ould identif( them as
1ihailo-i!h's soldiers6 The( )eren't loo#ing to engage an( Germans the( might
en!ounter/ so the( assumed the role of lo!al -illagers instead of soldiers6 =elman )as
)ith a group of Chetni# fighters one da( )hen the( de!ided to go into a nearb( to)n for
a drin#/ ta#ing off their rifles and #ni-es before mar!hing do)n to the ta-ern for some
rest and re!reation6 ?=elman al)a(s !arried his militar( insignia pat!h inside his shirt/
ho)e-er6 9f he )ere !aught b( the Germans/ that pat!h might !ount as him being Din
uniformD and deser-ing of prote!tion under the Gene-a !on-ention as a prisoner of )ar6
Other)ise/ he !ould be !onsidered an enem( !ombatant in !i-ilian !lothes/ !lassified as
a sp( and shot dead on the spot6 9t )as all theoreti!al/ of !ourse/ be!ause the 8aFis
)eren't sti!#lers for follo)ing the rules6@ The('d had a fe) drin#s alread( )hen the(
heard a !ar pull up outside6 The sound of a -ehi!le )as alarming in itself/ be!ause fe)
lo!als had a !ar6 That sound usuall( meant Germans )ere !oming6 As the group peered
outside/ the( !ould see a German staff !ar stopped and a (oung offi!er about to !ome
inside6 The dri-er sta(ed )ith the !ar6
=elman and his friends )ere )orried/ the Ameri!an most of all6 The other Chetni#s
!ould pass easil( if the( didn't )ant to !ause a ru!#us )ith this 8aFi offi!er/ but =elman
suddenl( doubted his !amouflage6 ;o 9 loo# li#e a Serb$ Or do 9 loo# li#e a 'e) from
8e) ,or#$
5e found out soon enough )hen the (oung offi!er/ )ho appeared to )ant nothing more
than a brand(/ said hello to the men sitting at the tables6 The( all nodded in repl(/ )ar(
but not )anting to pro-o#e the German's suspi!ions6 7ealiFing that the offi!er suspe!ted
nothing/ and feeling a bit !hee#( about his de!eption/ =elman gestured for the lieutenant
to Goin them and pushed a !hair out for him6 5e glan!ed o-er at his friends/ )hose e(es
sho)ed that the( thought he )as mad6 Stefano-i!/ in parti!ular/ loo#ed li#e he )as about
to leap out of his !hair/ and =elman )asn't sure )ho )ould be throttled first-=elman or
the 8aFi6 The German a!!epted the offer and sat do)n for a drin#/ not sa(ing a lot
be!ause of the language barrier/ but enGo(ing his brand(6 5e insisted on bu(ing another
round for the table/ e-en though the Chetni#s tried to de!line be!ause the( )anted him
to lea-e as soon as possible6 =elman/ ho)e-er/ )as enGo(ing the moment/ relishing this
fa!e-to-fa!e de!eption6 5e smiled !ongeniall( at the 8aFi/ )ho seemed at the moment
li#e a pleasant drin#ing !ompanion6 4ut =elman )as seething inside6
5ere (ou ha-e a 'e) (ou !an't thro) into the gas !hamber/ he thought6 After a long/
un!omfortable interlude/ the lieutenant finished his drin# and left/ sa(ing something that
sounded friendl( to =elman and the others6 When he had left/ the men all let out hea-(
sighs and rolled their e(es at one another/ amaFed that the( had Gust shared brand( )ith a
German offi!er6
=elman had not been fooled b( the German lieutenant's apparent good nature6 ;espite
the Chetni#s' efforts to a-oid needless a!ts of retribution from the Germans/ 8aFi
brutalit( in-aded their li-es regularl(6 One in!ident in parti!ular reinfor!ed for =elman
ho) mu!h the lo!al -illagers )ere ris#ing b( harboring so man( Ameri!an airmen-no)
more than a hundred-around ranGane6
Colonel Aasi
/ the debonair offi!er that =elman had met soon after landing in ,ugosla-ia/ !ame to him
one da( and e:plained a diffi!ult situation to him6 As the leader of the do)ned airmen in
ranGane/ he said/ =elman should #no) that the Germans had deli-ered an ultimatum to
1ihailo-i!h6 5and o-er the Ameri!an airmen (ou are hiding/ the( said/ or )e )ill raid a
Serb -illage and #ill all t)o hundred men/ )omen/ and !hildren6
=elman )as appalled6 5o) !ould the( e-en !onsider letting those people die$ 5e started
telling Aasi
that he and the other men )ould surrender and ta#e their !han!es in a German prison
!amp-e-en though it )as entirel( possible that the Germans )ould simpl( #ill them on
the spot-but Aasi
Jui!#l( !ut him off6 Spea#ing through an interpreter/ he e:plained that he )as not
as#ing =elman to de!ide but merel( informing him about the situation6 1ihailo-i!h
)ould not gi-e up the Ameri!ansH it )as not their !hoi!e to ma#e6
D4ut )e !an't let those people die in our pla!e/D =elman protested6
D>nderstand that the Germans )ill not stop #illing be!ause the( !apture (ou/D Aasi
e:plained6 D9n our histor(/ the Serb people ha-e fought for our freedom and dignit(
against man( enemies6 We ha-e learned that it is better to li-e )ith one leg than to spend
(our life on (our #nees6 9t is more important that )e prote!t (ou/ the people )ho ha-e
helped us fight our !ommon enem(6D
=elman protested further/ but Aasi
)ould not be s)a(ed6 The ne:t da(/ =elman insisted that Stefano-i! ta#e him to the
-illage that had been threatened6 As the( approa!hed/ he !ould smell the burning )ood
before he sa) the remains of the -illage6 The 8aFis had burned it to the ground and
#illed e-er(one6 =elman !ould onl( stand on the hillside and )eep6
Chapter *
+s!aping ,ugosla-ia
The airmen spent da(s/ )ee#s/ months )aiting for help/ hoping the( )ouldn't be found
b( the Germans and tr(ing to figure out a )a( to es!ape from enem( territor(6 The(
!on!luded that there Gust )eren't man( options/ and so the( be!ame steadil( more
depressed about their situation6
General 1ihailo-i!h/ )ho !ame to ranGane to meet )ith the Ameri!an airmen more
than on!e/ )as )ell a)are of the men's festering depression and the realit( that there
appeared to be no effort b( the Allies to res!ue them6 9n addition to prote!ting them
during their sta( in ,ugosla-ia/ 1ihailo-i!h )as doing all he !ould to get the men home6
5e )as sending information to the >nited States through indire!t !hannels/ ma#ing sure
the >6S6 go-ernment #ne) these men )ere here/ that he )as helping them/ and that he
)ould assist )ith an( proposed res!ue attempt6 While 1ihailo-i!h trul( !ared about the
airmen and their )elfare/ he also sa) the potential for more aid from the Allies in his
effort to fight the 8aFis and Communist 'osip 4roF Tito/ his opponent in the
simultaneous !i-il )ar that threatened to tear the !ountr( apart6 1ihailo-i!h #ne) that
helping the Allied airmen get home !ould lead to more support for his men/ )ho )ere
barel( sur-i-ing on minimal food rations/ old and insuffi!ient arms/ and ragged !lothes6
1an( of his men/ fier!e fighters/ had to ma#e do in the !old mountainside )ith onl( felt
slippers or boots so )orn that their bare feet tou!hed the ground more than )hat )as left
of the soles of the boots6
9n the months that he had been harboring the do)ned airmen/ 1ihailo-i!h had been
diligentl( sending information about ea!h one b( short)a-e radio so that the Allies
)ould #no) the( )ere in safe hands6 5e e-en got messages to some of the airmen's
families/ assuring them that their lo-ed ones )ere safe for the moment6 art of
1ihailo-i!h's !on!ern )as that the families of the airmen not be informed that the( )ere
simpl( Dmissing in a!tion/D be!ause he #ne) that )ould onl( inspire )orr(6 9t )as
reasonable to assume that a lo-ed one reported as missing in a!tion )as dead/ or at least
!aptured/ so 1ihailo-i!h thought he )as doing a fa-or b( letting the Allies #no) that
these men )ere relati-el( safe in the hills of ,ugosla-ia6 1ihailo-i!h had his men send
short)a-e radio messages on a regular basis/ reporting the name/ ran#/ and militar(
identifi!ation number of ea!h airman his men had !olle!ted6 The messages )ent first to
the ,ugosla- go-ernment/ )hi!h )as operating in e:ile in Cairo/ +g(pt/ and from there
the( )ere sent to Ionstantin =oti
the ambassador of ,ugosla-ia stationed in Washington/ ;C6 9n one message/
1ihailo-i!h said<
lease ad-ise the Ameri!an Air 1inistr( that there are more than one hundred Ameri!an
a-iators in our midst6 We notified the +nglish Supreme Command for the 1editerranean
a long time ago6 The +nglish replied that the( )ould send an offi!er to ta#e !are of the
e-a!uation6 1ean)hile/ to date this has not been done6 9t )ould be better still if the
Ameri!ans/ and not the 4ritish/ ta#e part in the e-a!uation6
=oti
deli-ered the information to the War ;epartment/ )ith assuran!es that 1ihailo-i!h )as
prote!ting the men for the moment/ but also reJuesting that something be done to res!ue
themH the situation )as gra-e/ and there )as no telling ho) long the airmen !ould last
before the Germans found out )here the( )ere gathered6 The information )as dutifull(
re!ei-ed and re!orded/ but little else )as done6 8o res!ue )as planned6 1ost of the
airmen's relati-es )ere not notified that the airmen )ere ali-e and in good hands6 The(
re!ei-ed the standard Dmissing in a!tionD telegram li#e e-er(one else )hose husband or
son )ent do)n o-er enem( territor(/ the same one that Orsini's mother re!ei-ed6
With the War ;epartment sitting on the information and ma#ing no effort to organiFe a
res!ue/ the li-es of the airmen fell into the hands of a sophisti!ated/ learned/ beautiful
blond )oman in Washington/ ;C6 9f onl( the airmen had #no)n that su!h a brain(
beaut( ba!# home #ne) of their plight and )as )orried for them6 That simple
#no)ledge )ould ha-e made another da( pass more easil(6
The )oman )as 1irGana AuGno-i!h/ a lad( in the +astern +uropean tradition-gra!ious/
proper/ and !onser-ati-e/ but at the same time )arm/ generous/ and funn(6 While she
)as outspo#en )ith famil( and !lose friends/ she )as reser-ed in publi!6 Slender/ )ith
fine features and li-el( deep blue e(es/ her blond hair )orn in a modest shoulder-length
st(le/ 1irGana al)a(s !aught the attention of (oung men )ho soon found there )as
mu!h more to this gentle )oman than her good loo#s6 1irGana )as a great listener/
s#illed at dra)ing people out b( listening intentl(/ as#ing the right Juestions/ and
offering support6 5er great passions/ after her famil(/ )ere literature and the arts6
1irGana )as married to George AuGno-i!h/ the !ontrol agent )ith the OSS in 4ari/ 9tal(6
George )as a tall/ ruggedl( handsome man/ an all-Ameri!an son of immigrants )ho
seemed !ustom-built to loo# good in a uniform6 The OSS )as/ in essen!e/ home of the
spies and se!ret operati-es that got things done behind enem( lines6 The( did )hate-er
)as ne!essar(/ using tri!#er(/ subterfuge/ e:oti! )eapons/ and ner-es of steel to slip in
among the enem( and a!!omplish things that might be impossible for an entire battalion
of soldiers to do6 =rom the post in 4ari/ in the re!entl( liberated 9tal(/ AuGno-i!h )as
responsible for operations in se-eral nearb( !ountries/ in!luding ,ugosla-ia6 1irGana
#ne) )hat her husband did for the militar(/ e-en though most OSS offi!ers #ept their
Gob des!ription !lose to the -est6 1irGana )as more than Gust an adoring )ife )aiting
ba!# home for her husband ser-ing o-erseas/ though she )as that too6 A nati-e of
,ugosla-ia herself/ she had been through plent( )ith George and #ne) some of )hat he
and the men ser-ing under him )ere going through in +urope6
9n 1a( 12""/ ho)e-er/ 1irGana )as safel( ens!on!ed in Washington/ ;C6 +ight and a
half months pregnant )ith their first !hild/ 1irGana had little !onta!t )ith her husband
other than the o!!asional letter and spent her da(s )ith friends/ in!luding the other
,ugosla- nationals )ho had immigrated to the >nited States6 With a Gob at the
,ugosla-ian embass(/ 1irGana )as able to adGust )ell to a more !omfortable/ safe life in
the >nited States/ )hile still maintaining !onta!t )ith the people and the !ulture of her
homeland6 9t )as through those !onta!ts that she heard about the plight of the do)ned
airmen half)a( around the )orld6 The !ommunit( of ,ugosla- e:patriates )as a tight
one/ and ne)s from ba!# home spread through the group Jui!#l(6 When the embass(
re!ei-ed reports from General 1ihailo-i!h about the hundreds of do)ned airmen hidden
in the !ountr(side/ the ne)s ra!ed through the hall)a(s6 As it be!ame !lear that the War
;epartment )as not responding Jui!#l( to the noti!e/ the plight of the Ameri!an airmen
be!ame fodder for gossip e-er( time a fe) ,ugosla- immigrants got together for !offee
in the morning or a drin# in the e-ening6 9 hear 1ihailo-i!h is helping some airmen in
the hills/ a lot of them6 Word of the airmen's situation/ s#et!h( as the information )as b(
the time it )as filtered do)n from offi!ials in the embass(/ spread Jui!#l( among
an(one )ith a !onne!tion to ,ugosla-ia6 All those bo(s are )aiting for help6
1ihailo-i!h is prote!ting them6 4ut the War ;epartment isn't doing an(thing6
1irGana's friends #ne) that her husband )as ser-ing )ith a militar( group in 9tal( that
)as more than Gust a t(pi!al unit/ so the( )asted no time in getting the ne)s to her6 She
)as intrigued/ Gust li#e e-er(one else )ho heard the stor(/ and )ondered )h( no one
)as doing an(thing to help the do)ned airmen6 The ne:t time she )rote George in 4ari/
she as#ed about the rumor she had heard/ more as idle !hit!hat from ba!# home than an(
sort of urgent reJuest6
There is plent( of tal# here about the men )hose planes )ere shot do)n in ,ugosla-ia/
and ho) ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h is helping them until the( !an be res!ued6 9 hear that there
are perhaps a hundred gathered in one pla!e6 Are (ou in-ol-ed in tr(ing to get them out$
1irGana didn't reall( e:pe!t an ans)er from George6 She #ne) that he !ouldn't and
)ouldn't )rite ba!# )ith an( information about OSS operations/ but she )as ma#ing
!on-ersation )ith her husband as best she !ould6 And she )as genuinel( !urious
nonetheless/ so she as#ed Gust to get it off her mind6
When George AuGno-i!h re!ei-ed the letter from 1irGana/ his first !on!ern )as her
pregnan!( and )hether there )as an(thing ne) to report in that regard6 5e )as pleased
to hear that all )as fine )ith his first !hild and he )ould soon be a father/ though it
pained him that he )ould not be there for the birth of his daughter/ to be named Renia6
Among all the other ne)s from home in 1irGana's letter/ her offhand !omment about the
men in ,ugosla-ia )as the one that sta(ed )ith him as he put the letter a)a( and )ent
about the rest of his da(6 5e #ept thin#ing about that Juestion6 5e hadn't e-en heard
about this parti!ular group of do)ned airmen a)aiting res!ue/ and he )as in a position
to #no) more about su!h matters than most people in the militar(6 9t )as no surprise to
him that there )ere do)ned airmen in ,ugosla-ia/ of !ourseH it )as !ommon #no)ledge
that plent( of fliers had gone do)n in that region )hile on loesti bomb runs/ and the
OSS #ne) that some had sur-i-ed and )ere e-ading !apture6
4ut a hundred airmen all in one pla!e/ )aiting for res!ue$ Could 1irGana's information
be right$
7eports from OSS agents in the field had made it !lear that an( airman stranded in
,ugosla-ia )as in dire straits6 One agent reported finding a half-star-ed 4-2" tail gunner
)ho had been shot do)n in the first raid on loesti6 5e )as dis!o-ered rooting around in
a farmer's pigst(/ fighting the animals for bits of ran!id food6 Another agent reported that
t)o fighter pilots had been hidden in a !on-ent/ onl( to be dis!o-ered b( Germans )hen
their arm(-issued boots protruded from underneath the long bla!# habits supplied b( the
nuns6 Other agents reported finding inGured Ameri!an airmen hidden and tended b(
peasants in the hillside6
A (ear earlier/ General 8athan T)ining/ !ommander of the =ifteenth Air =or!e/
organiFed a Goint res!ue effort for the airmen #no)n to be in ,ugosla-ia/ using the
resour!es of the air for!e and the OSS agents alread( at )or# behind enem( lines in the
o!!upied !ountr(6 The OSS agents deli-ered es!ape maps to the do)ned airmen that
)ould point them to)ard friendl( areas )here the( !ould be pi!#ed up and )ith safe
houses mar#ed along the route6 Agents also pro-ided the ,ugosla- -illagers/ almost all
of them illiterate/ )ith posters sho)ing ho) to re!ogniFe Allied planes and the insignia
of the friendl( for!es6 With OSS agents pro-iding !o-ert organiFation on the ground and
air for!e planes ma#ing ta:i runs/ about a hundred fliers had been res!ued in 12"36 The
effort )as aided b( both 1ihailo-i!h's Chetni# for!es and Tito's artisans/ in the last
(ear before those t)o sides erupted into an all-out !i-il )ar6 AuGno-i!h #ne) an( su!h
res!ue )ould be e-en more diffi!ult no)/ )ith those t)o sides fighting ea!h other as
bitterl( as either fought the Germans6
The OSS and the air for!e had both performed admirabl( in the 12"3 res!ues/ but if
there )ere a hundred fliers )aiting for res!ue this (ear/ )h( hadn't he heard about it$ 9f
the( )ere being prote!ted b( 1ihailo-i!h/ !ould the( be organiFed enough to effe!t a
real res!ue$ AuGno-i!h )as intrigued b( this !urious Juestion from home/ and he had to
find out if there )as a Gob here for his OSS team6
9f there are a hundred men in ,ugosla-ia )aiting for us to do something/ )e'-e got to get
going6 9'-e got to see if 1irGana is right6
AuGno-i!h )as dri-en b( more than Gust professionalism or a dedi!ation to dut(6
AuGno-i!h instantl( felt a bond )ith the Ameri!ans stu!# behind enem( lines in
,ugosla-ia be!ause he had been there himself onl( a fe) (ears earlier6 AuGno-i!h had
ne-er flo)n a plane or ser-ed behind enem( lines/ but he had spent plent( of time in
8aFi territor(/ and he s(mpathiFed )ith the airmen in a )a( that no one else in the OSS
!ould6
A ittsburgh nati-e of ,ugosla- des!ent/ AuGno-i!h had been -isiting ,ugosla-ia as a
student )hen the )ar bro#e out/ lea-ing him trapped behind German lines6 5e spent the
ne:t t)o (ears tr(ing to get out of o!!upied territor( and to safet(/ and if 1irGana's
rumor )as true/ he #ne) the danger these Ameri!ans )ere in6 5e also )as proud to
#no) that the lo!al -illagers/ the people of his famil('s homeland/ )ere safeguarding
these men until he !ould get them out6
AuGno-i!h had gro)n up as an all-Ameri!an bo( in ittsburgh/ but in the same Serbian-
Ameri!an !ommunit( that no) embra!ed his )ife/ 1irGana6 AuGno-i!h's parents had
emigrated to the >nited States from ,ugosla-ia (ears earlier/ and li#e man( others from
there )ho spo#e no +nglish/ the( settled in a labor-intensi-e part of the !ountr(-in their
!ase ittsburgh/ )ith its steel mills6 5is father had arri-ed in 1212/ immigrating to the
>nited States from his -illage near Ogalen/ !lose to Ba- greb6 >sed to a hards!rabble life
in the !ountr(side/ he )as being pressured b( authorities to Goin the Austrian arm(/ and
!hose a ne) life in Ameri!a instead6 T)o (ears later AuGno-i!h's mother Goined him6
AuGno-i!h estimated that about half of the south side of ittsburgh-)here the( li-ed-)as
of Serbian des!ent/ and his father )or#ed in the steel mill )ith men )ho had gro)n up
in the same -illage in ,ugosla-ia6 The neighborhood stores had signs in C(rilli! Serbian
and it )as as !ommon to hear the Serbian language in the streets as it )as to hear
+nglish6 AuGno-i!h gre) up spea#ing both languages )ith his parents and his brother/
eter/ and sister/ 1ar(6
When AuGno-i!h graduated from high s!hool in 123"/ he had no notion of e-en Goining
the militar(/ mu!h less be!oming a top offi!er in the !ountr('s premier sp( agen!(6 5is
parents )anted him to be!ome a do!tor/ and though AuGno-i!h originall( )anted to
be!ome an engineer/ he had to admit that his math s#ills )ere not up to par6 The
binomial theorem )as too mu!h for him6 So the thought of be!oming a do!tor started to
sound more appealing6 There )as still a big problem/ though6 The son of a steel mill
)or#er in ittsburgh )ould find it diffi!ult to pa( for medi!al s!hool in the >nited
States/ so AuGno-i!h !onsidered another opportunit( that his parents suggested< Go to
stud( in ,ugosla-ia6 Go ba!# to our homeland6 See the !ountr( )here (our famil(
!omes from6 Get to #no) the !ountr( that )e left so )e !ould gi-e (ou a better life in
the >nited States6
The more AuGno-i!h loo#ed into the idea/ the more he li#ed it6 9n the ,ugosla- s(stem/
he )ould start stud(ing medi!ine right a)a( instead of first getting an undergraduate
degree6 And as he tal#ed about the idea )ith his friends/ he learned that there )as a
s!holarship that !ould ma#e it all possible6 The Serbian 8ational =ederation/ a group
organiFed b( immigrants li#e his o)n parents/ offered s!holarships for (oung Serbian
Ameri!ans to go ba!# to ,ugosla-ia to stud(6 The =ederation )anted to #eep these
(oung Ameri!an-born Serbs !onne!ted to the homeland of their parents/ fearing that
)ithout a spe!ial effort to sho) them the !ulture of ,ugosla-ia the !onne!tion )ould be
lost in t)o generations6 9n the same (ear that AuGno-i!h de!ided this )as a great
opportunit(/ so did eight others from around the !ountr(6 The Serbian 8ational
=ederation pro-ided full s!holarships for stud( in 4elgrade/ transportation a!ross the
Atlanti!/ and a stipend of t)ent(-fi-e dollars per month6 AuGno-i!h's parents e:plained
to him that this )as an e:treme blessing for him/ one that he !ould not possibl(
appre!iate as an Ameri!an-born (oung man )ho had ne-er #no)n hunger6
DT)ent(-fi-e dollars a month/ George/D his father said to him in Serbian/ sha#ing his
head as if he Gust !ould not belie-e his son )as so fortunate6 DThat is so mu!h6 That is
enough to #eep a famil( of fi-e in ,ugosla-ia6 ,ou !an get a dinner/ a -er( good dinner/
for fi-e dinars6 The e:!hange rate is fift( dinars to the dollar/ George6 =ift(6D
The son of a ittsburgh steel-mill )or#er )as going ba!# to his parents' home !ountr( to
stud( and li-e a life the( !ould ha-e onl( dreamed of )hen the( set sail for Ameri!a6
The AuGno-i!h famil( sa) George's departure as fulfillment of the Ameri!an dream/ the
proof that if a poor ,ugosla- !ouple !ame to this !ountr( and )or#ed hard/ their
!hildren !ould reap unimaginable benefits6 5is parents )ere thrilled to thin# of him
boarding the 1aGesti!/ at the time the largest ship in the )orld/ part of the White Star
line that had sailed the Titani! onl( a fe) (ears earlier6 &i#e its ill-fated prede!essor/ the
fift(-si:-thousand-ton 1aGesti! )as a magnifi!ent sight )ith her three tall funnels and
long bla!# hull/ the interior filled )ith statel( dining rooms/ lounges/ and libraries milled
of e:pensi-e )ood and fine fabri!s6
5is parents relished the thought that AuGno-i!h )as tra-eling in !omfort/ going to a
promising future/ not as one of hundreds of immigrants pa!#ed in steerage/ fleeing
po-ert(/ )ar/ and hunger6
The 1aGesti! do!#ed in Cherbourg/ =ran!e/ )here the Ameri!an bo(s boarded a train to
aris and then on to 4elgrade/ arri-ing in mid-September 123"6 The( found a !it( that/
mu!h li#e an( other +uropean !apital/ )as steeped in a ri!h and !olorful histor( that
in!luded )ar/ o!!upation b( other !ountries/ and m(riad hardships6 4ut b( the time the
Ameri!ans arri-ed/ 4elgrade )as on the ups)ing/ gaining re!ognition as a !ultural
!ornu!opia and a !enter of higher edu!ation6 After the o!!upation b( Austro-5ungarian
and German troops from 121% to 1210 during World War 9/ 4elgrade e:perien!ed faster
gro)th and signifi!ant moderniFation as the !apital of the ne) Iingdom of ,ugosla-ia
during the 1223s and 1233s/ gro)ing in population to 232/333 b( 12316 &o!ated at the
!onfluen!e of the Sa-a and ;anube ri-ers/ 4elgrade is one of the oldest !ities in +urope
and sin!e an!ient times it has been an important traffi! fo!al point/ an interse!tion of the
roads of +astern and Western +urope6
AuGno-i!h and his !ompanions )ere amaFed b( )hat the( found in 4elgrade6 Their
parents had tal#ed a lot about the old !ountr(/ but most of them #ne) the tin( -illages of
,ugosla-ia more than the( #ne) the metropolitan !enters li#e 4elgrade6 The Ameri!ans
found themsel-es in an e:oti! big !it( and the( !ouldn't )ait to e:plore6 The( enrolled
in the >ni-ersit( of 4elgrade as planned and then the( immediatel( set out to !onfirm
e-er( image that +uropeans had of )ild/ ill-mannered Ameri!ans6 =lush )ith !ash and
)ith -er( fe) )orries/ the( ran )ild in 4elgrade/ a !osmopolitan +uropean !it( that
offered plent( in the )a( of bars/ restaurants/ and !afQs )here the (oung men !ould
spend their mone( and )ile a)a( the e-ening6 A t(pi!al night found them drin#ing )ine
and singing at a #afana/ an establishment !ommon in the 4al#ans that ser-ed primaril(
al!ohol and !offee/ often )ith a li-e band6 8ot Juite a restaurant but not e:a!tl( a bar/
the #afana )as a perfe!t pla!e for the bo(s to drin# and flirt )ith the singers in the band6
The Ameri!ans )ould in-ite a fe) Serbian friends to Goin them/ and the doFen or so
)ould ine-itabl( !reate a s!ene )hen the( )ent out/ e-en appearing in the ne)spaper
o!!asionall(/ su!h as the time )hen one of the group stole a hansom !ab pulled b( t)o
horses6 The !hase )ent on until the horses )ere too tired to #eep running from the
furious !ab dri-er6 AuGno-i!h enGo(ed the good times as mu!h as an(one else/ but he )as
the self-des!ribed teetotaler in the bun!h/ preferring to )at!h his friends get drun# and
foolish )hile he !ounted up ho) man( bottles of )ine the group had gone through that
night6
The ro)d( group of Ameri!ans )as hard to miss in 4elgrade/ espe!iall( for the other
students at the uni-ersit(6 The( )ere )ell li#ed/ though also seen as the bad bo(s on
!ampus sometimes6 The fa!t that the( )ere from Ameri!a/ not to mention that the( had
plent( of mone( to thro) around/ made them interesting to the other students/ and so
the( had no problem so!ialiFing as mu!h as the( )anted6 1u!h of their time )as spent
at the Anglo-Ameri!an Club on !ampus/ a hangout for Ameri!an and 4ritish students
and the lo!als )ho found them appealing6 The !lub )as lo!ated a!ross the street from
the old ,ugosla- pala!e/ and its !omfortable lounges/ full of ri!h )ood and lu:urious
furniture/ made a fine pla!e for the Ameri!ans to ma#e the a!Juaintan!e of an(
,ugosla-s )ho might find them interesting6 9t )as there on a 8o-ember night in 123%/
not too long after he arri-ed in ,ugosla-ia/ that George AuGno-i!h met 1irGana &aFi! for
the first time6 9t )as a Than#sgi-ing !elebration and the room )as !ro)ded6
The Ameri!ans had in-ited 1irGana and se-eral of her friends to their !lub that e-ening/
ostensibl( so the t)o groups !ould impro-e their language s#ills6 1irGana )anted to
impro-e her +nglish and the Ameri!ans )anted to impro-e their Serbian6 The( had
realiFed that the Serbian the( learned around the dinner table ba!# home )as a little
rough )hen used dail( in ,ugosla-ia6 4ut both groups #ne) that there )as more at issue
than language s#ills6
When he first sa) 1irGana a!ross the room/ AuGno-i!h had the same rea!tion as e-er(
other (oung man )ho met her6 She )as beautiful6
5e had another rea!tion/ too6 5e #ne) from that first moment that she )as the )oman
he )anted to marr(6 AuGno-i!h !ouldn't settle on e:a!tl( )hat dre) him in so Jui!#l(6 9t
might ha-e been her blue e(es/ her lo-el( -oi!e/ or her Juiet/ dignified demeanor6 5e
e-en li#ed the )a( she stood6 And her dress6 And the )a( she )ore her hair6
That's the girl for me6 9 ha-e to get to #no) this girl6
AuGno-i!h fell for 1irGana hard/ li#e nothing he had e-er e:perien!ed before6 5e had no
idea that/ li#e man( of the people in ,ugosla-ia/ 1irGana had alread( been through a lot
in her (oung life6 5er father had been interned b( the Austrians in !onne!tion )ith the
assassination of Ar!hdu#e =erdinand of Austria in 121"/ )hi!h had set the )heels in
motion for World War 96 Though he )as not a!ti-el( in-ol-ed in the assassination/ he
)as in SaraGe-o/ ,ugosla-ia/ at the time of the assassination and )as an unabashed
supporter of ,oung 4osnia/ the politi!al group responsible for the #illing6 5er father
returned to their home in 8o-i Sad/ a Serbian -illage on the ;anube 7i-er/ after the )ar
ended and then mo-ed his famil( to 4elgrade for a better Gob6 The famil( did )ell in
4elgrade and 1irGana entered the uni-ersit( at the same time as AuGno-i!h6 A learned
)oman alread(/ 1irGana spo#e Serbian/ +nglish/ German/ and =ren!h/ and she taught
languages in addition to her o)n studies6
AuGno-i!h immediatel( stru!# up a !on-ersation )ith 1irGana6 She found him handsome
and interesting/ but she thought he had some )ild friends6 She ga-e the ittsburgh bo( a
!han!e/ dra)n b( his pla(ful/ engaging demeanor6 4ut then he )ent too far )ith his
Ameri!an-st(le familiarit(6 5e offered to ta#e her home that e-ening and she told him/
in +nglish that )as !r(stal !lear in both pronun!iation and meaning/ that su!h a
suggestion )as out of line/ an insult to a (oung )oman he had onl( Gust met6
D9'm a professor at a high s!hool for girls/ and if an(one sa) me )al#ing in the e-ening
)ith a strange man/ there )ould be tal#/D she e:plained6 D9 don't )ant people to tal#
about me6D
AuGno-i!h understood that he had been too eager/ falling ba!# on his Ameri!an
sensibilities and forgetting )here he )as6 5e )as disappointed that he had blo)n his
!han!e )ith this beautiful )oman and !ould onl( )at!h her mar!h off6
5e )ould not see 1irGana again for four (ears6 9n the inter-ening (ears/ 1irGana's
mother died and she re!ei-ed a s!holarship to stud( in Cambridge/ +ngland/ for si:
months6 After returning to ,ugosla-ia/ she settled again in 4elgrade6
4( 1232 AuGno-i!h and his friends had settled do)n some)hat/ be!oming more serious
students and less the ro)d( Ameri!ans6 So )hen he sa) 1irGana again one night at the
Anglo-Ameri!an Club/ he thought he might ha-e a !han!e to ma#e things right6 This
time he )ould pro!eed -er( slo)l(6 5e spo#e to her gentl(/ politel(/ and briefl(/ ma#ing
no effort to monopoliFe her time at the !lub6 4ut he )at!hed !arefull( and/ )hen she
sho)ed an interest in ping-pong/ so did AuGno-i!h6 When she )anted to pla( bridge/ so
did he6 The( slo)l( be!ame )ell a!Juainted and after t)o months AuGno-i!h -er(
!arefull( suggested one e-ening that he might )al# her home6 5e bra!ed for the same
retort as before/ but this time 1irGana said (es6
As the( )al#ed slo)l( for three miles along the 1ilosa-eli#og/ a large boule-ard
leading to her home/ AuGno-i!h made small tal# until he thought the moment )as right
to sa( )hat he'd been thin#ing for a )hile6
D9 remember )hen 9 sa) (ou the first time/ (ears ago6 9t )as 123%/D he said6
She loo#ed at him as if he )ere !raF(6 'ust as he had suspe!ted for the past t)o months/
she had no memor( of their first meeting6 DWhat$ 9 ne-er sa) (ou before in m( life/ not
before a !ouple months ago6D
D9 sa) (ou in 123%/D he said6 DAt the !lub6D 5e then pro!eeded to des!ribe e:a!tl( )hat
1irGana loo#ed li#e that first night-the !olor of her dress/ her bro)n shoes/ ho) she
)ore her hair/ the )a( she stood6 5e said it as if it had been running through his mind
for four (ears/ and it had6 1irGana )as tou!hed that he remembered6 She )as mo-ed b(
ho) he des!ribed this -ision/ standing there on the boule-ard )ith her6 AuGno-i!h had
alread( fallen in lo-e )ith this beautiful lo!al girl/ and no) she )as falling in lo-e )ith
the tall/ handsome Ameri!an6 The( dated through 1232 and 12"3/ a happ( time )hen
there )as little to !on!ern them e:!ept their studies and ea!h other6 Then e-er(thing
!hanged in 12"16
rior to 12"1 it )as eas( for George AuGno-i!h and 1irGana &aFi! to ignore the
gathering !loud of 8aFism e-en though it )as Gust o-er the horiFon from 4elgrade6 The(
)ere (oung uni-ersit( students and the( )ere in lo-e6 =or AuGno-i!h espe!iall(/ it )as
hard to imagine that )ar !ould intrude on this )onderful time in his life be!ause he
!ame from the Ameri!an mind-set in )hi!h tan#s rolling through the streets and armies
in-ading (our home )ere something that happened Do-er there6D The problem )as that
AuGno-i!h )as o-er there6 5e )as in 4elgrade/ in the path of the ad-an!ing German
armies/ and all signs pointed to trouble ahead for ,ugosla-ia6 AuGno-i!h )as a)are of
)hat )as happening in the rest of +urope/ but he )as not in-ol-ed in politi!s and found
it hard to belie-e this beautiful !it( !ould be o-errun6 Others around him )ere more
)orried6 Some of his Ameri!an and 4ritish friends )ere ma#ing plans to lea-e before
things got )orse6 The assistant professor of anatom( at the uni-ersit(/ ho)e-er/ )as
German and tried to !on-in!e AuGno-i!h that if German( in-aded ,ugosla-ia/ the Serb
people should not resist6 5is name )as 1ueller6 DGo among (our friends and tell them/D
he urged AuGno-i!h6 DTell them that the Germans )ill not be oppressi-e if the( do not
resist6D
AuGno-i!h did not belie-e the instru!tor/ and his entreaties made him onl( more
!on!erned/ not less6 9n the earl( months of 12"1 the dominoes fell Jui!#l(/ and suddenl(
German troops )ere in 4ulgaria/ 7omania/ and Austria6 ,ugosla-ia )as ne:t in line6 As
man( #ne) )ould be ine-itable/ ,ugosla-ia )ent from pea!e to horror in Gust a fe)
Jui!# steps6 oliti!ians in the !ountr( tried to #eep ,ugosla-ia neutral as the( sa) 5itler
ad-an!ing a!ross +urope/ but the tas# be!ame more !hallenging )ith ea!h of 5itler's
-i!tories6 >nable to !ompete militaril( )ith 5itler's for!es/ ,ugosla-ia fa!ed t)o
possibilities< +ither bo) before 5itler/ or resist him/ rel(ing upon support from Western
po)ers6 The de!ision rested )ith ,ugosla-ia's rin!e aul/ )ho had ta#en leadership of
the !ountr( in 123"/ after Iing Ale:ander's assassination in 1arseille6 rin!e aul )as a
fort(-one-(ear-old !ousin of the #ing and !alled on to rule the !ountr( be!ause Iing
Ale:ander's son/ eter 99/ )as onl( ele-en (ears old6 rin!e aul )as pressured b( his
ad-isers to ma#e a deal )ith 5itler in hopes of fa-orable treatment/ and he e-entuall(
a!Juies!ed/ signing the Tripartite a!t )ith the World War 99 A:is o)ers in Aienna on
1ar!h 2%/ 12"16 4( signing the pa!t/ ,ugosla-ia offi!iall( be!ame part of the A:is
along )ith German(/ 'apan/ and 9tal(6 4ut the prin!e ne-er intended to Goin the A:is
aggression in +urope6 7ather he )as onl( tr(ing to spare his !ountr( the barbarism he
#ne) the 8aFis )ould bring if the ,ugosla-ian people resisted6
The people of his !ountr( did not agree )ith the prin!e's effort/ preferring to fa!e do)n
the German in-aders than Goin them/ e-en in name onl(6 rin!e aul's de!ision prompted
massi-e demonstrations in 4elgrade and other !ities6 When the A:is a!t )as re-ealed
to the people/ the( protested in the streets/ !hanting/ D4elGe ratH nego pa#t!D )hi!h meant
DWar instead of a pa!tH death instead of sla-er(6D AuGno-i!h and &aFi! !ould see people
mar!hing in the streets around the uni-ersit(/ shouting !ondemnations of the prin!e and
sho)ering flo)ers on the Serbian troops )ho had been sent to maintain order6 The
protesters made their intentions !lear/ that the( supported the !ountr('s arm( but not its
appeasing prin!e6
AuGno-i!h )at!hed as his bu!oli! student life )as turned upside do)n6 German-o)ned
shops )ere destro(ed/ )indo)s bro#en in the homes of German residents6 An(one )ith
a German name )as afraid to go out on the street6 AuGno-i!h !ouldn't belie-e )hat he
)as )itnessing6 5e !onsidered Gust lea-ing/ heading home to ittsburgh6 5e and his
Ameri!an friends thought it )as fas!inating to see these e-ents unfolding in front of
their e(es/ but the( didn't feel it !on!erned them6 The( )ere Ameri!ansH this )asn't their
)ar6 The( Gust happened to be there )itnessing the )orld !hange/ and the( !ould lea-e
)hen the( )anted6
4ut )hat about 1irGana$ 5e had fallen madl( in lo-e )ith this lo!al girl/ and she )ould
not be able to lea-e the !ountr( )ith her ,ugosla- passport6 AuGno-i!h's Ameri!an
passport )as a free ti!#et home/ but he !ouldn't bear to lea-e behind the blond beaut(
)ho had !aptured his heart from a!ross the room at a part( and o!!upied his thoughts for
almost four (ears until he sa) her again6 So he sta(ed longer than he should ha-e6
AuGno-i!h )as thin#ing about this at the !lub that e-ening )hen he again ran into
1ueller/ the assistant anatom( professor )ho had assured him the German in-aders
)ould be bene-olent6 The )arning )as more stern this time< D,ou !an't do that/D the
man said/ loo#ing out on the bro#en shop fronts6 D,ou people are going to suffer6D
Things #ept mo-ing so Jui!#l( that it )as hard for AuGno-i!h to #eep up )ith ea!h da('s
progress6 Onl( t)o da(s after the pa!t )as signed/ on 1ar!h 2./ 12"1/ eter 99/ no)
se-enteen (ears old/ )as pro!laimed of age and too# the throne as Iing of ,ugosla-ia6
5e immediatel( supported a group of pro-+nglish offi!ers and middle-!lass politi!ians
in e:e!uting a !oup d'Qtat on the same da(/ and Air =or!e General ;uaan Simo-i
be!ame prime minister6 ,ugosla-ia ba!#ed out of the A:is in all but name6
The ne) rulers opposed German(/ but li#e rin!e aul/ the( a!#no)ledged the
o-er)helming po)er of the enem(6 The( feared that if 5itler atta!#ed ,ugosla-ia/ the
>nited Iingdom/ their strongest all(/ )as not in an( real position to help6 =or the safet(
of the !ountr(/ the( de!lared that ,ugosla-ia )ould adhere to the Tripartite a!t6
Westerners praised ,ugosla-ia as an e:!eption among the neighboring nations )ho had
!apitulated and a!!epted 5itler's terms/ !ongratulating the !ountr('s people on standing
up to resist the German hordes6 4ut the West !ould offer little other than )ords of
en!ouragement6 The people of ,ugosla-ia )ere buo(ed b( the su!!ess of their uprising/
but the Go( )ould not last long6 On the e-ening of April % AuGno-i!h )as at the Anglo-
Ameri!an Club and ran into 1ueller again6 The German instru!tor's mood )as grim/ as
)ere the moods of most in the room despite the !opious flo) of al!ohol6
DSomething's going to happen/D 1ueller told AuGno-i!h6 DSomething bad6 lease tell
people not to do these things6 ;on't pro-o#e German(6D
AuGno-i!h didn't pa( an( attention to 1ueller/ !hal#ing up the !omments to the )ine and
a dour personalit(6 5e )ent home and )ent to bed/ e:pe!ting to go to !lass the ne:t da(6
9nstead he )o#e up at si: a6m6 to his apartment building sha#ing and the sound of bombs
falling6 5e ra!ed to the )indo) and thre) ba!# the !urtains/ sJuinting in the morning
sun6 5e )as stunned to see planes dire!tl( o-er the !it(/ dropping bombs b( the
hundreds6
This Ameri!an from the south side of ittsburgh )as )at!hing 5itler's response to the
pre-ious )ee#s' e-ents6 When 5itler first heard of the !oup d'Qtat and the !ountr('s
attempt to )ithdra) from the A:is/ he thought it )as a Go#e6 When he realiFed the
people of ,ugosla-ia had defied his )ill/ 5itler be!ame infuriated at the !ountr('s
resistan!e and de!ided to destro( ,ugosla-ia/ ordering his staff to !arr( out his orders
D)ith unmer!iful harshness6D The German &uft)affe started b( raining hell do)n on an
unarmed/ defenseless !it(6 4ritish rime 1inister Winston Chur!hill des!ribed )hat
happened ne:t<
On the morning of April * German bombers appeared o-er 4elgrade6 =l(ing in rela(s
from o!!upied airfields in 7omania/ the( deli-ered a methodi!al atta!# lasting three
da(s upon the ,ugosla- !apital6 =rom rooftop height/ )ithout fear of resistan!e/ the(
blasted the !it( )ithout mer!(6 This )as !alled DOperation unishment6D When silen!e
!ame at last on April 0/ o-er se-enteen thousand !itiFens of 4elgrade la( dead in the
streets or under debris6 Out of the nightmare of smo#e and fire !ame the maddened
animals released from their shattered !ages in Foologi!al gardens6 A stri!#en stor#
hobbled past the main hotel/ )hi!h )as a mass of flames6 A bear/ daFed and
un!omprehending/ shuffled through the inferno )ith slo) and a)#)ard gait do)n
to)ards the ;anube6 5e )as not the onl( bear )ho did not understand6
The ro(al famil( es!aped abroad6 Iing eter 99 )ent )ith his go-ernment to Gree!e/
then to 'erusalem/ the 4ritish 1andate of alestine/ and Cairo/ +g(pt/ e-entuall( landing
in +ngland in 'une 12"16 There he Goined numerous other go-ernments in e:ile from
8aFi-o!!upied +urope6 The #ing !ompleted his edu!ation at Cambridge >ni-ersit( and
Goined the 7o(al Air =or!e6 =or the remainder of the )ar/ rin!e aul and his famil(
remained under house arrest b( the 4ritish in South Afri!a6
When he !ould pull himself a)a( from the in!redible sight at the )indo)/ AuGno-i!h
ra!ed do)n to the basement of the building in his paGamas/ Goining doFens of men/
)omen/ and !hildren there6 +-er(one s!reamed and !ried/ the )ails in!reasing )ith ea!h
bomb blast that shoo# the building6 4ut in the !haos/ there )ere elderl( Serbian men
)ho )ere !alml( smo#ing their pipes and !omforting the others/ reassuring them/ sa(ing
o-er and o-er/ D,our time has not !ome6 This )ill be o-er in a fe) minutes6D Their
soothing manner !almed the !ro)d and AuGno-i!h realiFed these men probabl( had li-ed
through se-eral )ars in their lifetimes6 5e )as impressed b( their demeanor/ and used it
to o-er!ome his o)n terror6 On!e he )as !almer/ he de!ided he had to find his belo-ed
1irGana6
AuGno-i!h ra!ed ba!# up to his apartment/ glad to see that the building had not (et ta#en
a dire!t hit6 4ombs !ontinued falling all around the !it(/ terrible e:plosions thundering
and debris fl(ing li#e rain in a summer storm6 5e put on some !lothes and grabbed a fe)
essentialsH then he ran to 1irGana's house about three miles a)a(/ pra(ing the )hole )a(
that he )ould not find it a pile of rubble6 AuGno-i!h ran as fast as he !ould/ through
!ro)ds of pani!-stri!#en people/ no one seeming to #no) )here to go or )hat to do6 5is
heart )as pumping )ildl(/ his senses nearl( o-er)helmed b( the sounds of bombs and
people s!reaming/ the smell of burning buildings and the sight of those )ho had been
!aught in the e:plosions6 As he ran do)n a street and tried to sta( !lose to the buildings
for !o-er/ AuGno-i!h )itnessed a s!ene that )ould be burned into his memor( for the
rest of his life6 As he ran/ his e(es fell on a street!ar pa!#ed full of people/ its dri-er
mo-ing as fast as he !ould and not stopping/ presumabl( tr(ing to get his passengers out
of the !it( and to a safer pla!e6 AuGno-i!h's e(es )ere on the street!ar )hen it too# a
dire!t hit from a falling bomb6 The street!ar and the doFens of people inside e:ploded in
a blood( mess of bod( parts and metal/ limbs fl(ing through the air and landing all
around AuGno-i!h6 5e )as momentaril( stunned/ not Gust b( the e:plosion but b( the
terrible sight before him6 As he regained himself/ there )as nothing he !ould do but to
#eep running6
About t)o hours after the bombing started/ the planes disappeared and the e:plosions
!eased6 AuGno-i!h hoped the bombing )as o-er/ but this a!tuall( )as Gust the lull
bet)een German bombing runs6 'ust as he got to 1irGanas's house and )as elated to see
that her home )as still standing/ the bombs began to fall again6 AuGno-i!h ran through
the front door/ shouting 1irGana's name and loo#ing Jui!#l( through the home6 Then he
)ent to the basement/ )here he hoped she )ould be hiding6 5e found 1irGana and her
brother/ 1ir#o/ there/ embra!ed them both and then huddled in a !orner )ith them/ all
three terrified that a German bomb might end their li-es at an( moment6 The home's
lo!ation on the outs#irts of 4elgrade/ near the German embass(/ #ept the bombs from
falling too !losel(/ but the( )ere still !lose enough6
When the bombing stopped again/ the trio ran out of 1irGana's house !arr(ing se-eral
suit!ases and headed do)n to the railroad station/ hoping to get a train out of the !it(6
Ob-iousl( 4elgrade )as pa(ing for its resistan!e to 5itler/ and the( hoped the( might be
safer in the !ountr(6 The group )al#ed for a )hile and then !aught a ride on an arm(
tru!#/ )hi!h AuGno-i!h instantl( regretted as soon as he sa) a German fighter plane
!ome o-er the horiFon6 The planes )ere atta!#ing an(thing on the road/ parti!ularl(
an(thing that loo#ed militar( in nature/ so it Jui!#l( s)ooped do)n on the tru!# and
opened fire6 AuGno-i!h/ 1irGana/ and 1ir#o )ere per!hed on the top of the tru!#/ )ith
no)here to hide/ so AuGno-i!h did his best to !o-er 1irGana )ith his o)n bod( as the
plane strafed them6 Through nothing but sheer lu!#/ the large-!aliber bullets passed them
b(/ popping all around them and hitting the !ar behind the tru!#6 Then the plane pulled
a)a( and )ent off in sear!h of bigger targets6
After a fe) more miles/ the( )ere able to get on a train that had stopped in a small to)n6
The( rode that train for t)o da(s until the( rea!hed 5erFeg 8o-i/ a small -illage on the
Adriati! Sea !oast/ lo!ated at the entran!e to the 4a( of Iotor and at the foot of 1ount
OrGen6 The( sta(ed there for fourteen da(s as the Germans !ontinued their in-asion6
As 4elgrade )as being bombed/ German troops in-aded ,ugosla-ia in the earl(
morning of April */ 12"1/ from se-eral dire!tions6 The ,ugosla- arm( tried to resist but
)as no mat!h for the 8aFi steamroller6 On April 13/ German troops entered 4elgrade6
The little -illage of 5erFeg 8o-i )as filling up fast )ith refugees from 4elgrade/ all of
them fleeing the bombing li#e George and 1irGana/ and fe) of them )ith an( plans for
)here to go6 1irGana ran into some of her friends from the uni-ersit(/ and George met
up )ith se-eral other Ameri!ans6 There )as also a big !ontingent of 4ritish !itiFens/
nearl( se-ent(/ man( of them arri-ing in 7olls-7o(!es as the( Goined the e-a!uees
fleeing as far )est as the( !ould get6 The 7olls-7o(!es par#ed alongside all the beautiful
a!#ards and other big sedans dri-en b( the Ameri!ans/ gi-ing the -illage the loo# of a
lu:ur( resort for the )ealth(6 9n realit(/ the to)n )as o-er)helmed/ )ith refugees
sleeping ten to a room and -er( little food to share6 +-er(one tal#ed of their ne:t mo-e/
ho) the( )ould get out/ ho) long the( had before the Germans made their )a( into the
!ountr(side6 =or a fe) da(s there )as tal# of a 4ritish 8a-( !ruiser that )ould !ome to
the !oastal -illage and ta#e an(one )ho )anted to e-a!uate to Gree!e6 There )as still
the Juestion of ho) to get to the !ruiser/ ho)e-er6 9t )ould be unable to do!# in the
!oastal to)n/ so boats )ould ha-e to ferr( the refugees out to it6 Alread( people )ere
fighting for the fe) fishing boats in the -illage/ sJuabbling and arguing o-er )ho !ould
pa( the most6 AuGno-i!h #ne) that if that !ruiser appeared on the horiFon/ there )ould
be a mad dash for those boats and people )ould die6 5e didn't )ant to put 1irGana in
that !haos6
9nstead/ he heard about a large sailboat in the to)n of 7isan/ )hi!h )as about t)el-e
miles farther inland6 The boat !ould !arr( about thirt( people out to the !ruiser/ so
AuGno-i!h and a fe) of his friends Juietl( made their )a( to 7isan )hen the( heard the
!ruiser )as !oming6 5e paid for 1irGana and her brother to sail on the boat/ #no)ing
that his Ameri!an passport )ould bring him opportunities later6 The( rode to 7isan )ith
nearl( all of the 4ritish refugees/ )ho )ere eager to be res!ued b( 5er 1aGest('s na-(6
As the( boarded the sailboat for the first of se-eral trips to the !ruiser/ the 4ritish
!itiFens ga-e their !ar #e(s to AuGno-i!h/ the onl( refugee in 7isan )ho )asn't planning
to lea-e on the sailboat6 5e ended up holding #e(s for about thirt( !ars/ in!luding
se-eral 7olls-7o(!es and a number of a!#ards/ and he !ould ha-e done an(thing he
)anted )ith them6 8o one )as !oming ba!# for their !ars6 4ut ironi!all(/ AuGno-i!h
didn't #no) ho) to dri-e6 5e !ouldn't get e-en one of the !ars ba!# to 5erFeg 8o-i/ and
e-en if he did/ there )as nothing to do )ith it6 So he turned to one of lo!al -illagers in
7isan and ga-e him all the !ar #e(s before )al#ing ba!# to the !oastal to)n6
Chapter .
assports/ lease
9t )as hard to #iss 1irGana good-b(e/ but he #ne) it )as for the best and he had e-er(
intention of seeing her again6 5e Gust hoped the )ar )ouldn't #eep them apart for too
long6 4ut )hen he returned to the !oastal -illage/ his dear 1irGana )as )aiting for him
there6 AuGno-i!h )as sho!#ed to see her and feared she had someho) missed her
opportunit( )ith the sailboat6 Then 1irGana e:plained that she and 1ir#o had ta#en the
boat as planned/ sailing out to the open sea to meet the 4ritish !ruiser6 On!e the( got
)ithin sight of the ship that !ould ta#e them to safet(/ 9talian fighter planes appeared and
atta!#ed the ship6 9t )as badl( damaged and turned a)a(/ unable to ta#e on 1irGana and
the other refugees6 The 4ritish !itiFens )ho had made it onboard on earlier trips b( the
sailboat/ )ere arrested b( the 9talians and interned in 9tal(6 The sailboat had no !hoi!e
but to deposit 1irGana and her brother ba!# in 5erFeg 8o-i6 AuGno-i!h )as at on!e
elated to see her again/ relie-ed that she hadn't made it to the !ruiser an( sooner/ and
disappointed that she )as still trapped )ith him6
The( had no immediate alternati-e/ so the( Gust )aited in the little -illage again6 As the
da( )ore on/ AuGno-i!h de!ided to tal# )ith 1irGana about something that had been
going through his mind on the long )al# ba!# from 7isan6 5e too# 1irGana on a )al# in
the monaster( garden6
DWe'-e been together about three or four (ears/ and 9 lo-e (ou/ 1irGana/D he said6 DWe
!ould get married right a)a(6 We don't #no) )hat's going to happen6D 5e paused for her
rea!tion6
She )as ta#en off guard b( the !omment/ though she had been )ondering about the
same thing6 D,es/ 9 suppose )e !ould6D
D4ut 6 6 6 )ith the 9talians in !ontrol of the sea here/ there's not going to be an( more
e-a!uation from here6 We don't #no) if )e !an find another )a( out6D
D,es/ 9 understand/D she said6 D9t )ould be easier for (ou b( (ourself6D
George #ne) )hat she )as getting to/ but he )asn't eager to dis!uss that possibilit(6 5e
)anted to be pragmati!/ but he !ouldn't bear the thought of Gust )al#ing a)a( from
1irGana6 9nstead he tried to ba!# into the topi! of splitting up6
DWell 6 6 6 if )e get married/ don't e:pe!t me to be faithful for fi-e or ten or fifteen (ears6
9 )ouldn't last that long/D he said/ unable to loo# her in the e(e as he spo#e6 D9 ma( find
someone else6 ,ou ma( find someone else6 Who #no)s$ 9t's human nature6D
9n truth/ it )asn't the fidelit( that )orried him6 5e Gust !ouldn't stand the idea of being
)ithout 1irGana again6 9t )as easier to tal# pra!ti!all( about )hat the future might bring
rather than tell her ho) deepl( it )ould hurt him to lose her again/ less painful to feign a
la!# of !onfiden!e in his fidelit( than to admit that he )ould be heartbro#en6
AuGno-i!h )as troubled b( )hat he )as suggesting6 1irGana understood/ and she spared
him the pain of ha-ing to sa( it himself6
D,es/ )ell/ (ou !an get out/ George6 1a(be that's for the best/D she said/ her -oi!e
stronger than she felt inside6 D9'll find a )a( and then )e !an be together again6D
AuGno-i!h )as disturbed to e-en be dis!ussing this6 5e didn't )ant to lea-e 1irGana
behind6 4ut the situation )as dire6 This )asn't a time for blind roman!e6
1irGana felt the same )a(6 She didn't )ant to be separated from George/ but she didn't
)ant him to sta( in danger )hen he )as free to lea-e6 She didn't sa( an(thing for a long
moment and George spo#e again6
DWithout a passport/ (ou'll ne-er get out through an( regular route6 9'd ha-e to lea-e
)ithout (ou and !ome ba!# sometime/ )hene-er 9 !ould6D The unspo#en follo)-up )as
DAnd hope (ou're still ali-e6D The( both #ne) )hat !ould happen if 1irGana sta(ed
behind6 She )as s!ared but !ouldn't bear to as# him to sta( )ith her6 5e !ouldn't bear the
thought of lea-ing her6
The( held ea!h other for a long time/ neither one )anting to sa( )hat had to be said/ but
both #no)ing6 =inall( George spo#e up and said it out loud6
D9'm going to ha-e to lea-e/ 1irGana/D he said6 D9'll !ome ba!# for (ou sometime in the
future6 ,ou #no) 9 )ill6D
D,es/ 9 #no) (ou )ill/D she said6 She !ouldn't help !r(ing e-en though she )as tr(ing
hard to be strong6
DAs soon as 9 !an/ 1irGana6 9 promise6 After the )ar/ )e'll be together again6D
AuGno-i!h #ne) that 5erFeg 8o-i no longer offered an( possibilit( of es!ape/ so he
agreed )ith other Ameri!ans in the -illage/ in!luding se-eral reporters/ that it )as time
to mo-e on6 After a diffi!ult and tearful fare)ell )ith 1irGana/ he piled into a !ar and
Goined about fift( Ameri!ans in a !ara-an headed to ;ubro-ni#/ then on to SaraGe-o6
The( had to get out of the !ountr( )hile their Ameri!an passports still meant something
in ,ugosla-ia6 8o one #ne) ho) long that might be6
9t )as late e-ening )hen the Ameri!ans rea!hed SaraGe-o/ lo!ated in a -alle( in eastern
,ugosla-ia/ surrounded b( the ;inari! Alps and situated around the 1ilGa!#a 7i-er/ and
the group split up to find pla!es to sta(6 AuGno-i!h )ent to a small hotel and as#ed the
des# !ler# if a room )as a-ailable/ and mu!h to his surprise/ the ans)er )as (es6 8oting
AuGno-i!h's Ameri!an a!!ent/ the !ler# as#ed for his passport6 AuGno-i!h rea!hed into
his !oat po!#et and fumbled for the all-important do!ument6 9t )asn't there6 5e !ouldn't
belie-e it6
D9 6 6 6 uh 6 6 6 it's not here/D he stammered/ be)ildered as to ho) he !ould ha-e lost it6
An armed guard sitting near the !ler#'s des# suddenl( be!ame interested6 The man )as
one of the >stashe/ the rebels )ho had ta#en !ontrol of Croatia and 4osnia under the
German o!!upation6 The( )ere #no)n for being !ruel and unpredi!table/ sort of li#e
au:iliar( -ersions of the 8aFis themsel-es6 The guard stood up and loo#ed sternl( at
AuGno-i!h/ )ho )as still fumbling in his po!#ets/ franti!all( loo#ing for the do!ument6
DSho) me (our passport!D the guard (elled6 AuGno-i!h e:plained again that he had one
but !ouldn't find it at the moment6 5e )as gro)ing more and more distressed as ea!h
po!#et !ame up empt(6
D1a(be he is a sp(/D the >stashe said to the !ler#6 DSpies !an be shot6 9t's better than
arresting them6D
AuGno-i!h didn't #no) )hat to do/ so he #ept loo#ing through the po!#ets he alread(
#ne) )ere empt(6 At the mention of shooting him/ se-eral other Ameri!ans spo#e up
and tried to -ou!h for AuGno-i!h/ )a-ing their o)n Ameri!an passports and insisting
that he )as Gust another Ameri!an tr(ing to get home6 Among those tr(ing to defend
AuGno-i!h )ere a >6S6 !onsul offi!ial and 7a( 4ro!#/ a reporter for the 8e) ,or#
Times6 The( )ere arguing -o!iferousl( )ith the >stashe guard/ and he )ithered under
the Ameri!an onslaught6 After a moment he relented and agreed to let AuGno-i!h sta( in
the hotel that night6
D,ou !an find (our passport/D he said to AuGno-i!h6 D4ut if (ou do not ha-e it tomorro)/
(ou )ill be arrested6D
AuGno-i!h )as onl( partl( relie-ed6 5e still had no idea )here his passport )as and he
#ne) the >stashe )ould not be deterred the ne:t morning6 5e spent a franti! night
sear!hing through his belongings and tr(ing to thin# ba!# to )here he had seen the
passport last6 5e slept hardl( at all as he pondered )hat )ould happen in the morning6
5e thought about tr(ing to run off during the night/ but he )as sure the >stashe guard or
his !ohorts )ould spot him6 That )ould guarantee a bad out!ome6
And then at si: thirt( a6m6 there )as a #no!# on the door6 AuGno-i!h Gumped at the
sound and his heart )ent to his throat6 9t must be the >stashe !oming for m( passport/ he
thought6 5e )as anno(ed b( last night's !onfrontation and )ants to arrest me right a)a(6
AuGno-i!h slo)l( )ent to the door and opened it/ surprised to see the !hauffeur of the
!ar he had ridden in standing there6 Apparentl( the man had no idea )hat trouble
AuGno-i!h )as in and )as simpl( running an errand6
D,ou dropped this in the !ar/D he said/ and handed the !riti!al passport to AuGno-i!h6 5e
turned around and left/ )ith no idea that he had Gust sa-ed the Ameri!an's life6 AuGno-i!h
realiFed that he must ha-e missed his inside breast po!#et )hen he tried to put his
passport a)a( in the !ar6 The do!ument had lain in the !ar all night long6 AuGno-i!h
)asted no time in sho)ing the passport to the >stashe and soon the Ameri!ans
!ontinued on their trip/ dri-ing on to 4elgrade6 The( had no firm plans for ho) to get
out of ,ugosla-ia/ but the( all thought their !han!es better in the big !it(/ )here the(
had !onta!ts and more resour!es than in the !ountr(side6 The( found a !it( !ompletel(
unli#e the one the( had left6 The !it( )as beaten and bo)ed/ the o!!up(ing Germans
tightening the noose e-er( da(6 There )as a si:-p6m6-to-si:-a6m6 !urfe)/ after )hi!h
an(one on the street )ould be shot )ithout )arning6 An( resistan!e )as met )ith
e:aggerated retribution< The death of one German soldier )ould result in one hundred
Serbs being hanged in publi!6 One da( AuGno-i!h )as )al#ing do)n the street )hen he
sa) a !ro)d running to)ard him6 The( (elled at him to turn and run a)a(/ )hi!h he did
)ithout Juestion6 When he got the !han!e/ he as#ed one of those fleeing )hat )as
)rong6
DThere )as a small fire at a gas station/D the man ans)ered6 DThe Germans assumed it
)as sabotage and started #illing people6 The( too# the first ten people the( sa) off the
street and shot them6D
;espite the danger in 4elgrade/ the gamble paid off6 8ot long after arri-ing/ AuGno-i!h
ran into his Ameri!an friend Aasa urlia/ )ho told him that not onl( )as it still possible
for the Ameri!ans to get out/ but the( !ould ta#e their )i-es as )ell6 5e )as planning to
marr( his girl-friend/ Io#a/ a lo!al girl li#e 1irGana/ and get her out )ith him6 D5a-e
(ou married 1irGana$D he as#ed eagerl(6 DWhere is she$ The Ameri!an !onsulate !an
gi-e (ou all the ne!essar( do!uments for her to enter the >nited States/D urlia
e:plained/ Dbut onl( if (ou are married6D
D4ut )hat about her passport$ Will the( gi-e her an Ameri!an passport$D
D8o/ the( !an't do that6 4ut the( !an gi-e all the papers to sho) that she is (our )ife and
entitled to lea-e )ith (ou6D
DWill the Germans and 9talians a!!ept that$D
D9 don't #no)/ George6 4ut it is the onl( hope for 1irGana and Io#a to lea-e6D
To ma#e matters )orse/ George found out that the Gestapo )ere loo#ing for an(
,ugosla-ian !itiFens )ith !onne!tions to Ameri!ans or 4ritish organiFations/ on the
theor( that the( might be spies or at least dislo(al6 1irGana )as on the list/ not onl(
be!ause of her relationship )ith George but be!ause she had re!ei-ed a s!holarship from
the 4ritish Coun!il and studied +nglish6
That meant 1irGana )as in e:treme danger if she sta(ed/ probabl( more than an( ris#
in-ol-ed )ith tr(ing to get her out of the !ountr(6 AuGno-i!h #ne) he had to tr( to get
1irGana out )ith him6 9f onl( he had #no)n this before lea-ing her in 5erFeg 8o-i6
The( !ould still be together and so mu!h !loser to lea-ing6 8o) he had to spend more
time reuniting/ and e-er( passing da( made their tas# more diffi!ult6 AuGno-i!h ra!ed to
the nearest telegraph offi!e and sent a message to 1irGana in the !oastal -illage6 The
telegraph operator )arned him that the message probabl( )ould not go through be!ause
the )ar had disrupted all means of !ommuni!ation/ but he tried it an()a(6 AuGno-i!h
paid a small sum and the operator sat do)n at his des#/ tapping out a simple message to
5erFeg 8o-i6
As lu!# )ould ha-e it/ 1irGana )as sta(ing in the home of the -illage's telegraph
operator/ )ho )as surprised to hear the s(stem !li!#ing out a message6 5e rushed to
re!ei-e it and soon he !ame out of the room )ith a message in his hand/ !alling for
1irGana &aFi!6 5e handed her a small slip of paper that instantl( raised her spirits6
We !an get married and get do!uments for (ou6 Come ba!# to 4elgrade6
While she )as thrilled to hear from George/ she )as not entirel( sure she )anted to go
ba!# to 4elgrade6 She had !on-in!ed herself that the )ar )ould be !on!entrated in the
big !ities/ and she had seen the de-astation alread( )rought on 4elgrade6 1a(be if she
sta(ed in the !ountr(side she )ould be o#a(/ she thought6 And did she reall( )ant to
lea-e ,ugosla-ia/ e-en if she !ould$
5er brother/ 1ir#o/ an engineer )ho spo#e +nglish/ !on-in!ed her to thin# !learl(6 The
t)o of them set off b( train for 4elgrade/ itself a dangerous Gourne( as the >stashe
monitored all a!ti-it( in the region no)/ loo#ing for an( opportunit( to harass someone
)ithout the right papers6 George thought 1irGana )as on her )a( to 4elgrade/ but he
didn't #no) )hen she might arri-e6 7ealiFing that the Germans might go to her 4elgrade
home loo#ing for her-or a neighbor might report her arri-al-he didn't )ant 1irGana to get
off the train and go there6 4ut if the train arri-ed after the si: p6m6 !urfe)/ she )ould
ha-e to sta( on the train all night and then get off at si: a6m6 So e-er( da(/ George
sprinted out of the house at si: a6m6 and do)n to the train station/ hoping to !at!h
1irGana before she !ould )al# into danger6 She might get off the train at the same
moment George )as able to step outside/ so e-er( morning he )as in a mad ra!e to
!at!h up )ith her6 This )ent on for fi-e da(s until he returned to his hotel and found
1irGana )aiting there )ith 1ir#o6
After a tearful embra!e/ George as#ed ho) she had #no)n to go to the hotel instead of
going home6 1irGana told him that she and 1ir#o had/ in fa!t/ tried to return home that
morning6 When the( approa!hed the house/ the famil('s maid rushed out and (elled at
them to go a)a(6 5er franti! tone e:plained )h(6 1irGana #ne) that George had friends
sta(ing at the hotel/ so she hoped to find him there also6
As soon as the( )ere reunited/ George too# 1irGana to the Ameri!an !onsulate and
spo#e )ith the !onsul/ an earnest administrator )ho )as )or#ing fe-erishl( to get
Ameri!ans and their lo-ed ones out before it )as too late6 5e had alread( gi-en the
proper do!uments to Aasa and Io#a/ )ho had been married earlier that da(6 5e told
George and 1irGana that the( must hurr(6 4ut there )as one important issue/ he said6
The Germans ha-e forbidden an( foreigners to marr(6
D,ou ha-e to go to this !hur!h at si: o'!lo!# in the morning/D he said/ handing George a
paper )ith the lo!ation of the !hur!h6 D;on't tell an(one e:!ept t)o )itnesses6 ,ou ha-e
to bring t)o )itnesses and the priest )ill marr( (ou6D
The( )ere married the ne:t morning in a Juiet/ simple !eremon( attended onl( b( one
of 1irGana's !ousins and an Ameri!an friend of George's6 The( had a small meal at the
!ousin's home that morning/ and that )as the end of their )edding !elebration6 After
ta#ing their marriage !ertifi!ate to the Ameri!an !onsulate/ the( re!ei-ed the do!uments
that the( hoped )ould get 1irGana out of her rapidl( )orsening homeland6 The main
paper )as surprisingl( simple/ Gust a letter reall(/ from the Ameri!an !onsul6
This affida-it !onfirms that 1irGana AuGno-i!h/ nee &aFi!/ is a ,ugosla- !itiFen married
to an Ameri!an6 This affida-it is issued to her to enable tra-el to the home of her
husband in the >nited States of Ameri!a6 lease e:tend to her all !ourtes( and offer an(
assistan!e (ou !an6
9t )as signed b( the !onsul/ )ith a seal and a big red ribbon6 The( thought it Juite a
handsome do!ument6 When the !onsul handed it to 1irGana/ he e:plained that it )ould
help her on!e the( got out of o!!upied territor(6 9f the( !ould get to a !ountr( not
!ontrolled b( the A:is/ ma(be alestine/ this do!ument )ould enable her to get to the
>nited States )ith George6 4ut there )as no telling if it )ould !arr( an( )eight )ith the
Germans or other lo!al authorities/ he said6 All three of them #ne) that the !onsul )as
being optimisti! about that last part6 9t )as -er( unli#el( that the Germans )ould respe!t
the !onsul's do!ument/ and 1irGana's ,ugosla-ian passport !arried the same )eight6
Outside of ,ugosla-ia it !ould help her/ but not in her o)n !ountr(6
The !it( of 4elgrade )as in ruins/ )ith Germans and >stashe )at!hing e-er(one/ so
George )anted to mo-e as Jui!#l( as possible6 =rom his !onta!ts )ith the Ameri!an
embass(/ he heard about a boat that )as going to e-a!uate Ameri!ans to 4udapest/
5ungar(/ -ia the ;anube 7i-er6 George made sure he and 1irGana )ere on the boat/ and
1irGana's do!uments )ere good enough for her to blend in )ith the group of Ameri!ans
as the( e-a!uated6 The ne)l()eds ended up sta(ing )ith about a doFen Ameri!ans at a
small hotel in 4udapest/ still firml( in German-o!!upied territor(/ the group tal#ing
nonstop about possible )a(s to get out6 4( this time/ e-en an Ameri!an passport !ould
not guarantee an eas( e:it6 9f (ou !ould find a means out of German territor(/ the
Ameri!an do!uments )ould ease the )a(6 4ut (ou still had to find a )a( out from a
region that )as rapidl( falling into a state of !onfusion6 The Germans pre-ented most
tra-el through areas the( !ontrolled/ and e-en in the rare situations in )hi!h someone
li#e George )ould be permitted through/ someone li#e 1irGana )ould not6 There )as no
simple )a( out6 &i#e the thousands of others tr(ing to flee ,ugosla-ia/ George and
1irGana had to be !reati-e6
Some of the group )anted to tr( going to S)itFerland through o!!upied territor( and
then on to southern =ran!e/ the e:treme southern part of the !ountr( not (et o!!upied b(
German soldiers6 =rom there the( might get a boat to Spain and to ortugal6 4ut after
some in-estigation/ the( realiFed the Germans )ould not allo) them to tra-el to
S)itFerland through their o!!upied territor(6 The Ameri!ans didn't #no) )here to go or
ho) to get home6 George and 1irGana )ere )orried that the( had )aited too long to get
out6 1a(be George should ha-e Gust gone on his o)n/ 1irGana thought6
Their brea# !ame )hen George )as e:!hanging his ,ugosla-ian mone( for 5ungarian/
thin#ing out loud about possible routes to the >nited States6 The old man !hanging his
mone( offered a suggestion that had not o!!urred to the Ameri!ans (et6
DWh( don't (ou fl( out of the !ountr($D he said6 D,ou !an fl( south to 4ulgaria6 4ulgaria
is not at )ar/ so (ou !an get a)a( from there easil(6D
9f he )as right/ this !ould be e:a!tl( )hat George and 1irGana )ere )aiting for6 5e
made a fe) phone !alls and found out that there )as a regular &ufthansa flight that )ent
from 4udapest to-of all pla!es-4elgrade/ and then on to Sofia/ 4ulgaria6 9f the( !ould
get on that flight/ the( might es!ape o!!upied territor(6 5e too# 1irGana to the airport
and tried to bu( t)o seats on the flight/ onl( to be told that there )as onl( one seat
a-ailable ea!h da( from 4udapest6 The( )ere desperate b( this point/ so the( dis!ussed
going separatel(/ 1irGana one da( and George the ne:t6 4ut the problem )as that
1irGana reall( !ould not tra-el )ithout George be!ause the( )ould !he!# her papers in
4elgrade and arrest her for tr(ing to lea-e the !ountr( )ithout permission6 +-en )ith
George at her side there )as doubt about )hether her papers from the Ameri!an !onsul
)ould be enough to get her throughH )ithout George/ the( )ere almost !ertain she
)ould be arrested6 The( )ere deGe!ted again6 The( !ould not es!ape this )a( together/
but it might be their onl( !han!e to get out6 The( seriousl( !onsidered fl(ing separatel(/
)ith George going first and -ou!hing for 1irGana along the )a(/ telling the authorities
that his )ife )as follo)ing him the ne:t da(6 The( still didn't li#e the idea/ but the(
might ha-e no other !hoi!e6
The ne:t da(/ Saturda(/ 'ul( 12/ George and 1irGana )ere in bed in the small 4udapest
hotel )hen the phone rang6 9t )as &ufthansa/ !alling the number George had left Gust in
!ase something !hanged6 The airline said the( had t)o seats open from 4udapest that
da( instead of one6 Would the( li#e to boo# them$
George said (es/ (es/ please boo# those seats for us6 5e and 1irGana )ere thrilled that
the( might finall( ma#e it out of o!!upied territor(6 George hurried to find a )a( to
!hange some mone( from 5ungarian pengS/ )hi!h )ould be useless after the( left/ to
Ameri!an dollars6 5e had to )a#e up the minister of finan!e in 4udapest to ma#e it
happen/ but he )as able to !on-ert about one thousand dollars6 1irGana/ mean)hile/ )as
tr(ing to figure out )hat to ta#e from the suit!ases the( had been lugging around sin!e
first lea-ing 4elgrade6 &ufthansa )ould allo) onl( t)ent(-t)o pounds apie!e6 When
George returned the( too# t)o small suit!ases )ith them to the &ufthansa offi!e in
4udapest/ lea-ing all their other belongings behind6 The airline dro-e them to the
airport/ )here the( boarded a &o!#heed &odestar/ a gra!eful t)in-engine airliner )ith
t)el-e seats in four ro)s of three a!ross6
George and 1irGana )ere eager to get on the plane and ma#e the final legs of their
roundabout Gourne( out of ,ugosla-ia/ but the( )ere an:ious also6 1irGana's do!uments
might not be enough to get them through/ and the( #ne) it depended mostl( on )ho )as
!he!#ing6 9f the( had onl( a !ursor( loo# b( lo!al authorities in 4elgrade/ there might
not be an( problem6 4ut if German authorities )anted to ta#e a !loser loo#/ 1irGana
!ould be spotted as a )anted person b( the Gestapo6 The( )ould arrest her and then 6 6 6
George !ouldn't stand to thin# too mu!h about )hat might happen to her6
The( )ere the last people to board the airplane/ and the onl( t)o seats a-ailable )ere
not together6 One )as open in the -er( front and one in the ba!#6 George and 1irGana
didn't mind/ as long the( !ould get on their )a(/ so the( parted and George too# the seat
in the rear/ #no)ing that might be the bumpier ride6 1irGana sat up front ne:t to a
some)hat plump but )ell-dressed )oman6 The( both tried to rela: as the plane ta:ied
do)n the run)a( and rose into the air6
The plane hadn't been aloft long before George sensed something )as amiss6 =rom his
seat in the rear he !ould see 1irGana mo-ing about in her seat/ restless it seemed/ and the
)oman ne:t to her appeared to be helping her6 The )oman had a )et !loth she )as
holding to 1irGana's head )hile she patted the (ounger )oman on the ba!#6
1irGana's airsi!#/ George thought6 5e had #no)n this might be a problem be!ause she
had not flo)n mu!h6 George stood up and )al#ed do)n the aisle to !he!# on his )ife6
As he rea!hed her seat/ he bent do)n to see her and )as surprised to see ho) pale and
distraught she )as6 The )oman in the ne:t seat smiled at George and ga-e a s(mpatheti!
nod to 1irGana/ ta#ing the !loth a)a( from the si!# )oman's forehead so the !ouple
!ould spea#6 George immediatel( tried to !omfort her6
D1irGana/ )hat's happening$D
She loo#ed up at him/ far more si!# than he e:pe!ted to see her/ and said/ D9 feel terrible/
George6D
DWh( are (ou so si!#$D he as#ed6 D9t's Gust the plane6 ,ou )on't be si!# for long6D
1irGana didn't repl( right a)a(/ and then she motioned for George to lean do)n !loser6
5e did and 1irGana leaned in to )hisper into his ear/ hoping the sound of the airplane
engines )ould pre-ent an(one else from o-erhearing6
D;o (ou #no) )ho this is ne:t to me$D 1irGana )hispered6 George loo#ed o-er at the
)oman/ )ho )as Juietl( reading a boo#6 5e shoo# his head slightl( to indi!ate he had
no idea6 D9t's 1rs6 Goebbels!D 1irGana )hispered intentl(/ almost brea#ing into tears as
she said it6 DThe )ife of 'oseph Goebbels! George/ 9'm going to be arrested )hen )e get
to 4elgrade!D
There )asn't mu!h George !ould sa( to 1irGana )ithout !ausing a s!ene/ so he Gust
)hispered to her that e-er(thing )ould be fine and to tr( to rela:6 5e #issed her on the
forehead and )al#ed ba!# to his seat/ stunned at the in!redible bad lu!# of his )ife
sitting on a plane ne:t to 1agda Goebbels/ the first lad( of the Third 7ei!h/ )ife of the
fier( and !harismati! propaganda minister 'oseph Goebbels/ a top leader in the 8aFi
mo-ement6 Adolf 5itler )as a )itness at their )edding/ and in the 1233s 1agda bore
si: !hildren for Goebbels6 With 5itler remaining unmarried/ she )as promoted as Dthe
first lad( of the Third 7ei!h/D the Goebbels !lan presented to the publi! as the model
famil( for German(6 She loo#ed li#e su!h a #ind )oman/ AuGno-i!h thought/ but he
#ne) better6 9n 5itler's bun#er at the )ar's end in 12"%/ this #ind-loo#ing )oman )ould
#ill her si: !hildren one after another b( !rushing a !(anide !apsule in their mouths6
As he too# his seat in the ba!# of the plane/ George !ould see that 1irGana )as gro)ing
more and more upset6 1agda Goebbels )as pla(ing the !on!erned mother/ putting the
!ool !loth to 1irGana's forehead and hugging her around the shoulders6 George !ould
onl( imagine ho) the )oman's tou!h made his )ife more ill6 4ut more important/ he
#ept thin#ing about )hat )ould happen )hen the( rea!hed 4elgrade6 Surel( 'oseph
Goebbels's )ife )ould be greeted b( German guards/ )ho probabl( )ould )ant to ta#e
a loo# at the passengers on this flight about to lea-e o!!upied territor(6 +:a!tl( )hat )e
)ere tr(ing to a-oid/ he thought6
There )as nothing the( !ould do to !hange )hat )ould happen at the airport in
4elgrade6 =or the rest of the fort(-minute flight/ George !ould onl( sit and )at!h )hile
his )ife )as !omforted/ to no a-ail/ b( the most re-ered )oman in the Third 7ei!h6 As
the plane tou!hed do)n in 4elgrade for refueling/ it appeared 1irGana )as near !ollapse/
the stress of the moment about to o-er)helm her6 4ut he !ould do nothing )ithout
arousing suspi!ion/ so he )aited for the door in the rear of the plane to open and then he
)as one of the first to e:it6 5is heart san# as he sa) a German offi!er there )aiting to
!he!# passports6 5e handed his o-er and the offi!er let him pass6 George stood nearb(/
)aiting for 1irGana/ hoping this )asn't going to be the last time the( sa) ea!h other6
All of the other passengers !ame out the rear door/ the offi!er !he!#ing ea!h passport/
and then finall( George !ould see 1irGana !oming do)n the aisle/ 1agda Goebbels's
arm underneath hers/ helping stead( the si!# )oman6 As the( !ame to the door/ the
offi!er !alled out/ Dassports/ please/D as he had )ith e-er(one else6 George loo#ed at
1irGana and the( both thought this )as the moment the( had been dreading6 Then
1agda Goebbels shouted !rossl( at the offi!er6
DWhat do (ou mean/ 'passports'$D she said sternl(/ in the tone of a )oman used to
berating 8aFi offi!ers and getting a)a( )ith it6 DThis is the )ife of that man standing
there ne:t to (ou6 She's si!#6 5elp me )ith this )oman or (ou )ill hear from me!D
The offi!er did as he )as told and helped 1irGana out of the plane/ forgetting all about
the passports6 1irGana )al#ed to George and the( embra!ed/ no one around them
#no)ing )h( the( )ere so relie-ed6 1agda Goebbels )ished them )ell and )ent
to)ard the airport terminal/ nonplussed6 George and 1irGana !ouldn't belie-e that
1agda Goebbels had Gust sa-ed them6
After a half-hour )ait for refueling/ the( reboarded the plane and too# off for Sofia/
4ulgaria6 1irGana sat ne:t to 1agda Goebbels again/ more !omposed but brea#ing into
tears as the plane fle) dire!tl( o-er the house )here she had li-ed in 4elgrade6 She
#ne) she )as loo#ing at her home !ountr( for the last time6 1agda Goebbels assumed
she )as airsi!# again and patted her hand gentl(6
When the !ouple landed in Sofia/ 4ulgaria/ the( found a !ountr( that )as not (et in the
full throes of 8aFi o!!upation but nonetheless full of 8aFis shouting/ D5eil 5itler!D at
e-er( opportunit(6 The( sta(ed for t)o da(s until George !ould !hange more mone( at a
ban# on 1onda( and then the( too# a train to S-ilengrad/ a -illage of no more than a
doFen little houses6 There )as no hotel/ and the onl( )ater in to)n )as a single hand
pump/ )here George and 1irGana too# turns )ashing their fa!es6 George had found that
this little -illage )as the onl( )a( to get from 4ulgaria to Tur#e(/ )hi!h )as still
neutral/ be!ause the Germans had destro(ed all the bridges bet)een the t)o !ountries6
The onl( remaining )a( out )as a little strip of land near S-ilengrad6 The onl( trouble
)as that the Germans didn't )ant an(one lea-ing 4ulgaria for Tur#e(/ so that strip of
land )as mined6
The lo!als had found a path through the minefield/ and for a fee the( )ould sho)
George and 1irGana )here it )as6 The -illagers too# their passports and luggage )hen
the( arri-ed/ to ma#e sure the( )ouldn't head off in sear!h of the path on their o)n6
When a lo!al -illager dro-e George and 1irGana to the border the ne:t morning/ he
pointed out the ribbons mar#ing the safe path and made it !lear that the( must sta(
bet)een them6 The( !ould see e-iden!e of )here mines had e:ploded on either side6
George and 1irGana )ere s!ared/ but the( #ne) this )as )hat the( !ame for/ their )a(
to freedom6 George handed the dri-er the eJui-alent of t)ent(-fi-e dollars/ a
tremendous sum of mone( for a poor -illager in 12"1/ and re!ei-ed their passports and
luggage in return6
5and in hand/ the( gingerl( )al#ed the hundred (ards from 4ulgaria to Tur#e(/ ta#ing
about fifteen minutes and hoping the -illagers #ne) )hat the( )ere tal#ing about6 As
the( got to the end of the path/ Tur#ish offi!ials )ere there to greet them6 One offi!er
too# George and 1irGana's passports/ loo#ed at them and the other do!uments 1irGana
!arried/ and handed them ba!#6
DWel!ome to Tur#e(/D the man said6
Chapter 0
1an of the ,ear
George and 1irGana #ne) the )orst of their ordeal )as o-er as soon as the( set foot in
Tur#e(6 The( still had a long )a( to go/ but the( )ere out of German-o!!upied territor(6
After hearing about their su!!essful es!ape from ,ugosla-ia/ ten more Ameri!ans too#
the same path into Tur#e(6 On!e again/ George and 1irGana found themsel-es in a group
of Ameri!ans tr(ing to find a )a( home/ !ongregated this time in 9stanbul6 To the south/
S(ria )as in the hands of the Ai!h( =ren!h/ )or#ing )ith the Germans/ so that meant
the onl( route out )as to the east/ going to the 9ndian sub!ontinent and getting a boat
around the Cape of Good 5ope6 Some of the Ameri!ans too# that route and made it
home in about t)o months/ but George and 1irGana )eren't sure the( )ere up for su!h a
long/ arduous Gourne( b( boat6 And besides/ George )as Jui!#l( running out of mone(
and probabl( !ouldn't afford the passage an()a(6
9stanbul )as relati-el( safe and pea!eful/ so the( sta(ed there for a )hile/ during )hi!h
time the 4ritish militar( atta!hQ approa!hed George6 The 4ritish had heard of the
!ouple's ad-enture and )anted to glean some information about the o!!upied territor(6
George told them all he #ne) and/ in the pro!ess/ be!ame Juite friendl( )ith the 4ritish
militar( offi!ers6 When the( had been in 9stanbul for a month/ the free =ren!h in-aded
S(ria and too# !ontrol/ )hi!h made it possible for George and 1irGana to tra-el through
the !ountr( on a train !alled the Taurus +:press/ to 'erusalem/ )hi!h )as in Allied
hands6 4ut )hen the( got there/ the authorities )ould not let them go on to Cairo/ +g(pt6
Too man( refugees )ere ta#ing that route and Cairo !ouldn't handle an( more6 So
George and 1irGana )ere tr(ing to figure out their ne:t step/ )al#ing the streets of
'erusalem as the( dis!ussed options/ )hen a man approa!hed them6 1irGana )as
admiring a store's )indo) displa( )hen the man !ame up and !ommented on her shoes/
!an-as sandals !ommon in ,ugosla-ia6 5e then as#ed if she )as from ,ugosla-ia/ and
after a short !on-ersation the t)o refugees realiFed the( had mutual friends6 5e as#ed
1irGana and George about their ba!#grounds and then said/ D9 need people li#e (ou6 9'm
the head of the ,ugosla- se!tion of the 4ritish General Ser-i!e 9ntelligen!e TGS9U/ and 9
need someone to translate for me6D
And thus another door opened for George and 1irGana6 The man/ 4ran!o ;eni!/ )as in
!harge of broad!asting radio programs from the post in 'erusalem into ,ugosla-ia/ first
listening to the 8aFi -ersion of the ne)s broad!ast in o!!upied territories and then
Jui!#l( )riting another program that refuted the German lies and told the real ne)s6
1irGana and George both a!!epted positions )ith the GS9/ translating for the broad!asts/
and 1irGana o!!asionall( e-en )ent on the air herself to deli-er the ne)s6 The !ouple
spent a (ear in 'erusalem and in 1a( 12"2 the( as#ed for -isas to go to Cairo6 4e!ause
the( had )or#ed )ith the 4ritish intelligen!e effort/ the reJuest )as granted6
The plan )as to go to Cairo and ma#e their )a( do)n the +ast Afri!an !oast to Cape
To)n/ South Afri!a/ )here the( should be able to get a boat ba!# to the >nited States6
4ut )hen the( got to Cairo/ the( found the !it( )as in a near pani!6 German =ield
1arshal +r)in 7ommel/ #no)n as the ;esert =o:/ )as ma#ing his )a( a!ross the
&ib(an ;esert and there )as fear that he might !ut off the entire 1iddle +ast6 1an(
embassies )ere abandoning Cairo as people loo#ed for their o)n )a( out6 George )ent
to the Ameri!an embass( repeatedl(/ as#ing if there )ere plans to e-a!uate >6S6 !itiFens6
On three separate o!!asions/ the !onsul personall( told him there )ould be no
e-a!uation of Ameri!ans6
The !ouple )as trapped (et again6 The( )ere lo) on mone( and e-en lo)er on options6
9n his despair/ George realiFed it )as 'une 20/ a maGor holida( in Serbia #no)n as
Aido-dan/ )hi!h !elebrates se-eral histori!al e-ents o!!urring on that date6 To ease his
mind and to pa( his respe!ts on Aido-dan/ he made his )a( to a 7ussian !hur!h in Cairo
and en!ountered se-eral older men )ho )ere also pra(ing6 Some small tal# re-ealed that
the( )ere )ith an Ameri!an World Air)a(s/ the prin!ipal international airline of the
>nited States at that time6 The oldest man of the group )as George Iraigher/ a Serb
)ho had flo)n for the ,ugosla-ian arm( in World War 96 5e )as no) head of an Am
in Afri!a6
Iraigher as#ed if George #ne) another (oung Ameri!an )ho had been fleeing
,ugosla-ia as )ell/ and George e:plained that the man had alread( found a )a( home to
Ameri!a6 Iraigher said that )as too bad/ that he )as going to offer the man a Gob6
D9n that !ase/ 9'd li#e to appl( for the Gob/D George replied6
Iraigher ended up offering George the Gob/ but on one !ondition< 5e had to get a -isa to
go from Cairo to Sudan/ then into 8igeria/ and finall( to Ghana/ )here the an Am Gob
a)aited6 The( had to get out of Cairo before the Germans arri-ed an()a(/ so George
and 1irGana headed to the Sudan agen!(/ an offi!e run b( the 4ritish to pro-ide -isas
and other diplomati! ser-i!es for !ountries in Afri!a6 The( found a !ro)d of four
hundred people there !lamoring for -isas/ agitated and (elling at the 4ritish guards/
some tr(ing to for!e their )a( in6 The 4ritish )ere not gi-ing out an( -isas6
1irGana sa) the situation and realiFed it )as hopeless6 She bro#e do)n6 DWe'll ne-er get
out of here/D she sobbed6 DThe Germans are going to !ome in a !ouple of )ee#s and
)e'll be ta#en prisoner6D
George held his )ife as she !ried and thought for a moment/ staring at the !ro)d
mobbing the agen!( gates/ tr(ing to !ome up )ith an( solution6 5e #ne) 1irGana )as
right6 9f the( Gust sta(ed in Cairo/ the( )ould be !aught6 5e had to do something6
So far the( had been the benefi!iar( of in!redible lu!# and fortunate !oin!iden!es/ but
no) it )as up to George to ma#e something happen/ to dig deep and find enough
!ourage to bluff his )a( through the embass(6 5e )asn't sure he !ould pull it off/ but he
had to gi-e it a shot6
D&et me see )hat 9 !an do/D George said/ pulling a)a( from 1irGana6 5e )al#ed off and/
)ith all the attitude he !ould muster/ mar!hed up to a guard at the entran!e6
D9'd li#e to see 5er 1aGest('s !onsul/D he said/ tr(ing to sound as if it )ere a gi-en that
he should be allo)ed entr(6
DWhat for$D the guard as#ed6
D9 !an't tell (ou6 9t's !onfidential6D George stood there Gust staring at the guard/ tr(ing not
to loo# a)a(6 Then he pulled out his identifi!ation !ard from 'erusalem/ )hi!h identified
him as a member of the 4ritish GS96 The guard loo#ed at the identifi!ation and pushed
aside the other people tr(ing to get to the gate/ letting George )al# on in6 On!e inside/
George ans)ered the re!eptionist's Juer( )ith the same repl(< D9 !an't tell (ou6 9t's
!onfidential6D When she dire!ted him to the 4ritish !onsul/ hillip 7eed/ George )as
feeling prett( !onfident about his ruse6 7eed as#ed )hat he !ould do for him and George
e:plained that he needed to go to Ghana6
DWhat for$D 7eed as#ed6
D9 !an't tell (ou6 9'm in intelligen!e and it's !onfidential6D
The !onsul paused for onl( a short moment and then as#ed for George's passport6 5e
had a !ler# stamp the passport )ith -isas for both 1r6 and 1rs6 AuGno-i!h/ )ished
George lu!#/ and shoo# his hand before turning to lea-e6 5e had been in the building for
onl( ten minutes )hen he returned outside to find 1irGana6 When she sa) him return so
Jui!#l(/ she )as sure he had been unable to get the -isas6 She bro#e do)n in tears again6
DWhat's )rong$D George as#ed )ith a grin/ holding up his passport as he approa!hed6
D9'-e got the -isas!D
1irGana )as o-erGo(ed and astounded6 D5o) did (ou do it/ George$D
5e !ouldn't resist6 D9 !an't tell (ou6 9t's !onfidential6D
Iraigher )as Gust as sho!#ed )hen George returned )ith the -isas/ but he )as pleased6
5e ga-e George and 1irGana first-!lass ti!#ets to Sudan on the first flight out of Cairo/
and )hen the( got to the airport on 'une 20/ George )as surprised to learn that the flight
)as the first e-a!uation of Ameri!ans from Cairo6 9n the middle of a !ro)d of thirt(
Ameri!ans milling about )as the Ameri!an !onsul )ho had assured George three
separate times that there )ould be no e-a!uation of Ameri!ans6 &oo#ing at the !ro)d of
e:e!uti-es from Ameri!an !ompanies-a sea of !amel-hair !oats/ !ro!odile-s#in shoes/
and ten-gallon hats-George immediatel( realiFed that the !onsul had notified onl( the
)ealth( and influential Ameri!ans in Cairo of the e-a!uation6 eople li#e George )ere
on their o)n6 4ut the( had ti!#ets for this flight/ if there )as enough room6 9t loo#ed to
George and 1irGana that there )ere far too man( people for the plane/ and the( )ere
stu!# in the ba!# of the !ro)d6 lus/ the !onsul announ!ed that he )ould be !alling
names for boarding and George didn't e:pe!t to be at the top of his list6
The( )ere )aiting at the foot of the stairs leading into the ;C-3 passenger plane/ hoping
to ma#e it on the flight/ )hen Iraigher )al#ed up and onto the stairs6 5e loo#ed o-er
the !ro)d and said/ D+mplo(ees of an Ameri!an first6 1r6 and 1rs6 AuGno-i!h/ please6D
The( pushed through the !ro)d and George peered dire!tl( into the e(es of the
Ameri!an !onsul as the( boarded the plane first/ enGo(ing the surprised loo# on the
offi!ial's fa!e6
After a !ouple da(s of fl(ing/ the( arri-ed in A!!ra/ in the Gold Coast/ )here George
too# o-er duties as assistant airport manager/ )or#ing under Iraigher6 About three
)ee#s after arri-ing/ he put 1irGana on a plane that )ent from A!!ra to =isherman's
&a#e/ &iberiaH then to As!ensiVn/ to 8atal/ to Georgeto)n/ and to South Afri!a6 =rom
there she )ent to Trinidad and uerto 7i!o/ and on to 1iami6 Then she rode a train for
thirt(-si: hours to Washington/ ;C6 With no pre-ious arrangements/ she )al#ed into the
,ugosla-ian embass( and found someone )ith )hom she had mutual friends6 She )as
hired to )or# at the embass(/ and her es!ape from ,ugosla-ia )as !omplete6
AuGno-i!h sta(ed in Afri!a/ a de!ision that 1irGana )as not entirel( happ( )ith/ be!ause
he enGo(ed his Gob )ith an Am6 +-en after su!h a long ordeal to get out of o!!upied
territor(/ AuGno-i!h )as relu!tant to go home be!ause he felt that his Gob )ith an Am
promised more than an(thing that a)aited him at home6 4esides/ the )ar )as on and
!han!es )ere good that he )ould be drafted and sent o-erseas an()a(6 4etter to sta(
here on his o)n terms/ he thought6
The Ameri!an )ar effort did rea!h out for AuGno-i!h before long6 About the same time
that 1irGana left/ an Am )as militariFed for the )ar effort and be!ame part of the Air
Transport Command6 +mplo(ees li#e AuGno-i!h )ere offered a militar( !ommission or
a ride ba!# to the >nited States )ith no Gob and the prospe!t of being drafted6 So George
a!!epted a !ommission as se!ond lieutenant6 Iraigher be!ame a !olonel6 AuGno-i!h )as
soon transferred to &agos/ assisting )ith the deli-er( of planes to be used in the )ar/ and
e-entuall( assumed !ommand of the base6 5e e:!elled at his Gob/ and then one da( he
)as -isited b( t)o Ameri!an !i-ilians )ho as#ed him to Goin the Offi!e of Strategi!
Ser-i!es/ or OSS6 5e )ould be useful be!ause he spo#e the Serbo-Croat language and
#ne) the region )ell6
AuGno-i!h didn't e-en #no) )hat the OSS )as/ so the men e:plained that it )as a
spe!ial agen!( that reported dire!tl( to the president6 5e probabl( )ould be promoted if
he Goined the OSS/ the( told him6 AuGno-i!h thought it sounded li#e the !han!e of a
lifetime/ so he said (es and found himself in Washington/ ;C/ for a )ee#6 5e had some
time )ith 1irGana and then he )as sent to the D=arm/D the ultrase!ret OSS training
fa!ilit( on a spra)ling estate about t)ent( miles north of Washington/ ;C6 This )as
)here he learned !lose-!ombat s#ills/ !ode )or#/ and other espionage te!hniJues6 After
a month at the =arm/ AuGno-i!h )as an e:pert in s#ills li#e reading maps and Gudging
latitude from the sun6 The instru!tor in !lose !ombat )as a former poli!e !hief in
Shanghai/ and he taught AuGno-i!h ho) to brea# a man's arm or leg Jui!#l(/ and ho) to
ma#e a man hurt so he )ould do an(thing (ou )anted6 On!e AuGno-i!h )as full(
trained/ he had to ta#e the final e:am that )as reJuired of e-er(one lea-ing the =arm< a
real-)orld assignment that )ould test )hat he had learned during his sta(6 5is
instru!tors ga-e him a !hallenging assignment< Go to the 4ethlehem Ship(ard in
4altimore/ 1ar(land/ and find out )hat ships )ere being built and ho) man(6 This )as
in )artime 12"3/ and su!h defense information )as supposed to be !losel( guarded6 5e
)as gi-en a small pressing tool for !op(ing do!uments and a spe!ial phone number to
!all if he )ere !aught and the poli!e got too rough )ith him6 9f the( didn't beat him too
badl(/ he )as supposed to maintain his !o-er as long as he !ould6 Calling for help from
the OSS be!ause (ou re!ei-ed a standard poli!e beating might mean (ou failed (our
e:am6
AuGno-i!h set out on his tas# and de!ided right a)a( to use a te!hniJue !alled Dnegati-e
information/D )hi!h in-ol-ed stating information (ou #no) to be false in hopes that the
other person )ill !orre!t (ou and re-eal se!rets6 The ship(ard )as in need of )or#ers/ so
it )as no problem getting a Gob there )ith a fa#e identifi!ation !ard he made himself6 5e
befriended a !o)or#er and Goined him for a beer one da( after )or#/ !asuall(
mentioning that he had )or#ed in another ship(ard that )as turning out one &ibert( ship
e-er( fi-e da(s/ a pitifull( slo) rate during a )ar6 D9t doesn't loo# li#e 4altimore is
mu!h faster than that/D he said6
This )as AuGno-i!h's entrQe into finding out e:a!tl( )hat the 4altimore (ard )as doing/
be!ause most indi-idual )or#ers )eren't supposed to #no) details about produ!tion
rates/ and if the( #ne)/ the( )eren't supposed to tal# about it6
The other )or#er )as eager to brag about the ship(ard's fast pa!e and told AuGno-i!h he
)as )rong/ that/ b( God/ the( )ere !ompleting a ship a da( and the( )ere damned
proud of it6 AuGno-i!h s!offed at the idea/ so the man bet him a beer that he !ould pro-e
it6 5e brought o-er another )or#er )ho !onfirmed the information6 The man )on his
beer and AuGno-i!h be!ame an OSS offi!er6
After his training/ AuGno-i!h )as able to spend a month and a half )ith 1irGana in
Washington/ )here she )as li-ing )ith a na-al offi!er and his )ife on the )est side of
to)n6 5e had to lea-e before the( found out that 1irGana )as pregnant6 Then the OSS
fle) him ba!# to Cairo and on to 4ari/ 9tal(/ )here he arri-ed on 8o-ember 23/ 12"36
The 4ritish +ighth Arm( had liberated 9tal( onl( about three )ee#s earlier6 4( the time
he arri-ed in 4ari/ AuGno-i!h had been promoted to first lieutenant6
AuGno-i!h )as ba!#/ and this time he )as fighting the 8aFis instead of running from
them6
When 1irGana )rote him from Washington to as# if he !ould help the airmen stranded in
the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ he immediatel( set out to determine if his )ife reall( did #no)
something that had eluded the OSS post in 4ari6 A little in-estigation re-ealed that no
one had been informed of an( group as large as the hundred airmen 1irGana referred to/
but there )as reason to thin# she might be right6
9f it pro-ed true/ the re-elation in 1irGana's letter )as surprising but not e:a!tl(
sho!#ing6 9t )as entirel( possible for so man( airmen to be in 1ihailo-i!h's territor(
)ithout )ord getting to him in 4ari6 AuGno-i!h #ne) Juite )ell ho) the militar(
bureau!ra!( and politi!s/ not to mention the Communist moles that had infiltrated the
OSS/ routinel( got in the )a( of his agents doing their Gobs6 4ut ho) the ne)s got to
him didn't matter as mu!h as )hat he !ould do in response6 5e instantl( felt a
!onne!tion to the (oung men )ho Gust )anted to get out and go home6 And he also felt a
strong tie to the lo!al Serbs helping them/ an( one of )hom !ould be his o)n relati-e6
8ot a man to stand aside and hope someone else a!ted/ AuGno-i!h de!ided he had to get
those men out of ,ugosla-ia6 5e #ne) the tas# )ould be !hallenging and he )as not
!ertain it !ould be done at all6 4ut he )as !ertain that it had to be tried and that the OSS
)as the right bun!h of men for the Gob6 While he tried to !onfirm 1irGana's message/
AuGno-i!h started loo#ing into res!ue options and Jui!#l( found out that the tas# )ould
be !hallenging on man( fronts/ not the least of )hi!h )as all the politi!al maneu-ering
o-er the 4al#ans6 AuGno-i!h #ne) that the politi!al situation in ,ugosla-ia )as gro)ing
more !ompli!ated b( the da(/ and the intera!tion among the >nited States/ Great 4ritain/
Tito/ and 1ihailo-i!h )as be!oming a tangled mess of allian!es/ pseudo-allian!es/
outright opposition/ and !onfli!ting lo(alties6 9n Gust the past (ear/ the relationship
bet)een the Allies and 1ihailo-i!h had ta#en a dramati! turn for the )orse/ )hi!h
AuGno-i!h #ne) )as the primar( e:planation for )h( the messages from 1ihailo-i!h
about the do)ned airmen )ere not a!ted on6 Sure/ the situation on the ground )as more
!ompli!ated and more dangerous than )hen the OSS had gone into ,ugosla-ia in 12"3
to bring out some pilots/ but that didn't e:plain all of the hesitation6 AuGno-i!h #ne) that
politi!os )ere arguing ba!# and forth about Tito and 1ihailo-i!h/ Guggling the reports
from ,ugosla-ia-man( of them Juestionable at best-to determine )here the Allies
should put their support6 The fa!ts about )hat )as happening on the ground too# a
ba!#seat to the politi!al posturing and propaganda spe)ed b( man( parties )ith man(
different agendas6 AuGno-i!h #ne) this and he #ne) that it )ould be as formidable a
!hallenge for him as an( 8aFi trooper his agents might meet in ,ugosla-ia6
The first thing AuGno-i!h in-estigated )as the reports from 1ihailo-i!h6 When he
loo#ed into 1irGana's !omment about the do)ned airmen/ it didn't ta#e long for him to
!onfirm that 1ihailo-i!h had been sending detailed a!!ounts of the airmen he )as
harboring6 So )h( )asn't an(one doing an(thing about it$ The ans)er/ AuGno-i!h
dis!o-ered/ )as that 1ihailo-i!h )as offi!iall( persona non grata )ith the Allies no)6
4( the time AuGno-i!h started )or#ing on the res!ue/ the Allies' position )as that
1ihailo-i!h !ould not be trusted and should re!ei-e no support that might gi-e him an
ad-antage o-er his internal opponent/ Tito6 Or rather/ that )as mostl( the 4ritish
position and the Ameri!ans )ent along )ith it6
AuGno-i!h )as no stranger to ,ugosla- histor( and he )as Juite familiar )ith
1ihailo-i!h6 This turnaround )as sho!#ing/ though it fit into the pattern he )as seeing
)ithin the OSS6 There )ere so man( Communists infiltrating the OSS and other militar(
agen!ies/ AuGno-i!h realiFed/ that it )as hard to trust an( information disparaging an
anti-Communist li#e 1ihailo-i!h6 +spe!iall( one )ho had been su!h a lo(al supporter
of the Allies sin!e the )ar began/ and one )ho had been hailed as a great freedom
fighter b( the West6
Onl( t)o (ears earlier/ a flattering/ dramati!all( rendered portrait of 1ihailo-i!h gra!ed
the !o-er of Time magaFine/ leading readers to an arti!le that des!ribed him as Dthe
greatest guerilla fighter of +urope6D The first arti!les in the Western press had appeared
in late 12"1/ a fe) months after the Germans in-aded ,ugosla-ia in April and soon after
the ,ugosla- go-ernment in e:ile in &ondon )as able to ma#e radio !onta!t )ith the
rebel general6 The people of Ameri!a and Great 4ritain )ere !apti-ated b( the romanti!
tales of this handsome guerilla )ho dared to stand up to the German in-asion6 The ne)s
from most other fronts in +urope )as dis!ouraging6 German armies )ere ad-an!ing on
1os!o) and &eningrad/ other !ountries had !apitulated alread(/ and resistan!e
mo-ements else)here )ere still fledgling6 4ut the publi! )as reading stories about this
dashing general )ho refused to !on!ede his !ountr( to the 8aFis6 The -er( idea that
someone )as fighting ba!# ga-e people in the West reason to hope/ and the press
Jui!#l( realiFed that its readers !ouldn't get enough of 1ihailo-i!h6 4efore long/
1ihailo-i!h )as one of the better #no)n and most popular publi! figures in the West/
his name be!oming s(non(mous )ith resistan!e and dedi!ation to one's !ountr(6 Time
magaFine readers -oted him 1an of the ,ear6
The press reported on e-er(thing the( !ould find about 1ihailo-i!h/ painting a flattering
portrait of a man )ho )as at on!e intelle!tuall( gifted and possessed of a fier!e fighting
nature6 5e )as of medium height/ )ir(/ )ith blue e(es/ horn-rimmed or )ire-rimmed
e(eglasses/ and a loo# that reporters often des!ribed as pensi-e6 4efore the )ar/ )hen he
held positions in the ,ugosla- go-ernment/ 1ihailo-i!h )as mostl( !lean sha-en6
;uring the )ar/ he sported the bush( Old Testament beard !ommon among the Serb
peasants6 9n most photographs of 1ihailo-i!h/ espe!iall( those ta#en before the )ar/ it
)ould be eas( to mista#e him for a uni-ersit( professor rather than one of the )orld's
foremost resistan!e fighters6
1ihailo-i!h had been a )ar hero in World War 9 and had a!hie-ed the ran# of !olonel in
the ,ugosla- arm(6 &i#e man( Serb offi!ers in the arm(/ 1ihailo-i!h )as #no)n as Da
man of the peopleD )ho loo#ed out for the peasants in the !ountr(side6 5e )as #no)n
throughout the militar(/ and b( some leaders abroad/ as a brilliant strategist and
theoreti!ian/ though his outspo#en !riti!ism of some militar( operations earned him
offi!ial rebu#es and e-en house arrest on more than one o!!asion6 While there )ere
those )ho differed )ith him on politi!s and militar( strateg(/ s!ar!el( an(one !ould
fault 1ihailo-i!h as a man6 5e )as #no)n b( all as a man of great integrit(/ dignified
and !ontrolled at all times/ and he !onsistentl( displa(ed an egalitarianism that others of
his ran# did not al)a(s share6 1ihailo-i!h al)a(s too# his meals sitting on the ground
)ith !ommon soldiers/ not in more !omfortable Juarters )ith offi!ers/ and he !arried his
o)n #napsa!# on long mar!hes6 This man of the people )as al)a(s )illing to sit do)n
)ith lo!al people and hear their !on!erns6
8o matter )hat else his detra!tors might ha-e said of 1ihailo-i!h/ there )as no
disputing his lo(alt( to ,ugosla-ia and its monar!h(6 When the Germans in-aded/
1ihailo-i!h led se-en offi!ers and t)ent(-four non!ommissioned offi!ers and soldiers
)ho refused to surrender and retreated to the hills6 After arri-ing at 7a-na Gora/
mountain !ountr( in the region of Serbia/ on 1a( 0/ he started organiFing parts of the
splintered ,ugosla- arm( into the ,ugosla- Arm( of the 5omeland/ dedi!ated to dri-ing
the 8aFis out of their !ountr( but also -ehementl( opposed to the Communists )ho )ere
promoting So-iet-st(le go-ernment6 9n the first (ear after the fall of ,ugosla-ia/
1ihailo-i!h's for!es didn't !onstitute mu!h of a formidable for!eH he )as mostl( tr(ing
to !onsolidate the bits and pie!es of the ,ugosla- arm( that )ere still in isolated po!#ets
throughout the !ountr(6 A maGor !hallenge )as gaining the trust and !ooperation of
indi-idual !ommanders )ho )ere a!!ustomed to )or#ing independentl(6 1ihailo-i!h
had his hands full fighting the Germans/ =as!ist 9tal(/ the >stashe =as!ists from Croatia/
and an(one promoting a Communist future for ,ugosla-ia6 As far as the Allies )ere
!on!erned/ and espe!iall( the Ameri!ans/ 1ihailo-i!h )as our man in 12"1-opposed to
both the Germans and the Communists/ and ha-ing pledged his support to the Allied
!ause6
At first 1ihailo-i!h and his guerillas )ere able to !on!entrate on the German o!!upiers
be!ause he did not see# to dire!tl( engage an( of the other enemies6 9n fa!t/ he didn't
see# !onfrontation e-en )ith the Germans on a large s!ale6 Though he )as )ell li#ed b(
the ,ugosla- people and hailed as a hero b( those in the hill !ountr(/ 1ihailo-i!h did
not tr( to in!ite a mass uprising against the Germans and others o!!up(ing their !ountr(6
After seeing the !atastrophi! Serb losses in World War 9/ in )hi!h the Iingdom of
Serbia lost a Juarter of its male population/ 1ihailo-i!h !ould not en!ourage the people
of his !ountr( to !harge German ma!hine guns )ith their pit!hfor#s and a:es6 5is
strateg(/ instead/ )as to gather men and materials and !reate a stronghold in the Serbian
hills )hile he a)aited an Allied landing that )ould liberate ,ugosla-ia the same )a(
9tal( had Gust been freed from German !ontrol6 1ihailo-i!h's plan )as to prepare a large
arm( that !ould be mobiliFed Jui!#l( at the right moment/ atta!#ing the Germans and
9talians Gust as the Ameri!ans and 4ritish )ere approa!hing6 To that end/ he a-oided an(
premature !onfli!ts that !ould lead to the destru!tion of his fighting for!e6 9n parti!ular/
he a-oided enlisting the lo!al Serbs in espionage or o-ert sabotage against the German
o!!upiers be!ause he thought the ris# )as too great6 5a-ing seen almost three thousand
!i-ilians e:e!uted in the to)ns of IralGe-o and IraguGe-a! in O!tober 12"1 as reprisals
for sabotage against the Germans/ 1ihailo-i!h too# a firm position that he !ould not
e:pose the people of ,ugosla-ia to su!h ris# unless the out!ome )as great enough to
Gustif( the ine-itable deaths from reprisal6 >ntil he #ne) the Allies )ere on the brin# of
in-asion/ he thought/ it rarel( )as )orth the li-es of inno!ent -illagers Gust to #ill a
German soldier or blo) up a bridge6 That !on-i!tion led 1ihailo-i!h's for!es to
!on!entrate their efforts on dela(ed sabotage that made reprisals less li#el(/ but it should
be noted that 1ihailo-i!h found prote!ting the do)ned Ameri!an airmen to be so
important that he )as )illing to ris# li-es and e-en see -illages massa!red rather than
gi-e them up6
The e:iled Iing eter supported 1ihailo-i!h/ and the !olonel )ho refused to surrender
rose in ran# in the e:ile go-ernment/ be!oming minister of )ar on 'anuar( 11/ 12"2/ and
then general and deput( !ommander-in-!hief on 'une 1.6 That prompted the Time
magaFine !o-er/ and 1ihailo-i!h )as lauded the )orld o-er for fighting the German
)ar ma!hine from )ithin o!!upied territor(6
1ihailo-i!h's position )as !hallenged in 'une 12"1/ after the German atta!# on the
So-iet >nion/ )hen the Communist mo-ement led b( 'osip 4roF Tito-#no)n as the
artisans-began a!ti-el( resisting the German and 9talian for!es in ,ugosla-ia6 A
dedi!ated Communist e-en before the German in-asion/ Tito )as a member of the
outla)ed ,ugosla- Communist art( in the 1233s and be!ame !hairman in 123.6 5e
and his fello) Communists )ere -ehementl( anti-=as!ist but had been pushing to #eep
,ugosla-ia out of the )ar until German( in-aded the So-iet >nion in 'une 12"16 With
the So-iet >nion/ the motherland of Communism/ under atta!#/ suddenl( the ,ugosla-
Communists felt it )as time to fight the Germans o!!up(ing their !ountr(6 1ihailo-i!h
)anted nothing to do )ith Communism/ but li#e the Allies in the West/ he didn't mind if
Tito )anted to #ill a fe) Germans6 A problem soon arose/ ho)e-er/ )hen 1ihailo-i!h
realiFed that Tito )as adopting a -er( different approa!h from his o)n6 9nstead of
Juietl( gathering resour!es and )aiting for the Allies to arri-e/ Tito )as stri#ing out at
the German and 9talian o!!upiers li#e a !u!#old )ith nothing to lose6 All-out resistan!e
)as Tito's strateg(/ and 1ihailo-i!h #ne) it )ould prompt -i!ious reprisals from the
Germans6
The reason for the different approa!hes )as !r(stalliFed b( one of 1ihailo-i!h's senior
offi!ers/ &ieutenant Colonel Bi-an &6 IneFe-i!h/ )ho had been !hief of the ,ugosla-
prime minister's militar( !abinet and the former ,ugosla- militar( and air atta!hQ in
Washington6 5e noted that 1ihailo-i!h's primar( goals )ere sa-ing the !ountr( and its
traditions )ith as fe) !i-ilian !asualties as possible6 Tito/ he e:plained/ )anted to
So-ietiFe ,ugosla-ia and establish Communism/ and he didn't !are ho) mu!h ,ugosla-
blood )as shed in the pro!ess6 DThe Communist artisans )anted immediatel( to lead
the people into an open fight against the for!es of o!!upation although the people )ere
!ompletel( bare-handed and the fight !ould not ha-e benefited an(bod(/D IneFe-i!h
e:plained soon after the )ar6 1ihailo-i!h Dthought that the uprising )as premature and
that/ )ithout an( gain in prospe!t/ it )ould ha-e brought disproportionatel( great
sa!rifi!es6 5e )as not able to !on-in!e the Communist artisans that an open fight !ould
ha-e onl( one result/ namel(/ the annihilation of the population6D
Tito's open opposition prompted reprisals not Gust in his o)n territor( but throughout
,ugosla-ia6 The Communist a!tions led to puniti-e German e:peditions in the region of
Serbia/ )here 1ihailo-i!h operated/ that led to the deaths of se-ent(-eight thousand
Serbians bet)een the ages of si:teen and fift(6 And German reprisals )eren't
1ihailo-i!h's onl( !on!ern6 Tito )as !ommitting his o)n !rimes against the people of
,ugosla-ia in his Juest for a Communist state6
9n a telegram on =ebruar( 22/ 12"3/ 1ihailo-i!h reported on a re!ent Tito operation<
9n their flight from the 4iha! 7epubli! the Communists for!ed the entire population to
flee )ith them before the Germans and the >stashe/ in order to prote!t the Communists
from atta!#6 4e!ause of this Communist terror/ masses of people are fleeing from 1iha!
to)ard Glamo!6 As soon as the Germans approa!h/ the Communists abandon these
unprote!ted masses and lea-e them to the mer!( of the Germans and the >stashe/ )ho
massa!re them mer!ilessl(6 Those )ho su!!eed in es!aping die in the sno) and i!e6
4et)een ;r-ar and Glamo!/ there are o-er fi-e hundred froFen bodies of )omen and
!hildren6 All this is more than horrible6 That is the fight )hi!h the Communists )age/ a
fight )hi!h is dire!ted b( foreign propaganda )ith the aim of s(stemati!all( annihilating
our nation6
With ea!h su!h in!ident/ 1ihailo-i!h's resol-e gre) and the pi!ture be!ame !learer to
him< The Communists )ere no better than the 8aFis6 Though Tito and the artisan
leaders )ere staun!h Communists and planned a So-iet-st(le post)ar go-ernment that
)ould gift )rap the Iingdom of ,ugosla-ia for the So-iet >nion/ man( of those Goining
the artisan mo-ement had no su!h dreams6 Some )ere pro-Communist/ but man(
didn't !are one )a( or the other6 1an( Goined the artisan effort be!ause Tito made it
!lear he )as anti-GermanH he !ould ha-e been pro-an(thing and the people )ho )anted
the Germans out )ouldn't ha-e !ared6 1an( ,ugosla-s also )ere dire!ted to one !amp
or the other purel( b( geographi!al pro:imit(6 1ihailo-i!h )as in the hills )here the
peasants )ere his main supporters/ and Tito )as in the lo)lands )here !it( d)ellers and
others !ould Goin his mo-ement6 =or man(/ the Juestion )as )ho )as going to dri-e out
the Germans/ and Tito ga-e e-er( appearan!e of doing that more aggressi-el( than
1ihailo-i!h6
The animosit( bet)een 1ihailo-i!h and Tito also )as tied to their ethni! and religious
ba!#grounds/ in a !ountr( that had a long/ blood( histor( of !lashes bet)een ri-al
groups that all !alled ,ugosla-ia home6 1ihailo-i!h )as Serbian and Tito )as Croat6
The Croats had a deep-seated and long-standing resentment o-er ho) the Serbs had
dominated the politi!al stru!ture in ,ugosla-ia for de!ades/ and the( sa) this !onfli!t as
a !han!e to !orre!t that problem6 Iing Ale:ander/ a Serb/ had de!lared himself the
supreme ruler in 1222 and abolished the !ountr('s parliament and !onstitution6 =or the
ne:t fifteen (ears/ the Croat !ommunit( seethed and gre) e-er more resentful that the(
li-ed under a Serb di!tatorship6 9tal(/ soon to Goin hands )ith 8aFi German(/ too#
ad-antage of the SerbECroat !onfli!t and supported the >stashe terrorist organiFation/
)hi!h )as pushing for an o-erthro) of the Serb di!tatorship6 The >stashe )ere
responsible for the assassination of Iing Ale:ander in 1arseilles/ =ran!e/ in 123"/
)hi!h led to the rise of rin!e aul/ first !ousin of the #ing6 rin!e aul )as !onsidered
a )ea# ruler )ho loo#ed to the 4ritish for support and instru!tions6 When Iing eter
too# o-er from rin!e aul in 12"1/ he !ontinued to rel( on the 4ritish and li-ed in e:ile
in Great 4ritain during the )ar6
The groups' religious differen!es onl( fueled the fires/ the Croats adhering to
Catholi!ism and the Serbs belonging to the Orthodo: Chur!h6 Adding -aried lo(alties to
Communism/ =as!ism/ 8aFism/ and ;emo!ra!( to the mi: onl( ensured that the groups
)ould find good reason to shoot at ea!h other e-entuall(6
The t)o sides in this !i-il )ar hated ea!h other as mu!h as the( did the Germans or the
9talians/ and the( both felt fer-entl(-and !orre!tl(/ it turned out-that the out!ome of their
!onfli!t )ould determine the future of ,ugosla-ia e-er( bit as mu!h as )hether the
Germans sta(ed6 9f 1ihailo-i!h pre-ailed/ the !ountr('s future )ould be monar!hist/
anti-Communist/ and largel( demo!rati!6 9f Tito )on/ the future ,ugosla-ia )ould be
Communist/ pure and simple6 With su!h sharp !ontrasts in philosoph(/ and )ith the long
histor( of mer!iless 4al#an !onfli!ts influen!ing their e-er( mo-e/ 1ihailo-i!h and Tito
)aged a brutal !i-il )ar6 When Tito's men !aptured 1ihailo-i!h territor(/ the( publi!l(
e:e!uted an(one e-en suspe!ted of being s(mpatheti! to the general6 1ihailo-i!h's
Chetni# for!es follo)ed mu!h the same pattern/ though the( tended not to be as
!apri!ious and put a little more effort into determining )ho reall( )as a artisan or
artisan s(mpathiFer before !utting their throats6
Chapter 2
Abandoned All(
9n the earl( stages of the resistan!e/ 1ihailo-i!h and Tito both !onsidered the
ad-antages that !ould be obtained b( !ombining their for!es6 4ut doing so )ould reJuire
one of them to !ompromise his politi!al beliefs and neither )as )illing to budge6 4etter
to fight the o!!upiers separatel( than gi-e up (our !ommitment to Communism/ or (our
!ommitment to preser-ing the Iingdom of ,ugosla-ia6 The t)o sides resisted the
Germans in their o)n )a(s/ )ith 1ihailo-i!h still re!ei-ing strong support from the
Allies and Tito left to do as he pleased as long as he )as undermining the 8aFi effort to
se!ure ,ugosla-ia6
Though 1ihailo-i!h )as !ontent to a-oid dire!t !onfrontation )ith Tito/ the same !ould
not be said for the Communist leader6 Tito aggressi-el( atta!#ed 1ihailo-i!h's for!es in
8o-ember 12"1/ bringing to a head all the differen!es that had been largel(
philosophi!al and theoreti!al up to that point6 =rom that point for)ard/ both Tito and
1ihailo-i!h )ere for!ed to di-ide their attention and their resour!es/ fighting ea!h other
for !ontrol of ,ugosla-ia )hile the( fought the Germans so there )ould be something
left to !ontrol6
The gro)ing !i-il )ar in ,ugosla-ia for!ed the 4ritish go-ernment's hand6 Sending
support to both sides )as 4ritish poli!( for a )hile/ but b( late 12"1/ the Allies )ere
beginning to realiFe that supporting both Tito and 1ihailo-i!h )ould not be produ!ti-e
if the( )ere using the arms and resour!es against ea!h other and not Gust the Germans6
One or the other had to be the Allies' man in ,ugosla-ia/ and so the 4ritish sent in a field
agent named Captain ;uane 5udson to in-estigate the situation6 5udson )as an agent of
the Spe!ial Operations +:e!uti-e ?SO+@/ the 4ritish eJui-alent of the Ameri!an OSS6
This )ould pro-e to be the beginning of the end for 1ihailo-i!h6
Communi!ation bet)een the parties !onsisted mainl( of telegrams/ radio broad!asts/ and
the personal reports of agents sent in to meet )ith 1ihailo-i!h/ and the re!ords indi!ate
that )hile the 4ritish )ere anno(ed b( 1ihailo-i!h's apparent defian!e of their orders/
he )as Gust as anno(ed that the( )ould presume to tell him ho) to run his insurgen!(6
5udson spent se-en months in ,ugosla-ia/ tra-eling bet)een 1ihailo-i!h's and Tito's
for!es/ meeting )ith both leaders and assessing their !ommitment to the Allied )ar
effort6 When 5udson reported ba!# to his superiors in 1a( 12"2/ he !on!luded that
Chetni# leaders had !ollaborated )ith 9talian for!es in 1ontenegro and he !onfirmed
that 1ihailo-i!h )as ta#ing a passi-e stan!e and not a!ti-el( resisting the German
o!!upation6 Though he reported that 1ihailo-i!h might be )illing to ma#e a se!ret pa!t
)ith the Germans or 9talians if it )ould #eep ,ugosla-ia from falling under
Communism/ he unders!ored that he thought 1ihailo-i!h mu!h preferred an Allied
-i!tor(6 The general and his for!es !ould be !ounted on to parti!ipate in a Dgrand finale
against the A:isD if Allied troops arri-ed to liberate ,ugosla-ia/ he said6 The Chetni#s
)ere !ommitted to the Allied !ause/ 5udson !on!luded/ but the( might be more
!ommitted to fighting the Communists than the Germans6
The enem(/ on the other hand/ !learl( sa) 1ihailo-i!h as a threat6 9n the latter part of
12"1/ not long after ,ugosla-ia fell/ the Germans laun!hed Operation 1ihailo-i!h to
!apture or #ill the rebel leader6 ?The( )ere eJuall( interested in !apturing or #illing
Tito6@ The !on!erted effort to stop 1ihailo-i!h reportedl( !ame after German leaders
finall( realiFed ho) strong his mo-ement )as and ho) mu!h it )as impeding the
German in-asion6 When 5itler )as informed in late 12"1 that 1ihailo-i!h's guerilla
mo-ement had #illed one thousand German troops so far/ he announ!ed that for e-er(
German soldier #illed b( 1ihailo-i!h/ one hundred Serbs )ould be shot6 =or e-er(
German soldier )ounded/ fift( Serbs )ould be #illed6 An( -illage harboring
1ihailo-i!h or his men )ould be punished se-erel(6 Gunshots from an( house )ould
result in the home being destro(ed and an( male o-er the age of fifteen e:e!uted6 The
Germans !arried out these orders ruthlessl(/ but 1ihailo-i!h e-aded the German
dragnet6 On 'ul( 23/ 12"3/ the A:is published a pro!lamation offering a re)ard of one
hundred thousand gold mar#s for the !apture of 1ihailo-i!h/ dead or ali-e6 Still/ no one
turned him in6
Another SO+ agent follo)ed 5udson in and returned )ith essentiall( the same
!on!lusions about 1ihailo-i!h6 5e also reported that 1ihailo-i!h's for!es in
1ontenegro )ere dealing arms )ith the 9talians-a maGor !on!ern for the Allies be!ause
it signaled a la!# of lo(alt( to the Allied !ause/ or at least a la!# of dis!ipline )ithin
1ihailo-i!h's for!es-but the agent noted that Tito's artisans )ere doing the same thing6
Telegrams from 1ihailo-i!h to the e:iled ,ugosla- go-ernment indi!ated that he had
ample opportunit( to !ollaborate )ith the Germans but !onsistentl( refused6 9n a
telegram sent from 1ihailo-i!h on 1ar!h 2/ 12"3/ he )rote of se-eral instan!es in
)hi!h he and his senior offi!ers had been approa!hed b( Germans )ith offers of
!ooperation6 1ihailo-i!h reported that he !onsistentl( refused su!h offers/ repl(ing to
one Juer( )ith/ DAs long as (ou are shooting and arresting inno!ent Serbians and as
long as (ou are in our 5omeland there !an be no negotiations of an( #ind6D 9n another
telegram on 1ar!h 13/ 12"3/ 1ihailo-i!h again reiterated his refusal to !ooperate )ith
the Germans and this time he -oi!ed suspi!ions that the offers themsel-es )ere part of a
plot or!hestrated b( the Communists and the A:is to dis!redit him and his 8ational
1o-ement )ith the Allies<
The attempts of the enem( to get in !onta!t )ith me !ontinue6 This time the offer !ame
both from the Germans and the 9talians together/ as#ing me to get in tou!h )ith one of
m( !ollaborators at least6 This attempt 9 also refused emphati!all( and 9 shall !ontinue to
do so in the future6 The !onstant attempts of the enem( to establish !onta!t )ith me/ 9
am !on-in!ed/ !ome from a desire to ta#e ad-antage of the !ampaign )hi!h is being
)aged in the Allied !ountries against the 8ational 1o-ement )hi!h is headed b( the
Central 8ational Committee6 9 do not e:!lude the possibilit( of an intrigue on the part of
the Germans and the 9talians dire!ted against the 8ational 1o-ement and its integrit(6
lease/ be !areful6
1ihailo-i!h -oi!ed those !on!erns throughout the )ar/ but the 4ritish !ontinued to
fo!us on reports of !ollaboration )ith the enem(-mostl( from their agents in ,ugosla-ia6
There is reason to belie-e some of those reports of !ollaboration )ere )ell founded but
that the( missed the big pi!ture6 Some instan!es of !ollaboration !an be found among
man( )arring fa!tions in an( )ar/ espe!iall( )ith a loosel( organiFed guerilla
mo-ement/ but b( and large the e-iden!e supports 1ihailo-i!h's lo(alt( to the Allied
!ause6 1u!h of )hat the Allies !onsidered !ollaboration reall( !ould be more a!!uratel(
termed Da!!ommodations/D )hi!h are !ommon and generall( benign agreements
bet)een )arring fa!tions-pragmati! agreements that did not signal an( allian!e or an(
ba!#ing do)n from the o-erall intent to stop ea!h other's militar(6 An e:ample )ould be
e:!hanging prisoners or opposing units de!iding not to fight ea!h other at the moment
be!ause ea!h needed a respite6 While these a!!ommodations )ere the opposite of )hat
the 4ritish )anted from 1ihailo-i!h/ the( still did not represent an( la!# of allegian!e
to the West6
8e-ertheless/ the agents' reports !ast doubt on 1ihailo-i!h as an all( to be trusted and
pla(ed into the hands of 4ritish authorities )ho didn't li#e the idea of the general
supposedl( t)iddling his thumbs in the hills of ,ugosla-ia )hile Tito )as out #illing
German troops and blo)ing up train depots6 The 4ritish !on!erns )ere in!reased )hen
4ritish troops !aused 5itler's Afri#a Iorps to retreat in O!tober 12"2/ and then Allied
for!es landed in 8orth Afri!a less than a month later6 Those e-ents !aused the
1editerranean to suddenl( be!ome a maGor theater of operations for the Allied and A:is
for!es/ and the 4ritish thought it )as imperati-e that German suppl( lines running
through ,ugosla-ia be !ut6 When the( loo#ed at Tito and 1ihailo-i!h/ the( )anted to
see a!ti-e resistan!e and the( told them so6
Tito's for!es !ontinued atta!#ing German suppl( lines/ but 1ihailo-i!h/ though he )as
doing more than the 4ritish ga-e him !redit for/ did not in!rease a!ti-ities in a )a( that
satisfied the 4ritish6 Authorities in Great 4ritain )ere gro)ing in!reasingl( frustrated
be!ause their first !hoi!e to support in the ,ugosla- struggle had al)a(s been
1ihailo-i!h6 The( had no interest in seeing Tito establish a Communist go-ernment in
,ugosla-ia after the )ar6 4ut as e:plained b( author Iir# =ord 'r6 in OSS and the
,ugosla- 7esistan!e<
Ob-iousl( the bond of mutual self-interest )hi!h had for slightl( more than t)o (ears
held 1ihailo-i!h and the 4ritish together )as beginning to unra-el6 As it did/ the 4ritish
had to !hoose bet)een short-term militar( poli!(/ )hi!h suggested the e:tension of
militar( support to the artisans/ and long-term politi!al interests/ )hi!h implied
!ontinued support of 1ihailo-i!h6
;espite doubts about his lo(alt(/ the 4ritish-and b( e:tension the Ameri!ans-!ontinued
to support 1ihailo-i!h as their all( in ,ugosla-ia6 That support )as sometimes onl( on
the surfa!e/ as material support )as gi-en to Tito in amounts similar to )hat
1ihailo-i!h re!ei-ed6 8either re!ei-ed mu!h6 9n the spring of 12"3/ ho)e-er/
1ihailo-i!h )as beginning to lose all support in &ondon6 Con!erns had been mounting
about 1ihailo-i!h being less )illing to engage the Germans than Tito/ and the
a!!usations of !ollaboration had gained a foothold6 A final stra) !ame on =ebruar( 20/
12"3/ )hen 1ihailo-i!h deli-ered a spee!h to a lo!al gathering of supporters6 9n that
address/ an ob-iousl( frustrated and !andid 1ihailo-i!h said the Serb people )ere no)
D!ompletel( friendlessD and that the 4ritish )ere not )illing to help then or in the future/
and that/ DThe +nglish are no) fighting to the last Serb in ,ugosla-ia6D Continuing in his
ill-ad-ised rant/ 1ihailo-i!h stated that his enemies )ere no) the artisans/ >stashe/ the
1oslems/ and the Croats6 When he had dealt )ith them/ he said/ he )ould turn his
attention to)ard the 9talians and Germans6 5e then stated/ at least a!!ording to the
4ritish liaison )ho reported ba!# to &ondon/ that he needed no further !onta!t )ith the
Western demo!ra!ies )hose Dsole aim )as to )in the )ar at the e:pense of others6D
Su!h a!!usations/ and the apparent de!laration that 1ihailo-i!h )as brea#ing )ith the
Allies/ !ould not be ignored6 4ritish rime 1inister Winston Chur!hill fired off a
stinging rebu#e to Slobodan 'o-ano-i!h/ the ,ugosla- prime minister<
9 appre!iate that )ords spo#en in heat ma( not e:press a !onsidered Gudgment/ and that
General 1ihailo-i!h ma( feel himself temporaril( aggrie-ed of a small amount of
assistan!e )hi!h it has unfortunatel( for reasons be(ond the !ontrol of 5is 1aGest('s
Go-ernment been possible to send him re!entl(6 ,ou )ill appre!iate ho)e-er/ that 5is
1aGest('s Go-ernment !annot ignore this outburst nor a!!ept )ithout e:planation and
)ithout protest a poli!( so totall( at -arian!e )ith our o)n6 The( !ould ne-er Gustif( to
the 4ritish publi! or to their o)n Allies their !ontinued support for a mo-ement/ the
leader of )hi!h does not s!ruple publi!l( to de!lare that their enemies are his allies-
)hether temporar( or permanent is immaterial-and that his enemies are not the German
and 9talian in-aders of his !ountr(/ but his fello) ,ugosla-s and !hief among them men
)ho at this -er( moment are fighting and gi-ing their li-es to free his !ountr( from the
foreigners' (o#e6
Chur!hill )ent on to !on!lude )ith a )arning<
,ou )ill/ 9 am sure/ appre!iate that unless General 1ihailo-i!h is prepared to !hange his
poli!( both to)ards the 9talian enem( and to)ards his ,ugosla- !ompatriots )ho are
resisting the enem(/ it ma( )ell pro-e ne!essar( for 5is 1aGest('s Go-ernment to re-ise
their present poli!( of fa-ouring General 1ihailo-i!h to the e:!lusion of the other
resistan!e mo-ements in ,ugosla-ia6
The ,ugosla- prime minister rela(ed the 4ritish !on!erns to 1ihailo-i!h )ith a sternl(
)orded telegram that unders!ored ho) pre!arious the 4ritish support )as and that
)ords spo#en in anger !ould be disastrous6 4ut at the same time/ he met )ith Chur!hill
and e:plained that 1ihailo-i!h's !omments )ere made in a rela:ed state to a small
!ir!le of his follo)ers and )ere not representati-e of the general's true feelings6 D9f there
)ere a se!ret ser-i!e to o-erhear )hat the Allies sa( about one another/ mu!h )orse
things )ould be heard than that spee!h b( General 1ihailo-i!h/D he told Chur!hill6
The )arnings from Chur!hill and 'o-ano-i!h made an impression on 1ihailo-i!h6
While he !ontended that his spee!h )as greatl( misunderstood and then interpreted )ith
the most !(ni!al pre!on!eptions/ he responded )ith a statement of uneJui-o!al support
for the Allies/ reiterating that/ D1( onl( enem( is the A:is6 9 a-oid battle )ith the
Communists in the !ountr( and fight onl( )hen atta!#ed6D 5e also stated that he had
made e-er( effort to stop the !i-il )ar in ,ugosla-ia/ in!luding repeated reJuests for the
4ritish to inter-ene )ith Tito/ to no a-ail6 5e assured the 4ritish that he )as read( Dto do
e-er(thing 9 !an for the mutual !ause6D
The damage had been done6 1ihailo-i!h's spee!h )as Gust )hat the doubters in the
4ritish go-ernment needed to !onfirm that support should be thro)n to Tito and
)ithdra)n from 1ihailo-i!h6 On 'une 1/ 12"3/ the 4ritish 1iddle +ast Command sent a
telegram to the ,ugosla- prime minister detailing an Doperational de!isionD !on!erning
1ihailo-i!h6 D+:e!ution is -er( urgent/D it said6 The telegram/ the !ontents of )hi!h
)ere soon for)arded to 1ihailo-i!h/ e:plained the 4ritish !on!lusions that
1ihailo-i!h's for!es did not represent a signifi!ant fighting for!e but the Communist
artisans did6 The telegram instru!ted 1ihailo-i!h to go Dimmediatel( to Iopaoni# )ith
all his faithful offi!ers and menH if ne!essar( he is to for!e through )ith armed for!es6D
The 4ritish )ere instru!ting 1ihailo-i!h to go to Tito's headJuarters and submit to him/
fighting through Germans and 9talians to get there6 The 4ritish position )as influen!ed
in part b( reports from 7andolph Chur!hill/ Winston Chur!hill's son/ )ho )as at Tito's
headJuarters as the prin!ipal 4ritish liaison to Tito6 AuGno-i!h had heard from the
Ameri!an OSS agents )or#ing )ith the artisans that 7andolph Chur!hill )as
uniforml( seen as a bad-tempered/ spoiled ri!h bo( )ith a serious drin#ing problem6
Apparentl( his main fun!tion )as to send reports dire!tl( from Tito to his father/ mostl(
reports of the artisans' glorious -i!tories o-er the Germans that the (ounger Chur!hill
made no attempt to -erif(6
1ihailo-i!h responded )ith astonishment that the 4ritish )ould order him to surrender6
5e !ategori!all( refused/ sa(ing/ D1( fighters and 9 did not re!ogniFe the !apitulation
)hi!h the enem( imposed upon us and )e !ertainl( )ill not a!!ept !apitulation from our
Allies6D 5is response onl( further enraged the 4ritish militar( leaders and politi!ians
)ho had aligned against him6 When Chur!hill met )ith resident =ran#lin ;6 7oose-elt
and 7ussian general se!retar( 'oseph Stalin at the Tehran Conferen!e on ;e!ember 1/
12"3/ 1ihailo-i!h )as one of the subGe!ts of !on-ersation6 Chur!hill pushed the 4ritish
-ie) that 1ihailo-i!h !ould no longer be trusted to support the Allied !ause/ e-en
though his o)n ad-isers )ere )arning that Tito intended to establish a Communist
go-ernment in ,ugosla-ia that )ould be !ontrolled from 1os!o)6 Chur!hill insisted
that the )ar effort demanded a short-term fo!us and )hate-er happened after the )ar
the( )ould )orr( about later6 5e e:plained that his onl( goal at the moment )as to find
out D)ho )as #illing the most Germans and suggesting means b( )hi!h )e !ould help
to #ill more6D As 7oose-elt alread( #ne)/ Chur!hill -igorousl( opposed Communism
e:!ept )hen 5itler )as in-ol-ed6 A (ear and a half earlier/ on 'une 22/ 12"1/ Chur!hill
broad!ast a message to the people of Great 4ritain e:plaining that the !ountr( )as
all(ing itself )ith Communist 7ussia/ )hi!h had re!entl( been in-aded b( German(6
When his pri-ate se!retar( remar#ed that Chur!hill pre-iousl( had !alled Communism a
mena!e he )ould li#e to Dstrangle in its !radle/D Chur!hill a!#no)ledged the iron( of
the moment6 4ut he replied that/ D9f 5itler in-aded 5ell/ 9 )ould ma#e at least a
fa-orable referen!e to the ;e-il in the 5ouse of Commons!D
;epending on the 4ritish assessment of Tito's and 1ihailo-i!h's a!ti-ities in ,ugosla-ia/
and not realiFing ho) s#e)ed that assessment )as/ 7oose-elt relu!tantl( a!!epted
Chur!hill's argument6 4efore the( left the meeting in Tehran/ 9ran/ the big three had
agreed that 1ihailo-i!h )ould re!ei-e no more support6 9nstead/ the Allies )ould put all
their efforts behind helping Tito )in !ontrol of ,ugosla-ia6
=rom that moment for)ard/ 1ihailo-i!h )as !ut loose/ fighting alone in ,ugosla-ia
)ith no support from the 4ritish and e-en open animosit( from old friends in 4ritain6
;espite being abandoned/ 1ihailo-i!h remained lo(al to the Allied !ause and
parti!ularl( the Ameri!an pilots )ho ris#ed their li-es fl(ing o-er ,ugosla-ia to bomb
the loesti oil fields6 5o)e-er/ he !ontinued to gro) in!reasingl( frustrated and
disappointed b( the a!tions-and ina!tion-of the 4ritish and Ameri!ans/ espe!iall( no)
that the 4ritish had se-ered all ties6 9t soon be!ame !lear that not onl( )as he not
re!ei-ing an( a!ti-e support from the 4ritish ?not that he had re!ei-ed mu!h in the first
pla!e@/ but no) he )as being smeared b( 4ritish radio6 The ,ugosla- general )as
enraged )hen he heard 44C radio broad!asts that e:tolled the anti-German efforts of
the Communist artisans )hile gi-ing no !redit to the )or# done b( his o)n for!es/
sometimes e-en praising Tito for missions !arried out b( 1ihailo-i!h's men6 As the
4ritish sided )ith Tito o-er 1ihailo-i!h/ the authorities !onstru!ted their radio
propaganda a!!ordingl(6 The 44C radio broad!asts )ere -ital sour!es of information for
the ,ugosla- people/ and the 4ritish -oi!es )ere telling people that Tito and the
Communists )ere fighting -aliantl( for them6 Almost no mention )as made of
1ihailo-i!h6
This )as the situation that AuGno-i!h found )hen he arri-ed at the 4ari/ 9tal(/ offi!e of
the OSS and too# o-er !o-ert operations in ,ugosla-ia6 5e #ne) enough about the
politi!s of the 4al#ans/ and the influen!e of Communist moles in the Ameri!an and
4ritish go-ernments/ to gi-e 1ihailo-i!h the benefit of the doubt/ but AuGno-i!h
understood that the 4ritish )ere guiding the Allied position on 1ihailo-i!h6 9f the( had
de!ided that he )as no longer a partner in the )ar/ the Ameri!ans )ould go along )ith
that6 4esides/ it )as onl( re!entl( that Ameri!an operati-es had an( dire!t in-ol-ement
)ith 1ihailo-i!h6 >ntil 12"3/ the 4ritish had !omplete !ontrol o-er ,ugosla-ia as far as
Allied operations )ere !on!erned/ but the SO+ and OSS agreed in 'ul( 12"3 to allo)
limited OSS operations in ,ugosla-ia6 The OSS )as eager to get into ,ugosla-ia/ seeing
ample opportunit( to fulfill its mission behind enem( lines and gain a foothold for
operations in the 4al#ans after the )ar6 The primar( goal for the OSS in ,ugosla-ia )as
to slo) do)n and interfere )ith the a!tions of as man( German units as possible/ to
#eep them from lin#ing up )ith the t)ent(-si: 8aFi units alread( in 9tal( or redeplo(ing
to fight the Allied troops soon to land in 8ormand(6
At the beginning of World War 99 the 4ritish )ere !onsidered the )orld)ide masters of
subterfuge and !landestine )arfare/ and the SO+ had been established in 12"3 b( the
Se!ret 9ntelligen!e Ser-i!e for the spe!ifi! purpose of assisting lo!al rebels fighting the
German in-asion a!ross +urope6 So it )as )ith great relu!tan!e that the 4rits allo)ed
the ,an#s onto their turf6 Though the 4ritish and Ameri!an intelligen!e units )ere
supposed to be !oeJual )hen )or#ing together in the region/ Ameri!an OSS agents
reported that their 4ritish !ounterparts al)a(s seemed to regard themsel-es as the senior
partner/ a little more than !oeJual )ith the Ameri!ans6
AuGno-i!h #ne) from one of the #e( agents in ,ugosla-ia that the Ameri!an and 4ritish
for!es did not al)a(s get along6 The( ma( ha-e been Allies/ but the( )eren't al)a(s
allies/ agents reported from the field6 Some OSS agents felt that the 4ritish )ere e-er(
bit their enem( as the Germans/ at least )hen it !ame to their intelligen!e a!ti-ities6
Similar !on!erns )ere reported b( George 1usulin and George Wu!hini!h/ OSS agents
)ho had re!entl( been sent into ,ugosla-ia6 Arri-ing in 1a( 12"3/ the t)o Ameri!ans
of ,ugosla- heritage )ere sent into ,ugosla-ia through Cairo/ )ith the goal of
establishing an OSS presen!e that )ould fa!ilitate other missions6 A round-fa!ed/ robust
bear of a man/ 1usulin )as a former steel)or#er )ith a personalit( as big as his girth6
5e had Goined the arm( in 12"1 and )as assigned to the 22th 9nfantr( ;i-ision at =ort
1eade/ 1ar(land6 4( 'ul( 12"2/ his ,ugosla- ba!#ground and his ease )ith the Serbo-
Croat language/ not to mention his eagerness to ta#e on dangerous assignments/ made
him an e:!ellent !andidate for an OSS agent6 While on infantr( maneu-ers in Airginia/
1usulin )as approa!hed b( an OSS representati-e )ho as#ed if he )ould -olunteer for
dangerous )or# behind the lines in the +uropean theater6 1usulin immediatel( a!!epted
the offer and soon found himself in para!hute training/ made possible onl( b( a spe!ial
)ai-er that ga-e him a nearl( one-hundred-pound e:emption to the usual 10%-pound
limit for para!hute Gumps6 The training offi!ers mar-eled at the huge soldier's
)illingness to Gump/ and ea!h time he did/ the( made lighthearted bets about ho) man(
panels in his !hute )ould blo) out6
When he )as dropped into enem( territor( in O!tober 12"3/ this former star ta!#le on
the >ni-ersit( of ittsburgh football team )as the hea-iest Ameri!an soldier to ma#e a
su!!essful para!hute Gump in World War 996
After ma#ing his )a( to 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters in 12"3/ during the period )hen the
4ritish )ere offi!iall( supporting Tito and 1ihailo-i!h in eJual measures/ 1usulin
reported to his superiors in Cairo that 1ihailo-i!h !laimed to ha-e %./""3 men
mobiliFed and that he !ould mobiliFe more than four hundred thousand if he had arms
for them6 The Ameri!an agent's estimates of 1ihailo-i!h's men )as some)hat lo)er at
thirt(-fi-e thousand/ but he des!ribed the general as ha-ing Da fairl( )ell-organiFed
arm(6D 5o)e-er/ he also reported that/ D1ihailo-i!h is no) doing -er( little fighting
against the Germans/ although he did ha-e a month of !onsiderable a!ti-it( after the
9talian !apitulation in September 12"36D 1ihailo-i!h's for!es appeared to ha-e !omplete
!ontrol o-er the mountainous region of Serbia/ he reported/ though he noted that the
soldiers )ere remar#abl( la!#ing in militar( supplies6 All of the arms )ere in D-er( poor
!ondition/D he said/ most of them old ,ugosla- arm( rifles/ and the guerillas seemed as
dependent on mountaineers' a:es and #ni-es strapped to their belts6 1usulin sa) man(
German ma!hine pistols and 4arettas in the hands of Chetni# fighters/ along )ith the
o!!asional light ma!hine guns6 1ortars and hea-( ma!hine guns )ere in espe!iall( short
suppl(/ and there )ere pra!ti!all( no artiller( pie!es at all6 Worst of all/ 1usulin
reported/ )as that there )asn't enough ammunition e-en for the fe) old )eapons the
Chetni#s had6 D9 )ould estimate ea!h soldier has an a-erage of about t)ent(-fi-e to
fort( rounds per rifle/ and one hundred fift( to t)o hundred rounds per ma!hine gun/D he
reported6 5e )ent on to sa( that the a-erage Chetni# soldier Dis e:tremel( poorl(
!lothed and has been li-ing a hard/ rugged/ and miserable life for three (ears in the
)oods/ suffering man( hardships/ li-ing in dirt( peasant huts/ and eating )hat the
peasant )ill gi-e him6 1an( troops ha-e not seen their families for nearl( three (ears/ or
ha-e lost them through German reprisals6 Considering these fa!tors/ the morale and
dis!ipline of the troops in Serbia is good6D
1usulin also noted that/ DThe Serbian people are tremendousl( enthusiasti! for
Ameri!ans6 The( refer to Ameri!ans as the onl( nation )hi!h has no ultimate designs on
them6D The( did not ha-e su!h )arm feelings for the 4ritish6 1usulin des!ribed a
!omplete distrust of the 4ritish b( 1ihailo-i!h and his leaders D)ho feel the 4ritish
ha-e no) sold them do)n the ri-er to Stalin6D
The Ameri!an agent )as not in an( mood to defend the 4ritish SO+6 1usulin also
reported ba!# to the OSS post in Cairo that the 4ritish sometimes obstru!ted his
operations/ apparentl( not out of an( dislo(alt( to the Allied !ause or an( interest in
!ollaborating )ith the enem(/ but as a matter of prote!ting their turf and ma#ing sure the
4ritish authorit( in the region )as not !hallenged6 AuGno-i!h sa) the same interferen!e
on his end6 Sometimes the interferen!e )as o-ert and sometimes it amounted to simpl( a
la!# of !ooperation and a disregard for the aims of the OSS missions6 9ntelligen!e might
be restri!ted so as to e:!lude the Ameri!ans )ho !ould benefit from it/ or messages
might be passed along -er( slo)l(/ e-entuall( )inding their )a( through the proper
!hannels but )ith no urgen!(6 The la!# of !ooperation/ or outright interferen!e/ )as
e-en more pronoun!ed )hen it !ame to operational missions in )hi!h the OSS needed
to send agents behind enem( lines )ith spe!ifi! obGe!ti-es6 These missions reJuired
great !oordination and logisti!al !hallenges/ and the Ameri!ans often had to rel( on the
4ritish SO+ be!ause of its longer histor( in the region and more substantial
infrastru!ture6 9n his short time in 4ari alread(/ AuGno-i!h had e:perien!ed the same
frustration )ith the 4ritish that 1usulin and the other agents in the field )ere
!omplaining about6 1issions that relied on 4ritish !ooperation )ould be dela(ed o-er
and o-er/ !riti!al supplies )ould not be dropped to agents and lo!al guerillas/ and
perhaps most diffi!ult of all/ -irtuall( all !ommuni!ations in and out of ,ugosla-ia had
to go through 4ritish !hannels6
1usulin also !omplained that the Chetni#s-and the airmen the( )ere hiding-)ere
re!ei-ing -irtuall( no material support6 5a-ing alread( seen the supplies deli-ered to
Tito/ 1usulin )as outraged at the la!# of airdrops to the eJuall( lo(al-and some )ould
sa( far more lo(al-1ihailo-i!h in the mountains6 Wh( should the airmen harbored b(
1ihailo-i!h get -irtuall( no support from the Allies )hen airmen lu!#( enough to bail
out in Tito's territor( !ould depend on a Jui!# return to their 9talian bases$ 1usulin
be!ame so enraged )ith the la!# of supplies sent to 1ihailo-i!h that he sent an angr(
message to his OSS superiors in Cairo reminding them that/ DWe !an't fight 'err( )ith
bare feet/ bra-e hearts/ and 7adio &ondon6D
The bottom line for 1usulin )as that 1ihailo-i!h represented a signifi!ant fighting
for!e that )as on the Allies' side6 D1ihailo-i!h #eeps a !ertain number of German and
4ulgarian troops immobiliFed6 Withdra)al of all Allied liaison or labeling him as a
traitor )ould undoubtedl( free some of these troops for use on some other front6D 5e
also pushed for the Allies to e:ert more pressure on both Tito and 1ihailo-i!h to de!lare
a tru!e )ith ea!h other and !on!entrate on fighting the troops o!!up(ing their !ountr(/
sa(ing/ DThe 7o(al ,ugosla- Go-ernment !ould ma#e 1ihailo-i!h agree to a tru!e6 9t is
up to the Great o)ers to ma#e Tito do the same b( e:er!ising san!tions the( ob-iousl(
possess6D
That ne-er happened6
9t )ould be de!ades before 1ihailo-i!h's suspi!ions about a Communist plot to
besmir!h his reputation )ith the 4ritish )as !onfirmed6 8ot until 122. )ould the )orld
understand that the s)it!h of allegian!e )as or!hestrated largel( b( a So-iet operati-e
)ho !on-in!ed the 4ritish that 1ihailo-i!h !ould not be trusted6
The abandonment of 1ihailo-i!h )as the !ulmination of a long series of suspi!ions and
mistrust/ not Gust the )or# of a single man/ and 1ihailo-i!h's o)n missteps must be
!onsidered6 4ut the information re-ealed fift(-four (ears later indi!ates that the general
)as right about the primar( reason the 4ritish thought he )as !ollaborating )ith the
enem( and failing to fight the Germans and 9talians in ,ugosla-ia6 Communist moles
had infiltrated both the OSS and the SO+/ )or#ing to besmir!h the name of 1ihailo-i!h
to promote the post)ar !ommuniFation of ,ugosla-ia under Tito6 9n 122. ne)l(
de!lassified se!ret reports on one of the most !ontro-ersial 4ritish under!o-er
operations of World War 99 sho)ed a So-iet sp( )as responsible for the 4ritish
s)it!hing support to Tito/ !onfirming the suspi!ions of some e:perts )ho had been
stud(ing the !ase for (ears6 The do!uments in!luded trans!ripts of se!ret )artime
signals to &ondon and in!luded e-iden!e of the role pla(ed b( 'ames Ilugmann/ a
!onfirmed So-iet mole6
7eports sent b( Ilugmann/ )ho )as !losel( asso!iated )ith the infamous 4ritish
traitors #no)n as the Cambridge =i-e/ for the first time !onfirmed that he )as
prin!ipall( responsible for sabotaging the 1ihailo-i!h suppl( operation and for #eeping
from &ondon information about ho) mu!h 1ihailo-i!h for!es )ere fighting the
Germans and ho) mu!h su!!ess the( )ere ha-ing6 The Cambridge =i-e )as a ring of
4ritish spies )ho passed information to the So-iet >nion during World War 99 and on
into the earl( 12%3s6 ro-en members )ere Iim hilb(/ Gu( 4urgess/ Anthon( 4lunt/
;onald 1a!lean/ and 'ohn Cairn!ross-all high-ran#ing members of the go-ernment and
se!ret agents6 Ilugmann )as essentiall( the si:th member/ though his role as a sp( )as
not !onfirmed until after the rest of group )as identified6 hilb( ser-ed as head of the
So-iet !ounterespionage se!tion of 19*/ 4ritain's e:ternal se!urit( agen!( and top
intelligen!e outfit6 4urgess )as se!retar( to the 4ritish ;eput( =oreign 1inister and
able to transmit top-se!ret 4ritish =oreign Offi!e do!uments to the IG4 on a regular
basis/ se!reting them out at night to be photographed b( his 7ussian !ontroller and
returning them in the morning6 4lunt )as an art historian )ho had ser-ed the ro(al
household as sur-e(or of the Jueen's pi!tures6 1a!lean )or#ed as a diplomat for the
4ritish =oreign Offi!e/ ser-ing as se!retar( at the 4ritish embass( in Washington/ ;C/
during the )ar and sending messages to 1os!o) re-ealing 4ritish efforts to de-elop an
atomi! bomb6 Cairn!ross )as an intelligen!e offi!er )or#ing on !iphers at 4let!hle(
ar# and 19*6 5e passed do!uments through se!ret !hannels to the So-iet >nion6
Ilugmann spent t)o and a half (ears )or#ing in 4ari on the staff of the ,ugosla-
se!tion of the 4ritish SO+ as an intelligen!e and !oordination offi!er-the SO+ that
AuGno-i!h #ne) )as fa-oring Tito o-er 1ihailo-i!h for no good reason/ and )hi!h
ultimatel( persuaded Chur!hill to side )ith the Communists in ,ugosla-ia's !i-il )ar6
Ilugmann's )or# )ith the ,ugosla- se!tion )as so influential that his !ommanding
offi!er/ 4asil ;a-idson/ said-)ith admiration-that the time should be !alled the
DIlugmann period6D
The group of traitors )as originall( #no)n as the Cambridge Sp( 7ing be!ause all
#no)n members of the ring )ere re!ruited at Trinit( College in Cambridge )hile
members of the Cambridge Apostles/ a se!ret debating so!iet(6 The( also )ere open
Communists and Ilugmann )as se!retar( of the Cambridge Communist art( in the
mid-1233s6 &i#e the Cambridge =i-e/ Ilugmann !ould more a!!uratel( be des!ribed as
a mole rather than a t(pi!al sp(6 The differen!e is that/ unli#e a sp( )ho embar#s on a
mission )ith spe!ifi! obGe!ti-es/ moles entren!h themsel-es in #e( go-ernment roles or
other positions that ma#e them pri-( to se!rets-or the abilit( to manipulate leaders-and
then )ait for the right time to a!t6 1oles often are ideologi!all( dri-en to betra( their
!ountries/ as opposed to mer!enaries )ho a!t for mone(6 The So-iets re!ruited
Ilugmann be!ause he displa(ed a s(mpath( to leftist !auses and )as )ell on the path to
a !areer in go-ernment or other sensiti-e )or#/ the same as hilb(/ 4urgess/ 4lunt/
1a!lean/ and Cairn!ross6 Ta#ing their orders from 1os!o)/ their tas# )as to dire!t
4ritish poli!( in a manner fa-orable to the )orld)ide Communist mo-ement and 7ussia
in parti!ular6 The( did the Gob )ell6 ;a-id 1artin/ the foremost historian on ,ugosla-ia
during World War 99/ !on!luded that Ilugmann )as ultimatel( responsible for leading
the 4ritish to abandon 1ihailo-i!h/ and that he )as responsible for the post)ar
Communist e:pansion in the 4al#ans6 DIlugmann )as a mole )hose great
a!!omplishment )as to falsif( information in a manner that resulted in handing o-er a
nation of fifteen million people to Communist !ontrol/D he )rote6
Ilugmann )as a bespe!ta!led boo#)orm/ )arm-hearted and !ompassionate but so
fier!el( de-oted to Communism that he had little time for personal relationships6 4lunt/
after he )as e:posed as a traitor and his #nighthood for )artime ser-i!e re-o#ed/
des!ribed Ilugmann as Dthe pure intelle!tual of the art(/D more dedi!ated than an(
other Communist in 4ritain6 +-en though he spent little time on personal relationships/
)hile at Cambridge he )as among the most effe!ti-e in re!ruiting other students to the
Communist !ause/ and he !ould !hannel his politi!al energ( into manipulating those
around him6 The re!entl( de!lassified files re-eal that/ for instan!e/ Ilugmann had great
influen!e o-er Colonel Sir William ;ea#in/ the senior intelligen!e offi!er in ,ugosla-ia/
)ho said Ilugmann pro-ided Din-aluable ser-i!e6D The de!lassified files re-eal that
Ilugmann used his relationship )ith ;ea#in to ad-an!e Tito's !ause/ al)a(s !laiming to
a!t in the best interest of Great 4ritain but in fa!t )or#ing to further the So-iet >nion's
goal of a Communist ,ugosla-ia after the )ar b( e:aggerating !laims of 1ihailo-i!h's
transgressions/ minimiFing reports of his a!!omplishments/ and glorif(ing the a!tions of
Tito6 All of the Cambridge =i-e used other unsuspe!ting people to ser-e the So-iet
>nion's goals6 While the So-iets had operati-es in the 4ritish intelligen!e ser-i!es/
1artin notes that the a!tual number of Communists in the top ran#s )as small6 D=ar
more numerous than the Communists/ and infinitel( more numerous than the !ommitted
agents/ )ere the muddleheaded liberals )ho shared a nebulous feeling that the(/ too/
)ere ser-ing the !ause of progress/D 1artin )rites6 The naW-etQ of these go-ernment
offi!ials/ and their desire to feel important/ made them sus!eptible to Communist efforts
to disseminate disinformation about 1ihailo-i!h6 Ilugmann and his fello) traitors ma(
ha-e been dri-ing the effort to defeat 1ihailo-i!h from abroad/ but there )ere man(
more 4ritish offi!ials )ho un)ittingl( helped them along the )a(6 As in the OSS/ a
person's Communist beliefs did not ne!essaril( bar one from ser-ing in the SO+/ and
those around Ilugmann #ne) of his part( affiliation but o-erloo#ed it be!ause he )as
so hard-)or#ing/ amiable/ and seemed to produ!e good results6
On 1ar!h 1%/ 12""/ Ilugmann mo-ed from Cairo to 4ari along )ith most of the other
SO+ staff6 One of his duties )as to edu!ate ne)l( arri-ing SO+ staff about the
1ihailo-i!h and Tito !onfli!t/ briefing them on the opposing sides in ,ugosla-ia and
)here the 4ritish stood6 The most influential Communist sp( in +urope )as )or#ing
pra!ti!all( right alongside AuGno-i!h and his !olleagues/ Juietl( but effe!ti-el(
sabotaging e-er( effort to help 1ihailo-i!h and ensuring that ,ugosla-ia )ould be in
the hands of the So-iet >nion after the )ar6
One of the most a!ti-e and o-ert 4ritish Communists of his generation/ Ilugmann
be!ame an influential left-)ing Gournalist after the )ar/ ser-ing as editor of 1ar:ism
Toda( and )riting the first t)o -olumes of the offi!ial 5istor( of the Communist art(
of Great 4ritain6
So 1ihailo-i!h's suspi!ions )ere on target6
AuGno-i!h had no idea at the time that su!h a )ell-or!hestrated and far-rea!hing
Communist operation )as at )or# )ithin the OSS and SO+/ but he )ould not ha-e been
o-erl( surprised6 5e #ne) there )ere Communists infiltrating the ran#s/ and he hated
e-er( one of them6
1ean)hile/ 1ihailo-i!h and the peasants in the hillside )ho )ere lo(al to him )at!hed
o-er the do)ned Ameri!an bo(s )ith a stoi! determination6 Their abandonment b( the
Allies )ould not !ause them to abandon these (oung men )ho )ere helping them fight
ba!# the 8aFis6
Chapter 13
S!re) the 4ritish
A fe) months after the Allies offi!iall( turned their ba!#s on 1ihailo-i!h/ in 1ar!h
12""/ the 4ritish ordered all Allied units atta!hed to 1ihailo-i!h to return home6 The
OSS's man in 7a-na Gora/ 1usulin/ )as ordered to lea-e the ,ugosla- general's
stronghold in the mountains and report to the OSS post in 4ari/ 9tal(/ )here AuGno-i!h
)as in !harge6 5e )as instru!ted to lea-e as soon as an e-a!uation !ould be arranged for
him and fort( Ameri!an airmen )ho )ere in the immediate area at that time6 1usulin
did not )ant to lea-e the field and tried to stall b( sa(ing that he had heard of an
additional doFen men )ho )ere e:pe!ted to arri-e soon and also !ould be res!ued if he
sta(ed a )hile longer6 5is superiors #ne) that 1usulin )as tr(ing to resist orders and
supported the effort/ appealing to resident 7oose-elt for permission to let him sta( )ith
1ihailo-i!h6 4ut the 4ritish )ould not relent and Chur!hill personall( inter-ened to
reiterate that 1usulin had to !ome out6 1ihailo-i!h )as no longer to re!ei-e an(
!ooperation from the Allies/ and that meant 1usulin had no more business )ith the
Chetni# guerillas/ Chur!hill e:plained6
9n 1a( 12"" a plane )as sent to pi!# up 1usulin and the do)ned fliers/ and it
su!!essfull( !ompleted 1usulin's e:tra!tion and a note)orth( res!ue of airmen6
1ean)hile/ the Allied support of Tito )as on the ups)ing6 9n 8o-ember 12"3 onl( si:
men had been assigned to Tito's group/ but b( O!tober 12"" that number )ould rea!h
fort(6
1usulin )as one unhapp( agent )hen he stepped off the plane in 4ari/ and he
progressed into a rage )hen he heard )hat the SO+ and the OSS had been sa(ing about
1ihailo-i!h6
1usulin )as dumbfounded that an(one !ould belie-e the a!!usations that 1ihailo-i!h
had !ollaborated )ith the Germans and 9talians6 When he heard that airmen )ere being
)arned to bail out onl( in the ,ugosla- territor( !ontrolled b( Tito/ he )as outraged6
1usulin had personall( )itnessed the un)a-ering dedi!ation of the Chetni# soldiers and
the lo!al -illagers to the do)ned Ameri!an airmen/ and no) his !olleagues in 4ari )ere
tr(ing to e:plain to him ho) 1ihailo-i!h )as no longer a friend6 The( a!tuall( tried to
tell 1usulin that 1ihailo-i!h's people )ould pretend to ta#e in do)ned airmen and then
turn them o-er to the enem( for a re)ard6 5e !ouldn't belie-e the )ords he )as hearing6
Onl( da(s earlier he had seen these -er( people gi-ing up their last bits of food/ offering
their beds to strangers from another !ountr(/ ris#ing their li-es )ith e-er( a!t of
#indness to an Ameri!an6 1usulin )as furious and he argued at e-er( opportunit( )ith
an(one )ho )ould listen/ tr(ing to !on-in!e them that he had personall( e:perien!ed
life )ith the Chetni#s/ had be!ome a good friend of 1ihailo-i!h himself/ had li-ed )ith
them for months/ and he #ne) that the( )ere lo(al be(ond belief6
AuGno-i!h as#ed 1usulin for details about ho) man( more airmen 1ihailo-i!h )as
aiding in the region6 Was it more than Gust a fe) stragglers here and there$ 5e )as
loo#ing for !onfirmation that the rumors from his )ife ba!# home )ere !orre!t/ that
there )ere a lot of men a)aiting res!ue6 1usulin's response )as Jui!# and !ertain< ,es/
1ihailo-i!h )as harboring a large number of airmen6 5e didn't #no) e:a!tl( ho) man(/
but he guessed !lose to one hundred men )ere near 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters in
ranGane6 8earl( all )ere Ameri!an/ )ith a fe) 4ritish/ =ren!h/ 7ussians/ and 9talians6
So 1irGana )as right6 AuGno-i!h had #no)n he !ould trust his )ife to ha-e good
information6 5e )as glad he had trusted her and that he had alread( started pursuing a
res!ue attempt6 The effort )as mu!h farther along than it )ould ha-e been if 1usulin's
report )as the first an(one in 4ari had heard of all those men a)aiting res!ue6
1usulin !ould not be !almed/ and he )as a formidable sight )hen angered6 8ot onl(
)as 1usulin not pleased to hear that 1ihailo-i!h had been abandoned/ but he felt that
the Allies had for all pra!ti!al purposes abandoned him )hile he )as behind enem( lines
)ith the Chetni#s6 ;espite his pleas for aid/ -irtuall( nothing )as sent to 1ihailo-i!h
and his men6 The burl( agent stormed into the OSS headJuarters in 4ari one da( and
demanded that someone listen to his !omplaints6
D&isten/ (ou bastards! ,ou thin# 9 )ent in and ris#ed m( life for almost a (ear for
nothing$D he s!reamed/ instantl( gaining the attention of e-er(one in the room6 5e )ent
on for some time/ railing about ho) he had almost no !onta!t )ith the 4ritish the )hole
time he )as in ,ugosla-ia and that )hen he arri-ed in 4ari/ the 4rits )eren't e-en
interested in hearing his report about 1ihailo-i!h6 The( )ere !on!erned onl( )ith
dressing him do)n for bringing fi-e members of 1ihailo-i!h's politi!al staff out )ith
him6 The general had reJuested that the men be e-a!uated/ and sin!e there )as room on
the plane/ 1usulin had obliged6 After all/ he e:plained/ these )ere allies and he )as
doing a fa-or for the man )ho )as supporting the Ameri!an !ause in ,ugosla-ia6
1usulin refused to apologiFe for bringing the men out and gre) more li-id e-er( time
the 4ritish !omplained about it6 5e finall( be!ame so angr( that he as#ed to be !ourt-
martialed for the in!ident so the truth of the )hole ugl( situation !ould be aired be(ond
the !loistered )alls of the OSS6
Wisel(/ his superiors did not ta#e him up on the offer and the 4ritish ba!#ed do)n6 4ut
1usulin )as still furious about ho) the OSS seemed to be turning ,ugosla-ia-and
more-o-er to the Communists6 5e )as so disgusted )ith )hat he found in 4ari that he
de!ided it )as pointless to e-en )rite a report about his e:perien!e )ith 1ihailo-i!h6
7eferring to pro-Communists as artisans/ li#e the follo)ers of Tito/ 1usulin
!omplained that/ D9 !ame to 4ari and sa) artisans all o-er the damn to)n6 9 sa) them
in our headJuarters6 The( )ere pa!#ing supplies on our planes in 4rindisi6D And he )as
right6 The OSS offi!ers' mess in 4ari had se-en ,ugosla- refugee girls )or#ing as
)aitresses )ho made no effort to !on!eal their pro-Communist politi!s/ e-en )earing
artisan uniforms around 4ari on their off hours6 1usulin )ent on to !omplain that the
OSS and SO+ Dforgot that 9 )as e-en ali-e6D
1usulin )as a bitter man/ deGe!ted b( the politi!all( moti-ated betra(als and
propaganda he found )aiting for him in 4ari6 5e e-entuall( )as !on-in!ed to )rite a
nineteen-page report that de!lared 1ihailo-i!h )as a lo(al all( and that he sa) no
e-iden!e of !ollaboration )ith the enem(6 4ut his protests and his report !hanged no
one's position6 &ondon and Washington had painted their o)n pi!ture of 1ihailo-i!h
and the truth didn't matter6
AuGno-i!h listened to 1usulin and belie-ed him6 >nli#e man( OSS leaders/ AuGno-i!h
understood )hat it meant for the Allies to thro) their support behind a Communist/
be!ause he had seen them at )or# in ,ugosla-ia before the )ar and he #ne) their
ideolog( and their ta!ti!s6 5e tried to e:plain to 1usulin )h( his protests )ere going
no)here6
Deople in the OSS don't ha-e an( real politi!al orientation/D he said6 DWhen the( hear
'Communist' the( Gust thin# of 7ussian Communists6 When the( hear '=as!ist' the( thin#
of German( and 9tal(6 The( don't realiFe )hat Communism reall( is/ the )a( it )or#s to
o-erpo)er a !ountr('s people and ta#e e-er(thing from them6 The( don't understand that
Communism is a !an!er that !an spread all o-er if (ou don't stop it6 The( Gust thin# it's
7ussia and right no) 7ussia is our all(6D
1usulin found some sola!e in #no)ing that AuGno-i!h at least )as on his side6 And
AuGno-i!h #ne) that 1usulin )as a man he !ould trust6 That might !ome in hand(/ as
AuGno-i!h )as under fire in 4ari from some of the pro-Communists in the OSS )ho
thought he )as too pro-Chetni#6 Se-eral of his !olleagues )ho )ere s(mpatheti! to Tito
and the 7ussians regularl( harassed AuGno-i!h/ ma#ing unfounded !harges about the
)a( he ran his operations and generall( tr(ing to !reate trouble for him6
5e had re!entl( spent a diffi!ult fi-e months in 4rindisi/ 9tal(/ at the air base from )hi!h
the OSS laun!hed in!ursions into ,ugosla-ia and Gree!e6 ?The OSS base in 4ari )as
fo!used on anal(Fing intelligen!e and planning operations6 The a!tual missions laun!hed
from 4rindisi6@ AuGno-i!h found himself under fire the )hole time from other OSS
offi!ials )ho filed anon(mous !omplaints and #ept him bus( responding to his superiors
about supposedl( poor performan!e on the Gob6 9t didn't ta#e long for AuGno-i!h to
figure out that the pro-Communists )ere behind the harassment/ )hi!h ended onl( )hen
he )as transferred ba!# to the OSS post in 4ari6
That the OSS )as full of Communist s(mpathiFers/ outright Communists/ and e-en
some people )ho )ere se!retl( sp(ing and )or#ing behind the s!enes to further the
Communist !ause !ame as no surprise to an(one familiar )ith the unusual ma#eup of
the OSS6 This group of operati-es and anal(sts )as uniJue in the histor( of the
Ameri!an militar(6 The( )ere gi-en great lee)a( and resour!es to get the Gob done in
unorthodo: )a(s/ )ith Gust about an(thing a!!eptable in the !ause of defeating the A:is6
The men and )omen of the OSS )ere some of the most dedi!ated fighters in World War
99/ man( of them among the most idealisti! patriots/ but the( also )ere a mi: of do)n-
to-earth Dregular 'oesD li#e 1usulin and effete intelle!tual t(pes )ho tended to the
leftist/ So!ialist politi!al spe!trum6 The mi: made for an effe!ti-e s(stem o-erall/ but it
also !reated ine-itable !onfli!ts among people )ho had a !ommon enem(-5itler and the
A:is-but )ho differed sharpl( on their basi! politi!al outloo# and )hat the( )anted for
the !ountr( after the )ar6 9n that )a(/ the struggle )ithin the OSS mirrored the struggle
)ithin ,ugosla-ia6
+stablished in 'une 12"2 as the !ountr( re--ed up for full-s!ale )ar )ith the A:is/ the
OSS )as !harged )ith !olle!ting and anal(Fing strategi! information reJuired b( the
'oint Chiefs of Staff and !ondu!ting spe!ial operations not assigned to other agen!ies6
7ight off the bat/ ho)e-er/ those other agen!ies started to feel that the OSS )as
en!roa!hing on their turf6 The =ederal 4ureau of 9n-estigation/ under the dire!tion of the
fier( and e:tremel( po)erful '6 +dgar 5oo-er/ )as insistent that this upstart bun!h of
a!ademi!s and )annabe spies neither get in the )a( nor usurp its o)n areas of
operation6 The =49 retained all responsibilit( for field)or# in &atin Ameri!a and
essentiall( shut the OSS out of )or# in the Western 5emisphere6 4ut the OSS )as
nobod('s mee# little brother6 The organiFation )as !on!ei-ed and de-eloped b( William
'6 ;ono-an/ #no)n as DWild 4ill/D a !harismati!/ energeti! leader and one of the fe)
men )ho !ould stand toe-to-toe )ith 5oo-er and not be intimidated6
4orn in 4uffalo/ 8e) ,or#/ ;ono-an )as a !ollege football star at Columbia >ni-ersit(/
graduating in 123%6 ;ono-an )as a member of the 8e) ,or# Cit( establishment/ a
po)erful Wall Street la)(er and a Columbia la) s!hool !lassmate of =ran#lin ;elano
7oose-elt6 ;ono-an first be!ame #no)n for his militar( e:ploits in 1212/ )hen he
formed and led a troop of !a-alr( of the 8e) ,or# State 1ilitia that in 121* ser-ed on
the >6S6-1e:i!o border in the an!ho Ailla +:pedition6 9n World War 9/ ;ono-an led a
regiment of the >nited States Arm(/ the 1*%th 7egiment of the "2nd ;i-ision/ the
su!!essors to the famed *2th 8e) ,or# Aolunteers/ on the battlefield in =ran!e6 5e )as
a)arded the 1edal of 5onor for leading a su!!essful assault despite serious )ounds6 4(
the end of the )ar he )as a full !olonel6
The disaster at earl 5arbor had unders!ored )hat man( in Washington alread( #ne)<
The !ountr( )as terribl( defi!ient in its foreign intelligen!e and spe!ial operations6
8obod( in Washington or an()here else had put the pie!es of the puFFle together and
figured out that 'apan )as about to stri#e/ and intelligen!e in the e-er-dar#ening +urope
)as no better6 resident 7oose-elt )as preparing for the ne:t )orld )ar/ and he )as
read( to ta#e bold ne)s steps regarding intelligen!e/ read( to underta#e operations that
the !ountr( had ne-er pursued before6 5e )as loo#ing for men )ho had alread( pro-en
themsel-es/ and Se!retar( of the 8a-( =ran# Ino: re!ommended ;ono-an6 7oose-elt
ga-e him a number of in!reasingl( important assignments/ trusting him absolutel( e-en
though 7oose-elt )as a ;emo!rat and ;ono-an a staun!h 7epubli!an6 9n 12"3 and
12"1 ;ono-an ser-ed as an emissar( for Ino: and resident 7oose-elt/ tra-eling to
4ritain and parts of +urope that )ere not under 8aFi !ontrol6 When he persuaded
7oose-elt in 12"2 that the !ountr( needed a more e:tensi-e and aggressi-e net)or# of
spies/ anal(sts/ and se!ret agents a!ross the )orld/ the OSS )as born and ;ono-an
be!ame one of the most po)erful men in Washington6
This !loa#-and-dagger so!iet( )as housed in a nondes!ript go-ernment building a short
distan!e )est of the &in!oln 1emorial in Washington/ ;C/ in the former home of the
8ational 5ealth 9nstitute6 9t )as in a rundo)n se!tion of to)n/ far from the gleaming
)hite Capitol and the other glamorous stru!tures of the !it(6 4ut inside/ brain(
a!ademi!s )ere performing some of the most important )or# of World War 99/ and
others )ere super-ising the dangerous/ ner-e-ra!#ing )or# of OSS agents in the field
half)a( around the )orld6 The 8ational 5ealth 9nstitute had been hastil( e-i!ted to
ma#e )a( for the rapidl( gro)ing OSS/ and the( hadn't !ompletel( -a!ated the premises
b( the time the OSS mo-ed in6 The health resear!hers left behind an e:perimental
laborator( full of li-e mon#e(s/ goats/ and guinea pigs/ all ino!ulated )ith deadl(
diseases/ and the OSS staff )ere none too happ( about sharing their spa!e )ith them6
1ore important )as the need for the spa!e ta#en up b( the menagerie6 So ;ono-an/ in
the !reati-e st(le that he )ould emplo( throughout the )ar/ !omplained to the 8ational
5ealth 9nstitute that one of the mon#e(s had bitten a stenographer and !aused a rebellion
among the staff/ )ho )ere afraid that the plague )ould s)eep through the building6 The
s!ientists doubted the )hole stor( but )ere for!ed to remo-e the laborator( and gi-e the
spa!e o-er to the OSS6 8aFi propaganda seiFed on the in!ident to broad!ast gleeful
a!!ounts of ho) the supposedl( fearsome OSS )as reall( nothing more than Dfift(
professors/ t)ent( mon#e(s/ ten goats/ t)el-e guinea pigs/ and a staff of 'e)ish
s!ribblers6D As soon as ;ono-an had ta#en the helm at the OSS/ 8aFi propaganda
minister 'oseph Goebbels fo!used on him/ dire!ting more hate to)ard him than an(
Ameri!an other than resident 7oose-elt6
The OSS had been designed from the start as a different #ind of go-ernment agen!(6
+-en the =49/ as po)erful as it )as under 5oo-er/ adhered to a stri!t bureau!ra!( that
)as e-er( bit as rigid as the bureau!ra!( in an( more mundane go-ernment operation
and sometimes more so6 4ut )ith the OSS/ the )hole purpose )as to do things
differentl(6 resident 7oose-elt's order establishing the OSS had defined its purpose as
being Dto !olle!t and anal(Fe strategi! information/ and to plan and operate spe!ial
ser-i!es/D )hi!h )ere des!ribed as Dall measures 6 6 6 ta#en to enfor!e our )ill upon the
enem( b( means other than militar( a!tion/ as ma( be applied in support of a!tual or
planned militar( operations or in furtheran!e of the )ar effort6D 7oose-elt and ;ono-an
understood that to mean an(thing the !ountr( needed/ an(thing that the regular militar(
!ould not a!!omplish logisti!all( or !ould not do ethi!all(6 When a tas# had to be
performed out of the publi! e(e and )ithout an( ob-ious ties to the >nited States/ that
)as a Gob for the men and )omen )or#ing under ;ono-an6
;ono-an's stamp )as all o-er the OSS/ ne-er more so than in the t(pe of agents it
re!ruited6 When the OSS stru!ture )as Gust being planned in 12"1/ a high-ran#ing
offi!er in the 4ritish 8a-al 9ntelligen!e named 9an =leming/ later the !reator of 'ames
4ond/ ad-ised ;ono-an to sele!t agents )ho fit the bill of the Juintessential gentleman
sp(6 The( should be bet)een fort( and fift( (ears old and possess Dabsolute dis!retion/
sobriet(/ de-otion to dut(/ languages/ and )ide e:perien!e/D 9an ad-ised6 ;ono-an
ignored the ad-i!e and instead told resident 7oose-elt that he intended to bring in
(oung men and )omen )ho )ere D!al!ulatingl( re!#lessD and trained for Daggressi-e
a!tion6D
The OSS attra!ted some of the best and brightest in the !ountr(/ e-en though it )as still
an obs!ure agen!( #no)n onl( to go-ernment )on#s and militar( leaders6 ;ono-an's
e:tensi-e net)or# of !onta!ts in business/ a!ademia/ and the militar(/ along )ith his
o)n stellar reputation and gregarious personalit(/ enabled him to re!ruit the top pla(ers
in an( field/ man( of )hom )ould go on to their o)n high-profile a!!omplishments
after a stint in the OSS6 7e!ruiting )as a maGor tas# for OSS leaders be!ause the agen!(
needed a lot of bodies at des#s and in the field6 Anal(sts )ere !hosen for their s#ill in
languages/ mathemati!s/ !odes/ s!ien!es-an( spe!ialt( that !ould be of use6 =ield agents-
spies in the truest sense of the )ord-)ere !hosen on more esoteri! but eJuall( stringent
guidelines6 The most important Jualifi!ation/ ;ono-an de!lared/ )as strength of
!hara!ter6 While some suggested re!ruiting pett( !riminals e:perien!ed in de!eption/
;ono-an refused6 5e )anted good men and )omen )ho had nothing to hide/ )ho )ere
upstanding people )ith no e:perien!e li-ing a double life6 The reason )as simple/
;ono-an e:plained< 9t )as easier to train an honest !itiFen to engage in subterfuge for
the good of his !ountr( than it )as to tea!h a dishonest man to be a trust)orth( agent6
The people )ho fan!ied themsel-es se!ret agents and )anted to li-e a glamorous but
dangerous life behind enem( lines al)a(s raised red flags )ith ;ono-an and his
subordinates6 ;ono-an found that the staid businessman/ the t(pe )ho )ould ha-e led a
perfe!tl( sedate and une-entful li-e if not re!ruited to the OSS/ made the perfe!t field
agents6 The OSS also made a point of re!ruiting people )ho !ould get along )ell )ith
others/ espe!iall( people of other ra!es and !ultures/ and !ondu!ted ps(!hologi!al
testing to !onfirm that trait6
The result )as perhaps the most unusual !olle!tion of spies and anal(sts e-er assembled/
a mi: of )ealth( blue bloods/ sons and daughters of the ri!h and po)erful/ men and
)omen )ho loo#ed more li#e the businesspeople the( )ere before the )ar and not the
s#illed #illers the( )ere training to be6 8e)spapers Go#ed that OSS must stand for DOh
So So!ialD be!ause the re!ruits loo#ed as though the( had been ta#en from the So!ial
7egister6 The halls of the OSS )ere full of ;uonts/ Aander bilts/ 7oose-elts/ 1organs/
and 1ellons6 The !ousin of Winston Chur!hill/ a star polo pla(er/ )or#ed in the OSS6 So
did 9l(a Tolsto(/ grandson of the famous no-elist6 A !olumnist for the Washington Times
)rote of the ne) OSS that<
9f (ou should b( !han!e )ander in the lab(rinth of the OSS/ (ou'd behold e:-polo
pla(ers/ millionaires/ 7ussian prin!es/ so!iet( gambol bo(s/ s!ientists/ and dilettante
dete!ti-es6 All of them are no) at the OSS )here the( used to be allo!ated bet)een 8e)
,or#/ alm 4ea!h/ &ong 9sland/ 8e)port/ and other me!!as freJuented b( the blue
bloods of demo!ra!(6 And the girls! The prettiest/ best born/ snappiest girls )ho used to
graduate from debutantedom to boredom no) bend their blond and brunette lo!#s/ or
their !olorful hats/ o-er their )or# in the OSS/ the super-ultra-intelligen!e-!ounter-
espionage unit that is headed b( the brilliant DWild 4illD ;ono-an6
Other notable members of the OSS )ere 'umping 'oe Sa-oldi/ a full-ba!# at 8otre
;ame and a professional )restler/ and 'ohn 7ingling 8orth/ the o)ner of 4arnum X
4aile( Cir!us6 Yuentin 7oose-elt/ grandson of the president/ died on an OSS mission in
China6 'ulia Child )or#ed for the OSS in Ce(lon before be!oming a )orld-famous !hef/
!laiming she )as onl( a lo)l( file !ler# but ne-ertheless )inning the +mblem of
1eritorious Ser-i!e6 A!tor Sterling 5a(den/ often !alled Dthe most beautiful man in
5oll()ood/D )as re!ruited b( the OSS to !ommand a fleet of ships that ran guns and
supplies to ,ugosla-ia6
OSS re!ruiters )ere al)a(s on the loo#out for an(one )ith a spe!ial !onne!tion that
might be useful/ so man( people )ith no spe!ial ambitions to be a sp(-li#e George
AuGno-i!h-found themsel-es approa!hed )ith a uniJue offer6 9f (ou had spent
signifi!ant time in a +uropean !ountr(/ or if (ou spo#e a language that )as in demand-
li#e George 1usulin-the OSS might !ome loo#ing for (ou6 The militar( ran#s )ere
often s!reened for those )ith needed s#ills/ parti!ularl( languages spo#en in +urope6
Sometimes the re!ruit's -alue )as less ob-ious but !ould pro-e -ital in )artime6 The
OSS re!ruited a former aris bartender from the ,ale Club/ a former German sergeant
)ho !ould help forge militar( passes/ a S)iss mountain !limber )ho #ne) the high
passes of the Apennines/ and a Catholi! missionar( )ho had li-ed )ith the Ia!hin
tribesmen in northern 4urma6 When the OSS spotted someone )ho !ould add to the
agen!('s s#ill set/ one or t)o men approa!hed )ithout )arning and e:plained that his
!ountr( needed his ser-i!es6 Yuestions )ere met )ith !r(pti! responses that pro-ided
little detail/ not e-en the name of the outfit that )anted him to Goin6 The men emphasiFed
that he )ould be ma#ing a great !ontribution to his !ountr(/ but the( also )ere !lear that
he )ould be parti!ipating in e:tremel( dangerous missions )ith a good !han!e that he
)ould ne-er return6 9n the patrioti! fer-or of the earl( )ar (ears/ fe) of those
approa!hed b( the OSS refused6
;ono-an's )hole approa!h to the OSS mission )as to emplo( real people in real
situations6 5e had no patien!e for those )ho thought the sp( game )as nothing but
shooting and #nifing the enem( or !ondu!ting e:plosi-e raids/ or for the dilettante
diplomats and amateur dete!ti-es6 ;ono-an #ne) that in )artime/ ad-an!es )ere often
made not b( the dramati! !harge of a thousand troops but b( one light)eight/
bespe!ta!led former a!!ountant as#ing the right Juestion of a bored farmer dri-ing his
sheep do)n a !ountr( road6 While the )or# of OSS agents )as often e:tremel(
dangerous/ until the agents got !aught their )or# en!ompassed the pedestrian more than
the e:oti!6 After the )ar/ ;ono-an e:plained< DOur e:perien!e sho)ed us that a half
hour spent )ith the bra#eman of a freight train running into o!!upied =ran!e )ould
produ!e more useful information than a 1ata 5ari !ould learn in a (ear6 We did not rel(
on the sedu!ti-e blonde or the phon( musta!he6 The maGor part of our intelligen!e )as
the result of good old-fashioned intelle!tual s)eat6D 9n addition to their parti!ular s#ills/
field agents )ere sele!ted for their idealism6 1ost )ere under thirt( (ears old/ and the(
had a !lear !on!eption that the Allies )ere right and the A:is )as )rong6 When the(
para!huted into -illages in +urope and li-ed )ith the people fighting bare-handed
against the 8aFis/ the( de-eloped immense respe!t for the plight of those people6
The OSS )ould emplo( some thirt( thousand people b( the end of the )ar/ and its Feal
for assembling a broad !olle!tion of resour!es meant that the parti!ular s#ill or
#no)ledge possessed b( the re!ruit !ould o-ershado) nearl( an(thing else that might
ma#e the person undesirable for an intelligen!e post6 9f a dish)asher in Chi!ago spo#e
fluent 9talian and had )or#ed on the rail)a( in his home !ountr(/ he might be re!ruited
for the OSS e-en if he spent e-er( Tuesda( night at a meeting of the Communist art(
>SA6 ;ono-an had no lo-e for Communists/ but he also did not hate them so mu!h that
he let their politi!s get in the )a( of a larger goal6 After all/ this )as the 12"3s/ before
Westerners re!ogniFed that Communism )as more than Gust an e:treme politi!al
mo-ement and the -er( )ord DCommunistD be!ame s(non(mous )ith e-il6 &argel(
be!ause of the number of upper-!lass 9-( &eague graduates in the ran#s/ OSS agents at
des#s in Washington and in the field around the )orld tended to share a so!ial idealism/
the same un)a-ering faith in the !ommon man espoused b( ;ono-an6 This idealisti!
-ie) of the )or#ing man )as more !ommon among those )ho had spent time at ,ale
and on (a!hts in 4ar 5arbor than the re!ruits from the regular militar(/ but the blue-
blood idealism often meshed )ith the thin#ing of the 9talian immigrant )ho had fled
=as!ists in his homeland and )as re!ruited )hile )aiting tables in 8e) ,or#6 9t )as not
un!ommon for OSS agents ser-ing in +urope to be immigrants )ho had fled the 8aFi
onslaught and Goined the Communist mo-ement mostl( be!ause it )as staun!hl( anti-
=as!ist6 The result )as an OSS that )as not nearl( as inhospitable to Communists as
other bran!hes of the militar( or the go-ernment/ espe!iall( 5oo-er's =49/ )here an(
Communist tr(ing to infiltrate had to #eep a -er( lo) profile6
;ono-an regularl( !onfirmed that Communists )ere found throughout his organiFation6
When the OSS sent a group of four !onfirmed Communists into 9tal( to send ba!#
information/ an Ameri!an !ongressman in-estigated and angril( informed ;ono-an that
one of the group )as said to be on the honor roll of the ,oung Communist &eague6
;ono-an didn't den( the !harge but made it !lear that he didn't !are as long as the men
!ontinued sending ba!# useful intelligen!e from 9tal(6 D9 don't #no) if he's on the
Communist honor roll/ but for the Gob he's doing in 9tal(/ he's on the honor roll of OSS6D
;ono-an's attitude )as/ again/ pragmati! abo-e all else6 When the =49 presented him
)ith dossiers pro-ing that three OSS emplo(ees )ere Communists and demanded their
firing/ ;ono-an s!offed and replied/ D9 #no) the('re Communists6 That's )h( 9 hired
them6D The agents in Juestion had fought for the 7epubli!an &o(alists in the Spanish
Ci-il War of 123*-32/ in a brigade sponsored b( the Ameri!an Communist art(6 As far
as ;ono-an )as !on!erned/ the( )ere good fighters )ith a health( hatred for 8aFis/ and
that )as good enough for him6
That attitude permeated the OSS/ )ith all in-ol-ed adopting the idea that the( !ould and
should do )hate-er )as ne!essar( to a!hie-e the end goal and not )orr( about
meaningless details along the )a(6 This approa!h gre) out of the -er( freedom that the
OSS )as founded on/ the idea that its reason for e:isting )as to get things done
!reati-el(/ )ithout the usual restri!tions that hindered other militar( units6 To some
e:tent that )as an effe!ti-e )a( to !ut through the bureau!ra!( that !ould bog do)n
su!h important )or#/ but some !riti!s said the OSS too# it too far and be!ame a rogue
outfit/ too undis!iplined for its o)n good6 Though the maGorit( of OSS operati-es held
militar( ran#/ the( ignored most militar( proto!ol/ rarel( saluting and b( ne!essit(
es!he)ing militar( uniforms6 1ost agents in the field/ and e-en those )or#ing des#s in
foreign posts/ )ere allo)ed to dress ho)e-er the( )anted/ gro)ing beards and long hair
if the( felt li#e it6 9nsubordination )as a )a( of life in the OSS6 The same instru!tion
that )ould ha-e been !onsidered a dire!t order in the arm( might be !onsidered a mere
suggestion in the OSS6 9f a superior anno(ed a Gunior offi!er/ a reJuest for information
might be Dlost6D This )as not the regular arm(/ in more )a(s than one6
The OSS fa-ored results o-er drama/ but there )as no den(ing that OSS agents had the
opportunit( for more romanti! roles in the )ar than most soldiers6 7ather than fighting
on the front lines )ith a rifle or in a tan#/ the OSS agent li-ed in!onspi!uousl( behind
enem( lines/ blending into the often e:oti! lo!ales and !harming his or her )a( into the
li-es of people )ho !ould pro-ide important information6 9nstead of a fo:hole in
4elgium/ the OSS agent might be li-ing in an apartment in o!!upied aris6 lent( of
agents/ ho)e-er/ li#e 1usulin/ spent their time out in the !ountr(side )ith lo!al people
)ho )ere Gust barel( getting b(6 OSS agents )ent )here the( )ere needed and blended
in )here-er the( )ere6
The OSS )as designed to be !reati-e/ and it led the )a( in de-eloping some of the most
ingenious de-i!es and methodologies used in World War 996 ropaganda )as a maGor
fo!us/ )ith the OSS fa!ilitating radio broad!asts into enem( territor(/ leaflet drops to
lo)er the morale of A:is soldiers/ and e-en some strategies aimed at !on-in!ing the
people of German( that the )ar )as lost6 9ntelligen!e gathering )as perhaps the primar(
a!ti-it( for an agent/ but sabotage also o!!upied OSS agents to a great e:tent/ sometimes
)ith the aim of softening up an area before !on-entional for!es mo-ed in/ sometimes
)ith the goal of harassing and slo)ing do)n enem( for!es in a gi-en area6 ;ono-an
thought that his men had to be !le-er and de-ious be!ause the Germans )ere the eight-
hundred-pound gorilla of international )arfare6 There )as no den(ing that 5itler had the
arms/ the soldiers/ and the ruthless attitude ne!essar( to ta#e )hat he )anted/ so
;ono-an's theor( )as that his men )ould ta#e the other ta!#/ slipping in behind enem(
lines to !reate ma(hem6 The( !ould nip at the heels of the 8aFis/ slo)ing them do)n as
the( ra-aged another !ountr( and distra!ting them until the big guns of Ameri!an
firepo)er !ould !ome in for the #ill6
9n addition to e:tensi-e training in hand-to-hand !ombat and !on-entional )eapons/ the
OSS pro-ided agents )ith an astonishing arra( of !le-er gadgets and inno-ati-e )a(s to
#ill6 1ost of them )ere de-eloped b( Stanle( &o-ell/ handpi!#ed b( ;ono-an to head
the agen!('s resear!h-and-de-elopment bran!h6 5e )as gi-en free rein to be as de-ious
and underhanded as he )anted/ )ith a premium pla!ed on unusual/ !reati-e tools that
the enem( )ould ne-er suspe!t6 &o-ell did not disappoint/ eJuipping agents )ith spe!ial
)eapons li#e Aunt 'emima/ an e:plosi-e that loo#ed remar#abl( li#e regular flour and
!ould e-en be used to ba#e muffins and bread6 The surprise !ame )hen (ou stu!# a fuse
in the muffin and thre) it at some Germans6 There )as also the Case( 'ones/ a de-i!e
that !ould be atta!hed to the bottom of a railroad !ar6 9t had an ele!troni! e(e that sensed
the sudden de!rease in light )hen the train entered a tunnel/ )hi!h set off an e:plosi-e
!harge that filled the tunnel )ith a mangled mess of metal6 The train )as destro(ed/ the
tunnel )as blo!#ed/ and it too# da(s to remo-e the )re!#age b( hand6 As a final tou!h
in !ase the de-i!e )as dis!o-ered/ the OSS added a sti!#er to the Case( 'ones that
pla(ed into the 8aFi soldier's seeming inabilit( to !hallenge authorit(6 9n German/ the
sti!#er said/ This is a !ar mo-ement-!ontrol de-i!e6 7emo-al or tampering is stri!tl(
forbidden under hea-iest penalties b( the Third 7ei!h 7ailroad Consortium6 5eil 5itler6
Other )eapons in!luded miniature guns disguised as pens/ toba!!o pipes/ and umbrellas/
and bombs disguised as e-er(da( obGe!ts6 A fa-orite )as the lump of !oal that =elman
had seen used against a train in ,ugosla-ia6 Another )as a !andle that a female agent
!ould light )hile spending time )ith a German offi!er/ ma#ing sure she left the room
before it burned do)n to a preset mar# and e:ploded6 Shoes had hidden !a-ities and
!orsets had stilettos hidden in the fabri!6 An(thing that a person might normall( !arr(
)ithout suspi!ion )as re)or#ed in the OSS laboratories to ma#e it a )eapon/ a hiding
pla!e/ or a )a( to !olle!t information6 OSS s!ientists also produ!ed huge -olumes of
forged do!uments/ e-er(thing from identit( papers to suppl( reJuisitions and Gestapo
badges6
Some of the )eapons that &o-ell and his team designed )ere so dangerous that the OSS
lost agents )hile tr(ing to demonstrate them6 One )as the 4eano grenade/ designed to
be mu!h more deadl( than the t(pi!al grenade/ )hi!h )as plent( deadl( alread(6 A #e(
differen!e )as that the 4eano had a small butterfl(-shaped fitting on it that !aught )ind
as the grenade )as thro)n6 The butterfl( turned in the )ind/ )hi!h a!ti-ated the
grenade/ !ausing it to e:plode the instant it landed on the ground or !onta!ted an(thing
else6 This design meant that/ unli#e )hen using regular grenades that )or#ed on a timer
after pulling the pin and thro)ing it/ the enem( did not ha-e a se!ond or t)o to run
a)a(-or to pi!# up the grenade and thro) it ba!# at (ou-before it e:ploded6 The 4eano
!arried t)i!e the e:plosi-e po)er of a regular grenade and one of its first -i!tims )as an
instru!tor )ho )as ma#ing the point that the round 4eano !ould be thro)n Gust li#e a
baseball6 Without thin#ing/ he tossed the grenade up in the air as he )ould a baseball to
demonstrate6 The 4eano a!ti-ated and e:ploded )hen he !aught it on the )a( do)n6
OSS agents #ne) that the( )ere ris#ing their li-es e-er( single da( the( )ere in the
field6 9f !aught b( the enem(/ spies and saboteurs !ould be #illed on the spot )ithout
e-en -iolating the !on-entions of !i-iliFed )arfare6 8ot that the enem( ga-e a )hit
about follo)ing the rules/ of !ourse6 OSS agents #ne) that on!e the( )ere !aught/ a
Jui!# e:e!ution might be the best the( !ould hope for6 9n realit(/ the( )ere far more
li#el( to be tortured for da(s or )ee#s as the 8aFis tried to sJueeFe information out of
them or DturnD them/ for!ing them to )or# as double agents to feed misinformation to
the Allies and dra) out useful intelligen!e6 The smallest slip of the tongue or a !areless
moment of inattention !ould result in an OSS agent d(ing slo)l( and painfull( in a
Gestapo torture !hamber6 +-er( person the OSS trusted )as a lin# in the !hain/ a lin#
that !ould be bro#en and lead the Germans to (ou6
Of the 031 members of the OSS de!orated for gallantr( during World War 99/ a
signifi!ant number re!ei-ed their medals posthumousl(6 1an( disappeared )ithout
)arning/ ne-er ma#ing another radio !all to Cairo6 When the radio remained silent for
)ee#s/ their !onta!ts #ne) )hat must ha-e happened6 And on o!!asion/ the agent )ould
radio but pro-ide a subtle signal/ perhaps a slightl( different !ode )ord/ to let his
superiors #no) that he )as !onta!ting them under duress6 When that happened/ the
Allies )ould !ontinue pro-iding instru!tions and information to the agent/ ma#ing sure
that the transmissions )ere plausible enough to #eep the agent ali-e but not a!tuall(
useful to the enem( holding the gun to his head6
The brutalit( of the 8aFis #ne) no bounds6 The !ruelt( unleashed on !aptured agents
)as unspea#able/ in!luding e-er( t(pe of beating imaginable and the liberal use of
instruments of torture6 The treatment of !aptured agents )as surpassed perhaps onl( b(
the punishment e:a!ted on members of the lo!al resistan!e/ li#e the -illagers helping
hide the Allied airmen in ranGane6 9f !aught helping the Allies/ these hapless lo!al
people felt the )orst of the German militar(6 The Germans )ere great belie-ers in the
publi! spe!ta!le and the po)er of heinous a!ts to !o) an(one )ho )itnessed them
infli!ted on others6 The 8aFi SS often !astrated members of the resistan!e and gouged
their e(es out/ and a fa-orite method of terroriFing the lo!al popula!e )as to impale
members of the resistan!e on meat hoo#s in the publi! sJuare6 The prisoner's hands )ere
tied and soldiers lifted him off the ground/ positioning him so that the meat hoo#s
penetrated the underside of his Ga)6 Then the SS )ould for!e the entire -illage to file
past the man and see him )rithing in agon(6 The prisoner !ould hang for more than a
da( before the Ga)bone finall( snapped and the hoo#s )ere dri-en deep into his brain6
Ino)ing that horrors li#e that a)aited them/ man( OSS agents !arried D&D pills hidden
some)here on their persons6 The D&D stood for Dlethal6D The rubber-!oated !apsule !ould
e-en be !arried in the mouth for long periods/ read( to use if the SS !ame through the
doors6 4iting do)n on the pill )ould spill its !ontents and bring nearl( instant death6
1ost of the field agents had been re!ruited through the arm(/ so the( had substantial
militar( training and often some e:perien!e in the )ar before Goining the OSS6 The OSS
administrators/ on the other hand/ tended to be the businessmen/ the o-eredu!ated and
the )ell !onne!ted6 The( usuall( )ere re!ruited be!ause the( possessed s#ills that )ere
of use to the OSS/ and there is no disputing that the( ser-ed their !ountr( admirabl(6 4ut
ine-itabl(/ the agents ris#ing their li-es in the field de-eloped a disdain for the Dbourbon
)his#e( !olonelsD in Washington and other OSS posts )ho thought the( !ould tell them
ho) to do their Gobs6 +-en the field agent )ho had led a sedate life before be!oming a
sp( Jui!#l( de-eloped disdain for someone )ho )as gi-ing him orders from the !omfort
of &ondon or Cairo )hile he infiltrated German units and slept in pigsties6
>nfortunatel(/ these disputes sometimes )ent be(ond the t(pi!al griping that !omes
from all soldiers in the field )ho thin# their !ommanders are out of tou!h6 Arthur
Goldberg/ )ho )or#ed for the OSS and later be!ame a Supreme Court Gusti!e/
!omplained after the )ar that ;ono-an had made a maGor mista#e b( sele!ting Dmen for
the higher e!helons of the organiFation )ho b( ba!#ground and temperament )ere
uns(mpatheti! )ith ;ono-an's o)n !on!eption of the ne!essit( of unstinting
!ooperation )ith the resistan!e mo-ements6D The men and )omen in the field shared
;ono-an's enthusiasm for supporting the insurgents and guerilla mo-ements throughout
+urope/ but the OSS administrators in bet)een )ere not al)a(s as !onsistent6
The OSS also had an ongoing feud )ith the State ;epartment that )ould rear its head
later in the 1ihailo-i!h affair6 art of the dispute )as an old-fashioned turf )ar/ the t(pe
that !an be found in a thousand permutations around Washington/ ;C/ but the State
;epartment did ha-e good reason to fear ;ono-an and his !landestine arm(6 The
freest(ling )a(s of the OSS )ere a sharp !ontrast to the hidebound/ stodg(/ proto!ol-
dri-en )a(s of the State ;epartment6 Where the OSS did )hate-er it felt )ould )or# in
a gi-en situation/ the State ;epartment )as hobbled b( tradition and diplomati! ni!eties6
An anal(st mo-ing from the OSS to the State ;epartment )ould be mo-ing from a
politi!all( liberal/ d(nami!/ intelle!tuall( dri-en agen!( to one that )as !onser-ati-e
and dri-en largel( b( the !areer ambitions of bureau!rats6 State ;epartment offi!ials
#ne) that meant ;ono-an !ould al)a(s !ome out ahead )hen the president loo#ed for
results6
1usulin's !onfirmation about the number of airmen )ith 1ihailo-i!h/ and his outrage at
the abandonment of 1ihailo-i!h/ built on the emotions the letter from 1irGana stirred in
AuGno-i!h6 When he started loo#ing into the possibilit( of res!uing the do)ned airmen
in the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ he #ne) immediatel( that politi!al !on!erns )ould be the first
!hallenge6 A (ear earlier/ the same res!ue mission )ould ha-e been a -er( different
proposition6 9t )ould ha-e been a Juestion of logisti!s mostl(/ a routine sort of de!ision
about if/ ho)/ and )hen su!h a large res!ue !ould be made6 The ans)er might be no/ but
it )ould be for realisti! reasons/ not politi!al ones6
9n the spring of 12""/ ho)e-er/ the logisti!al Juestion too# a ba!#seat to politi!s6 When
AuGno-i!h presented his plans for res!uing the do)ned airmen in ,ugosla-ia/ his
superiors in the OSS #ne) there )ould be trouble getting appro-al from Washington6
Aside from the ris#s of the mission/ the Allies )ere no) lo!#ed into their stated position
that 1ihailo-i!h )as a 8aFi !ollaborator and !ould not be trusted6 All Allied aid )as
gi-en to Tito's for!es/ )hi!h ended up using the guns and ammunition against
1ihailo-i!h as mu!h as against the Germans6
9f AuGno-i!h !ould not get past the politi!al impediments it didn't matter )hether he
!ould !ome up )ith a )a( to get those men out6 The mission !ould ne-er ta#e pla!e
)ithout appro-al from -er( high up/ espe!iall( a res!ue this large and one that )ould
ha-e to be so daring6 AuGno-i!h )or#ed )ith other OSS leaders in 4ari and started
formulating a plan6 The OSS met )ith General 8athan T)ining/ !ommanding general of
the =ifteenth Air =or!e/ and at that meeting 1usulin emphasiFed the need for an
immediate res!ue6 The group dis!ussed ho) su!h a large res!ue might be a!!omplished/
and then the( sent the reJuest up the !hain of !ommand6 The OSS in 4ari and the
=ifteenth Air =or!e )ere in agreement that the( )anted to go ahead )ith a res!ue
mission/ but e-er( time the reJuest )ent a!ross another bureau!rat's des#/ the response
)as the same< We'd lo-e to res!ue those men/ but ho) !an )e do that no) that )e'-e
)ritten off 1ihailo-i!h as a 8aFi !ollaborator$ 9f he reall( !an't be trusted/ this )ould be
a sui!ide mission6 And )hat if it's all a tri!#$ What if he doesn't ha-e a hundred airmen
)aiting to be res!ued$
AuGno-i!h suspe!ted the real moti-ation )as fear that 1ihailo-i!h did ha-e the airmen
and reall( )as prote!ting them6 That !ould !reate an a)#)ard situation if the man that
the Allies a!!used of !ollaborating )ith the 8aFis a!tuall( )as prote!ting the do)ned
airmen6 9f the( )ent in and res!ued the airmen/ ho) !ould the Allies !ontinue !alling
1ihailo-i!h a !ollaborator$
The 4ritish/ still operating on the false information fed to them b( their sp( 'ames
Ilugmann/ )ere -ehementl( opposed to an(one going into 1ihailo-i!h's territor( for
an( reason/ as )ere the 7ussians6 The 4ritish insisted that 1ihailo-i!h !ould not be
trusted and that no res!ue mission be attempted6 9t )as eas( for them to sa( that/
AuGno-i!h thought6 There )ere ma(be a fe) 4ritish fliers among the do)ned airmen in
,ugosla-ia/ but there )ere a hundred or more Ameri!ans tr(ing to get out/ and the 4rits
)ere )illing to let them sta( in ,ugosla-ia until the Germans found them/ the(
su!!umbed to inGuries and disease/ or in some other )a( )ere no longer a problem6
AuGno-i!h and the others in 4ari #ept pushing and e-entuall( the debate )ent all the
)a( to the top6 On 'ul( "/ 12""/ ;ono-an sent a letter to resident 7oose-elt as#ing for
permission to send in a team of agents to !ondu!t the res!ue/ )or#ing the reJuest into a
larger dis!ussion about ho) ;ono-an and his subordinates )ere not happ( about losing
their presen!e in the territor( !ontrolled b( 1ihailo-i!h6 5e noted in the letter that
1usulin had been )ithdra)n at the reJuest of Chur!hill/ but he e:plained that the
!hanging fronts of the )ar made it imperati-e to gather more intelligen!e from the
region6 ;ono-an )as !areful to a!#no)ledge the deli!ate dan!e that had to ta#e pla!e
bet)een the >nited States and 4ritain )hen dis!ussing intelligen!e operations in
,ugosla-ia/ noting that there )as Da basi! differen!e bet)een !landestine agents sent in
for the purpose of obtaining general information and operational re!onnaissan!e dire!ted
to the preparation of militar( mo-ements6D 5is interpretation of the !urrent arrangement
)ith the SO+ )as that the first !ould be !arried out b( either the Ameri!ans or the
4ritish )ithout ea!h other's appro-al/ )hile the se!ond reJuired !oordination6
=urther/ the 4ritish intend to send ?if the( ha-e not alread( done so@ an intelligen!e team
into that area6 9n -ie) of the abo-e fa!ts/ and parti!ularl( of the -ie) of General T5enr(U
Wilson that )e aid him in sear!hing for Ameri!an pilots no) #no)n to be in that area/ 9
respe!tfull( reJuest that )e be permitted to send in our intelligen!e team and also our
sear!h parties6
;ono-an's letter had been !arefull( !rafted to !on-e( the proper respe!t for diplomati!
!hannels and the propriet( of international relations during )artime/ the bureau!rati!
language stri#ing all the reJuired notes6 4ut he )as mu!h more dire!t )hen spea#ing to
the president in person a fe) da(s later6 As the( )ere dis!ussing the issue/ 7oose-elt
made it !lear that he )anted to res!ue the airmen but )as !on!erned about ho) the
4ritish )ould respond6
Wild 4ill ;ono-an/ a man #no)n for min!ing no )ords and doing )hate-er it too# to
get the Gob done/ spo#e plainl( to the president< DS!re) the 4ritish! &et's get our bo(s
out!D This )as a ta!ti! that ;ono-an often used )hen he )as fed up )ith the insanel(
politi!al maneu-ering bet)een the OSS/ the State ;epartment/ and an(one else )ho
thought the( #ne) better than he did< 'ust sa( it in plain +nglish6 Get right to the point6
Sometimes it )or#ed/ sometimes it didn't6 =ortunatel( the president )as in the same no-
nonsense mood that da( and agreed6 Word )as sent from Washington to 9tal(/ and on
'ul( 1"/ 12""/ &ieutenant General 9ra +a#er/ the !ommander of the 1editerranean Allied
Air =or!e/ signed an order !reating the Air Cre) 7es!ue >nit ?AC7>@6 The unit )as
assigned t)o 4-2% bombers to use as needed/ and the =ifteenth Air =or!e )as on !all to
pro-ide )hate-er other air resour!es AC7> )anted6 The order !reating AC7> spe!ified
that its )or# )ould be !arried out b( OSS agents and that missions )ould be
!oordinated from 4ari6 AC7> )as !ommanded b( none other than Colonel George
Iraigher/ AuGno-i!h's old friend from an Ameri!an6
Iraigher's in-ol-ement ga-e AuGno-i!h some degree of !onfiden!e that this )as a team
he !ould trust6 AuGno-i!h and his men !ould go ahead )ith his ris#( plan6 Whether the(
!ould pull it off )as still -er( mu!h in doubt6
Chapter 11
Goats' 1il# and 5a( 4read
The 4ritish )ere none too happ( )hen the( heard about the formation of AC7> and the
impending mission to 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters/ suspe!ting that it )as reall( Gust an
attempt b( ;ono-an to reestablish an OSS presen!e in that part of ,ugosla-ia6 The(
)ere at least partiall( right6 ;ono-an )anted to res!ue the airmen for humanitarian
reasons/ but he )as far too sa--( to o-erloo# the strategi! potential of sending in a
mission6
=i-e da(s after the spe!ial AC7> team )as !reated/ ;ono-an sent an urgent message
notif(ing its members that 1ihailo-i!h had !onta!ted the ,ugosla- embass( in
Washington )ith the ne)s that about one hundred airmen )ere )aiting for res!ue6 This
)as not ne)s to an(one b( this time/ of !ourse/ though it ma( ha-e been the first time
that one of 1ihailo-i!h's man( pleas for a res!ue offi!iall( made it to the des# of
someone )ho !ould a!t on it6 A)are that AuGno-i!h and e-er(one else in 4ari alread(
#ne) 1ihailo-i!h )as hiding the airmen/ ;ono-an ne-ertheless used the offi!ial
!ommuni!ation from 1ihailo-i!h as an opportunit( to mo-e the res!ue for)ard and to
pursue his o)n goals )ith AC7>6 ;ono-an for)arded the message from 1ihailo-i!h as
if it )ere urgent ne)s6
,ou are reJuested/ therefore/ to a!t on this soonest/ using this !han!e as a means of
establish Tsi!U a !landestine intelligen!e team in ,ugosla-ia6 9n order that our !olleagues
ma( not ta#e ad-antage of our present position/ (ou must a!t soonest6
9n other )ords/ get the OSS team in there fast/ )hile )e ha-e this message from
1ihailo-i!h as our reason for going in right a)a(/ and before Dour !olleaguesD the
4ritish !an interfere6
AuGno-i!h didn't need to be persuaded6 5e )as in agreement )ith ;ono-an's intentions
and he )as )or#ing hard )ith the AC7> team to organiFe the res!ue6 4ut as soon as he
got the go-ahead from Washington/ AuGno-i!h realiFed he )as fa!ing a big !hallenge6
With the res!ues that alread( had been !arried out in ,ugosla-ia/ the idea of going in to
pi!# up do)ned airmen )as not radi!al in itself/ but the situation had !hanged a lot in
the past (ear/ and AuGno-i!h #ne) this res!ue )ould not be li#e the ones before6 There
)as no real support from the 4ritish and onl( a grudging a!!eptan!e of the president's
order/ unli#e pre-ious missions that had been !arried out as Goint operations bet)een the
Allies )ith !omplete !ooperation6 And the pre-ious missions had brought out a fe)
doFen airmen/ mostl( b( shuttling them through ,ugosla-ia's underground railroad to a
safe Fone )here the( !ould be pi!#ed up in relati-e safet(6 As re!entl( as ;e!ember
12"3/ OSS &ieutenant George Wu!hini!h para!huted into ,ugosla-ia )ith t)o other
agents and/ )hile pursuing other mission obGe!ti-es to gather intelligen!e/ managed to
res!ue ninet( do)ned airmen o-er a four-month period6
With e-er(thing !hanged in ,ugosla-ia/ and )ith so man( more men a)aiting res!ue
than e-er before/ this mission )ould be different6
1usulin had told him there )ere about one hundred airmen )aiting in ranGane/
AuGno-i!h thought6 One hundred6 That number alone meant that the res!ue )as
e:ponentiall( more diffi!ult and dangerous than an( that had been !arried out before6
5o) do (ou get one hundred si!#l(/ inGured airmen out of enem( territor( )ithout the
Germans noti!ing$ There )ere far too man( to Gust tr( to slip them out on a small plane/
and mo-ing them all to a border )here the( might snea# a!ross )as out of the Juestion6
The( ris#ed being !aught if the( -entured a)a( from ranGane/ and AuGno-i!h #ne) that
one hundred men !an't mo-e an()here )ith stealth6 5e de!ided there )as onl( one )a(
to res!ue these men6 The( )ould ha-e to go in and pi!# them up from ranGane/ right
)here the( )ere6 9t )as the onl( )a(/ he #ept telling himself/ partl( to !on-in!e himself
that he )asn't organiFing a sui!ide mission6 9t's the onl( )a( to get them out6 We ha-e to
go pi!# them up6
The numbers !ompli!ated e-er(thing6 9f it )ere a doFen airmen needing res!ue/ it
)ouldn't ha-e been su!h a )ild idea to Gust send an OSS plane to land some)here
nearb( and then snea# ba!# out of ,ugosla-ia6 Or (ou might be able to mo-e through
o!!upied territor( until the( rea!hed a border that !ould be !rossed6 4ut )ith one
hundred men/ ho) man( planes )ould that ta#e$ 5o) man( times )ould the( ha-e to
land/ pi!# up the airmen/ ta#e off/ and fl( home )ithout being !aught$ On!e )as ris#(/
but more than that )as Gust foolhard(/ )asn't it$ 1a(be so/ AuGno-i!h de!ided/ but there
)as no other !hoi!e6 So AuGno-i!h's plan began to ta#e shape< The OSS )ould organiFe
a res!ue b( first sending in agents to prepare the airmen/ and then the =ifteenth Air
=or!e )ould send in a fleet of planes to land in enem( territor( and bring them home6
When AuGno-i!h approa!hed his !ounterparts in the air for!e/ the( had him !oordinate
)ith an air for!e offi!er )ho suggested the rugged C-".6 The ubiJuitous C-". filled
man( different roles in World War 99-e-er(thing from troop transport and !argo deli-er(
to paratrooper drops and res!ue missions6 The plane's -ersatilit( led to the ni!#name
S#(train6 The t)o-engine plane had a room( interior that !ould be outfitted an( )a( the
user )anted/ )ith seats/ guns/ or radios/ or left empt( to hold an(thing (ou needed
hauled from point A to point 46 The( )ere the primar( utilit( plane of the Ameri!an
militar(/ ser-ing all o-er +urope and pla(ing a #e( role in the ;-;a( in-asion of
8ormand(6 9n !i-ilian life/ it )as #no)n as the ;C-1/ ;C-2/ or ;C-36 With a )ingspan
of ninet(-fi-e feet and a length of si:t(-three feet/ the C-". )as a big/ bul#( plane/ but it
reJuired a !re) of onl( four6 When outfitted )ith seats as a passenger plane/ a C-".
!ould !arr( onl( a doFen people in addition to the !re)6 The airmen in ,ugosla-ia )ould
be pi!#ed up b( C-". !argo planes )ith mostl( empt( interiors/ ma#ing it possible to
!arr( more6 4ut under the !onditions of this res!ue/ the planes )ould probabl( !arr( no
more than a doFen passengers per plane6
That's a lot of landings and ta#eoffs to get one hundred men out/ AuGno-i!h )orried6 5e
didn't (et #no) that his !hallenge )as e-en bigger than that6 4e!ause of the la!# of
intelligen!e !oming from 1ihailo-i!h's !amp after 1usulin )as pulled out/ he did not
(et #no) that the number of men in ranGane had surpassed one hundred and )as
gro)ing bigger e-er( da(6
DAnd another thing/D the Air =or!e offi!er told AuGno-i!h6 DThose bo(s in ranGane )ill
need to build an airstrip6 There is no suitable landing area around ranGane/ so it )ill be
up to the airmen and the -illagers to build a landing strip big enough for a C-".6D
AuGno-i!h #ne) the airmen and the -illagers had no tools other than )hate-er farm
implements might be around/ so the( )ould be building the airstrip prett( mu!h )ith
their bare hands6 5e had to hope the( !ould find a flat enough area to ma#e the landings
possible/ and that the( !ould build the ma#eshift run)a( )ithout attra!ting attention
from the Germans Gust a fe) miles do)n in the -alle(6 8aFi planes fle) o-erhead all the
time/ prompting the airmen to di-e for !o-er lest the( be dis!o-ered/ so it )as going to
be a !hallenge to build an airstrip for C-".s )ithout being !aught6 And the !onseJuen!es
)ere substantial6 9f their efforts to prepare for the res!ue ga-e a)a( their lo!ation/
AuGno-i!h #ne) the Germans )ould respond in one of t)o )a(s< +ither the( )ould
!ome in immediatel( to raid ranGane/ #ill the airmen and probabl( do )orse to the
-illagers and Chetni#s )ho helped them/ or the( )ould )ait until the res!ue attempt so
the( !ould do all of that and #ill the res!uers6
Se!re!( )as paramount/ so the C-".s )ould go into ,ugosla-ia Gust a fe) at a time/
)ithout fighter es!orts/ to #eep the mission !landestine6 A big pa!# of C-".s and fighter
planes )ould onl( dra) attention and in-ite atta!#6
As if that )asn't enough of a !hallenge/ the air for!e offi!er informed AuGno-i!h of one
last detail< DThe planes )ill ha-e to go in at night/ landing on that rough little airstrip in
pit!h-bla!# dar#ness6 9t's the onl( )a( to impro-e the !argo planes' !han!es of going
undete!ted b( the Germans6D
AuGno-i!h understood the ne!essit( of a nighttime res!ue/ but he !ould hardl( belie-e
ho) diffi!ult this mission )as be!oming6 AuGno-i!h )as no pilot/ but he #ne) that a
dar# landing on an unfamiliar ma#eshift run)a( )ould !hallenge e-en the most
e:perien!ed fliers/ and if one of the planes !rashed in the dar#/ that )ould be the end of
the res!ue6 8o more planes !ould landH doFens )ould die in the !rash itselfH and the
!ommotion )ould probabl( bring in the Germans to finish off the rest6
This )as an auda!ious plan/ a res!ue attempt unli#e an( e-er attempted b( the OSS or
an(one else6 AuGno-i!h #ne) that his !areer )as on the line )ith this mission be!ause he
had pushed so hard for it and be!ause he )as betting so mu!h on )hat 23E23 hindsight
surel( )ould !all a desperate/ ill-ad-ised foll( if it failed6 5is o)n future )as not a
priorit( at the time/ ho)e-er6 AuGno-i!h felt a great responsibilit( to get it right/ to ma#e
sure he )as )or#ing through e-er( possible s!enario/ be!ause so man( li-es depended
on this res!ue being !ompleted smoothl(6 8ot onl( )ere the airmen's li-es at sta#e/ but
AuGno-i!h )as putting a great man( more on the line< the -illagers in ranGane/ the
Chetni#s/ and the doFens of OSS agents and air for!e fliers )ho )ould !arr( out the
mission6 AuGno-i!h )ent o-er the details again and again6 There )as so mu!h ris#
in-ol-ed/ so man( )a(s that the )hole plan !ould fall apart/ but there )as no other )a(
to get them out6 The( had to ma#e this )or#6 The( had to6
AuGno-i!h started putting together a team for the mission to ,ugosla-ia6 5e )as
relu!tant to hand o-er su!h an important and ris#( plan to someone else/ not to mention
that he might be sending agents to their deaths/ so AuGno-i!h's first intention )as to go
into ,ugosla-ia himself6 5e )as more of a des# offi!er b( this point/ but he )as full(
trained as a field agent and he #ne) the language6 That plan didn't get off the ground/
ho)e-er6 When AuGno-i!h briefed his superiors about his intention to lead the mission/
)ord spread to the State ;epartment/ )hi!h )as not happ( that this mission )as going
for)ard at all6 The idea of AuGno-i!h/ #no)n to be a die-hard anti-Communist/
para!huting into ,ugosla-ia made them uneas(6 Who #ne) )hat this brash Communist-
hating OSS offi!er )ould do if he )ere allo)ed into ,ugosla-ia to meet up )ith
1ihailo-i!h$
So one da( the State ;epartment liaison to the OSS in 4ari !ame to AuGno-i!h's offi!e
and handed him a telegram6 The message said/ =ormer na-al person obGe!ts to George
AuGno-i!h going into 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters6 Therefore he )ill not be sent6 9t )as
signed b( resident 7oose-elt6
AuGno-i!h #ne) that Dformer na-al personD )as a !ommon euphemism for 4ritish rime
1inister Winston Chur!hill/ )ho had ser-ed as =irst &ord of the Admiralt( in World War
9 and the earl( part of World War 996 The pi!ture )as !lear to AuGno-i!h< The
Communists had !on-in!ed Chur!hill that he )as not suffi!ientl( pro-Tito and anti-
1ihailo-i!h/ so it )as too ris#( to let him go6 AuGno-i!h )ould ha-e to find someone
else to lead the mission/ and he didn't ha-e to loo# far6 5is se!ond !hoi!e for leading the
mission had al)a(s been the ob-ious one-1usulin6
1usulin )as eager to go ba!# into ,ugosla-ia6 5e hadn't )anted to lea-e in the first
pla!e and had done e-er(thing he !ould to a-oid follo)ing orders/ so he Gumped at the
!han!e to lead this !riti!al mission6 5e #ne) ho) diffi!ult it )ould be/ but he also #ne)
ho) mu!h those men needed help6 5e had been )ith them alread(6 5e #ne) the
Ameri!ans streaming into ranGane )ere hanging on the hope that one da( the
Ameri!ans )ould !ome for them6 AuGno-i!h didn't e-en ha-e to as#6 5e #ne) ho)
badl( 1usulin )anted to return/ so he simpl( told him one da(/ DGeorge/ the('re not
going to let me go6 ,ou'll lead the mission6D 1usulin )as o-erGo(ed/ a big smile pier!ing
the bush( bla!# beard he still sported6 The( needed three agents altogether/ and 1usulin
)or#ed )ith AuGno-i!h to pi!# the other t)o members of the team/ loo#ing for men )ho
!ould spea# the language and )hom he !ould trust )ith so man( li-es6
To )or# alongside 1usulin/ the( !hose another OSS agent )ho spo#e the lo!al
language6 Sergeant 1i#e 7aGa!i!h/ from Washington/ ;C/ and of ,ugosla-ian des!ent/
had arri-ed in 4ari onl( da(s earlier/ but he had ser-ed in Cairo sin!e O!tober 12"3 and
!ame highl( re!ommended6 7aGa!i!h mentioned to AuGno-i!h that if he needed another
agent )ith the right language s#ills he !ould !ount on 8i!# &ali!h/ a handsome (oung
OSS offi!er )ith a big bla!# musta!he6 The son of Serbian immigrants/ &ali!h )as in
the Cairo OSS post and assigned to the a!ti-ities in ,ugosla-ia6 4oth of these men !ould
be trusted )ith this important mission/ and 1usulin seemed !omfortable )ith the idea of
ta#ing 7aGa!i!h in as the se!ond agent6 &ali!h )asn't needed at the moment/ but
AuGno-i!h )as glad to #no) he )as a-ailable6
The team )as not (et !omplete/ ho)e-er6 This )as to be a three-man team and e-er(
infiltration team li#e this needed a radio operator6 +-en though the OSS had a!!ess to
the most ad-an!ed radio eJuipment a-ailable/ World-War-99-era radios that !ould
transmit from one !ountr( to another )ere bul#(/ temperamental de-i!es that reJuired a
s#illed operator/ a far !r( from the push-and-tal# radios of the modern militar(6 OSS
agents often )ere hindered b( the need to !arr( around a suit!ase-siFed radio/ most
freJuentl( disguised as an a!tual suit!ase/ and not Gust an( OSS agent !ould use the
de-i!e effe!ti-el(6 =or this mission/ AuGno-i!h #ne) that it )as !ru!ial to ha-e reliable
!ommuni!ation from the field so that the diffi!ult res!ue !ould be !oordinated properl(/
and that meant sending in someone )ith the best possible radio e:pertise6 When he
!onsidered the agents a-ailable/ AuGno-i!h )as pleased to find one )ho not onl( had
pro-en himself an e:!ellent radioman but )ho also had been behind enem( lines in
,ugosla-ia before6 Arthur 'ibilian/ a !ompa!t/ amiable fello) from Toledo/ Ohio/ )asn't
the most !o!#( of the OSS agents and didn't inspire fear at first glan!e-unli#e sa(/
1usulin/ )hom (ou )ouldn't )ant to see !harging to)ard (ou in anger-but AuGno-i!h
#ne) he )as a !ombat -eteran )ho !ould ta#e !are of himself in 8aFi territor(6
Onl( a !ouple months earlier/ 'ibilian himself )as on the ground in ,ugosla-ia running
from the Germans and hoping he )ould ma#e it ba!# ali-e6 5e had spent t)o months
gathering intelligen!e behind enem( lines/ this time )ith Tito's for!es/ narro)l(
es!aping death man( times6 The e:perien!e had ta#en him a long )a( from the Art
'ibilian that people #ne) before the )ar6 A se!ond-generation Ameri!an of Armenian
des!ent/ 'ibilian )as raised b( his !ousins Sar#is and O#sana 'ibilian be!ause his father
had fled the Tur#s during a Tur#ishEArmenian )ar/ after his o)n father )as beheaded6
'ibilian's father !ame to Ameri!a to es!ape a similar fate/ lea-ing his mother/ t)o
brothers/ and one sister behind in Armenia/ but e-entuall( the Tur#s dro-e the famil(
out/ )ith one brother and 'ibilian's sister d(ing in the pro!ess6 The mother and the
sur-i-ing son es!aped to the >nited States to Goin his father/ and Arthur 'ibilian )as
born soon after in 12236 The famil( had settled in Cle-eland b( the time he )as born/
but an( dreams of an id(lli! Ameri!an life )ere shattered )hen 'ibilian's mother
!ommitted sui!ide onl( eighteen months after he )as born/ the pain of losing her other
!hildren and the terror she e:perien!ed in Armenia too mu!h for her to bear6 'ibilian's
father left soon after and so did his older brother/ lea-ing the (oung Ameri!an-born bo(
to be !ared for b( !ousins in Toledo6
'ibilian-#no)n as 'ibb( to friends-had onl( re!entl( graduated from high s!hool )hen
'apan atta!#ed earl 5arbor6 &i#e so man( other men of his generation/ he mar!hed
right do)nto)n to enlist in the militar(/ and li#e a great man( of them/ he )anted to Goin
the 8a-( Air Corps to be a flier6 4ut he missed a letter on the e(e e:am and )as ad-ised
to !ome ba!# and tr( again in a !ouple )ee#s6 4efore he !ould get ba!# to the re!ruiting
offi!e/ bad ne)s !ame to the household6 5is !ousin Sar#is/ )hom he loo#ed to as a
father figure/ )as diagnosed )ith lung !an!er and 'ibilian de!ided he had to sta( )ith
him instead of enlisting right a)a(6 Sar#is died on 'anuar( 12/ 12"3/ and before he !ould
tr( enlisting in the 8a-( Air Corps again/ he )as drafted into the regular na-(/ not the
air !orps6 With Sar#is's death/ 'ibilian felt all alone and sa) the draft noti!e as an
a!!eptable alternati-e to pursuing life in Toledo on his o)n6 There )as no longer
an(thing to #eep him there/ so he )as happ( to arri-e at boot !amp on 1ar!h 1%/ 12"36
A series of e:ams re-ealed that 'ibilian !ould be a good radioman/ so before long he
started learning 1orse !ode and na-( proto!ol for radio !ommuni!ations6
One da( in boot !amp/ 'ibilian heard that there )ould be a -isitor from the OSS and that
he )anted to meet an(one )ho spo#e a foreign language6 'ibilian spo#e Armenian/ but
he )asn't sure ho) useful that )ould be )hen the !ountr( )as fighting 'apanese and
Germans6 5e )ent to the meeting an()a( and )as inter-ie)ed b( a lieutenant
!ommander from the OSS )ho !onfirmed that/ indeed/ the( )eren't so interested in
people )ho spo#e Armenian6 D4ut )e are interested in radio operators6 We're in
desperate need of some good radiomen/D he e:plained6 DAnd )ho #no)s$ That
Armenian might !ome in hand( someda(6D When 'ibilian as#ed about e:a!tl( )hat a
radioman )ould do for the OSS/ the lieutenant !ommander e:plained that the(
a!!ompanied other agents into the field/ usuall( para!huting into enem( territor(/ and
used the radio to rela( intelligen!e su!h as troop mo-ements6 The( also might ta#e part
in sabotage su!h as blo)ing up bridges6 'ibilian )as thin#ing about )hether he should
-olunteer for that #ind of assignment )hen the OSS man spo#e again6
D&et me ma#e one thing -er( !lear/D he said6 DThese missions are e:tremel( dangerous6
+-er( time (ou go out there's a good !han!e (ou )on't !ome ba!#6 This is a -olunteer
assignmentH (ou don't ha-e to do this if (ou don't )ant to6D
'ibilian appre!iated the offi!er's !andor and he !ontinued pondering the possibilities
)hile the other man sat and )aited for him to de!ide6 5e too# onl( a short moment
before spea#ing up/ sa(ing/ D9'm interested6 9'll -olunteer6D The OSS offi!er )as glad to
hear it and shoo# 'ibilian's hand/ telling him he )as ma#ing the right !hoi!e and doing a
tremendous ser-i!e to his !ountr(6 'ibilian hoped so6 5e felt good about the de!ision/ but
he had Gust -olunteered for something far more dangerous than an(thing he probabl(
)ould ha-e been assigned in the arm(6 The danger a!tuall( )as one thing that pushed
him to)ard -olunteering/ not be!ause he )as a big ris# ta#er but be!ause he #ne) he
)as different than a lot of gu(s in boot !amp )ho had families/ )i-es/ e-en !hildren to
go home to after the )ar6
9'm more e:pendable6 9 don't ha-e an( immediate famil( and ma(be it's better that 9 ta#e
a dangerous assignment than let it go to some gu( )ho has people )aiting for him at
home6 Shoot/ 9 don't e-en ha-e a girl6 So if an(bod( is Jualified for a dangerous
assignment/ it's me6
At least it should be more interesting than sitting on a ship out in the o!ean and tuning a
radio/ he thought6
After the initial e:!itement and an:iet( about -olunteering for the OSS/ 'ibilian didn't
hear an(thing more about it until Gust before he had !ompleted his training for be!oming
a radioman6 5e )as beginning to thin# the OSS had forgotten about him or didn't need
him an(more/ but then he re!ei-ed orders stating he )as on Ddeta!hed temporar( dut(
)ith the Offi!e of Strategi! Ser-i!es6D So 'ibilian )as in the OSS after all6 The orders
said he )as to report immediatel( to the =arm outside Washington/ ;C/ the same pla!e
that AuGno-i!h and s!ores of other agents had been trained in sp( !raft6 There he
under)ent the same training as e-er( other agent/ learning to #ill and a-oid being #illed/
but the OSS also pro-ided spe!ialiFed training in the use of the radios that sp( teams
too# into the field6 The radio set !onsisted of a transmitter/ a re!ei-er/ and a po)er pa!#/
all fit into a small suit!ase that/ the agents hoped/ !ould let them mingle into a !ro)d of
refugees or at least loo# reasonable as (ou )ere )al#ing do)n a road in +urope6 After
that training/ 'ibilian and some other agents in training )ere sent to =ort 4enning/
Georgia/ )here the( spent a )ee#-instead of the t(pi!al four to si: )ee#s-learning ho)
to para!hute out of a plane6 8ot long after/ he found himself at the OSS post in Cairo
)here/ in his do)ntime/ he managed to ma#e !onta!t )ith members of his famil( from
Armenia6
'ibilian )as still )aiting for his first mission )hen he heard that OSS &ieutenant +li
opo-i!h )as loo#ing for a radio operator to Goin him and Colonel &(nn =arish on a trip
behind enem( lines in ,ugosla-ia6 =arish had alread( made one trip into ,ugosla-ia/ but
he had been unsatisfied )ith ha-ing to rel( on 4ritish radio operators to get his reports
out6 5e insisted that for this mission the( should ta#e an Ameri!an radioman6 There
)eren't that man( a-ailable/ so the roo#ie 'ibilian got the nod6 5e )as thrilled to be
sele!ted/ as he )as eager to a!tuall( put his s#ills to use6 The mission/ !ode named
Columbia/ )as laun!hed from 4rindisi on the night of 1ar!h 1%/ 12""6 opo-i!h/
=arish/ and 'ibilian para!huted into ,ugosla-ian territor( held b( Tito's artisans6 When
'ibilian hit the ground/ the most grueling t)o months of his life began6
On!e the( landed in the )ooded hills at the base of a mountain range/ the team made
sure the area )as safe and then 'ibilian set up his transmitter to tr( to !onta!t the OSS
post6 5e )as eager to pro-e himself and do his Gob/ but he )as also ner-ous6 The
adrenaline !oursed through him and his heart pounded as he manipulated the !ontrols of
the radio/ tr(ing to get a signal through to Cairo and listening for a response6 There )as
nothing despite repeated tries6 5e #ept sending the signal o-er and o-er/ )aiting for a
!all ba!#/ and )hen nothing !ame/ he de!ided he had to use more antenna6 opo-i!h and
=arish )at!hed )ith !on!ern as he unreeled more of the )ire antenna hidden in the
suit!ase/ hoping it )ould boost the signal strength but also #no)ing that he )as
in!reasing the !han!es that the Germans !ould use a dire!tion finder/ #no)n as a ;= to
radiomen/ to ele!troni!all( home in on the broad!ast and find the trio of spies6 9t )as
ris#(/ but it )or#ed6 'ibilian finall( got a signal to Cairo and felt he had redeemed
himself )ith the other t)o more e:perien!ed agents6 The( )ere surprised to find out
)h( it had been so diffi!ult ma#e !onta!t6 9t hadn't been 'ibilian's fault at all6 5is radio
signals )ere going through Gust fine/ but no one )as listening for them in the Cairo OSS
post be!ause the( thought the mission had been !an!elled6
After straightening out the mi:-up/ the team )as getting !omfortable in their hiding spot
and 'ibilian !ontinued transmitting some information to Cairo6 Suddenl( he heard planes
o-erhead6
DThe( put a ;= on us!D 'ibilian !alled to the other t)o/ instantl( realiFing )hat had
happened6 5e turned off the radio's po)er suppl( and hastil( pa!#ed it all a)a(6
opo-i!h and =arish grabbed their gear and prepared to run as 'ibilian slammed the
radio suit!ase shut and grabbed his o)n bags6 The( )ere alread( sprinting deeper into
the )oods )hen the 1essers!hmitts and Stu#a di-e bombers opened fire on their
lo!ation/ strafing them )ith large-!aliber ma!hine guns that )ould tear them apart
instantl(6 The planes !ontinued strafing/ !limbing/ turning/ and !oming ba!# for another
atta!#6 The trio narro)l( es!aped being #illed as rounds hit the trees and the ground all
around them/ and then the( thought the( had made it up high enough in the hills so that
the pilots didn't #no) )here the( )ere6 The( )ere e:hausted from running uphill/
s!ared for their li-es/ )hile hauling all their gear6 'ibilian fell on top of his radio
suit!ase/ his !hest hea-ing/ gasping for air6 4ut the( had onl( a brief respite before the
planes )ere on them again6 The pilots must ha-e guessed that the( ran uphill into the
more dense )ood !o-er/ and the( )ere repeatedl( strafing the area in hopes of a lu!#(
hit6 The men started running again and it )asn't long before opo-i!h and =arish
dropped their gear bags6 'ibilian hung on to the hea-( radio set as long as he !ould/ but
he !ouldn't #eep up6 One of the other men loo#ed ba!# and (elled at 'ibilian to drop the
radio/ and he )el!omed the order6 The radio set fell a)a( li#e almost all of their other
gear as the( !ontinued running/ dodging trees in the dar# and tr(ing to outpa!e the plane
atta!#s6
The OSS team remained on the run for fi-e da(s and si: nights6 After es!aping the initial
atta!# on the first night/ the( #ne) the Germans )ere onto them6 That )as !onfirmed
the ne:t morning )hen the( sa) planes o-erhead loo#ing for an( sign of the spies/ and
the( !ould see ground units mo-ing into the area to hunt them do)n6 The( had no
!hoi!e but to run and #eep running/ to get higher into the hills )here it )as harder for
the German troops to follo) and )here the( might find more hiding pla!es6 Their
mission to gather intelligen!e had been abandoned for the moment and the( )ere in the
most basi! of all mind-sets< running for their li-es6 ;ressed onl( in their summer #ha#is/
)hi!h had been appropriate at lo)er altitudes/ the( ran higher and higher into the sno)(
mountain trails/ the air gro)ing !older )ith e-er( step6 +-entuall( the( ran into
sno)drifts/ some so deep that the( had to pull ea!h other out before !ontinuing on6
When the( stopped to !at!h their breath/ their s)eat-soa#ed !lothes froFe to their bodies/
tha)ing again on!e the( started to mo-e on6
As the( rea!hed higher ele-ations the trio thought the Germans )ere not Juite so !lose
on their trail and the( slo)ed their pa!e6 The( )ould ha-e slo)ed an()a(/ sin!e the(
)ere all e:hausted6 1a#ing their )a( along mountain trails used b( the lo!als/ the( ran
into lo!al -illagers )ho )ere pleased to see Ameri!ans6 Though these )ere not
1ihailo-i!h supporters/ li#e those harboring the airmen in ranGane/ these -illagers )ere
Gust as gra!ious and )el!oming to the need( Ameri!ans6 'ibilian and the other men li-ed
on onl( )hat the lo!al peasants !ould spare/ a bit of goat !heese and bread made )ith
ha( to e:tend the meager flour on hand/ perhaps a pear pi!#ed from a tree6 The ha(
bread )as tough and dense/ but it )as filling6 The strange food and e:ertion ga-e all
three men a bad !ase of diarrhea6
After about a )ee#/ the Germans ga-e up on finding the spies and the OSS team felt
the( !ould ma#e their )a( ba!# do)n the mountain to a lo)er ele-ation6 As the( made
their )a( do)n/ some of the lo!al people told them of Ameri!an airmen )ho )ere
hiding from the Germans and a)aiting res!ue6 These )ere not the same airmen being
aided b( 1ihailo-i!h in a different part of the !ountr(/ but rather a smaller group of onl(
a doFen6 Their original mission !ompromised and all their eJuipment lost/ 'ibilian and
the other agents de!ided it )ould be better if the( a!!omplished something before the(
simpl( tried to es!ape from ,ugosla-ia6 So the( gathered as mu!h information as the(
!ould from the s(mpatheti! lo!als and determined )here the airmen )ere6 9f the( !ould/
their plan )as to go find the airmen and someho) get them out )ith them6
The distan!e to the airmen )as not great/ but there )ere plent( of Germans in bet)een6
opo-i!h/ =arish/ and 'ibilian figured out that the best )a( to get to the airmen )as b(
going through a German !he!#point at a bridge6 The onl( alternati-e )as an eight-da(
mar!h around the !he!#point/ and the trio )asn't up to that/ )hat )ith their e:haustion/
diarrhea/ and la!# of food6 And besides/ finding a )a( through a German !he!#point
)ith subterfuge or !le-erness )as e:a!tl( the #ind of tas# at )hi!h OSS agents e:!elled6
'ibilian had ne-er done it/ of !ourse/ be!ause this )as his first mission/ but he
remembered his training from the =arm and trusted the other agents to #no) best6 With
no radio to use/ 'ibilian relied on a subma!hine gun instead6 The )eapon )as !onsidered
a good !hoi!e for a (oung/ ine:perien!ed agent li#e 'ibilian/ the thin#ing being that (ou
didn't ha-e to be a!!urate if (ou !ould thro) enough lead at the enem( in a hurr(6 5e
)as read( to do )hate-er opo-i!h and =arish needed to ma#e this res!ue happen6
About eighteen of Tito's artisans Goined up )ith the OSS agents to help )ith res!uing
the airmen/ and after some dis!ussion/ the agents de!ided that good old-fashioned
briber( )as the best )a( to get through this !he!#point6 The artisans told them that the
guards !ould be bought off/ and =arish still had some t)ent(-dollar gold pie!es he had
brought for Gust su!h an o!!asion6 >sing a go-bet)een that the artisans trusted/ the
group made !onta!t )ith the German guards at the !he!#point and offered to pa( them if
the( )ould allo) passage6 The Germans agreed/ the gold pie!es )ere deli-ered/ and the
group planned to !ross the bridge the ne:t night at a spe!ified time6 The agents #ne)
the( )ere ta#ing a gamble/ but briber( had pro-en Juite effe!ti-e in su!h situations
before6 9f the guards )ere satisfied )ith their gold pie!es/ the deal )as that the( )ould
#no) the group )as !oming at the appointed time and simpl( let them pass unmolested6
9t )as pit!h-bla!# as the group headed to)ard the bridge/ the three Ameri!ans leading
the )a(6 The( )anted it dar# so the( !ould tra-el )ithout being noti!ed/ and as the(
approa!hed the bridge e-er(thing loo#ed fine6 'ibilian/ opo-i!h/ and =arish hid in the
bushes near the bridge for a )hile to )at!h and see if an(thing )as amiss/ and then the(
!he!#ed )ith the artisans to ensure that all seemed right to them6 +-er(thing did/ and
as the designated time approa!hed/ the group mo-ed out onto the road and headed
to)ard the bridge6 The( mo-ed in a Jui!# trot/ eager to get o-er the bridge but also )ar(
of surprising an( Germans at the !he!#point6 The moment of truth !ame )hen the(
approa!hed !lose enough for the guards to see them6 The Ameri!ans froFe/ e-er(one else
)aiting behind them and read( to bolt at the first sound of gunfire6 4ut then 'ibilian sa)
the t)o guards loo# dire!tl( at them/ loo# at ea!h other/ and then turn their ba!#s6 The
bribe had )or#ed6 The( )ere letting the Ameri!ans and the artisan fighters through6
The group hustled on up to the !he!#point and started a!ross the bridge/ needing to go
onl( a fe) doFen (ards to relati-e safet(6 4ut Gust as 'ibilian and the other agents
rea!hed the middle of the bridge/ flares soared into the s#( and a spotlight !ame on that
lit them up li#e da(light/ follo)ed immediatel( b( ma!hine-gun fire6 +ither the bribe
Gust didn't )or# )ith these Germans or the go-bet)een the artisans trusted had double-
!rossed them6 4ullets hit all around the group and some of the artisan fighters )ent
do)n6 1en )ere pushing and sho-ing/ no one reall( #no)ing )hi!h )a( to run/
e-er(one tr(ing to get out of the sear!hlight's beam6 9n the frenF(/ 'ibilian #ept getting
glimpses of the ri-er belo) the bridge and pra(ed that he )ouldn't end up there6 The
loo# of that dar# )ater at night/ so far belo)/ )as about as s!ar( as the idea of being
shot6 'ibilian and nearl( e-er( other man on the bridge opened fire on the spotlight/
)hi!h soon )ent out/ allo)ing them to sprint off the bridge and into the dar#ness again6
O-er the ne:t month/ 'ibilian and his team e-entuall( found the doFen airmen and made
!onta!t )ith the OSS post in Cairo6 The OSS men too# the airmen/ man( of them )ea#
and inGured/ from the -illagers )ho had harbored them/ tra-eling on foot and b( o:!art
for da(s to a spot that intelligen!e had identified as a possible pi!#up point6 opo-i!h/
strong but not espe!iall( large at si: feet tall/ !arried one )ounded man on his ba!# for
nearl( t)o da(s6 On 'une 1*/ 12""/ a plane landed on an open field and pi!#ed up the
agents and the airmen/ ferr(ing them ba!# to 4ari/ a small-s!ale rehearsal for )hat
)ould !ome later in ranGane6
'ibilian )as a)arded the Sil-er Star for his )or# on this mission/ and those t)o months
turned him from an e:pendable no-i!e to a seasoned OSS agent6 5e )as immensel(
proud of ha-ing helped retrie-e those t)el-e airmen from ,ugosla-ia/ and )hen he
heard there )ere at least a hundred more/ he #ne) he had to go ba!#6
Chapter 12
An All-Ameri!an Team
When AuGno-i!h e:plained the plan for res!uing the do)ned airmen in ranGane/ no)
#no)n b( the randoml( assigned !ode name Operation 5al(ard/ not one of the three
men !hosen for the mission batted an e(e at the enormous ris# the( )ere ta#ing6
ara!hute into enem( territor( and organiFe the most daring res!ue e-er$ Sure/ !an do6
4uild an airstrip right under the German's noses$ 8o problem6
4ut the( did ha-e one Juestion for AuGno-i!h6 Will )e be )or#ing on our o)n or )ith
the 4ritish$
The ans)er/ unfortunatel(/ )as that Operation 5al(ard )ould be a Goint operation )ith
the 4rits6 redi!tabl(/ the 4ritish )ere not pleased )ith 7oose-elt's appro-al of the
res!ue mission/ but the !omple: agreements go-erning Goint Allied operations in 9tal(
reJuired 4ritish and Ameri!an sp( teams to )or# together )hen putting agents in
,ugosla-ia6 9n man( !ases/ the 4ritish )ere responsible for a!tuall( getting Ameri!an
agents into enem( territor(/ and until re!entl( the( had been responsible for all radio
!ommuni!ation on the ground6 The OSS had onl( Gust begun sending in their o)n
radiomen/ so 'ibilian )ould fill that role instead of a 4ritish agent6 At least the( had that
going for them6 AuGno-i!h had his doubts about letting the 4ritish help at all/ but he
)ent along )ith it be!ause he didn't )ant to GeopardiFe a mission that alread( )as on
)ea# support6
The Operation 5al(ard trio also )ere )arned not to interfere )ith international relations
)hile on their mission6 ,our mission is to go in and get those men out/ nothing more/
the( )ere told6 A lieutenant !ommander from the =ifteenth Air =or!e spe!ifi!all(
ordered them not to ma#e Dan( militar( or politi!al !ommitments on behalf of the
>nited States of Ameri!a or other Allied nation/ or to ma#e an( !ommitments or
promises for the furnishing of supplies or other material aid to an( politi!al or militar(
group6D 9n other )ords/ this )asn't their opportunit( to set right an(thing the( didn't li#e
about the )a( the Allies )or#ed )ith 1ihailo-i!h and Tito6 The( trusted 1usulin to
follo) this order/ and AuGno-i!h had been #ept out pre!isel( be!ause the( didn't thin#
the( !ould trust him to !ompl(6
As mu!h as 1usulin ran#led at the !ontinuing betra(al of 1ihailo-i!h/ he )as fo!used
more on ma#ing this mission )or#6 AuGno-i!h )or#ed )ith 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and
'ibilian to plan their entr(/ thin#ing at first that the( )ould ha-e to ma#e a blind drop
into ranGane/ meaning the( )ould arri-e )ithout 1ihailo-i!h's for!es #no)ing the(
)ere !oming6 This )as al)a(s a ris#( mo-e be!ause e-en the friendlies on the ground
might shoot (ou if the( didn't #no) )ho )as dropping in )ithout !alling first6 4ut as the
planning pro!eeded/ AuGno-i!h learned that the 4ritish had reestablished radio !onta!t
)ith 1ihailo-i!h and arranged for the trio to arri-e bet)een 'ul( 1% and 'ul( 236
1ihailo-i!h's men )ould be loo#ing for them on those da(s6 As that )indo) )as almost
!losing/ the res!ue team !aught a brea# )ith the )eather on the e-ening of 'ul( 12 and
dro-e to 4rindisi/ about an hour south of 4ari and )here most mission flights originated6
There the( !limbed into a C-". painted bla!# to ma#e it harder to see at night6 The(
)ere eager to go in and get the res!ue started/ so their adrenaline )as pumping as the(
neared the drop Fone6 The trio !he!#ed their gear/ double-!he!#ed their para!hutes/ ga-e
one another heart( slaps on the shoulders and stood in the dar# bod( of the !argo plane/
)aiting for the Gump light to s)it!h from red to green/ follo)ed b( the 4ritish Gump
master's signal to go out the door and into the dar# night o-er ,ugosla-ia6
And the( )aited6
1usulin finall( as#ed the Gump master )hat )as )rong/ and he rela(ed the pilot's report
that there )as a problem )ith the ground signals6
D8o ground signals o-er the drop Fone!D the Gump master shouted o-er the airplane
noise/ in a 4ritish a!!ent6 DWe're sending/ but there's nothing on the ground!D
5e )as referring to the )a( Allied planes !onfirmed that the( )ere o-er the right drop
Fone and that the friendl( guerillas on the ground )ere there to re!ei-e the agents6 When
the time and lo!ation of the drop )as arranged/ the air for!e had informed 1ihailo-i!h
that the plane )ould send a spe!ifi! signal of light flashes and that the men on the
ground must respond )ith another light signal6 The plane )as sending its designated
signal/ but there )as no return flash on the ground6 Without the !onfirmation signal/ the
agents !ould find themsel-es alone on!e the( hit the ground/ or )orse/ the Germans ma(
ha-e found out about the drop and )ere )aiting for the spies to land6 8o ground signal
meant no drop6 The Gump master informed 1usulin that the plane )as heading ba!# to
4rindisi/ and the trio had no !hoi!e but to abort the mission6
AuGno-i!h )as not happ( to see the agents return that night/ but it )as not an un!ommon
sight6 1issions often )ere aborted at the last minute )hen something )ent )rong )ith
eJuipment/ or the plane got lost/ or intelligen!e re-ealed ne) information6 4etter to
!ome ba!# and tr( again later than thro) the agents out o-er the )rong drop Fone or
right into the hands of the Gestapo6 The agents planned their ne:t attempt/ and on
another night the( again dro-e to 4rindisi and boarded the C-"./ fl(ing into ,ugosla-ia6
This time the plane had to turn ba!# be!ause of a fier!e storm o-er the mountains in
,ugosla-ia6
The ne:t time/ it )as fla# on the )a( to the drop Fone6 Too mu!h antiair!raft fire to get
through safel(6
So far it seemed li#e Gust the routine reasons a mission !an be aborted6 4ut then 1usulin
and his team started getting suspi!ious about the 4ritish )ho )ere supposed to be fl(ing
them in6 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian soon realiFed that the 4ritish )ere not Gust
unenthusiasti! about the mission6 The( )ere a!ti-el( sabotaging it/ or at least that's ho)
it appeared to the Ameri!an team6
The outright hostilit( of the 4ritish )as made e-ident on the ne:t attempt to Gump into
ranGane/ a fe) da(s later6 1usulin learned that on the first attempt/ )hen there )ere no
ground signals/ the problem a!tuall( )as that the pilot had flo)n to the )rong
!oordinates6 The( )ere in the )rong pla!e/ so that e:plained )h( there )as no
)el!oming part(6 Ino)ing that/ 1usulin )anted to double-!he!# the !oordinates soon
after the( too# off on their fourth attempt to go res!ue the airmen6 5e )ent for)ard and
as#ed the pilot to !onfirm their destination6 The pilot read out the !oordinates he
intended to ta#e the men to and/ as soon as he !he!#ed the spot on his o)n map/
1usulin e:ploded in anger6
DThat's artisan territor(!D he (elled6 DWhere the hell did (ou get those !oordinates$D
The pilot/ -isibl( intimidated b( the large and -er( angr( Ameri!an/ e:plained that he
had been briefed on the mission b( his 4ritish superiors and he )as Gust follo)ing
orders6 That ans)er did not satisf( 1usulin/ and then his blood pressure )ent a fe)
ti!#s higher as he noti!ed a artisan soldier sitting in the ba!# of the plane6
DWhat the hell is he doing here$D 1usulin s!reamed/ in!redulous that a Tito supporter
)as sitting on the plane that supposedl( )as going to ta#e them to 1ihailo-i!h territor(6
What in the )orld is going on here$ Are the( tr(ing to sabotage this mission$
The pilot's ans)er did not impro-e the situation6 5e e:plained that the artisan )as
assigned to a!t as the Gump master for this mission6 5e )ould be the one )ho told
1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian )here and )hen to Gump6 Oh/ hell no6
D8o son-of-a-bit!h Communist is going to push me and m( men out of this plane/D
1usulin boomed6 DWe're aborting this mission6 =orget it!D
The three Ameri!ans )ere astounded that the 4rits had so !ompletel( fouled up their
efforts to get into ranGane/ but the( still had a hard time belie-ing that their tea-sipping
allies )ere a!tuall( tr(ing to sabotage Operation 5al(ard6 Could the( reall( be so
opposed to 1ihailo-i!h that the( )ould GeopardiFe the li-es of these agents/ not to
mention pre-enting the res!ue of a hundred airmen$ The ans)er !ame on the ne:t
attempt6
All three of the men )ere on high alert )hen the( boarded the plane the ne:t time/
)at!hing for an( sign that the 4ritish )ere under!utting their mission in an( )a(6
1usulin !he!#ed the !oordinates and the( seemed right6 There )as no damned
Communist on the plane/ at least none that )as a!tuall( )earing the red-star !ap of a
Tito artisan6 All seemed )ell and the trio thought the( might finall( get into ranGane
this time6 The Gump site neared and the team again double-!he!#ed all their gear/
!onfirmed their plans on!e the( landed/ and then the( )at!hed the red light and )aited
for the Gump master to tell them to go6
=inall( it happened6 On the fifth attempt to get into ranGane/ the light turned green and
the 4ritish Gump master ga-e them the signal and the trio )al#ed o-er to the open door
of the plane6 1usulin too# the lead as the mission !ommander and )as bra!ing himself
in the door)a(/ pausing for the 4rit to !he!# that his rip !ord )as se!urel( fastened to
the !able o-er their heads that )ould pull his !hute out6 7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian )ere in
line behind him/ read( to leap out immediatel( after)ard6 The Gump master had his hand
on 1usulin's ba!#/ read( to gi-e him a hard sho-e that )ould help him !lear the plane6
All 1usulin had to do )as to let go of the doorframe and Operation 5al(ard )ould be
under)a(6
4ut then he sa) something6 What the hell is that$ 5e !ouldn't tell for sure )hat he )as
seeing on the ground/ but it didn't loo# right6 5e held on to the plane's doorframe )hile
he loo#ed and then/ suddenl(/ he realiFed )hat he )as loo#ing at in the dar#ness belo)6
Son of a bit!h! ,ou goddamn 4rits are tr(ing to #ill us!
1usulin pushed ba!# hard from the door)a(/ #no!#ing 7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian off
balan!e6 The Gump master loo#ed at him JuiFFi!all( and (elled to as# )hat )as )rong6
DWe're right o-er a damn battle! &oo# at that! &oo#!D 1usulin s!reamed6 5e )anted to
dangle the Gump master out b( his feet so he !ould get a good -ie)/ but he resisted the
urge6 7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian )ent to the door and peered out too/ and the( )ere sho!#ed
at )hat the( sa)< the flashes of light from hea-( )eaponr(/ -ehi!les/ and soldiers in an
a!ti-e gun battle belo) them6 The 4ritish )ere tr(ing to drop them into the middle of a
full-fledged battle6 The( )ould ne-er ha-e made it to the ground ali-e6
1usulin !ouldn't be sure )hether the 4ritish )ere a!ti-el( tr(ing to #ill them and stop
the 5al(ard mission or )hether the( )ere Gust !ompletel( in!ompetent6 4ut he )as
leaning to)ard sabotage as the e:planation6 5e #ne) about 'ames Ilugmann in the
4ritish SO+ post at 4ari/ #ne) him as a Communist )ith )a( too mu!h influen!e o-er
4ritish operations/ and he suspe!ted Ilugmann and the other Tito supporters )ere
manipulating the 5al(ard mission6 'ibilian didn't e-en doubt it6 5e )as sure the 4rits
)ere tr(ing to #ill them6 The( )ere hoping )e )ould Gust drop into the battle and
disappear6
8o matter )hat the e:planation )as for the 4rits' a!tions/ the OSS agents had had
enough of this6 1usulin mar!hed into AuGno-i!h's offi!e and demanded an Ameri!an
plane/ an Ameri!an !re)/ and an Ameri!an Gump master6 The( )eren't going ba!# into
,ugosla-ia )ithout an all-Ameri!an team6
AuGno-i!h )as happ( to !ompl(6
Chapter 13
SOS 666 Waiting for 7es!ue
9n ranGane/ the Ameri!ans had no idea that the AC7> team )as )or#ing so hard to
res!ue them6 The plight of the do)ned airmen )as getting )orse e-er( da( and in e-er(
)a(6 =ood )as in short suppl( e-en for the lo!al people/ )ho shared all the( !ould )ith
the do)ned Ameri!ans/ and some of the fliers )ere in desperate need of medi!al !are for
the )ounds the( suffered on their ill-fated bombing runs6 7i!hard =elman/ the leader of
the airmen )ho had )at!hed the Germans burn a Serb -illage )hen the Chetni#s )ould
not gi-e up the fliers/ de!ided that it )as onl( a matter of time before the Germans found
the hidden Ameri!ans6 When that time !ame/ it )ould be a bloodbath6 8ot onl( )ould
the( probabl( #ill all the Ameri!ans instead of ta#ing them prisoner/ but the( )ould #ill
all of the inno!ent Serbs as )ell6 Or the Germans might e-en do something )orse than
#illing them as punishment for helping the airmen6
=elman met )ith some other ran#ing offi!ers of the Ameri!ans in ranGane and started
debating )hether to do something to fa!ilitate their res!ue6 >p this point the( had been
Gust )aiting/ hoping that the Allies #ne) the( )ere there and )ere planning some )a( to
get them home6 And the( assumed that 1ihailo-i!h/ )ho )as prote!ting them so
diligentl(/ had made !onta!t )ith the Ameri!ans6 4ut nothing )as happening6 Wee#s and
months had passed )ith no )ord of an( )a( the( might get out of ,ugosla-ia6
=elman and the other airmen )anted to do something to help themsel-es/ but )hat$
Some of the airmen )anted to send a radio message telling the Allies )here the( )ere
and that the( needed res!ue6 9t )as possible/ be!ause the Chetni#s routinel( sal-aged
an(thing the( !ould use from the !rashed bombers/ in!luding radios6 With a little repair
)or# the( probabl( !ould get a radio )or#ing )ell enough to broad!ast a message ba!#
to Allied territor(6 4ut it )ould be a ris#( mo-e6 So far their sur-i-al depended on the
8aFis not #no)ing e:a!tl( )here the( )ere6 Though the Germans #ne) that Ameri!an
airmen )ere being hidden in the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ the( didn't #no) that so man( )ere
!on!entrated in the small to)n of ranGane6 +-en )ith 1ihailo-i!h's for!es surrounding
them/ the Germans !ould laun!h an air stri#e that )ould de-astate the entire to)n/
#illing the Ameri!ans and all the lo!al people as )ell6 9t )as !ru!ial that the Germans
not find their hidden san!tuar(6
A radio message !ould !hange all of that6 'ust as 'ibilian and his team had found out
earlier/ a radio message !ould allo) the enem( to Fero in on (our e:a!t lo!ation6 The
longer the message/ and the stronger the broad!ast/ the easier it )as for the enem( to
determine )here (ou )ere hiding6 9f the( got on the radio and started !alling to their
bases in 9tal(/ the first response !ould be a fleet of German fighters and bombers
unleashing hell on them6
+-er(one agreed it )as a huge ris#/ but it )as one the( had to ta#e6 =elman and other
ran#ing offi!ers in ranGane de!ided the( had to send a message to the =ifteenth Air
=or!e base in 4ari/ 9tal(6 The( as#ed 1ihailo-i!h's for!es to send them a radio from one
of the planes/ and 1ihailo-i!h agreed/ #no)ing that the ris#( message might be the onl(
)a( to get help for the airmen6 Thomas Oli-er/ the airman )ho para!huted do)n onto a
famil('s pi!ni!/ )as part of the group pushing for the message to 9tal( and he )or#ed
!losel( )ith radio operators and others in the group to de-ise the right )a( to !all 9tal(6
+-er(one #ne) the( had to be !autious6
At first the group de!ided to Gust be Jui!# about it6 The( )ould send short/ simple radio
messages to 9tal( in hopes that the Allies )ould pi!# up the transmission but that the
Germans )ouldn't ha-e time to Fero in on )here it )as !oming from6 When it )as time
to send the first !all for help/ there )ere doFens of airmen gathered around the radio/ set
up on a farmhouse table6 A radio operator too# the !ontrols and put his finger on the
1orse !ode #e(6 5e loo#ed at the other men and too# a deep breath before sending the
first message from the do)ned airmen6 5e began to tap6
SOS 6 6 6 SOS 6 6 6 One hundred fift( members of Ameri!an !re) ha-e been )aiting for
res!ue 6 6 6 There are man( si!# and )ounded 6 6 6 Call ba!# 6 6 6 SOS 6 6 6 SOS 6 6 6
That )as it6 That )as all the( )ere )illing to send out at first/ lest the( gi-e the
Germans plent( of time to tra!e the radio !all6 So the( sat and )aited/ their e(es on the
radio/ hoping fer-entl( to hear a message tapping in return6 The( )aited for hours6 There
)as no repl(6 Slo)l( the men left the room/ a fe) at a time/ deGe!ted as the( realiFed
that no one had heard them6
As the radio sat silent/ =elman and the other offi!ers dis!ussed the situation and de!ided
to #eep tr(ing6 The( )ould send the same message e-er( fe) hours and maintain a -igil
b( the radio/ )aiting for someone to !all them ba!#6
The( )aited t)o da(s and heard nothing6
Then the( realiFed that/ in all li#elihood/ the =ifteenth Air =or!e in 4ari/ 9tal(/ )as
hearing them after all but Gust not repl(ing6 The( probabl( suspe!ted this )as a tri!#/
some sort of trap set b( the 8aFis to lure in a res!ue mission6 Of !ourse/ =elman thought/
the('re not going to Gust get on the radio and arrange a res!ue )ithout #no)ing for sure
that the message is legitimate6 The( had to de-elop a !ode that )ould !on-in!e the
Allies their message )as trust)orth(/ that it reall( )as !oming from the airmen and not
some 8aFi intelligen!e unit6
Oli-er -olunteered to )or# )ith some other airmen to de-elop a !ode6 Ameri!an slang
)ould be a good idea/ the( thought/ be!ause it )ould !onfuse an( Germans listening in6
4ut more important/ the( had to !ode their message )ith information #no)n onl( to
those ba!# at their air bases in 9tal(6 That inside information )ould ser-e t)o purposes<
9t )ould sho) the Allies that the senders )ere reall( Ameri!an airmen/ and it )ould
!onfound an( Germans tr(ing to brea# their !ode6
The airmen !ame up )ith t)o !odes6 The first )as a simple letter transposition that
reJuired the re!ei-er to #no) #e( information un#no)n to the Germans6 9nstead of the
letter DA/D the !ode letter )ould be the third letter of the pla!e of birth of a bartender at
the Offi!ers' Club in &e!!e/ 9tal(6 9nstead of D4/D the( )ould use the fourth letter of the
name of the intelligen!e offi!er stationed in 4rindisi/ 9tal(6 The airmen )or#ed out an
entire alphabet !ode )ith similar #e(s6 Sending this mu!h information )ould mean
sta(ing on the radio far longer than an(one had been !omfortable )ith so far/ but the
airmen sa) no other )a( to Gump-start the !ommuni!ation pro!ess6 The( pra(ed for the
best and transmitted the alphabet !ode to those listening in 9tal(6 On!e the( )ere done/
both parties had a !ode the( !ould use to send spe!ifi! information ba!# and forth
regarding a res!ue )ithout letting the Germans #no) )hat their plans )ere6
The alphabet !ode )ould be good for spe!ifi! bits of information/ but using it for all
!ommuni!ation )ould be tedious and !onfusing6 So Oli-er and some of the other airmen
!ame up )ith a slang-based !ode that !ould be used to Jui!#l( !on-e( information that
probabl( )ouldn't ma#e mu!h sense to an( Germans listening in6 On!e all the senior
offi!ers appro-ed the plan/ Oli-er used 1orse !ode to tap out another plea for help6
1ud!at dri-er to CO AO%236
Oli-er had piloted a bomber !alled the =ighting 1ud!at/ and CO AO%23 )as the
!ommand of the =ifteenth Air =or!e6
1%3 ,an#s are in ,ugo/ some si!#6 Shoot us )or#-horses6
The )or#horse of the Ameri!an Air =or!e )as the C-". !argo plane/ so the airmen )ere
as#ing that some C-".s be sent to them6
Oli-er then )ent on to pro-ide the D!hallengeD and Dauthenti!atorD that both parties
!ould use to -erif( identities if a res!ue part( )ere sent6 The !hallenge-the signal that
the res!uers )ould send to pro-e the( )ere friendlies-)ould be the first letter of the
=ighting 1ud!at's bombardier's last name and the !olor of the s!arf )orn b( 4anana
8ose/ the ni!#name of Sam 4enigno/ an airman in Oli-er's sJuadron )ho al)a(s )ore a
)hite s!arf6 The authenti!ator-the signal the airmen )ould send to pro-e the( )ere
friendlies and in on the plan-)ould be the last letter of the D!hief lug'sD last name and the
!olor of Dthe fist on the )all6D Those items referred to the !ommander of the "%2th
4omb Group/ )ho referred to all his !re)s as lugs/ as in lug nuts or #e( parts of the
ma!hiner(6 On a )all at the Offi!ers' Club at their base/ the !ommander had )ritten/
D+a!h lug in the "%2th sign here/D and signed it/ D16 16 1unn/ Chief &ug6D The fist on
the )all referred to the =ifteenth Air =or!e emblem/ )ith a red fist6
Oli-er also transmitted the serial numbers of himself and !re)mates from his plane and
one other bomber from the same group/ !le-erl( adding them to the numeri!al
!oordinates of their lo!ation in ranGane so that the string of numbers seemed
meaningless6 4ut he hoped that someone on the other end )ould figure out that the serial
numbers !onfirmed his !re)'s identities/ and the remaining numbers pointed the res!uers
to their e:a!t lo!ation6
To ensure that the message )ould get through to the right people )ho !ould understand
that !ode/ Oli-er signed off b( sa(ing/ 1ust refer to shar# sJuadron/ "%2th 4omb
Group/ for de!oding6 5is sJuadron had shar# teeth painted on the noses of all its 4-2"
bombers6 Then he said/ Signed/ TIO/ =lat 7at " in lug order6 TIO )ere his initials/ and
he had signed the )all under 1unn's signature )ith T6 I6 Oli-er/ =lat 7at "/ a referen!e
to ho) he and his bun#mates !alled their tent Dthe po#er flatD and numbered themsel-es
as flat rats one through four6
That !omple: !ode might sa-e their li-es/ the airmen thought6 Or it might mean the(
)ere on the radio too long and the Germans had alread( Feroed in on them6 Or the damn
thing might be too !ompli!ated for an(one to figure out6
All the( !ould do )as )ait and hope someone had heard it and )as tra!#ing do)n all
the right information6
The messages )ere heard in 9tal(/ )here a 7o(al Air =or!e radio operator pi!#ed up the
!uriousl( !oded pleas for help6 5e struggled for t)o hours to determine the lo!ation of
the !aller/ finall( re!ording them/ and for)arded them on to the =ifteenth Air =or!e
headJuarters in 4ari6 There an intelligen!e offi!er lo!#ed himself in a room )ith the
strange message and ordered that no one )ithout a higher ran# bother him6 After a fe)
hours of !onsternation/ he started seeing patterns and bits of !ode that made sense6 5e
)as able to pull out the serial numbers and then he realiFed the remaining numbers must
mean something6 The longitude and latitude then be!ame apparent6 4ut he still !ouldn't
ma#e sense of some of the more ar!ane referen!es in Oli-er's !ode/ and he understood
the part that said/ 1ust refer to shar# sJuadron/ "%2th 4omb Group/ for de!oding6 So he
too# the message to a 1aGor Christi/ !ommander of the "%2th 4omber Group/ from
)hi!h Oli-er's !re) fle)6 Christi )as st(mied for a )hile but intrigued b( the unusual
!ode and determined to figure out )hat it meant6 The t)o offi!ers sat for a long time/
staring at the message/ not sa(ing mu!h lest the( interrupt ea!h other's thoughts6 As he
#ept staring at the !ode/ Christi had a sudden realiFation6 D1ud!at ;ri-erD and D4anana
8ose 4enignoD )ere his men6
DThat's Oli-er's !re) and 4u!#ler's !re)!D Christi (elled e:!itedl(/ standing up and
loo#ing at the intelligen!e offi!er )ith astonishment6 D1( God! Go get them!D
The !ode )or#ed6 With the help of !re) at the air bases )here the missing men had been
stationed/ air for!e offi!ials de!oded the rest of the message and understood that the men
)ere as#ing for a res!ue operation6 The intri!ate !ode !on-in!ed them that the message
!ould be trusted6
Onl( some of this information )as a re-elation6 The air for!e leaders )eren't surprised
to hear that Ameri!an airmen )ere hiding in the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ but the( had not
realiFed that the airmen )ere grouped together and organiFed enough to send a !oded
message reJuesting res!ue6
The airmen in ranGane !ontinued sending their !oded pleas-SOS 6 6 6 Call ba!# 6 6 6-and
)aited for a repl(6 There )as nothing for da(s/ and then the radio !ra!#led )ith a 1orse
!ode message from 4ari6 9t )as brief/ but it said e-er(thing the( )anted to hear<
repare re!eption for 31 'ul( or first !lear night follo)ing6
The( )ere going to be res!ued! The Ameri!ans )ere !oming to get them! The ne)s #ept
the airmen Gubilant for da(s/ but the( be!ame Juiet again as there )as no more
!ommuni!ation6 The( started to )orr( again that ma(be a res!ue )asn't forth!oming/
that ma(be the message had been a tri!# b( the Germans6 While the( held out hope that
'ul( 31 )ould bring good ne)s/ the( fell ba!# into their usual pattern of )aiting/
helping the -illagers )ith their !hores/ and listening to the radio for an( more )ord of an
impending res!ue6 ;espite the one en!ouraging message/ the airmen )ere slo)l( getting
used to the idea that ma(be the air for!e !ouldn't get them out6 1a(be it Gust )asn't
possible to !ome into enem( territor( and ta#e home hundreds of )ear(/ si!# airmen6
The men's spirits san# lo)er and lo)er )ith ea!h passing da(6 The( pla(ed !ards/
s)apped stories/ an(thing to ma#e the da(s pass6
1a(be 'ul( 31 )ould !hange e-er(thing6 4ut the( )ere )ar( about getting their hopes
up6 5o) !ould the Ameri!ans res!ue so man( of them$ +-en if some sort of res!ue
happened/ )hat )ere the !han!es that (ou )ould be among those ta#en out before the
Germans interrupted the operation$ 8ot so great/ man( of the airmen thought6 A big
gamble6
As the airmen )aited for help/ the( !ould at least be !onfident that the( )ere relati-el(
safe in ranGane6 Germans )ere garrisoned onl( thirt( miles a)a(/ do)n in the -alle(/
and 8aFi patrols routinel( rolled in -illages all o-er the area6 4ut unli#e most of the
!ountr(side in the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ this parti!ular area )as se!ured b( almost ten
thousand of 1ihailo-i!h's for!es6 Their Gob )as to prote!t not onl( the Ameri!an airmen
but also 1ihailo-i!h's headJuarters nearb(6 Within this area/ Serb -illagers !ould be
assured that a German patrol )ould not !a-alierl( dri-e in and do as the( pleased/ but
the( also #ne) that the presen!e of 1ihailo-i!h and the airmen made the area a hot
target if the Germans e-er de!ided to laun!h a full assault6 >ntil that da( !ame/ ho)e-er/
the da(-to-da( se!urit( )as in the hands of (oung men li#e 8i!# etro-i!h/ a se-enteen-
(ear-old in 1ihailo-i!h's arm(6 5e had gro)n up listening to the stories of his
grandfather and father )ho fought in the Tur#ish )ars and in World War 9/ so )hen the
8aFis in-aded his !ountr( etro-i!h #ne) he had to fight6 5e had re-ered the Serbian
medie-al heroes IralGe-i!h 1ar#o and 1ilosh Obili!h sin!e he )as a !hild/ and in 12"3
)hen he )as onl( fourteen he altered his birth !ertifi!ate so he !ould enter the ,ugosla-
gliding s!hool/ )hile also putting himself through a rigorous ph(si!al de-elopment
program of his o)n design6 When the Germans sho)ed up a fe) (ears later/ etro-i!h
felt read( to fight6
etro-i!h Goined 1ihailo-i!h's for!es at about the time 1ihailo-i!h )as abandoned b(
the Allies/ starting first )ith underground )or# su!h as information gathering and
stealing firearms from the Germans6 One of etro-i!h's methods )as organiFing small
groups of !hildren around ten (ears old to pla( marbles around par#ed German -ehi!les/
)at!hing for the opportunit( to pilfer hand guns/ ammunition/ bino!ulars/ or an( other
-aluable items6 The( stuffed the boot( in a flour sa!# and dragged it along behind them
pla(full(6 etro-i!h be!ame so bold that he on!e s)iped a 2-mm subma!hine gun from
an SS offi!er )ho li-ed in his girl-friend's famil( home6 5e )as beaten and interrogated
b( the Gestapo for hours but )ould not !onfess/ and the( released him the same da(6 As
he pro-ed himself more to the Chetni#s/ etro-i!h too# on more and more
responsibilit(/ soon assigned to helping the Ameri!an airmen falling out of the s#( on a
regular basis6
The dut( )as one of the most important that !ould be assigned to 1ihailo-i!h's troops/
and it !arried a great responsibilit(6 As more Allied airmen gathered in ranGane to a)ait
res!ue/ 1ihailo-i!h issued this stern )arning to the offi!ers !ommanding the guard in
ranGane<
DTa#e good !are that nothing happens to these men6 ,ou must defend them/ if ne!essar(/
)ith (our li-es6 9f an( one of (ou !omes to me )ith ne)s that an(thing has happened to
a single one of these airmen/ 9 shall ha-e the man )ho bears this ne)s e:e!uted on the
spot6D 1ihailo-i!h ma( ha-e been e:aggerating to ma#e !lear his dedi!ation to
prote!ting the airmen/ but no one !ould be sure6
A t(pi!al operation for etro-i!h in-ol-ed blo!#ing a road leading to the area )here the
airmen had bailed out b( pla!ing large ro!#s or trees in the path/ then )aiting for the
German patrol to stop and remo-e them6 On!e the Germans e:ited their -ehi!les/
etro-i!h and his !olleagues opened fire6 Their )eapons of !hoi!e )ere the big fift(-
!aliber ma!hine guns sal-aged from do)ned Ameri!an bombers/ )hi!h the( too# to
lo!al bla!#smiths )ho )ould se!retl( fashion metal stands so the guns !ould be used on
the ground against German troops6 Then the( )ould ta#e the deadl( guns and hide in the
trees/ )aiting for German patrols to !ome b(6 The ma!hine guns designed to shoot do)n
German fighter planes shredded the 8aFi soldiers )ho dared tr( to get too !lose to
ranGane6
Ino)ing the pri!e the -illagers might pa( for the deaths of German soldiers/ etro-i!h
and the other guards !ondu!ted su!h atta!#s onl( )hen the( had no !hoi!e but to
engage/ su!h as )hen a German patrol threatened Allied airmen or 1ihailo-i!h himself
)as in the area of ranGane6 etro-i!h #ne) ho) to hold his fire and not pro-o#e
German retribution unne!essaril(/ but )hen he had to fire/ he did so )ith gusto6
&i#e the Germans )ho )ould #ill the Ameri!an airmen rather than be bothered )ith
!apturing them/ etro-i!h had no time for prisoners6
Chapter 1"
Sure to 4e a 7ough &anding
'ul( 31 !ame and the airmen in ranGane eagerl( s!anned the s#ies for an( sign of a
plane !oming to res!ue them6 As night fell the( gathered in a field near the -illage/ the
presumed drop Fone for an(one para!huting in to help them6 ;oFens of e(es loo#ed to
the horiFon/ through the tree-!o-ered hills/ for an( hint of Ameri!ans !oming to ta#e
them home6 The( al)a(s had a red-lens flashlight read( to signal the plane )ith the
predetermined !ode6 The( )aited all night and into the morning6 The )eather )as !lear
and the( sa) no reason the res!ue had not been !arried out as promised6 Their hopes
)ere dashed as the sun rose on another da( in ranGane/ another da( in )hi!h the Allies
)ould not !ome and help them6 The( )ere !rushed )ith disappointment/ and more than
a fe) -o)ed the( )ould not get their hopes up again6
4ut )hat the airmen did not #no) )as that Operation 5al(ard )as still a go6 The( had
no )a( of #no)ing that 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian had alread( made repeated
attempts to rea!h them in ranGane but )ere st(mied b( e-er(thing from bad )eather to
bad 4rits6 The mission )ould ha-e arri-ed on 'ul( 31 if onl( the )eather had been !lear
bet)een 4ari and ranGane6 >nfortunatel(/ the airmen !ould see onl( the starr( night
abo-e them and had to assume the mission )as not reall( !oming6 Their despair #ne)
no bounds/ made all the )orse b( the fa!t that it )as unne!essar(6 8ot onl( )as help on
the )a(/ but the radio messages the airmen sent so bra-el(/ ris#ing hundreds of li-es in
the pro!ess/ )ould be the real !atal(st for getting the Ameri!ans on their )a( to
ranGane6 The res!ue plan )as )ell under)a(/ spurred b( 1irGana's letter to AuGno-i!h
and 1usulin's report from the field/ but the !oded messages from the men in ranGane
thre) some momentum behind the effort6 An a!tual reJuest from these men/ their plea
for help spelled out in a )a( that made their desperate situation !r(stal !lear/ seemed to
light a fire under an(one )ho held that message in their hands6
On!e the message )as de!oded b( the =ifteenth Air =or!e/ e:!ited intelligen!e offi!ers
there for)arded it to the AC7> team in 4ari6 AuGno-i!h/ 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian
all gathered around to read the message together6 The )ords made their mission seem
more real/ more personal6
There are man( si!# and )ounded6 6 6 6 Call ba!#6 6 6 6 SOS 6 6 6
The( felt it in their gut/ the dire straits these men )ere in/ and the( #ne) the( )ere the
onl( ones )ho !ould help them6
8o) the( had some solid information6 The( had !onfirmation about )here the men
)ere/ that the( )ere all gathered in one pla!e/ and that the( )ere eagerl( a)aiting
res!ue6 And the message pro-ided AuGno-i!h and the res!ue team )ith one more -ital
pie!e of information< The number of airmen )as up to one hundred fift(6
AuGno-i!h didn't li#e hearing that6 +-er( e:tra man meant the mission )as more
diffi!ult6 5e had thought one hundred airmen )ere a lot to bring out/ and no) the( )ere
dealing )ith one hundred fift(6 4ut still/ the message from the airmen pumped a ne)
-igor into their efforts/ o-er!oming the frustration and deGe!tion the( felt from their
e:perien!e )ith the 4ritish6 Seeing the desperation in the message !on-in!ed them ane)
that the( had to get in there soon/ and the( had to ma#e this mission )or#6
Z Z Z
On August 2/ 12""/ the )eather )as good o-er 4rindisi/ the base from )hi!h the
missions )ould laun!h/ and also in ranGane6 1usulin had his all-Ameri!an !re) read(
to ta#e the AC7> team in and res!ue those men on!e and for all6 4( no) e-er(one )as
ants( from ha-ing been on standb( for so long/ eager to go and do this ris#( Gob6 The
)ords of the do)ned airmen's plea for help #ept running through their minds6 SOS 6 6 6
Waiting for res!ue 6 6 6 'ibilian !ouldn't get that message out of his mind sin!e he had
first heard of the !oded distress !all/ understanding that the men must ha-e been in a
desperate situation if the( )ere )illing to send su!h a long message and ris# ha-ing
German planes home in on their signal6 5e #ne) all too )ell ho) effe!ti-e the ;= !ould
be6
1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian )ere fo!used and read( )hen the )ord finall( !ame that
toda( )ould be the da(6 The( had tried so man( times before/ but the( all felt that this
time )ould be different6 8one of those !raF( 4rits to get in the )a(6 An Ameri!an !re)
to get them in there Jui!#l( and safel(6 AuGno-i!h personall( dro-e the team do)n to
4rindisi for the mission laun!h/ and he !ould tell the men )ere fo!used6
9n 4rindisi/ AuGno-i!h shoo# ea!h man's hand and )ished them good lu!#/ loo#ing them
in the e(es and )ondering if this )ould be the last time he sa) them6 5e admired their
)illingness to go into su!h a dangerous situation/ and at the same time/ he )ished he
)as going along )ith them6
The flight out )as Gust li#e e-er( other attempt/ e:!ept that this time 1usulin had
!he!#ed the !oordinates )ith the pilot and found them !orre!t/ and there )as no artisan
sitting in the plane )ith them6 The( felt good about this one6 The( )ere reall( going in
this time6 When the plane rea!hed the Gump site/ 1usulin )as on high alert/ loo#ing for
an( sign of trouble that might spoil this attempt as )ell/ but none materialiFed6 The pilot
signaled that the Gump site )as approa!hing and the three agents stood up/ double-
!he!#ed their gear/ and lined up at the door6 This time )hen he loo#ed do)n/ 1usulin
sa) no battle belo)/ no !loud !o-er6 8othing that )ould stop their mission6 4ut then he
did see something6 Are those flare pots$
On the ground/ =elman and the other airmen had been )aiting in the bushes on the edge
of that large !learing in ranGane/ the spot the( assumed the Ameri!ans )ould use for a
landing Fone if the( )ere to be res!ued6 'ust as the( had been e-er( night sin!e 'ul( 31/
as the message from 4ari had instru!ted/ the( )ere )aiting for the arri-al of the res!ue
team6 With ea!h passing night/ the( had be!ome less and less !ertain that the promise
)ould be fulfilled6 4ut still the( )aited/ e-er( sense on alert for a sign that something
)as finall( about to happen6 When the( heard a plane in the distan!e/ e-er(one thought
the same thing< 9s this it$ Could it be$ This )asn't a normal time for flights to loesti to
pass o-erhead/ so the( feared that a German plane might be s!outing for their lo!ation6
Or ma(be/ Gust ma(be/ it )as the Ameri!ans loo#ing for them6 =elman and a fe) other
men stepped outside and loo#ed up in the dar# s#( but the( !ouldn't see the plane (et6
4ut damn if that didn't sound li#e a C-"./ =elman thought6 5e !ouldn't be sure/ but the
more he listened/ the more that sounded li#e an Ameri!an plane! 5e as#ed a fe) men
around him )hat the( thought/ and no one )as )illing to !ommit/ but =elman !ould tell
from the loo# in their e(es that the( also thought this !ould be the Ameri!ans !oming to
res!ue them6 Was the plane loo#ing for them$ What if the( !ouldn't find the right drop
Fone$ =elman thought Jui!#l( and he de!ided the( !ouldn't Gust stand there and ris#
ha-ing their res!uers pass right o-er )ithout finding them6 5e made a de!ision that/ li#e
the radio !all/ !ould bring 8aFis instead of Ameri!ans if he )as )rong6
D&ight the flares!D =elman shouted6 DGo! 8o)! Get the flare pots going!D
The men )ent running for the flare pots the( had pla!ed around the field for e:a!tl( this
moment/ pots of rags and )ood that )ould burn brightl( as a signal to the plane
o-erhead6 =elman )as ner-ous as he )at!hed the men light signals that )ould gi-e
a)a( their position/ but he )as read( to signal this plane/ )hoe-er it )as6 These airmen
!ouldn't )ait an( longer6
The flare pots roared to life and lit up the perimeter of the field/ a !lear signal for a drop
Fone6 =elman and the other airmen !rou!hed in the bushes around the field and )at!hed
the s#( eagerl(/ listening as the plane dre) !loser6
1usulin sa) the flares/ as did the Gump master/ )ho )as alread( sure the( )ere in the
right lo!ation6 Then the pilot sa) the three red flashes from the ground/ the !orre!t
signal that these )ere friendlies )aiting for the OSS agents6 The Gump master !he!#ed
that 1usulin's line )as se!ured and then (elled/ DGo!D )ith a strong push on the big
man's ba!#6 The stati! line ripped 1usulin's o-ersiFed thirt(-t)o-foot para!hute out of
his pa!# and then 7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian follo)ed him Jui!#l(/ the three men tr(ing to
sta( as !lose as possible so the( )ould land near one another6 As soon as the men )ere
in the air/ the Gump master pushed out se-eral !rates of medi!al supplies and !lothing/
)hi!h 1usulin had insisted on ta#ing ba!# to these people he had li-ed )ith before6
The team had Gumped from onl( eight hundred feet/ )hi!h is -er( lo)/ but ma#es it
more diffi!ult for the enem( to spot (ou and #ill (ou on the )a( do)n or to meet (ou at
(our landing pla!e6 =rom that altitude the agents !ame do)n fast and hard/ )ith onl(
about thirt( se!onds from lea-ing the plane to hitting the ground6 1usulin )as the first
to land/ not onl( be!ause he )as the first out of the plane and starting from a lo)
altitude but also be!ause )hen this former football lineman para!huted/ he tended to fall
out of the s#( li#e an angr( ro!#/ his para!hute merel( pro-iding some drag to slo) him
do)n6 1usulin landed on a !hi!#en !oop/ smashing it to pie!es and sending startled
!hi!#ens fl(ing in e-er( dire!tion6 7aGa!i!h follo)ed soon after/ landing in a tree near
1usulin and the !hi!#ens6 5e )as uninGured but had to !all for 1usulin to help !ut him
do)n from the tangled !hute lines in the tree6
'ibilian )as the last on the ground/ realiFing on the )a( do)n that he also )as headed
to)ard trees6 The usual pro!edure in that !ir!umstan!e is to !ross (our arms and legs
tightl(/ )ith (our elbo)s a!ross (our fa!e to prote!t it from the tree limbs/ but he barel(
had time to rea!t )hen he sa) the trees6 That turned out to be good be!ause he landed in
a !ornfield instead of the trees/ and he probabl( )ould ha-e bro#en both legs if he had
!rossed them as he intended6 The !ornstal#s helped !ushion his fall and 'ibilian ended
up )ith one of the best landings of his !areer6
As soon as the three men !olle!ted themsel-es and their gear/ the( sa) a peasant )oman
in a long dress !ome rushing up to them6 The( instin!ti-el( tensed and readied their
)eapons/ but it Jui!#l( be!ame !lear that this )as another enthusiasti! greeting b( a
grateful Chetni# )oman6 She !harged right past her demolished !hi!#en !oop )ithout
seeming to noti!e and pro!eeded to #iss the three men on the !hee# repeatedl(/ !alling
them DliberatorsD and sa(ing o-er and o-er that she )as so glad the in-asion had begun6
Apparentl( she )as under the impression that the trio )ere the beginning of a full-s!ale
para!hute in-asion as had Gust happened in 8ormand(/ so 1usulin had to brea# it to her
that there )ould not be an(one else !oming that night6 She )as grateful to see them
nonetheless and insisted that the( !ome to her house for something to eat6 1usulin
politel( de!lined on behalf of the team and ga-e the )oman fifteen thousand dinars/
about ten dollars/ to !o-er the !ost of the !hi!#en !oop he had so thoroughl( smashed6
The )oman a!!epted the mone( and pointed the men in the dire!tion of the 1ihailo-i!h
!amp/ )ith more than#s and more #isses6
The trio )al#ed do)n a road in the dar#/ )ar( of being found b( a German patrol but
also !onfident that the( )ere firml( in Chetni# territor(6 9t )as not long before the( ran
into a group of bearded men )earing the ro(al insignia of 1ihailo-i!h's arm( on their
!aps/ and some of them re!ogniFed 1usulin right a)a(6 The leader of the group (elled/
DGeorge the Ameri!an!D and ran to)ard him6 Some of the Chetni# men )ept )ith Go( at
the sight/ running to gi-e their fa-orite Ameri!an a big bear hug6 'ibilian and 7aGa!i!h
)ere amused b( 1usulin's !elebrit(/ but soon the(/ too/ )ere e:perien!ing the bearded
#isses and hugs of these fier!e-loo#ing guerilla fighters6
As soon as he !ould get a )ord in amid the !elebration/ 1usulin tried to tell his Chetni#
friends that his return did not signal an( !hange in diploma!( b( the Allies6 Tr(ing to
adhere to his orders/ 1usulin e:plained that the( )ere here to help the do)ned airmen
and that their presen!e should not be !onstrued as an( signal that the Allies )ere more
fa-orable to 1ihailo-i!h no)6 The Chetni#s said the( understood/ but 1usulin !ould tell
the( didn't reall( belie-e him6 The )a( the( sa) it/ the Ameri!ans had returned6
Soon after lighting the flares in a ris#( mo-e to ma#e sure the res!uers !ould find them/
=elman and the other airmen in ranGane sa) para!hutes popping out from behind the
plane6 The( !ounted three good !hutes/ follo)ed b( a fe) more that loo#ed li#e suppl(
drops6 And then Gust at that moment the plane fle) dire!tl( o-er their position/ lo)
enough that the men !ould see the )hite star of the >nited States Arm( painted on the
tail6 The mountains of ,ugosla-ia )ere filled )ith a heart( !heer as the airmen felt for
the first time that the( might reall(/ reall( be going home6
There )as onl( a short )hile before Chetni# men started !oming out of the surrounding
)oods )ith !rates full of desperatel( needed supplies/ a )el!ome sight to the airmen and
-illagers ali#e6 4ut then the -illage erupted in !elebration )hen the( sa) a -er( large
man in an Ameri!an uniform emerge from the tree line6 =elman )as )at!hing/ but he
had no idea )ho this fello) )as6 The Serb -illagers !ertainl( #ne) him/ and apparentl(
the( lo-ed him6
DCaptain George! Captain George!D the( shouted/ )el!oming ba!# the big Ameri!an
)ho had left them months earlier after spending so mu!h time in the -illage and )ith
1ihailo-i!h6 1en and )omen ali#e ran to embra!e the returning Ameri!an/ grabbing his
round fa!e )ith both hands to #iss him hard6 Tears streamed do)n the fa!es of men/
)omen/ and !hildren as the( sa) 1usulin emerge from the forest li#e a sa-ior/ follo)ed
!losel( b( 7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian/ )ho re!ei-ed the same e:uberant greeting as soon as
the -illagers spotted them/ !arried heroi!all( on the shoulders of Chetni# soldiers6
=elman and doFens of the airmen )ere standing nearb(/ eager to greet their res!uers but
feeling li#e the( should let the -illagers ha-e this spe!ial moment )ith a man the( #ne)
and lo-ed6 9t too# a short )hile for 1usulin to peel himself a)a( from the adoring
!ro)d and )al# o-er to =elman6
1usulin )al#ed right up and someho) sensed that =elman )as the leader of the group6
5e put out his hand and said/ D9'm George 1usulin6D
The airmen )el!omed the trio as angels dropping out of the s#(/ and one of the first
things the res!ue team noti!ed )as the huge number of airmen greeting them6 The( had
been told to e:pe!t one hundred fift( airmen/ and AuGno-i!h )as hoping that number
had been e:aggerated6 The res!ue team/ ho)e-er/ found themsel-es surrounded b( no
fe)er than t)o hundred fift( Ameri!an airmen/ and the( )ere told that more )ere
streaming into ranGane e-er( da(6
The daunting numbers !ould be put aside for a short )hile/ though/ )hile all of ranGane
!elebrated the arri-al of the res!ue team6 9n the Serb fashion that the airmen )ere getting
used to/ the -illage erupted into Gubilant !elebration )ith plum brand( and musi!/
!apped b( a -isit from 1ihailo-i!h himself6 'ibilian )as in a)e of the alread( legendar(
general/ feeling a)#)ard in front of the !harismati! leader/ espe!iall( be!ause the OSS
)as so informal/ )ith little attention paid to militar( proto!ol6 5e almost ne-er saluted
his OSS offi!ers/ but 'ibilian felt that he )as an enlisted man in the presen!e of a famous
,ugosla- general/ so he snapped off a sharp salute )hen introdu!ed to 1ihailo-i!h6 The
(oung Ameri!an )as pleased to find out that despite his reputation as a fier!e guerilla
leader/ 1ihailo-i!h )as as do)n to earth as an(one he had e-er met6
&i#e e-er( other Ameri!an )ho met 1ihailo-i!h personall(/ ho)e-er/ 'ibilian )as ta#en
b( the )a( a man of su!h simpli!it( !ould at the same time gi-e su!h an impression of
grandeur6 'ibilian and the other Allied soldiers )ere most impressed b( 1ihailo-i!h's
sense of dignit( in the fa!e of e:treme hardship and insurmountable odds/ and the
humble )a( he re!ei-ed a!!olades from his follo)ers/ !onsistentl( !oming a)a( )ith
the same unsha#able impression that the( )ere standing in the presen!e of greatness6
1ore than one airman reported that meeting )ith 1ihailo-i!h a!tuall( made them feel
ph(si!all( small/ though 1ihailo-i!h )as merel( of a-erage height and build6
1ihailo-i!h )as #no)n to be e-en-tempered for the most part/ despite his re!ent
outburst about the 4ritish/ and though he )as not ne!essaril( !onsidered a great intelle!t
b( most of his peers/ his sense of dut( to his !ountr( and his people )as unJuestioned6
5e )as a man of great )armth and personalit(/ #indl( and paternal to e-er(one around
him/ though he )as also a stri!t dis!iplinarian )ith his troops6 1ihailo-i!h )as
reno)ned for his simpli!it(/ his insisten!e that he be one of the !ommon people/ ne-er
abo-e them or his soldiers6 5e al)a(s preferred eating a meal on the ground )ith his
troops to sitting inside a dining room )ith other offi!ers/ and e-er(one around him #ne)
that his greatest Go( )as to li-e among the !ommon people in their o)n !ommunities-
eating )ith them/ dan!ing/ Goining in their festi-als/ singing fol# songs/ and pla(ing a
guitar6 5e dressed as his soldiers dressed/ ate )hat the( ate/ and refused an(thing that
e-en implied a pri-ileged status6 5is follo)ers lo-ed him for it and !ommonl( !alled
him Chi!ha/ the Serbian )ord for un!le6
The Ameri!ans sa) 1ihailo-i!h at his best )hene-er the lo!al -illagers !ame to see
him/ al)a(s bringing gifts of )ine or flo)ers/ the )omen eager to #iss him on the !hee#
and pose for a pi!ture )ith the general6 1ihailo-i!h )as e:tremel( fond of !hildren/ and
)hene-er he passed through a -illage the lo!al s!hoolmaster )ould de!lare a holida( so
the !hildren !ould s)arm 1ihailo-i!h/ eager to tou!h the hero6 1ihailo-i!h often )ould
tease the bo(s in the group b( sa(ing he had heard that one of them )as a artisan and
then as# )hi!h one )as lo(al to Tito6
D8e Ga/ Chi!ha!D 8ot 9/ >n!le! ea!h bo( )ould (ell in return6 1ihailo-i!h !ontinued
teasing them/ e(eing them suspi!iousl(/ pointing to first one and then another/ sa(ing/ D9
ha-e definite information6 9s it (ou$D The bo(s )ould !ontinue laughing and (elling/
D8e Ga/ Chi!ha!D until finall( 1ihailo-i!h relented and patted the bo(s on the ba!#/
sa(ing/ D9 see that (ou're all good Serbs6 9 shall ha-e to tell m( intelligen!e that the(
)ere )rong!D
The stories 'ibilian had heard of 1ihailo-i!h )ere !onfirmed )hen he saluted the
general and re!ei-ed a salute in return/ then hung around for a )hile to e:!hange a fe)
pleasantries and listen in as 1ihailo-i!h tal#ed )ith 1usulin and the other Ameri!ans
about the up!oming res!ue6 =ollo)ers )ere al)a(s !ro)ded around/ see#ing !lose
pro:imit( to this lo!al !elebrit(/ a !elebrit( )ithout pretense )ho didn't mind a farmer
suddenl( gi-ing him a bear hug and insisting on sharing a !up of plum brand(6
When the !elebration died do)n/ =elman and 1usulin !onferred at length about the
plans for getting all these men out6 1usulin )as relu!tant to admit that the OSS had not
anti!ipated so man( men/ but he did tell =elman that the res!ue plan )as auda!ious/
bigger and ris#ier than an(thing that had been attempted before/ and he ga-e him a basi!
rundo)n of ho) it )ould )or#6 C-".s )ould !ome in and pi!# up a doFen men at a time
and fl( them ba!# to 9tal(/ he told =elman6 +:a!tl( ho) that )ould happen )as still a
little un!ertain/ and that )as one reason 1usulin and his team )ere there in ad-an!e<
The( had to figure out ho) to a!!omplish the airlift of so man( people/ using )hate-er
resour!es the( found here6 The first order of business< 4uild an airstrip6 On this rugged
hillside6 With -irtuall( no tools6 Without the Germans finding out6
1usulin soon !he!#ed )ith an old friend in 1ihailo-i!h's arm( for an update on the
Germans in the area6 What he heard )as not en!ouraging6 Onl( t)el-e miles a)a( in the
-illage of Cha!ha# )as a garrison of fort(-fi-e hundred German troops6 Onl( fi-e miles
a)a( on the other side of the mountain )as another garrison of t)o hundred fift( 8aFis6
Within thirt( miles in all dire!tions there )ere a half-doFen !ities and other !enters
important to the Germans/ ea!h )ith a number of troops stationed there6 9n IralGe-o/
onl( thirt( miles a)a(/ a &uft)affe unit )as stationed at an airfield Gust a -er( short
flight from ranGane6 The meaning )as !lear for 1usulin< This had to happen Jui!#l(6
D9f the Germans find out about this and atta!#/ the('re going to bring superior firepo)er
and o-er)helm the Chetni#s/D he told =elman6 DOur friends )ill hold them off as long as
possible/ but e-entuall( the( )ill be for!ed to retreat through the mountains6 All these
airmen/ espe!iall( the si!# and inGured/ )ill ne-er ma#e it6 We'-e got to do this
e-a!uation before the Germans find out that m( team is here6D
=elman assured him that the airmen )ere read( to do )hate-er the( )ere as#ed to ma#e
this res!ue happen6 1usulin #ne) he !ould !ount on the same from the -illagers as )ell6
1ean)hile/ 'ibilian set up his radio and made !onta!t )ith 4ari/ letting them #no) the
AC7> team had arri-ed safel( and )ere pro!eeding as planned6 The airmen set up a
field hospital )ith the medi!al supplies that )ere dropped/ !alling on the ser-i!es of an
9talian do!tor )ho had es!aped from a prison !amp in 4elgrade6
'ibilian )as amaFed b( the number of airmen in ranGane and b( the generosit( of the
-illagers ris#ing their li-es to help Ameri!ans6 5e )as more determined than e-er to get
these men out safel(/ but a!tuall( seeing t)o hundred fift( men in one pla!e )as
!hallenging his !onfiden!e6 When 'ibilian )as as#ed b( desperate airmen if the plan
!ould reall( )or#/ he al)a(s said (es6 4ut deep do)n he )as thin#ing/ Onl( God
#no)s6 9t )as the same response he had )hen the airmen and -illagers as#ed )h( the
Allies had abandoned 1ihailo-i!h6
The ne:t morning/ 1usulin and his team )asted no time in setting about their tas#s6 'ob
one )as !lear< Get to )or# on the landing strip6 The( #ne) this )ould be tough )or# for
the airmen and the lo!al -illagers to build an airstrip big enough to land C-". !argo
planes using nothing more than their bare hands and the o!!asional hoe or pit!hfor#/ but
there )as no other )a(6 The airmen had alread( begun !learing the field near ranGane/
the one )here the( had )aited for the res!ue team to arri-e/ but there )as still a great
deal more )or# to be done6 And as 1usulin #ept reminding e-er(one/ it had to be done
Jui!#l( and )ithout the Germans !at!hing on6 5e !onfirmed that the site !hosen b( the
airmen )as the best option be!ause it )as relati-el( flat and !lear/ at least for the
mountains of ,ugosla-ia/ but it )asn't mu!h of a landing strip6 9t )as Gust a small/
narro) plateau half)a( up the mountainside/ about fift( (ards )ide and nearl( se-en
hundred (ards long6 The field )as surrounded b( dense )oods on one side and a sheer
dropoff on the other6 =arther out/ the plateau )as surrounded on all sides b( mountain
ranges that )ere less than t)o miles a)a(6 9t loo#ed li#e a pilot's )orst nightmare6
1usulin #ne) from )hat the air for!e had told him in preparation for the mission/ and
plent( of the airmen on the ground !onfirmed it also/ that the minimum distan!e
reJuired for landing a C-". is se-en hundred (ards6
DAnd that's Gust the minimum/D he emphasiFed to the airmen6 DGod help us if there's
)ind during the res!ue attempt/ or if the pilot !omes in too fast6 We !ould ha-e a real
mess out here if one of those planes runs off the end and bursts into flames6 We're going
to lose Ameri!an men/ and the !rash might bring Germans to in-estigate too6 9t !ould get
real bad/ real Jui!#6D 5e repeated the same thing to the -illagers gathered around/ this
time in Serbian6 The( all nodded in understanding/ a)are that the !onseJuen!es of
failing in this tas# )ere se-ere6
5e turned his attention ba!# to the airmen and made sure the( understood that their li-es
depended/ in a -er( dire!t )a(/ on )hether the( !ould build this airstrip6
DAnd don't forget (ou're going to be on that plane )hen it tries to ta#e off on this short
little run)a(/D he said6 D9f 9 )ere (ou/ 9'd ma#e that airstrip as long as )e !an possibl(
ma#e it before those planes !ome6D
5e didn't reall( ha-e to pound home the point6 These )ere airmen and the( )ere -er(
s#epti!al that the( !ould ma#e this plateau into a landing strip and not Gust a death trap6
4ut the( had no other !hoi!e/ so the( got to )or# right a)a(/ glad to ha-e )or# )ith a
purpose6 The( loo#ed at the airstrip !onstru!tion as another mission assigned to them/
Gust li#e getting orders for another bomb run to loesti6 The able-bodied !arried the
)orst of it/ )hile the si!# and inGured !ontributed in )hate-er small )a(s the( !ould/ b(
hauling off the smallest ro!#s or bringing )ater to the others6 The airmen )or#ed
pra!ti!all( nonstop/ brea#ing from their labor onl( )hen the( heard a German plane
o-erhead/ )hi!h sent the men sprinting into the )oods to hide6 The( hoped that/ )ithout
a fe) hundred people -isible )or#ing on it/ the landing strip )ould loo# li#e a farm
field6 9f a German pilot sa) that man( people out there toiling at on!e/ it )ouldn't ta#e
long to figure out )ho the( )ere and )hat the( )ere doing6 At the !all of DGerman
plane!D e-en the most e:hausted men )ould sprint for the tree line6 The )or# !ontinued
)ell into the e-enings be!ause of the need to finish Jui!#l( and also be!ause it )as
harder for planes to see the )or# in the dar#6
The t)o hundred fift( airmen )ere Goined in their )or# b( three hundred -illagers and
Chetni# soldiers/ using si:t( o:!arts pro-ided b( the peasants for hauling ro!#s out of
the field and mo-ing dirt around to ma#e the airstrip more le-el6 Stones and soil )ere
har-ested from nearb( streams to le-el the field6 With -er( fe) tools to use/ the airmen
)or#ed )ith bare/ bloodied hands/ digging up ro!#s and tamping do)n the earth )ith
their feet to ma#e the field solid enough for a plane to land6 +-er( one of them )as a
flier/ so the( #ne) ho) important it )as to do the Gob right6 One soft hole or ro!# left in
the field !ould mean a plane full of doFens of airmen !art)heeling a!ross the airstrip and
bursting into flames6 Some airmen !on!entrated on !utting do)n trees at the end of the
field and ripping up the stumps so the landing strip !ould be e:tended/ )hile others
hauled gra-el and stones from a nearb( streambed to use as ma#eshift pa-ing6 Their goal
)as to e:tend the length of the field b( se-ent(-fi-e (ards6 +-er( e:tra foot )as another
little bit of hope/ another margin of safet( for pilots )ho )ould be pushing their s#ills to
the limit )ith this !raF( mission6
1ean)hile/ 1usulin )as more s#epti!al about the airfield than he let on to the airmen6
5e #ne) it )as up to him to appro-e this site and not Gust bring those C-". !re)s in if
the( )ere !ertain to die in a pointless !rash6 5e )anted to see if there )as an()here else
to !arr( out this operation/ so he dispat!hed t)o teams of airmen to go loo# for other/
more suitable landing sites6 Se-eral da(s later/ both parties returned )ith reports of
better landing areas/ but the !losest )as fourteen hours )al#ing distan!e from ranGane6
1o-ing e-er(one to that site )ould mean shifting a)a( from the relati-el( )ell-
guarded/ se!ure area of ranGane and being more -ulnerable if the Germans atta!#ed6
And as#ing all the si!# and inGured to tra-el fourteen hours )as not a good option6
So 1usulin relu!tantl( a!!epted ranGane as the res!ue site6 5e didn't li#e it/ but he
didn't reall( ha-e a !hoi!e6
+a!h da(/ more airmen arri-ed and the ne)bies heard )hat )as going on in ranGane/
)h( the( had Gourne(ed so long to get to this little -illage that loo#ed li#e e-er( other
-illage the( had passed through6 And ea!h ne) arri-al greeted the ne)s )ith the same
rea!tion-a )ide grin that Jui!#l( faded into a loo# of s#epti!ism6 C-".s here$ On this
mountainside$ Won't the Germans !ome and #ill us all after the first plane !rashes$
'ibilian #ne) the men had good reason to be s#epti!al6 Their li-es depended on this plan
)or#ing and no one !ould be sure it )ould6 4ut 'ibilian had no intention of lea-ing
,ugosla-ia again )ithout ta#ing as man( of these airmen )ith him as possible6
The( had to ma#e it )or#6 Si: da(s after arri-ing in ranGane/ 'ibilian and his teammates
thought it !ould6 The airstrip )as !oming along )ell/ loo#ing smoother and longer e-er(
da( as the trees !ame do)n on the far end of the field6 After sur-e(ing the )or# on the
landing strip one last time on August 0/ 1usulin told 'ibilian to send a message to 4ari6
D'ibb(/ tell 4ari )e're read(6 We'll start e-a!uation tomorro) night6D
Chapter 1%
7ed6 7ed6 7ed6
'ibilian tapped out his 1orse !ode message to 4ari/ reJuesting si: planes for the
follo)ing night/ and )hen he re!ei-ed !onfirmation that the res!ue )ould finall( happen
the ne:t e-ening/ )ord spread among the airmen in ranGane li#e a bottle ro!#et
s#ittering through a field of s!hool-!hildren6 This )as the ne)s the( had been )aiting
for6 The( )ere finall( going home6 Well/ the( )ere going home if this !raF( plan
a!tuall( )or#ed6 8o one )as forgetting that the )hole idea )as a big ris#6
The airmen understood that the( )ouldn't all be able to lea-e at the same time6 The(
)ould be going out a fe) doFen at a time/ starting )ith the )ounded and then lea-ing in
order of their longe-it( on the ground/ )ith no distin!tion bet)een offi!ers and enlisted
men6 Those )ho had been in ,ugosla-ia the longest )ould be at the front of the line/ and
bomber !re)s )ould go out together6 1usulin dre) up a list of se-ent(-t)o airmen/
most of them )ounded/ and told them to be read( to e-a!uate the ne:t da(6 5e )as
pla(ing it safe b( assigning onl( t)el-e men to ea!h C-"./ e-en though the( t(pi!all(
!arried t)i!e as man( troops6 1usulin had spe!ified that the res!ue planes !arr( onl(
half a load of gas/ Gust barel( enough to get to ranGane and ba!#/ to #eep their )eight to
a minimum6 The( alread( )ere as#ing the res!ue pilots to ta#e off in the dar# on a
bump( airstrip that )as Gust barel( long enough/ so 1usulin figured the( should #eep
the planes light b( assigning no more than t)el-e passengers6 lus/ there )ould be fe)er
!asualties if one of the planes didn't ma#e it6
5ardl( an(one slept that night6 &i#e the rest of the airmen/ Ton( Orsini and Clare
1usgro-e/ )ho had arri-ed in ranGane about t)o )ee#s earlier/ )ere )a( too )ired to
sleep6 The( alternated l(ing do)n for short stints until the( !ouldn't stand it an(more
)ith sitting outside in the !hill( air tal#ing )ith ea!h other6 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and
'ibilian )ere up )ell into the night double-!he!#ing their plans and !onferring )ith the
Chetni# soldiers about defenses around ranGane for the follo)ing night6 The( )anted to
be sure that if the Germans !ame roaring up the mountainside to in-estigate the C-".
landings/ the Chetni# soldiers !ould hold them off long enough to at least let them get
the planes loaded and ba!# in the air6 D9f )e're going to be atta!#ed/D 1usulin told them/
Dlet's ma#e sure )e get some of these bo(s in those planes and on their )a( out before it
all falls apart6 We might not all ma#e it out/ but let's ma#e sure somebod( does6D
The air )as !ra!#ling )ith e:!itement and an:iet(/ so it )as no surprise that most of the
men )ere still a)a#e )hen the ma!hine-gun fire started6 All o-er ranGane/ Ameri!ans
Gumped out of the ha(sta!#s and barn lofts )here the( had been tr(ing to sleep/ thro)ing
on the rest of their !lothes as the rapid sta!!ato of a large-!aliber ma!hine gun !arried
through the damp night air6 The( )ere read( to bolt into the dar#ness and run for their
li-es6 1usulin and his team sprang into a!tion at the first sound of gunfire/ grabbing
their )eapons and heading to)ard the firefight6 This !ould be it6 The('re onto us and
the('re not going to let this res!ue ta#e pla!e6
The OSS agents )ere ma#ing their )a( to)ard the sound of the gunfire/ led b( the
hus#( former lineba!#er/ )hen the( met a Chetni# offi!er !oming to)ard them6 1usulin
immediatel( )as surprised b( the man's !alm demeanor6 The Chetni# )a-ed his hands at
the Ameri!ans as if to indi!ate e-er(thing )as o#a( and shoo# his head from side to side
)ith a loo# of !hagrin on his fa!e6
D9s no problem6 8o problem/D he said6 DOne of m( men sa) something mo-ing and
!hallenged it6 When it did not sa( an(thing/ he fired his ma!hine gun6D
DOh/ so there's nobod( out there/D 1usulin said/ lo)ering his )eapon6
DOnl( !o)6 8o) dead !o)6D
The agents and the airmen slept fitfull( that night if the( slept at all/ and )hen the(
a)o#e on the morning of August 2/ their first thought )as of the res!ue6 =or se-ent(-t)o
of the men/ the( #ne) this )as the da( the( )ould finall( get out of ,ugosla-ia or die
tr(ing6 =or the others/ this )as the da( the( )ould see if this !raF( plan )ould )or# and
there )as an end in sight for their time in ,ugosla-ia6 The plan )as to bring the !argo
planes in at night to ma#e them less of a target for German fighters/ so there )as still
one more long da( in ,ugosla-ia to get through6 There )as still )or# to do/ ho)e-er/ so
the men !ould fo!us on putting the final tou!hes on their impro-ised airstrip/ as )ell as
setting up the flare pots that )ould help guide the planes in6
&ate in the da(/ Orsini and 1usgro-e Goined more than a hundred airmen and -illagers
)or#ing on the field/ loo#ing for soft spots and ro!#s/ pushing !arts of dirt here and
there to e-en out the ground as mu!h as possible/ )hile 1usulin and 7aGa!i!h o-ersa)
the )or#6 1usulin )as on horseba!#/ loo#ing for an( last-minute problems or areas that
!ould be impro-ed/ )hen he spotted t)o or three tin( spe!#s off the horiFon/ !oming
from the dire!tion of 4elgrade6 5e #ne) at on!e the( )ere German planes6 On!e again/
he thought the Gig )as up/ the Germans )ere onto them and !oming in to strafe them Gust
as the( )ere !lose to res!ue6 7aGa!i!h sa) them too6 Simultaneousl(/ both men started
shouting to the airmen and -illagers6
DGerman planes! German planes! 7un! Get off the field! 5urr(!D
+-er(one s!urried li#e field mi!e from an approa!hing ha)#/ sprinting and hobbling off
the airstrip and into the !losest tree line/ sJuatting do)n in the ground !o-er to hide
from the planes6 1usulin and 7aGa!i!h Goined them/ )at!hing the spe!#s get !loser and
louder6 9t didn't ta#e long to see that the planes )ere a Stu#a di-e bomber and t)o '>-%2
'un#er planes that )ere similar to the Ameri!an C-".s e:pe!ted later that night/ onl(
more angular and bo:(6 The Stu#a di-e bomber stru!# fear in the hearts of the airmen/
)ho easil( re!ogniFed it on sight6 Though it loo#ed more li#e a small fighter plane/
airmen and infantr( the )orld o-er #ne) the Stu#a as a fearful plane to en!ounter )hen
(ou )ere helpless on the ground beneath it6 9n addition to strafing/ )hi!h most an( plane
!ould do/ the Stu#a )as spe!iall( designed for pre!ision bombing of !riti!al ground
targets-in!luding airfields6 One of the most ad-an!ed and su!!essful planes used in
World War 99/ the Stu#a had a dedi!ated autopilot s(stem that put it in a steep !ontrolled
di-e/ allo)ing the pilot to aim the bomb )ith great pre!ision/ and then the s(stem
automati!all( pulled the air!raft out of the di-e and ba!# to le-el flight )hen the bomb
)as dropped6 The e:treme G-for!es of su!h a near--erti!al di-e often !aused pilots of
other planes to temporaril( lose !ons!iousness during the pull out of the di-e/ resulting
in a !rash/ but the Stu#a's autopilot pre-ented that from happening6 The Stu#a pilot also
had an e:!ellent -ie) from the !o!#pit and spe!ial indi!ators to inform him of his di-e
angle and )hen he rea!hed the optimal bomb release altitude/ allo)ing him to fo!us
entirel( on pre!ise aiming during the fast/ steep di-e6 The sight and sound of a Stu#a
di-ing right at (ou should ha-e been plent( frightening enough/ but 5itler )anted to
ma:imiFe the terror6 So he ordered the &uft)affe to eJuip the Stu#a )ith a s!reaming
siren that made the sound of its di-e far more frightening/ e-en rattling some antiair!raft
gunners so mu!h that the( did not fire at the plane6
While the( )ere primar( transports of one t(pe or another/ li#e the C-".s/ the German
'un#ers )ere armed )ith ma!hine guns and !ould ma#e slo) laF( !ir!les around the
airmen/ strafing the men on the ground until the bodies )ere heaped in piles6 On this
da(/ it )as li#el( that the 'un#ers )ere on a routine mission and the Stu#a di-e bomber
)as a!!ompan(ing them for prote!tion6 9t might ha-e been pure !han!e that their path
had brought them right a!ross the ranGane airstrip/ but 1usulin and 7aGa!i!h !ouldn't
be sure6 The( )ere onl( a fe) hours a)a( from !arr(ing out this mission/ and German
planes )ere fl(ing right to)ard the field6 6 6 6
All around the airstrip/ tended lo-ingl( )ith bloodied hands and impro-ised tools/ the
hearts of the Ameri!an airmen san# as the( )at!hed the planes approa!h6 When the(
sa) the Stu#a di-e bomber/ the( all had the same thought6 1usgro-e loo#ed at the
planes )ith anger6 ;amn/ the('re going to bomb our field6 A fe) bombs on this airstrip
and it'll ta#e fore-er to repair it enough for C-".s to land6 +-en if the Germans hadn't
sent the planes spe!ifi!all( to foil the res!ue attempt/ the( all #ne) that the pilots )ould
noti!e something amiss )hen the( spotted the freshl( !leaned strip of land and the
e:tension into the )oods6 5a-ing the pilots see that big stret!h of land near ranGane
)ith nothing happening on it/ no farmer plo)ing or tending a !rop/ )ould loo# almost as
suspi!ious as seeing the Ameri!ans )or#ing on it6 4ut it )as too late to send a -illager
out there )ith a plo) in an effort at loo#ing normal6 The( !ould see the planes !oming
in right to)ard the field at about one thousand feet and -er( slo)l(/ slo) enough that
the pilots )ould get a good loo# if the( Gust glan!ed do)n at the right moment6
+-er(one tensed in their hiding pla!es/ )at!hing the planes get !loser and !loser6
Then 1usulin noti!ed a most pro-idential herd of !o)s sauntering onto the airstrip6 The
bo-ine pa!#'s attention )as dra)n to the fresh grass on the airstrip/ )hi!h had been
denied them )hile the )or#ers )ere bus( all da( and into the night for )ee#s prior6 The
!o)s )addled up into the field and didn't seem to noti!e )hen the three planes fle)
dire!tl( o-erhead at lo) altitude/ gi-ing the field e:a!tl( the loo# the airmen needed at
that moment-that of a normal farm field in the mountains of ,ugosla-ia6
1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and the rest of the airmen )at!hed intentl( as the German planes
!ontinued on their path past ranGane/ ne-er turning to !ome ba!# and ta#e another loo#6
+-er(one started breathing again as the( realiFed that the German pilots )ho !ould ha-e
put an end to Operation 5al(ard didn't noti!e a thing/ perhaps due in part to the
impromptu !o) !amouflage6 The( )ere all tal#ing about ho) sure the( had been that
the Germans )ere onto them6 4ut apparentl( not/ the( said6 'ust a random flight6
1usulin )asn't so sure6 5e )as #eenl( a)are that the su!!ess of this mission depended
on operational se!urit(6 The mission )as so ris#( to begin )ith that he !ould onl( hope
for su!!ess if the Germans didn't get )ind of it too earl(6 There )as no )a( he !ould
!arr( out this res!ue and engage in an all-out battle )ith the Germans simultaneousl(/ so
1usulin )as )orried that those three planes )eren't Gust a random o-erflight6 The
enem( might ha-e inter!epted a message from 4ari and sent that seemingl( random
flight o-er ranGane to ta#e a loo# at the airstrip and !he!# for defenses6 9f it )as a
re!onnaissan!e flight/ it )ould ma#e sense that the( didn't atta!# or !ome ba!# for a
se!ond loo#6 With Gust hours till game time/ this e:-lineba!#er )as getting his game fa!e
onH 1usulin )as suspi!ious of e-er(thing6
9f the('re onto us/ that )as Gust re!on for an atta!# later6 The( might ha-e been !he!#ing
us out in the da(light so the('ll #no) ho) to atta!# us tonight )hen the planes !ome in6
1usulin !onsidered !alling off the res!ue/ postponing it for another night6 4ut he
realiFed it )as probabl( too late6 The planes )ere probabl( alread( ta#ing off in
4rindisi/ and besides/ e-er( da( the( )aited Gust made the ris# )orse6 5e as#ed one of
the Chetni#s to !he!# on the German garrison in the -alle( belo)/ using a se!ret
telephone line/ to see if there )as an( unusual a!ti-it( that !ould signal an impending
atta!#6 The Chetni# supporters in the -alle( reported that all )as normal6
The big bra)n( Ameri!an stood in the field/ the )ind blo)ing through his bush( bla!#
beard/ and )at!hed as the men got ba!# to )or#/ loo#ing for an( )a( to ma#e the
airfield Gust a little bit safer for that night's res!ue6 As he loo#ed o-er the men/ ragged
and s!ra)n( but still )or#ing hard/ 1usulin #ne) the( )ere )illing to ris# e-er(thing
to be res!ued6
We're on6 We'-e got to start getting them out6 Tonight6
The airmen and the -illagers !ontinued toiling on the ma#eshift run)a( throughout the
da( and )ell into the e-ening/ some bringing !arts of dirt to le-el out another dip in the
field/ others )ielding !rude farm a:es to bring do)n Gust a fe) more trees on the end6 9f
the( didn't ha-e an( spe!ifi! tas# to do/ man( of the airmen roamed the field
methodi!all(/ their e(es !ast do)n)ard loo#ing for an( bump or soft spot/ an( ro!# that
had been o-erloo#ed6 +-en if the( !ouldn't do mu!h more in the hours before the res!ue
attempt/ the( !ouldn't sit still6 Orsini felt that he had to be out there/ doing something/
an(thing/ to gi-e himself Gust a bit more hope that this )ild plan !ould a!tuall( )or#6
The( )ere all doing their damnedest to ma#e sure this little farm meado) on a plateau
in the mountains )ould be the last pla!e the( tou!hed the ground in ,ugosla-ia6
As night fell and for!ed the men to stop )or#ing/ the( retreated to the homes in ranGane
for )hat se-ent(-t)o of them hoped )ould be their last meal in the -illage/ their last !up
or t)o of plum brand(6 The( )ere tired from the da('s )or# and from li-ing for )ee#s
or months in ,ugosla-ia on little food/ and the )ounded )ere suffering from their
bro#en bones/ la!erations/ dislo!ated shoulders/ and m(riad other inGuries6 4ut on this
night/ no one )as eager to bed do)n in the ha(lofts and small !ottage rooms6 The men
)ere an:ious to see if this res!ue !ould reall( happen/ se-ent(-t)o of them realiFing
the( )ere the most fortunate to be going out that night/ but also the most at ris# be!ause
the( )ould test the details of this plan )ith their li-es6 4ut there )asn't an airman in
ranGane )ho )ouldn't trade pla!es )ith them and )illingl( ta#e that ris#6
The night )as !lear but dar#/ e:a!tl( )hat 1usulin )anted for this operation6 Though it
greatl( intensified the !hallenge for the pilots of the res!ue planes/ the night landing
)ould help prote!t the lumbering C-".s from German fighters6 All through ranGane/
do)ned Ameri!an bomber pilots as#ed themsel-es the same Juestion< Could 9 pull this
off$ 9f the( as#ed me to fl( into some strange !ountr( and land on a little airstrip in the
dar#/ !ould 9 do it )ithout #illing m(self and a fe) doFen men$ 8o one e-er had a !lear
ans)er6 The( told themsel-es the( !ould do it if the( had to/ and the( assumed that the
pilots on their )a( to ranGane )ere sa(ing the same thing to themsel-es6
The airmen a)aiting res!ue didn't #no) it (et/ but the res!ue had alread( begun6 Si: C-
".s )ere in the air and on their )a( to ranGane6 When the planes too# off from 4ari/
George AuGno-i!h #ne) it )ould be hours before he heard an(thing about the mission/
good or bad6 4ut li#e the airmen in ranGane/ AuGno-i!h )ould not sleep that night6 5e
o!!upied himself as best as he !ould/ shuffling paper and )riting letters/ an(thing to
#eep him bus( so he didn't Gust sit and )orr( about the mission6 After all the
bureau!rati! infighting and resistan!e from the 4ritish/ Operation 5al(ard )as in the air6
AuGno-i!h thought again of his last da(s in ,ugosla-ia and ho) mu!h he had (earned to
get out and be free of German oppression6 5e #ne) the men in ranGane must feel the
same )a(/ and he )as right6 The( !ould thin# of nothing else/ e-er( sense on alert as
the( )aited for the appointed time6 A !ouple of hours after dar#ness en-eloped the
airfield/ 1usulin sent the )ord< 5e ordered the first se-ent(-t)o airmen to gather at the
airfield and prepare to lea-e6
The !hosen se-ent(-t)o made their )a( to the airfield Gust outside the -illage/ man( of
them hobbling )ith their inGuries/ and )aited in the !old night air6 The res!ue planes
)ere not due for another t)o hours/ but 1usulin did not )ant to run the ris# that the
planes )ould sho) up earl( and the men )ould not be read(6 The ma#eshift airstrip )as
!ro)ded again/ Gust as it had been during the da(/ be!ause most of the other airmen had
!ome along to see )hat )ould happen6 The( milled about in the dar#ness in an imitation
of their last-minute run)a( inspe!tions before losing the sun/ but this time the men said
good-b(e to those )ho )ere !hosen to lea-e that night/ and the tal# )as all about
)hether the planes a!tuall( !ould land out here in the dar#6 And )hether the Germans
might !rash the part(6
;oFens of -illagers and Chetni# soldiers also !on-erged at the airfield )ith the
Ameri!ans/ some of them )ith a spe!ifi! tas# to aid the res!ue and some Gust )anting to
see this great e-ent that e-er(one had been tal#ing about for so long6 +-er(one )ho had
been aiding the airmen for months turned out to see the final a!t/ and the( )ere as
e:!ited as if the !ir!us )ere !oming to to)n6 And in a )a(/ it )as6 The mood )as Go-ial
at first/ but it gre) more and more somber as the hours passed and the time for the
res!ue gre) near6 Con-ersations died do)n and e-en the most e:uberant of the men
be!ame Juiet/ sensing that the !oming hour )ould bring something momentous to this
tin( -illage in the mountains/ and that )hate-er it brought )ould deser-e some respe!t6
+ither doFens of men )ould be sa-ed tonight/ )ith the promise of man( more soon after/
or doFens of men might be #illed and along )ith them the hopes of all the rest6 What
)as about to happen in ranGane )ould be profound/ in one )a( or another6
1usulin and his air for!e !onta!ts in 4ari s!heduled the res!ue to begin at ten p6m6 on
August 26 1usulin !he!#ed his )at!h obsessi-el( and nearl( e-er( other airman )ho
still had a )at!h follo)ed suit/ all of them refle:i-el( ma#ing sure the( )ere in pla!e/
that the( )ere read( on their end as soon as the planes arri-ed6 As ten p6m6 gre) nearer/
1usulin ordered e-er(one off the airstrip6 The men made their )a( to the tree lines on
either side/ Gust as the( had done man( times before )hen a German plane fle)
o-erhead/ lea-ing the ma#eshift run)a( empt(6 Then 1usulin spo#e )ith the Chetni#
offi!ers at the field and made sure that the soldiers manning the flares/ impro-ised out of
oil !ans and ha( bales donated b( the -illagers/ understood )hat to do6 As soon as
1usulin ga-e the order/ he )anted the Chetni#s to light the flares and ha( bales lining
either side of the run)a(/ gi-ing the in!oming pilots some rudimentar( indi!ators of the
landing field's parameters6 The Chetni#s )ere read(6 The airmen )ere more than read(6
1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian )ere s!anning the s#ies loo#ing for an( sign of an
in!oming plane6
5undreds of airmen !rou!hed in the brush and trees along their ne)l( made airstrip6
The( )ere eager and hopeful/ but the( )ere )orried/ too6 Then/ at e:a!tl( ten p6m6/ the(
heard the drone of a plane6 A )ild !heer arose from the trees/ shattering the silen!e in the
pit!h-bla!# night6
1usulin and his team heard the plane at the same time/ the !heers Jui!#l( dro)ning out
the )el!ome sound6 7ight on time/ 1usulin thought/ loo#ing at his )at!h again6 O#a(/
this is it6 &et's get this done6 5e (elled to the men in the trees/ gi-ing final orders before
the planes !ame in6
DSta( )here (ou are!D he (elled/ tr(ing to o-er!ome the sounds of !elebration6 D9f (ou
are not going out tonight/ sta( off the field! 9 don't )ant a madhouse out here )hen the
planes land!D
The airmen understood 1usulin's orders and remained in pla!e/ s!attered all along the
sides of the run)a( so e-er(one !ould see )hat happened/ the !heers steadil( d(ing
do)n and gi-ing )a( to silen!e again6 The (oung men !rou!hed in the bushes !ould
hardl( breathe as the( )aited to see their fate pla(ed out on this ma#eshift airfield6
As the roar of the planes gre) louder and !ame !loser/ 1usulin and e-er(one else
realiFed that it )as more than Gust one plane6 The planes made their )a( to)ard the
airfield at lo) altitude and began to !ir!le ranGane6
That's )hen 1usulin sa) there )as a problem6 There )ere onl( four planes/ not the si:
he had reJuested6 5e didn't #no) that t)o had been for!ed to turn ba!# be!ause of
engine trouble along the route6
1usulin ordered 7aGa!i!h to go ahead )ith the signal that )ould tell the res!ue planes
the( )ere in the right pla!e6 5e rushed out onto the airfield )ith an Aldis lamp/ a highl(
fo!used lantern that produ!ed a bright pulse of light6 1ost !ommonl( used on na-al
-essels and in airport !ontrol to)ers to signal planes/ the OSS team had brought the
Aldis lamp along for e:a!tl( this purpose6 7aGa!i!h held up the round lamp in one palm/
using a sight on the top to aim it at the lead C-". !ir!ling o-erhead and sJueeFed the
trigger three times to send the predetermined signal< 7ed6 7ed6 7ed6
>sing the same de-i!e/ a !re)man on the C-". signaled the appropriate response< 7ed6
7ed6 7ed6
Then 7aGa!i!h sent the ne:t message that )ould !onfirm all )as read( on the ground
and the planes !ould !ome in6 This time he used the lamp to blin# a predetermined !ode
)ord< -6 6- -6 8an6
+-er(one )aited a long moment for the plane's repl(6 And then e-er(one on the ground
sa) the flashes< -66- - 6666- 6-6 6- -6--6 R-ra(6
The airmen in the trees !ould see the signal and #ne) )hat it spelled/ but the( didn't
#no) the !ode )ords6 &i#e)ise/ the -illagers #ne) )hat the signaling )as about/ but
the( !ouldn't tell if all )as going as planned6 All of them/ the -illagers and the airmen
ali#e/ loo#ed intentl( at 7aGa!i!h and 1usulin6 7aGa!i!h let the Aldis lamp drop to his
side and began trotting off the field6 1usulin stepped out to address the airmen one last
time6
DWe're on/ bo(s! This is it!D 1usulin's last )ords )ere dro)ned out b( another Go(ous
roar from the airmen and the -illagers6 5e (elled to the Chetni#s to light the flares and
ha( bales/ and )ithin se!onds/ the field )as ablaFe )ith fier( orange mar#ers6 The night
too# on an eerie appearan!e and the !ro)d gre) silent again as the( )at!hed the planes
!ir!le6 When he )as sure e-er(thing )as in order/ 1usulin mar!hed out to the middle of
the airfield/ raised a flare gun high o-er his head/ and pulled the trigger6 A green flare
s!reamed s#()ard li#e !elebrator( fire)or#s/ the final signal that the landings should
begin6 The e:!ited airmen let out another !heer as the flare erupted and then Jui!#l(
Juieted do)n again6
The night )as deadl( Juiet e:!ept for the !ra!#ling of the burning ha( bales/ and all
e(es )ere on the first plane in the group6 The airmen )at!hed as it dropped out of the
!ir!ling formation and positioned itself for a landing on their airstrip6 +-er( airmen in
ranGane #ne) )hat a ris# this !re) )as ta#ing for them/ and in the air/ the C-". pilots
from the *3th Troop Carrier Command espe!iall( #ne) )hat a diffi!ult tas# la( before
them6 The airmen on the ground )at!hed the plane !ome !loser and !loser and then/
finall(/ the( !ould see the )hite star on the tail6 The( #ne) b( no) that the planes )ere
Ameri!an/ but still/ the sight of that )hite star added another la(er of Gubilation for these
men )ho )eren't sure the( )ould e-er see home again6 The Ameri!ans )ere !oming to
res!ue them!
4ut the plane still had to land/ and that )as the tri!#( part6 +-er(one )aiting in the
)oods had spent man( hours in planes Gust li#e that C-". and the( #ne) that landing at
night on su!h a rough airstrip )ouldn't be eas(6 The( all )at!hed/ )ondering if the(
)ould ha-e the ner-e to ma#e the same landing attempt if the roles )ere re-ersed6 And
Gust as the men on the ground suspe!ted/ the pilots !oming in for this first landing )ere
terrified6 The( didn't #no) )hat to e:pe!t of this hastil( made landing strip and the(
feared the( )ould !rash/ either d(ing in the )re!#age or Goining the other men in their
limbo behind enem( lines6 4oth on the ground and in the air/ s!ar!el( a breath passed
the men's lips as the( )aited for the C-".'s )heels to tou!h do)n6
The plane !ame in lo)er and lo)er6 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian )ere left to )at!h
Gust li#e all the airmen/ the same thoughts running through e-er(one's mind as the(
fo!used intentl( on the in!oming plane6
9t loo#s good so far6 ,ou're lined up on the run)a( ni!e and straight6 C'mon bo(s/ (ou
!an do it6 6 6 6 &oo#s good 6 6 6 loo#s good 6 6 6 5old it stead(/ bo(s6 6 6 6
=irst there )as the thump of the )heelsH then the pilot !ut ba!# on the throttle and the
engines !hanged pit!h6 The plane ra!ed do)n the airstrip/ nearl( silent no)/ hundreds of
e(es )at!hing intentl(6 1a(be this plan )ould )or#/ after all6 The men !rou!hed in the
brush )ere Gust about to breathe a sigh of relief )hen the( heard the plane's engines roar
ba!# to life6
The plane lifted ba!# into the air/ o-er the trees/ and into the dar#ness6
The field )as Juiet again/ the onl( sound the !ra!#ling of the burning ha( bales6
The airstrip )as too short6 The pilot Gust !ouldn't do it6
1usgro-e and the rest of the men )ere !rushed6 The dar#/ Juiet night hid hundreds of
bro#en hearts6 1usgro-e thought that )as the end of it all6
DToo short/ too short/D he heard another airman sa( Juietl(6 DThe( !an't do it6 This )ill
ne-er )or#6D
Chapter 1*
Going 5ome Shoeless
+-er(one feared the same thing< The mission )as a failure6 8o one had been sure that
the airstrip )as long enough or that the C-". pilots )ould ha-e the ner-e to land here in
the dead of night6 Seeing the plane tou!h do)n and then roar off again )as a terrible
disappointment/ but not ne!essaril( a surprise6
The despair/ ho)e-er/ )as Jui!#l( pushed aside b( another glimmer of hope6 The
se!ond plane )as !oming in! The airmen had feared that the first plane/ presumabl( the
lead C-". !arr(ing the pilot in !harge of the )hole group/ had told the other planes that
the airstrip )as too short6 The( full( e:pe!ted the planes to regroup and Gust fl( ba!# to
9tal(6 4ut here )as a se!ond C-". !oming in for this dangerous landing6 Again/ all e(es
)ere on this plane as it lined up in the dar#ness to tr( and hit this little airstrip Gust right6
On!e again/ the plane !ame do)n at a steep angle/ slammed its )heels on the ground
and !ut the po)er6 4ut this time/ the pilot hadn't o-ershot the run)a(6 5e dropped in
hard on the leading edge of the field so he !ould use e-er( single foot in front of him to
stop the plane/ bra#ing hard and ta:iing all the )a( do)n to the end of the run)a(/ then
maneu-ering off to the side as mu!h as possible so the ne:t planes )ouldn't hit the first
one6
1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian Goined the airmen in letting out a )ild !heer as the( sa)
the airplane !ome to a safe stop6 This is li#e 4abe 7uth hitting a home run to )in the
Series/ 1usulin thought6
Airmen and Serb -illagers rushed the plane/ s!reaming in !elebration and urging the
!re) to hop out so the( !ould be )el!omed to ranGane6 1usulin and his team/ along
)ith some of the Chetni# soldiers/ )or#ed to #eep the airstrip !lear/ pushing the !ro)d
a)a( from the par#ed plane and off the airstrip6 Other planes )ere !oming in/ or at least
1usulin hoped the( )ere/ and ea!h landing )as going to be Gust as ris#( as the one
before it6
1usulin !rou!hed b( the airfield again/ and )ith e-er(one else/ )at!hed as the se!ond
and third planes !ame in for landing/ ignoring his pre-ious orders to )ait for the
pre-ious plane to ta#e off and !lear the field before !oming in6 The OSS team )as on
edge/ )ondering if the( )ould end up )ith a pile of planes running into one another on
the small field6 +a!h landing )as ner-e-ra!#ing/ but the planes made perfe!t landings-all
e:!ept one that ran into a ha(sta!# near the airstrip and ended up )ith a se-erel( dented
)ing tip6 The planes ta:ied off the airstrip as mu!h as the( !ould/ the )ings of one plane
sometimes passing o-er the )ings of another/ !learing b( onl( a fe) in!hes6 Then the
first plane/ the one that had o-ershot the run)a(/ !ame ba!# in for another attempt6
1usulin felt for the !re)/ ha-ing to ma#e this frightening landing more than on!e6 4ut
on the se!ond tr(/ the pilot #ne) e:a!tl( )here to find the s)eet spot6 The last of the
planes )as on the ground and e-er(one !ould rela: again6 At least for a moment6
The airmen shoo# the hands of the C-". !re)s/ )ho all loo#ed tremendousl( relie-ed to
be on the ground/ and the -illagers greeted them )ith the same o-er-the-top sho) of
hospitalit( to )hi!h the do)ned airmen had be!ome a!!ustomed6 4url( men and stout
)omen ga-e the res!ue plane !re)s heart( bear hugs and #isses on both !hee#s/ )hile
others thre) flo)ers on them and pressed !ups of plum brand( into their hands6 Women
and (oung girls rushed the C-". !re)s to drape garlands of flo)ers around their ne!#s6
The moment )as Go(ous/ )ith the -illagers singing songs in !elebration and also as a
fare)ell part( for some of their Ameri!an friends6
9n the midst of the !elebration/ 1usulin/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian )ere pleasantl( surprised
to see 8i!# &ali!h step out of one of the C-".s6 AuGno-i!h had thought it a )aste to #eep
&ali!h in 4ari )hen he )as so eager to help )ith this mission/ so he sent him out on one
of the first planes6 5e #ne) the OSS team !ould use another e:perien!ed hand on the
ground/ and he )as right6 As soon as the( !ould ma#e their )a( through the throng of
airmen and -illagers surrounding the planes/ 1usulin )el!omed &ali!h )ith a strong
handsha#e and said he )as glad to ha-e the help6
As usual/ 1usulin )as a fa-orite of the -illagers and e-er(one )anted to sing and dan!e
and drin# )ith him/ but the big Ameri!an had to demur/ for he still )as in the middle of
!arr(ing out the most dangerous part of this mission6 The planes )ere on the ground/
and no) he had to get them ba!# in the air6 5e also #ept )orr(ing about )hether the
Germans )ould sho) up at an( minute6
=our Ameri!an planes !ir!ling/ signal lights/ flares/ burning ha(sta!#s/ and a green flare
to top it all off6 Could )e do an(thing else to in-ite the Germans in$
8i!# etro-i!h/ the (oung Chetni# soldier )ho )as among the thousands of
1ihailo-i!h's fighters around ranGane/ )as on guard dut( during the res!ue6 5e )as
stationed about half a mile a)a( on the one road leading up the mountain and into the
-illage/ !rou!hed in the )oods )aiting for a German patrol to in-estigate the air sho)
the( must ha-e seen from belo)6 etro-i!h )as manning a fift(-!aliber ma!hine gun
ta#en from a do)ned bomber/ )hi!h he #ne) from e:perien!e a!ted more li#e a small
pie!e of artiller( than a ma!hine gun6 5e had torn through German troops/ tru!#s/ and
!ars )ith the big gun alread(/ so he )as !onfident that if the 8aFis !ame up the
mountain to stop the res!ue/ he and his fello) soldiers !ould hold them off long enough
to let the planes get ba!# in the air6 As the( had man( times before/ etro-i!h and the
other Chetni#s !hose a spot on the road that )as slightl( ele-ated to gi-e them a firing
ad-antage/ and on a !ur-e so that the -ehi!les !ould be surprised )hen the( !ame
around the bend6 9f a patrol !ame near/ the ambush team )ould hold their fire and let the
first one or t)o -ehi!les !ome b(/ then open fire )ith the big fift(-!aliber and their other
)eapons6 Se-eral soldiers )ere read( )ith hand grenades to thro) at an( Germans )ho
tried to flee the -ehi!les6
4ut for the moment/ the road )as empt(6 8o sign of Germans6 etro-i!h )as tr(ing to
!on!entrate on )at!hing the road/ but he !ouldn't help staring off in the distan!e at the
airfield/ )hi!h he !ould see !learl( from his ele-ated hiding pla!e6 The airstrip dan!ed
)ith the fli!#ering lights of the flares and burning ha(sta!#s/ illuminating the hundreds
of figures dan!ing in the open field and pressed !lose to the four big planes that
etro-i!h sa) !ome in earlier6 5e had )at!hed in a)e as the C-".s !ame do)n at
treetop le-el/ Gust barel( !learing the surrounding )oods and then dropping do)n
sharpl( onto the airstrip6 etro-i!h )as sure the planes )ere going to !rash/ espe!iall(
)hen he sa) the first plane go do)n and right ba!# up again6 When the ne:t planes )ent
do)n and ta:ied to a safe stop/ etro-i!h and his fello) soldiers )ere o-erGo(ed/ letting
out a !r( of !elebration that e!hoed the !heers rising from the airfield/ )a-ing their rifles
high in the air and hugging one another )ith Go(6 The Ameri!ans are here!
etro-i!h !ouldn't ta#e his e(es off the spe!ta!le belo)/ and he longed to be )ith the rest
of the Chetni#s !elebrating on the airfield6 4ut he )as also immensel( proud to be part
of the operation/ and he #ne) it )as -ital that he guard the road6 There )as still e-er(
reason to thin# the Germans )ould !ome in-estigate this outlandish in!ursion into their
territor(6
5e tried to #eep his e(es on the road/ but he #ept going ba!# to stare at the airfield in the
distan!e6 9t )as su!h a sight6
9t loo#s li#e a mo-ie6 'ust li#e an Ameri!an mo-ie6
The !elebration on the airstrip !ontinued as 1usulin !onferred )ith the pilots of the
res!ue planes and dis!ussed plans for the ne:t res!ue flights that )ould !ome in6 5e
)anted to #no) if the field )as suitable for more res!ues and if the( !ould !ount on
more of the men going out in the ne:t fe) da(s6 The pilots assured him the field )as
o#a(/ though it made for a di!e( landing6 The first plane Gust o-ershot the run)a(/
tou!hing do)n too far do)n the run)a(/ and then the other pilots #ne) )here the(
needed to aim6
On!e he had the information/ 1usulin didn't )ant to )aste an( more time6 About ten
thirt( p6m6/ 1usulin ordered the men to !lear the field so the planes !ould be readied for
ta#eoff6 Then he !alled for the predetermined se-ent(-t)o men )ho )ere going home
that night/ and the group ran and hobbled to)ard the planes at the end of the field/ some
helping the inGured airmen along6 1usulin di-ided the men up into groups of t)el-e to
assign them to planes/ and then had to brea# the bad ne)s to the last t)ent(-four on the
list6
D,ou bo(s )on't be going tonight/D he told them6 DThe other t)o planes !ouldn't ma#e it
in/ so (ou'll ha-e to go out tomorro)6D
The t)ent(-four men )ere disappointed to ha-e !ome this !lose onl( to be told the(
)ould still ha-e to )ait6 One of the C-". pilots spo#e up and told 1usulin that he !ould
ta#e more than the t)el-e he )as assigned/ but the boss -etoed that idea6
D,ou'll be lu!#( to get o-er those trees )ith Gust t)el-e/D he said6 DWe !an't let (ou ta#e
an( more6D
That )as the end of the dis!ussion/ and the airmen began loading up on the planes6
Thomas Oli-er/ the airman )hose !ompli!ated !ode helped set the res!ue in motion/ )as
among the lu!#( ones going out on this first night6 One of the C-".s )as mired in the
soft ground at the end of the airstrip/ so a !ouple doFen airmen manhandled it ba!# onto
solid ground before the men loaded6 As the four planes )ere loading/ those going home
said their good-b(es to the other airmen/ shouting/ DSee (ou in 9tal(!D and those sta(ing
behind (elled/ DTell them to ha-e !ho) read( )hen 9 get there!D The airmen lea-ing
ranGane #ne) the( )ould not be apart from their friends for long be!ause the( )ere all
going to the same base in 9tal( to be debriefed and re!ei-e medi!al !are/ but the situation
)as different )ith the lo!al Serb -illagers )ho had sheltered them and ris#ed their li-es
to prote!t them6 These people had tears in their e(es as the( )at!hed their Ameri!an
!harges board the planes/ and more than a fe) Ameri!ans began to tear up as the(
hugged the men and )omen )ho had done so mu!h for them and )ho had to sta(
behind in German territor(6 As mu!h as 1usulin )anted to load the planes in a hurr(
and get them airborne/ he !ouldn't den( people the !han!e to sa( good-b(e6 The
embra!es )ere long/ and e-en though most of the -illagers and airmen !ould not spea#
more than a fe) )ords of ea!h other's language/ the e:pressions on their fa!es said
e-er(thing6 The -illagers )ere happ( for the airmen but sad to see them go/ and the
Ameri!ans )ere so grateful that the( had to #eep sa(ing/ DThan# (ou/ than# (ou/ than#
(ou/D and hope that their hosts understood6 Some of the -illagers presented the departing
airmen )ith homemade Serbian national rugs/ a uniJue hand!raft of the region/ draping
them around the men's shoulders and #issing them on the !hee#s6 After long emotional
moments/ the embra!es ended and the airmen !lambered aboard the four airplanes/
)a-ing a final good-b(e to e-er(one outside6
The( )ere going home6 The( )ere finall( getting out of ,ugosla-ia6 The airmen sat on
the hard metal seats lining the edges of the plane's interior/ fa!ing the !enter of the plane/
and readied themsel-es for the most dangerous ta#eoff the( )ould e-er e:perien!e6 9f
the( !ould get off the ground safel(/ and a-oid German fighter planes for se-eral hours/
their Gourne( out of ,ugosla-ia )ould be !omplete6
4ut as the( sat there )aiting for ta#eoff/ the airmen in the four planes/ almost as a group/
had a sudden realiFation6 The airmen and lo!als gathered outside sa) one of the plane's
doors open again/ follo)ed b( another/ another/ and then all of the doors )ere open6
1usulin )ondered )hat )as going on6 These planes need to get in the air6 The( barel(
ha-e enough fuel to get ba!# to 9tal(/ so )e !an't #eep them here mu!h longer6
And then he sa) the first airman at the door bend do)n and unla!e his arm( boots6 5e
held the boots up high and (elled to a lo!al -illager he had befriended6 D7adisa! 5ere!
=or (ou! Ta#e these!D Then another man )as at the door of another plane shouting the
same thing6 9n se!onds/ the doors )ere !ro)ded )ith airmen shu!#ing their boots and
thro)ing them out the door to the astonished -illagers/ man( of )hom )ere ma#ing do
)ith nothing but traditional felt slippers e-en )hen the )eather turned !old and sno)(6
The airmen )ere glad to ha-e some )a( to sho) their appre!iation/ some e-en tossing
their flight Ga!#ets/ so!#s/ and shirts to the -illagers/ )ho !heered and shouted their
than#s/ their e(es filling )ith tears all o-er again6
With the doors finall( !losed for the last time/ the !ro)ds mo-ed a)a( and 1usulin
ga-e the order for the first plane to ta#e off6 5e )asn't at all sure the !elebration )ould
last/ be!ause he #ne) the C-".s )ere going to ha-e a hard time getting in the air again6
This !ould all be for naught if the( !rash tr(ing to ta#e off6 This isn't o-er b( a long shot6
8ot (et6
+-er(one else #ne) the !hallenge fa!ing the pilots/ too/ and the mood Jui!#l( turned
from !elebrator( to an:ious again6 The hundreds of airmen and -illagers spread out
along the sides of the run)a( and pra(ed for the best/ all #no)ing that this moment )as
e-er( bit as ris#( as the landings that had s!ared them so mu!h a half hour earlier6
1usulin stood )ith 7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian/ )at!hing as the plane's engines roared to full
throttle and the pilot started off do)n the airstrip/ bumping along the une-en ground so
mu!h that the airmen in the ba!# struggled to sta( in their seats6 9n a re-ersal of the
landing the( had Gust )itnessed/ e-er(one in ranGane stared intentl( at the plane as it
pi!#ed up speed/ its nose pointed high as it rumbled along to)ard the trees at the end/
hundreds of pra(ers follo)ing it along6 9n )hat seemed slo) motion/ the rear of the
plane left the ground so that the bod( )as horiFontal and the nose pointed for)ardH then
finall( the plane's big front )heels left the ground6 Slo)l(/ slo)l(/ slo)l(/ the plane rose
into the air and those )at!hing on the ground tensed )ith anti!ipation6 The trees )ere so
near/ and the plane )as not gaining altitude Jui!#l( 6 6 6
A long moment passed as the plane struggled up)ard 6 6 6 and then the plane roared o-er
the treetops/ pulling its )heels in Gust in time to gi-e it the fe) in!hes of !learan!e that
made the differen!e bet)een su!!ess and failure6 =rom his guard post in the )oods/
etro-i!h )at!hed )ith )onder and admiration as the plane nearl( brushed the treetops
and fle) right o-er him6 5e turned to )at!h the plane fl( on and !limb e-er higher6 Then
)ithin a fe) minutes/ another C-". repeated the same feat )ith about the same margin
of error6 4efore long/ all four planes )ere ba!# in the air/ !ir!ling ranGane as the(
!limbed higher and higher for enough altitude to get o-er the nearb( mountain range6
Onboard the planes/ the airmen )ere e:!ited to be going ba!# to 9tal(/ and relie-ed that
the( hadn't died on ta#eoff6 The( settled in for a long/ !old flight/ man( of them sho-ing
their bare feet in !an-as bags and )rapping themsel-es in an(thing else the( !ould find
on the plane6
1usgro-e and the other men left behind )ere o-erGo(ed at the sight of the four planes
fl(ing off and disappearing into the in#( bla!# night6 All of the )aiting and )orr(ing/ all
the hard )or# the( had put into this airstrip had paid off6 Those men )ere on their )a(/
finall(/ and e-er( other airman !ould finall( let himself thin# that he too )ould be ba!#
in free territor( before long6
=elman and 1usulin )ere thrilled to see the planes get off the airstrip/ but the( )ere
)orried6 9t all seemed too di!e( to do it o-er and o-er again6 +-er(thing about the res!ue
)as on a #nife's edge/ reJuiring nothing but a gust of )ind or a pilot's un!ertain push on
the (o#e to turn the su!!ess into a disaster6 The t)o men !onferred and ultimatel( it )as
1usulin's de!ision as the OSS team leader6 5e !alled 'ibilian o-er and told him to send a
message to 4ari6
DTell them this )as too mu!h/ 'ibb(6 We're pushing our lu!#6 Tell 4ari )e're not doing
an( more night landings6 &et's tr( again at da)n6D
'ibilian sent the message as instru!ted/ but the OSS team didn't #no) )hat )ould
happen ne:t6 5e #ept loo#ing for a return message from 4ari that )ould !onfirm the
landings for the ne:t morning/ but there )as no signal6 ;id that mean 4ari disagreed and
)ouldn't send the planes again$ Or )ere the( Gust not hearing the radio repl($
1usulin )asn't sure (et )hat the arm( )ould de!ide to do if night landings )ere too
ris#(/ so he )as )aiting to see6 The arm( had insisted that night landings )ere ne!essar(
to #eep the res!ue planes safe from German atta!#s/ and 1usulin #ne) that the( )ere
right6 Those planes )ere lu!#( to get in and out )ithout running into a 1essers!hmitt
e-en at night/ and it )ould be as#ing e-en more of them to !ome in during the da( )hen
German planes )ere e-er()here6 5o) mu!h !ould the( as# of these C-". pilots$ Was it
too mu!h to thin# that tonight's res!ue !ould be repeated o-er and o-er$ Surel( those C-
". pilots )ere going to report that the landings and ta#eoffs )ere death-def(ing feats6
1usulin and =elman )orried that/ as e:hilarating as it )as to see those fort(-eight men
res!ued/ it might ha-e been a lar#6 The( )ere in!redibl( lu!#( tonight/ but )hat )ould
happen ne:t time/ and the ne:t time after that$ The( had to !onsider the idea that/ as
mu!h as the( hated to e-en thin# it/ ma(be those fort(-eight men )ere the onl( ones
)ho )ould be res!ued in Operation 5al(ard6
Word spread throughout the airmen that the night landings had been !an!eled6 =elman
did his best to #eep the men's spirits up/ assuring them that the planes )ould be ba!#/
but the airmen's emotions )ere on a deli!ate balan!e no)6 The least thing !ould send
them soaring into euphoria or plunging into despair6 The ne)s that tonight's feat )ould
not be repeated made more than a fe) !on!lude that the operation )as o-er and the( had
not been lu!#( enough to get out on the first night6 Surel( those C-".s )ouldn't stroll
right into German territor( li#e this in broad da(light6
8o one left the airstrip that night6 The( huddled in the )oods or out under the stars/
un)illing to lea-e the field in !ase the planes returned une:pe!tedl(6 Some )ere
optimisti! and s!anned the s#ies for an( signs of an in!oming plane/ but man( gre)
depressed at the idea of remaining behind enem( lines for God #ne) ho) long6
4ut at eight a6m6/ as the men huddled in the !old/ e-er(thing !hanged6 A fe) men heard
it first and per#ed up/ standing to s!an the horiFon6 The( heard planes6 Others Goined
them in loo#ing for the sour!e of the sound/ a loud rumble that signaled more than Gust a
lone German s!out plane6 5ad last night's deba!le tipped off the Germans to their
lo!ation$ Was a )hole )a-e of German planes about to bomb and strafe them$
1an( of the airmen/ along )ith the OSS agents/ at first thought the sound might be
another sortie of bombers passing o-erhead on the )a( to bomb loesti6 The( sa) the
o-erflights regularl(/ and this sounded big enough to be a bomb run6
Then the( sa) them6 The( )eren't German planes6 The( )ere Ameri!an/ but not
bombers6 And not Gust another C-". )illing to ris# landing on their little airstrip6 The
airmen sa) a beautiful sight in the morning's blue s#(< a )hole s)arm of Ameri!an -%1
1ustangs and -30 &ightning fighter planes/ )ell #no)n to the airmen for their fero!it(
and the abilit( to stri#e fear in an( German pilot6 And right behind them/ the C-".s6 8ot
Gust one6 9t loo#ed li#e half a doFen6 The s#( )as full of planes6
The( had returned-in da(light/ )ith fighters! The men !ouldn't belie-e it6 The doubters
)ent from the deepest depression to un!ontrollable Go( in an instant6 The men !ounted
si: C-".s and about thirt( fighters-a buFFing !loud of Ameri!an spirit headed for their
airstrip6 The -%1 1ustang/ a single-engine fighter/ and the -30 &ightning/ a t)o-
engine t)in boom fighter/ routinel( es!orted bomber planes on their missions o-er
+urope/ so e-er( one of the bomber !re)s on the ground in ranGane #ne) them as one
of the most )el!ome sights )hen the( )ere in trouble6 The fighters )ere a good mat!h
for the &uft)affe/ and the do)ned airmen instantl( felt prote!ted6 The C-".s )ould ta#e
them home/ but b( God/ those 1ustangs and &ightnings )ere the !a-alr( !oming in to
sa-e the da(6
The airmen !heered and Gumped up and do)n/ )a-ing their !aps and blan#ets at the
planes as the( dre) nearer6 As the( passed o-er the airstrip/ the fighter planes )agged
their )ings in salute and made a fe) dramati! stunt maneu-ers for the airmen before
brea#ing off/ di-ing do)n into the -alle(s to atta!# German !amps and #eep them bus(
)hile the !argo planes landed6 The fighters atta!#ed an(thing German )ithin a fift(-mile
radius of the airstrip as the C-".s !ir!led and positioned themsel-es for landing6 The
airmen !ould hear the fighters strafing the German en!ampments and Fooming ba!# up
to !ir!le around for another run6 The( )ere gi-ing the Germans hell/ and the airmen
!ouldn't ha-e been happier6
&ali!h )as on the radio ser-ing as air-traffi! !ontroller for the C-".s !oming in6 The
airstrip )as Gust as short and bump( as it had been the night before/ but in the light of
da(/ the big planes )ere able to get do)n safel(6 9t )as nonetheless still the #ind of
landing that the pilots )ould tal# about o-er beers for man( (ears to !ome6 To ma#e sure
the( didn't run off the end of the run)a( and into the trees/ some of the pilots e-en used
a potentiall( disastrous te!hniJue !alled the Dground loop/D a rapid horiFontal spin on the
ground6 This Jui!# >-turn sol-es the problem )hen running out of run)a(/ but onl( if
the pilot a-oids the tenden!( for the inside )ing to rise and the outside )ing to s!rape
the ground/ )hi!h happens more if the ground surfa!e is soft li#e on an impro-ised
airstrip6 9f the outside )ing digs in/ the air!raft )ill s#id -iolentl( or e-en !art-)heel6
The ground loops amounted to a dramati! flourish for the airmen on the ground/ )ho
#ne) the danger in pulling su!h a maneu-er in a big plane li#e the C-".6 The airmen let
out another heart( !heer of appre!iation )hen the( sa) the ris#( maneu-er !ompleted
su!!essfull(6 1usulin admired the bra-er( of the C-". pilots and thought the( must be
the best around/ but he also thought the( might ha-e more guts than brains6
+-er(one in-ol-ed )ith preparing the field )as elated at the su!!ess of the landings6
The 1ihailo-i!h soldier in !harge of guarding the airfield strutted around )ith his !hest
puffed out/ a big grin on his fa!e6
DTell me/D he as#ed an airman standing nearb(/ Dis &aGuardia airfield an(thing li#e
this$D
The s!ene from the pre-ious night )as repeated/ )ith !heers and !elebration e-er( time
a C-". tou!hed do)n/ but toda( there )as more of a sense of urgen!(6 On!e the si:
planes )ere on the ground/ 1usulin and =elman Jui!#l( hustled the !hosen men onto
them/ usuall( t)el-e at a time6 Seeing that the planes !ould ta#e off safel(/ if not easil(/
1usulin eased up a bit on the t)el-e-man limit and allo)ed a fe) more men on some
planes6 The first men on the planes )ere the t)ent(-four si!# and )ounded )ho hadn't
made it onto the pre-ious night's planes/ follo)ed b( other inGured men/ in!luding
=elman6 As he boarded the C-"./ =elman )as o-er!ome b( the )a( the airmen )anted
to sho) their gratitude to the Serb -illagers )ho had helped them6 &i#e those on the
planes the pre-ious night/ man( of the men on the res!ue planes )ere shoeless and
shi-ering in the !old/ ha-ing gi-en e-er(thing the( !ould to the peasants )ho had #ept
them ali-e for so long6
9n a repeat of the pre-ious night's dramati! departures/ the planes rumbled do)n the
run)a( as fast as possible and slo)l( !limbed to Gust barel( !lear the surrounding
)oods/ more than one brushing the treetops )ith its )heels as it soared a)a(6 1usulin
)as astounded at the s#ills of the C-". pilots and !on!luded the( )ere some of the
hottest fliers he had e-er seen6 A half hour after landing/ the first si: planes )ere off
again/ !ir!ling ranGane to gain altitude and then forming a !lums( A formation for the
return to 9tal(6 When the res!ue planes )ere assembled/ the fighter es!orts regrouped
around them and the Ameri!an planes dipped their )ings in a fare)ell salute before
heading to)ard the horiFon6
5alf an hour later/ at nine a6m6/ another group of si: C-".s and t)ent(-fi-e fighter
planes arri-ed for the remainder of the airmen/ in!luding 1usgro-e6 The( repeated the
same s!ene again )ith !heering airmen/ Gubilant -illagers/ and more fighter atta!#s on
the surrounding German for!es6
One of the last planes be!ame mired in the mud and 1usulin )orried for a )hile that it
might ha-e to be left there6 &ea-ing the plane )as in itself not a huge !on!ern be!ause
the !re) and passengers !ould be spread among the other departing planes6 4ut lea-ing
a big C-". sitting out in the open )ould be a glaring sign to an( German planes fl(ing
o-erhead later/ and the -illagers of ranGane )ould pa( the pri!e after the Ameri!ans
)ere safel( ba!# in 9tal(6 The( !ouldn't let that happen/ so 1usulin organiFed a hundred
Serbs to push the plane out of the mu!#6
As the planes lined up for the ta#eoffs that )ould ta#e out the rest of the airmen
!urrentl( in ranGane/ 1usulin !he!#ed his re!ords and sa) that one )as missing6 8o
one #ne) )here he )as and 1usulin )asn't about to hold up the planes to loo# for him6
'ust as the last plane out of ranGane )as about to ta#e off/ the missing man !ame
stumbling out of the )oods/ rushing to the plane in a stagger6 5e had o-erindulged in
plum brand( during the night and almost missed his flight6
The Ameri!ans )ere so than#ful to the lo!al Serbs for their help in sa-ing the airmen
that the( offered e-a!uation to t)o )ho needed urgent medi!al attention6 One )as a man
going blind/ and the other had a serious leg inGur(6 1usulin/ as the res!ue team leader/
found it hard to shun these men )hen the Serbs )ere doing so mu!h for the Ameri!ans
and he ga-e appro-al for these t)o men to be e-a!uated on one of the first C-".s to
arri-e that da(6 4ut b( the end of the morning he found out that he had stepped on some
toes ba!# in 9tal(6 The Serb fighters )ere still offi!iall( seen as 8aFi !ollaborators/ no
matter )hat the( had done for Ameri!an airmen/ so arm( leaders in 4ari )ere not
pleased to see them step off the plane )ith the res!ued airmen and !onsidered their
e-a!uation a gra-e indis!retion b( 1usulin6 The error might ha-e been o-erloo#ed
e:!ept that se-eral of Tito's artisans )ere at the airfield in 4ari )hen the plane landed
and the( re!ogniFed the t)o Serbs as 1ihailo-i!h guerrillas6 1usulin soon had orders to
get on one of the res!ue planes and return to 9tal(6 5e argued )ith his superiors b( radio/
hoping to !hange their minds and sta( to help res!ue more airmen/ but his immediate
!on!ern )as )hether Germans )ere soon going to atta!# ranGane6
Assuming that there )as no )a( the Germans didn't noti!e )hat happened in ranGane/
1usulin and his team retreated ten miles into the mountains to )ait6 While hiding out
and #eeping an e(e on the -illage belo)/ 'ibilian re!ei-ed radio !ommuni!ations from
4ari !ongratulating the team on a su!!essful mission6 As the( hid in the mountains/
-illagers brought them fi-e more Ameri!ans )ho had arri-ed in ranGane onl( hours too
late6 The airmen )ere furious that the( had !ome so !lose to res!ue but missed their ride6
After se-eral da(s in the mountains )ith no e-iden!e that the Germans )ould atta!#
ranGane/ 1usulin de!ided to ta#e the OSS team and the fi-e airmen ba!# do)n into the
-illage6 Though the( found it hard to belie-e/ the onl( !on!lusion that made sense )as
that the Ameri!an fighter planes had so effe!ti-el( atta!#ed the German garrison that the
troops dug in for prote!tion and ne-er sa) the C-".s6
The team remained in ranGane and greeted more Ameri!an fliers/ but the urgent
messages from 4ari #ept ordering 1usulin out6 7elu!tantl( lea-ing ,ugosla-ia for a
se!ond time/ 1usulin returned to 4ari on August 2*6 9nitiall( there )ere !alls to !ourt-
martial 1usulin for refusing the order to offer no aid to 1ihailo-i!h during the mission/
but the furor soon died do)n6
7aGa!i!h and 'ibilian sta(ed behind but didn't #no) ho) long the( )ould be permitted
to sta( in ,ugosla-ia6 8i!# &ali!h too# o-er the OSS team and !on!luded Gust as Jui!#l(
as 1usulin had that the Serbs )ere !ompletel( lo(al to the Ameri!an !ause6 &ali!h
obtained permission for the team to sta( in ,ugosla-ia/ soon reporting that he had met
)ith 1ihailo-i!h/ )ho said he !ould funnel man( more men to be res!ued6 We !an ta#e
more/ &ali!h reported6 There are a lot more men to be res!ued6 ;espite ongoing
misgi-ings about )hether 1ihailo-i!h !ould be trusted/ the authorities in 9tal( ga-e
permission for &ali!h/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian to sta( in ,ugosla-ia and !oordinate more
res!ues6
The airmen )ere surprised to hear from the !re) members on the C-".s that some of the
res!ue planes had dropped supplies to Tito's for!es/ the enem( of the man )ho had
harbored the airmen/ on the )a( to ranGane6 9n one of the later res!ue flights/ a
!re)man stepped out of the C-". and happil( announ!ed that the( had made a
su!!essful drop to the artisans on the )a( o-er6 The unsuspe!ting airman nearl( had his
throat slit b( the Serb fighters before the Ameri!ans inter-ened and bundled him ba!#
into the plane6
T)o hundred and fort(-one >6S6 airmen )ere res!ued on the night of August 2 and the
morning of August 13/ along )ith si: 4ritish/ four =ren!h/ nine 9talians/ and t)el-e
7ussians-a total of 2.2 men res!ued/ )hen AuGno-i!h and the other OSS leaders thought
it )ould be a stret!h to retrie-e one hundred6 Still/ these airmen )ere onl( the first of
hundreds to be res!ued through Operation 5al(ard6 All made it safel( ba!# to the >6S6
air bases in 9tal(6
A mission that )as supposed to last a !ouple of )ee#s )ent on for si: months/ during
)hi!h the OSS team res!ued "32 Ameri!an airmen/ and eight( personnel from 4ritish/
Canadian/ =ren!h/ 9talian/ and 7ussian units6 As 7obert Wilson/ 1i#e 1!Iool/ and all
the other do)ned airmen made their )a( to ranGane under the prote!tion of
1ihailo-i!h and his fighters through ;e!ember 2./ 12""/ the( learned of the ongoing
mission and prepared for repeats of the same landing and ta#eoff dramas that pre!eded
them6 The total number of men res!ued )as %12/ )ith not a single life lost in the effort6
Operation 5al(ard/ an auda!ious response to a desperate radio !all for help and the
Juer( of a !urious (oung )oman in the States/ turned out to be the most su!!essful
res!ue e-er of do)ned airmen behind enem( lines and one of the largest res!ue missions
of an( t(pe in World War 99 or sin!e6
Chapter 1.
Gales of the World
The long ride ba!# to 4ari )as Go(ous but tense for Ton( Orsini and Clare 1usgro-e/
!old and loud as the( sat on hard metal seats built around the rim of the plane's interior6
The higher the plane !limbed/ the !older the air be!ame and man( of the men shi-ered
in nothing but the thin shirts the( )ere left )ith after lea-ing their o-er!oats behind for
the Serb -illagers6 The !re)s of the C-".s handed out a fe) blan#ets and offered a spare
Ga!#et )hen the( !ould/ but the !old bit into the men's s#in as the roar of the propellers
st(mied an( attempts at !on-ersation6 The res!ued airmen did their best to Gust settle in
and ignore the !old/ some !losing their e(es and doFing off/ others distra!ted b( their
fantasies of a hot sho)er and a hot meal6
Orsini/ li#e others on his plane/ had his fingers !rossed that the plane !ould ma#e it ba!#
to the base in 9tal( )ithout being inter!epted b( the German fighters6 5e #ne) the C-".
)as no mat!h for the &uft)affe/ and e-en )ith the Ameri!an fighter planes as es!orts/ it
)ould ta#e onl( one lu!#( hit to send the res!ued airmen right ba!# do)n again6
When the( landed in 4ari/ the airmen onboard let out a loud !heer as the )heels tou!hed
do)n6 =inall( the( )ere ba!#6 Their )ee#s and months behind enem( lines )ere o-er6
When the first plane landed/ George AuGno-i!h )as standing )ith a broad grin on his
fa!e/ !lapping his hands/ o-erGo(ed at the su!!ess of su!h an auda!ious mission6
Standing ne:t to him )as General 8athan T)ining/ !ommanding general of the =ifteenth
Air =or!e/ )ho )as eJuall( o-erGo(ed and eager to personall( greet his returning
airmen6 AuGno-i!h and T)ining/ along )ith man( of the other OSS leaders )ho had
made the mission possible/ sta(ed at the airfield for hours to )el!ome the men ba!#/
!ongratulating them on a Gob )ell done/ but there )as no fanfare or publi!it( about
Operation 5al(ard6 The press )asn't told/ and there )as no ne)sreel !ameraman )aiting
at the airport6
T)ining lauded the returning airmen for their ser-i!e and perse-eran!e )hile in enem(
territor(/ and then he issued a stern order6
D;o not tal# to an(one about this6 ;o not re-eal e-en the most insignifi!ant information
about (our e:perien!e and ad-entures to an(one e:!ept the offi!ers of the intelligen!e
ser-i!e/D T)ining told the men6 DThe )ar is still going on and )e don't )ant to
GeopardiFe an( future e-a!uations6D
=elman understood the reason for the order6 Operation 5al(ard )as not finished/ and
an( se!urit( lea#s !ould GeopardiFe the efforts to bring more men out6 lus/ )ord of the
mission's su!!ess might prompt the Germans to retaliate against the Serb -illagers6
=elman reiterated the orders to his men/ but he also suspe!ted there )as a se!ondar(
reason for #eeping Juiet about the res!ue6
Orsini had a sho!# )hen he first returned to the base in 9tal(6 Amid all the Gubilation of
returning from ,ugosla-ia/ a friend at the base too# him to see the posted list of I9A-
airmen #illed in a!tion6 Orsini's name )as on the list6 5e and his friend laughed/ the
other man telling Orsini that the( had ne-er gi-en up hope for his return6
DWe #ne) (ou'd !ome ba!#6 We #ne) (ou must still be out there/D the man said/
slapping Orsini on the ba!#6
DThen )h('d (ou put m( name on the list$D Orsini as#ed/ his smile starting to slip a)a(6
DWell 6 6 6 )e )ere hoping/ (ou #no)/D the man muttered6 D4ut (ou )ere gone a )hile/
so 6 6 6D The t)o loo#ed at ea!h other for an un!omfortable moment and then laughed
again at the iron( of Orsini standing there loo#ing at his name on the I9A list6 Orsini
shrugged it off for a )hile/ but then he )orried that his mother had been told he )as
dead6 She hadn't/ but it )ould be some time before he !ould get a message home to her
assuring her that he )as ali-e and relati-el( )ell6
Orsini and some of the other inGured men )ere ta#en immediatel( to the si!# ba(/ )here
R-ra(s re-ealed that his !ollarbone )as -er( badl( bro#en6 5e )asn't surprised/ ha-ing
li-ed for more than a month )ith the dull pain/ )hi!h be!ame trul( bad onl( )hen he
had to Gump o-er a fen!e )hile fleeing the Germans or do something similarl( ph(si!al6
4ut still the R-ra( of misaligned bones startled him6 The do!tor e:plained/ ho)e-er/ that
despite the se-erit( of the brea#/ there )as little that !ould be done6 +-en )ith a fresh
brea#/ do!tors !ould do little to help a !ollarbone heal e:!ept pro-ide a bra!e that )ould
#eep it from mo-ing around too mu!h/ and after fi-e )ee#s )ithout an( !are at all/ the
bro#en bone had alread( begun mending6 The inGur( )ould heal/ the do!tor told him/ but
there ma( al)a(s be some pain and diffi!ult( mo-ing6
=or the men )ithout serious inGuries/ the first stop in 4ari )as for delousing6 The airmen
)ere ta#en to a spe!iall( eJuipped room/ told to strip/ and handed spra( guns )ith
delousing po)der6 The men in !harge left and !losed the door behind them/ and then the
airmen too# turns spra(ing e-er( noo# and !rann( on ea!h other to #ill the li!e/ fleas/
and )hate-er other -ermin the( might ha-e brought )ith them from ,ugosla-ia6 While
the !hemi!al deluge )as unpleasant/ the men )el!omed the opportunit( to finall( !lean
themsel-es of the grime and fleas that had plagued them the )hole time the( )ere in
,ugosla-ia6 The delousing )as follo)ed b( long hot sho)ers and length( time in front
of a mirror as the( shed their s!raggl( beards6
AuGno-i!h/ mean)hile/ )as doing his best to support &ali!h/ 'ibilian/ and 7aGa!i!h as
the( !ontinued their e-a!uation of the airmen )ho made their )a( into ranGane6 As the
)inter of 12"" progressed and the sno) gre) deeper in the mountains of ,ugosla-ia/
&ali!h sent a message to AuGno-i!h pleading for more supplies6 1edi!ine )as espe!iall(
needed/ he said6 The poor -illagers had absolutel( none/ and no )a( to tra-el to a do!tor
in the hea-( sno)s6
+-en in the se!urit( of his offi!e in 4ari/ AuGno-i!h had no trouble imagining the s!ene
des!ribed b( &ali!h/ and he )anted to )rite the reJuisition orders immediatel(6 4ut he
)as stopped b( the standing order that the Allies )ere not to pro-ide an( material
support to 1ihailo-i!h or his supporters6 The Operation 5al(ard mission )as stri!tl( for
the purpose of bringing out the do)ned airmen/ not to aid 1ihailo-i!h in an( )a(6
AuGno-i!h thought about the reJuest for a da(/ seeing no )a( he !ould refuse but no )a(
he !ould sa( (es )ithout e:pli!itl( -iolating orders6 9t )asn't long before he !ame do)n
solidl( on the side of doing the right thing/ orders be damned6 AuGno-i!h instru!ted the
suppl( depot to put together t)o large !ontainers of medi!ine and lied on the paper)or#
ordering an airdrop o-er ranGane/ sa(ing it )as food for the OSS team6
9n ;e!ember/ as the end date for the mission approa!hed/ &ali!h !onta!ted AuGno-i!h
again and pleaded for shoes6 5e and his team !ould get b(/ &ali!h told AuGno-i!h/ but it
)as unbearable to )at!h the Serbian -illagers )al#ing about in rags/ sometimes )ith
their bare feet turning bla!# against the )hite sno)6 The OSS agents had been tempted
to gi-e a)a( their o)n boots and Ga!#ets )hen the( sa) the lo!al people suffering/ and
&ali!h begged AuGno-i!h for help6 Again/ it didn't ta#e AuGno-i!h long to de!ide that he
)ould do as &ali!h as#ed6 5e dro-e the short distan!e from the OSS post in 4ari to the
air for!e base/ )here he )al#ed into the suppl( offi!er's offi!e and as#ed for si: hundred
pairs of shoes6
DSi: hundred pairs of shoes$D the man replied/ loo#ing up from his des#6
D,es/ si: hundred6 9'll ta#e less if that's all (ou ha-e/D AuGno-i!h said6 5e #ne) that the
air for!e )as under standing orders to !ompl( )ith an( reJuest from the OSS/ so the
suppl( offi!er )asn't going to resist no matter ho) odd the reJuest sounded6
DWell/ )e don't ha-e an(thing !lose to that6 9f (ou )ant that man(/ (ou'll probabl( ha-e
to tr( the 4ritish6 The( should ha-e it/D the man said6 D9 !an )rite the order for (ou/ and
if (ou ta#e it to them the('ll gi-e (ou the shoes6D
So AuGno-i!h too# the reJuisition for si: hundred pairs of shoes from the air for!e to the
4ritish base/ )here an offi!er filled the order )ith onl( a Jui!# raise of the e(ebro)s
and a Dhmmmph/ si: hundred 6 6 6D The shoes )ere tru!#ed ba!# to the air for!e base and
on ;e!ember 2./ 12""/ AuGno-i!h had them loaded onto a 4-2% that )as to be the last
flight of Operation 5al(ard/ the plane that )ould pi!# up &ali!h/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian
and bring them home6
The plane )as to be flo)n b( George Iraigher/ the Serb )ho had flo)n for the
,ugosla-ian arm( in World War 9/ before heading an Am in Afri!a and helping
AuGno-i!h as he fled the Germans6 Iraigher/ b( this time/ )as fl(ing for the air for!e
and ma#ing spe!ial runs into the 4al#ans for the OSS6 AuGno-i!h #ne) Iraigher )ould
be the one going in to pi!# up the OSS team and the last fe) airmen/ so he thought he
)ould be able to !on-in!e him to ta#e the shoes6 Iraigher/ ho)e-er/ )as sho!#ed )hen
he )ent to the plane and found the entire floor !o-ered )ith bo:es of shoes/ to a height
of about three feet6
DGeorge/ )hat the hell is this$D he as#ed6 AuGno-i!h #ne) he should be at the plane/
read( )ith an e:planation6
DShoes6 &et's Gust !all it a belated Christmas present/D AuGno-i!h said6 5e ga-e Iraigher
a friendl( grin and hoped he )ould Gust go along6 Iraigher paused and loo#ed at the
full( loaded plane/ then ba!# at AuGno-i!h6
D,ou #no) 9 !an't do this6 9'm not allo)ed to !arr( that #ind of !argo into that area6D
Iraigher )as rightH it )as !ompletel( against the rules6 4ut AuGno-i!h !ould tell his
friend felt the same )a( he did/ and he urged him to Gust ta#e the shoes6 D8o one )ill
#no)/D AuGno-i!h said6 DAnd )hen (ou get there and see those poor people )ith no
shoes/ (ou'll be glad (ou did this6D
Iraigher finall( relented and !limbed o-er the bo:es to get into the !o!#pit6 AuGno-i!h
)at!hed the plane depart/ !omfortable that the( )ere doing the right thing6 When
Iraigher rea!hed ranGane and the -illagers lined up to re!ei-e a pair of shoes/ he felt
li#e Santa Claus and had no regrets6 &ali!h super-ised the shoe gi-ea)a( and at first
)orried that the effort might be for naught be!ause most of the shoes )ere a siFe 0/
)hen the big Serbs/ espe!iall( the men/ needed something more li#e a siFe 126 9t )as
pitiful to see the desperate men tr(ing to sho-e their !old feet into the too-small shoes/
but man( made do b( splitting the heel in ba!# and for!ing the shoe on li#e a -er( snug
slipper6
AuGno-i!h )as )aiting at the airport )hen Iraigher brought &ali!h/ 7aGa!i!h/ and
'ibilian ba!# from ranGane6 5e !ouldn't ha-e been more pleased )ith the su!!ess of
Operation 5al(ard6
When 'ibilian finall( returned from ,ugosla-ia after helping res!ue hundreds of airmen/
he didn't e-er )ant to see another bit of goat !heese6 5is first morning ba!#/ he )olfed
do)n eight eggs/ !lose to a pound of ba!on/ si: sli!es of toast )ith butter and Gam/ and
he dran# more !ups of !offee than he !ould !ount6 5e !ouldn't help indulging after
months of barel( sur-i-ing in the hills of ,ugosla-ia/ though he felt bad )hen he
thought of the -illagers he had left behind/ struggling to feed themsel-es6
As =elman had suspe!ted/ the !o-er-up )as )ell under)a( b( the time the airmen
returned to free territor(6 A !onspira!( )as alread( in pla!e to #eep the )orld from
#no)ing that the Allies had Gust pulled off the biggest res!ue e-er of airmen in enem(
territor(/ a !omplete su!!ess made all the more amaFing b( the auda!iousness of the
mission6 While the initial gag order had made sense )hile the res!ue missions )ere still
under)a(/ after its !ompletion the airmen began to )onder )h( the militar( still refused
to a!#no)ledge their in!redible stor(6 The reason/ the airmen soon learned/ )as that the
res!ue !ould not be publi!iFed )ithout gi-ing !redit to the Serb guerilla leader )ho had
harbored the men and made the )hole operation possible6 1ihailo-i!h )as offi!iall(
ostra!iFed for his supposed )ea#ness and !ollaboration )ith the Germans/ and e-en
faint praise for his assistan!e )ith the do)ned airmen )ould ha-e ruffled feathers in the
State ;epartment and the 4ritish go-ernment6 While Operation 5al(ard )as still going
on and men's li-es )ere at ris#/ no one )anted to GeopardiFe the res!ues b( tr(ing to
gi-e 1ihailo-i!h !redit6 And after the res!ues )ere !ompleted/ it Gust didn't seem )orth
the ris# to !areer and interoffi!e harmon( to !hallenge the State ;epartment and the
4rits in order to let the )orld #no) )hat had happened6 AuGno-i!h/ 1usulin/ and others
)ere )illing/ e-en eager/ to put their !areers on the line to ensure those men )ere
res!ued/ but after)ard there )as little moti-ation to tell the stor( if it meant bu!#ing the
)hole militar( and diplomati! hierar!h(6
So the fantasti! stor( )asn't told6 There )as no report ba!# home in the ne)spapers of a
huge operation that had sa-ed so man( li-es/ onl( the o!!asional item in a hometo)n
paper noting that a lo!al bo( had been found and )as no longer missing in a!tion6 With
the initial orders to #eep Juiet forgotten on!e the res!ues )ere !omplete/ the men
in-ol-ed in Operation 5al(ard tal#ed about it in the !ho) line/ in the barra!#s/ on the
bus/ in the !afQs-an()here the( met up )ith other ser-i!emen-be!ause the( )ere so
thrilled to be ba!# in 9tal( and so than#ful to the Serbs )ho had harbored them6 The(
)anted the other airmen to #no) )hat had happened to them/ that the Serb people )ere
astonishingl( #ind and helpful to Ameri!an airmen/ e-en though the briefings for
bomber !re)s still in!luded )arnings that the Serbs )ould !ut off their ears and turn
them o-er to the Germans6 Orsini/ after returning from se-eral )ee#s !on-ales!en!e for
his inGur(/ returned to dut( and had to sit through briefings in )hi!h an offi!er told him
and his fello) !re)mates that if the( bailed out o-er northern ,ugosla-ia the( should
see# out Tito's for!es and run from 1ihailo-i!h's fighters and the lo!al -illagers6 9t too#
all of Orsini's self-!ontrol to sit there and listen )ithout earning himself a !ourt-martial
b( telling the senior offi!er ho) )rong he )as/ and his -oi!e )as sha#ing )hen the
briefing ended and he gathered the rest of the !re) around6 5e )ould ma#e sure the
senior offi!er )as out of earshot and then set the re!ord straight6
D;on't belie-e a )ord of that !rap about 1ihailo-i!h and Tito/D he told the other men/
in!luding some (oung repla!ements )ho didn't #no) an( better6 D9'-e been there6 9'-e
been on the ground )ith these people/ and the fa!t is that the Serbs )ill gi-e (ou the
shirt off their ba!#s and e-er( bit of food the( ha-e6 9f )e bail out/ Gust !ome )ith me
and 9'll )al# right up and introdu!e m(self again6D
The !ontinued )arnings about 1ihailo-i!h/ and offhand !omments b( other airmen )ho
had heard onl( the offi!ial stor(/ in!ensed Orsini and 1usgro-e and e-er( other man
)ho had e:perien!ed the truth firsthand6 A fe) drin#s )ere thro)n and tables
o-erturned in 4ari as the returning airmen set the re!ord straight on )hat happened in
ranGane6
After the initial )arning/ the arm( did not ma#e mu!h effort to #eep the hundreds of
returning airmen from tal#ing/ but the OSS agents )ho !ondu!ted Operation 5al(ard
)ere on a shorter leash6 'ibilian/ li#e the airmen/ )asn't loo#ing for attention for his
parti!ipation/ but he also )asn't sh( about telling people that 1ihailo-i!h and the Serbs
deser-ed than#s6 That stopped one da( )hen an OSS offi!er pulled him aside and said/
D;on't tell an(one6 This )ill Gust !reate a big fuss )ith Tito and 1ihailo-i!h/ so #eep
this under )raps6D And after that he did/ follo)ing his orders and telling almost no one
about the res!ue mission6
1an( of the res!ued airmen returned to the >nited States sooner than the( )ould ha-e if
the( had not spent so long in enem( territor(6 7i!hard =elman and his !re) returned to
the >nited States soon after being res!ued/ and the( )ere told that the earl( return )as
partl( due to fears that the( )ould be e:e!uted as spies if the( )ere !aught behind
enem( lines again6 T)o soGourns on the ground !ould ma#e (ou a sp( in the enem('s
e(es/ not Gust an unlu!#( flier/ the theor( )ent6
When =elman returned to 8e) ,or#/ the 7ed Cross !ame aboard his ship and handed
out !offee and doughnuts to the returning ser-i!emen before the( disembar#ed6 The(
also distributed lo!al 8e) ,or# ne)spapers/ and =elman )as pleased to find an arti!le
about the destru!tion of a maGor ammunitions )arehouse and rail)a( station in GornGi
1ilano-a! b( guerilla for!es resisting the German o!!upation in ,ugosla-ia6 The onl(
problem )as that the paper attributed the guerrilla a!tion to Tito's artisans6 =elman
#ne) better be!ause he had a!tuall( parti!ipated in that raid )ith 1ihailo-i!h's men/
)ith not a single red star of the artisans around for miles6 =elman )as li-id to see Tito
get !redit for the )or# of 1ihailo-i!h's men/ but it fit the pattern he had alread( started
pie!ing together6
Orsini fle) another thirt(-three missions after re!uperating from his shoulder inGur(/ and
then he )as )ounded again6 While l(ing in the hospital/ a do!tor stopped b( and as#ed
him ho) man( missions he had flo)n6 Orsini replied that he had flo)n thirt(-four/
meaning he still had another si:teen to go before hitting the magi! number of fift(/
)hi!h usuall( )as the point )here the militar( said (ou'd done (our dut( and !ould go
home6 The do!tor thought Orsini had made enough missions through hell for one man/
so he authoriFed his return to the States6 5e )as s!heduled to return home on a hospital
ship in April 12"%/ but one e-ening he found a note on his bun# that said/ ,ou are
returning to the States b( plane in the morning6 With no time to notif( his famil( that he
)ould be home )ithin da(s instead of months/ Orsini fle) ba!# to the >nited States and
made his )a( to the famil('s three-stor( apartment building on 4ea!on Street in 'erse(
Cit(/ 8e) 'erse(6 On!e he had rea!hed the States/ he de!ided not to !all home first so he
!ould surprise his mother6
When he rea!hed home/ he rang the bell for his mother's apartment/ but there )as no
ans)er6 5e rang the bell for his aunt/ )ho li-ed on the se!ond floor and enGo(ed a
Gubilant reunion )ith her for a moment before being able to get the e:!ited )oman to
hear his Juestion6 DWhere is m( mother$D he as#ed6 Orsini's aunt e:plained that his
mother )as at !hur!h/ )hi!h didn't surprise Orsini mu!h be!ause he #ne) she )ent
almost e-er( morning6 With another #iss for his aunt/ Orsini dashed out of the building
and onto the street/ first )al#ing Jui!#l( and then barel( able to stop himself from
brea#ing into a run as he headed to)ard the !hur!h6 5e hadn't gone far )hen he spotted
his mother far do)n the street/ about four blo!#s a)a(/ )al#ing to)ard him )ith another
)oman6 The t)o )ere returning from !hur!h and the( didn't see Orsini (et6 5e #ept
)al#ing to)ard them/ his e(es fi:ed on the mother he had thought he )ould ne-er see
again/ )aiting for the moment )hen she re!ogniFed her son6
The( #ept )al#ing to)ard ea!h other/ Orsini's heart beating faster and faster as the(
!losed the distan!e/ but his mother sa) onl( another (oung ser-i!eman )al#ing to)ard
her6 5e #ept his e(es on her/ )anting so mu!h to s!ream out to her/ but he )aited/
)anting to see the loo# on her fa!e )hen she realiFed it )as him6 When the( !ame to
)ithin a blo!# of ea!h other/ Orsini sa) his mother pause briefl(/ stopping on the
side)al# as she loo#ed more !losel( at the man in uniform !oming to)ard her6 Then she
put her hands to her fa!e and !ried out as her !ompanion loo#ed at her JuiFFi!all(6
DAnthon($ P Juello -oi$D his mother !ried/ at first Juestioning/ and then as Orsini
started running to)ard her/ she #ne)6 D9l mio Anthon(! 9l mio Anthon(! P il mio
Anthon(!D
5is mother ran to)ard him/ her arms rea!hing/ tr(ing to get her son ba!# in her arms
faster than her feet !ould !arr( her6 Orsini !ould run faster and !ame to her Jui!#l(/
s!ooping his mother up in his arms and hugging her tightl( as she sobbed/ sa(ing his
name o-er and o-er and #issing him on the !hee#6
DSono indietro/ 1ama/D he told her6 DP giusto/ io sono indietro6D 9'm ba!#/ 1ama6 9t's
o#a(/ 9'm ba!#6
The first hint in the press of the remar#able su!!ess of the res!ue mission !ame on
=ebruar( 23/ 12"%/ more than si: months after the first C-".s landed in ranGane6 A fi-e-
paragraph stor( on page 2 of the Washington ost !arried the headline 7A;9O S9G8A&
A9;S 7+SC>+ O= 2%3 =&9+7S6 The stor( reported that/ DA m(ster( radio message/
pi!#ed up and re!orded b( 7A= radio operators in 9tal(/ led to the res!ue re!entl( of t)o
hundred fift( Allied airmen/ mostl( Ameri!an/ )ho had bailed out o-er the 4al#ans6D
The arti!le )ent on to e:plain that the airmen sent a spe!iall( !oded message that
e-entuall( led to the res!ue operation6 DTranslation of the messages indi!ated that a large
number of Ameri!ans/ some of )hom )ere si!#/ )ere stranded in ,ugosla-ia6 The(
)ere a)aiting res!ue an:iousl(/ for enem( troops )ere not far distant6D There )as no
mention of 1ihailo-i!h6
The res!ue itself )as des!ribed su!!in!tl(< D=ull arrangements )ere soon !ompleted and
the airmen !ongregated at a se!ret airfield6 There the( )ere all pi!#ed up and brought
ba!# to their bases6D
T)o da(s later the ne)spaper ran a length( letter to the editor from Ionstantin =oti
/ former ,ugosla-ian ambassador to the >nited States/ in )hi!h he said that/ be!ause of
the report of =ebruar( 23/ apparentl( there )as no more need to #eep the res!ue se!ret6
=oti! pro-ided a more !omplete a!!ount of the operation/ the s!ope of the res!ue/ and
the #e( role pla(ed b( 1ihailo-i!h6 5e !losed b( noting that<
+-en this a!tion did not pre-ent a !ontinuation of slanderous a!!usations against
General 1ihailo-i!h and 9 am not a)are )hat re!ognition )as gi-en him for this
!ontribution to the Allied !ause6 robabl( the general did not e:pe!t an( re!ognition/
be!ause he felt that he )as merel( !arr(ing out his duties as an all(6 8e-ertheless/ toda(/
)hen the stor( of this res!ue is dis!losed/ !redit should be gi-en to those )ho deser-e it/
and should not be presented as an anon(mous a!tion )hi!h o!!urred some)here in the
4al#ans6
Tito/ mean)hile/ )as !ompleting his ta#eo-er of ,ugosla-ia and doing e:a!tl( )hat
man( feared he )ould do< 5e all but gift )rapped ,ugosla-ia for Stalin and ensured that
Communism )ould threaten +astern +urope for de!ades6 Chur!hill and 7oose-elt
alread( )ere a!#no)ledging/ mostl( pri-atel(/ that the( had made a gra-e error in
siding )ith Tito o-er 1ihailo-i!h/ but the full truth about ho) Communist moles and
spies had misled them )ould not !ome out until long after 7oose-elt's death on April 12/
12"%6
4( then/ Chur!hill #ne) that Tito !ould not be trusted and that Stalin !ontrolled
,ugosla-ia from 1os!o)6 On =ebruar( 2/ 12"%/ Chur!hill and 7oose-elt met )ith
Stalin in an effort to en!ourage at least limited demo!ra!( in the portions of post)ar
+urope !ontrolled b( 7ussia/ and though he did not promise mu!h/ Stalin did assure the
)orld leaders that he )ould persuade Tito to re!ogniFe all pre)ar politi!al parties-
in!luding 1ihailo-i!h's and his follo)ers-and to ha-e a freel( ele!ted Constituent
Assembl(6 Chur!hill did not trust Stalin/ and on =ebruar( 21/ 12"%/ it )as !lear to his
!losest staff that he )as Drather depressed/ thin#ing of the possibilities of 7ussia one da(
turning against us/ sa(ing that Tformer 4ritish rime 1inister 8e-illeU Chamberlain had
trusted 5itler as he )as no) trusting Stalin6D Chur!hill )as disillusioned )ith the
7ussian leader and regretting his de!ision to abandon 1ihailo-i!h6
Chur!hill's fears )ere )ell grounded6 On April %/ 12"%/ s!ar!el( a month after Stalin's
assuran!es and a )ee# before 7oose-elt's death/ Tito signed an agreement )ith 7ussia
to allo) Dtemporar( entr( of So-iet troops into ,ugosla- territor(6D Though Tito )ould
!ome to ha-e serious disagreements )ith Stalin/ ,ugosla-ia )as for all intents and
purposes an arm of Communist 7ussia6
On!e Tito )on the leadership of ,ugosla-ia/ ba!#ed b( the for!e of the 7ed Arm(/ he
!ommitted all of the artisan militar( to !apturing 1ihailo-i!h/ his hated enem(6
1ihailo-i!h !ommitted himself to a path of -oluntar( mart(rdom6 5e !ould ha-e sa-ed
himself b( a!!epting offers to lea-e ,ugosla-ia and e:ile himself in another !ountr(/ his
absen!e probabl( satisf(ing Tito and ending the manhunt6 4( the time the last Ameri!an
offi!ers left ,ugosla-ia in ;e!ember 12""/ the( )ere reporting that 1ihailo-i!h had an
aura of saintliness about him/ )hi!h seemed to gro) stronger as the artisan manhunt
!losed in on him6 9ndeed/ his people alread( treated him nearl( as a saint6 Where-er
1ihailo-i!h )ent/ the peasants !ame from miles around to see him6 Old )omen #nelt
and #issed his hands/ )hile !hildren brought him eggs and apples6
1ihailo-i!h )as able to e-ade !apture for se-enteen months6 When 1ihailo-i!h
!ontra!ted t(phus and )as near death/ Chetni# soldiers !arried him on a stret!her from
-illage to -illage and through the mountains/ al)a(s running from the artisans6 =riends
in S)itFerland !onta!ted him in 12"*/ urging that he lea-e the !ountr( at least long
enough to re!o-er/ but 1ihailo-i!h refused6
'ibilian )as dis!harged from the militar( in 12"% and found a Gob as a pur!hase-order
)riter at the Aeterans Administration headJuarters in Washington/ ;C6 A (ear had
passed sin!e Tito had established Communism in ,ugosla-ia/ and li#e the rest of
Ameri!a/ 'ibilian )as bus( getting on )ith his post)ar life6 7eading the Washington
ost on the morning of 1ar!h 2%/ 12"*/ he found a small arti!le )ith the headline
195A9&OA9C5 >8;+7 A77+ST/ 4+&G7A;+ SA,S6 5e )as stunned/ espe!iall(
sin!e the arti!le onl( des!ribed 1ihailo-i!h as Da!!used b( the regime of 1arshal Tito
of traitorous !ollaboration )ith the Germans during the )ar/ is listed b( ,ugosla-ia as a
)ar !riminal6D There )as no mention that 1ihailo-i!h had been a staun!h all( of the
>nited States/ mu!h less his role in sa-ing do)ned fliers6 The arti!le predi!ted a s)ift
trial for 1ihailo-i!h/ follo)ed b( an immediate e:e!ution b( firing sJuad6
'ibilian soon de!ided he had to do something to let the )orld #no) )hat 1ihailo-i!h
had done for Ameri!an airmen6 5e mar!hed do)n to the ne)spaper to tell his stor(/
sitting do)n )ith a reporter to e:plain his in-ol-ement in Operation 5al(ard and )hat
he personall( #ne) of 1ihailo-i!h6
D9f he's a !ollaborator/ 9 am too/D 'ibilian told the reporter6 D;raFa 1ihailo-i!h is a friend
of this !ountr( and Tito is about to e:e!ute him before an(one hears the truth6D
'ibilian left the ne)spaper offi!e feeling better/ satisfied that he had at least told the
stor(6 4ut the ne)spaper arti!le that ran the ne:t da( )as brief and gained little
attention6 Washington is a tough to)n/ 'ibilian thought at the time6 9t ta#es a lot to get
an(one's attention6
=elman sa) the same ne)s report in a 8e) ,or# ne)spaper and/ li#e 'ibilian/ )as
stirred to a!tion in defense of 1ihailo-i!h6 =urious that the airmen's sa-ior had been
!aptured li#e a !ommon !riminal and that the Western press )as reporting Tito's lies
about 1ihailo-i!h being a )ar !riminal/ =elman )rote letters to all the 8e) ,or#
ne)spapers in an effort to !orre!t the re!ord6 8earl( all of them ignored his pleas/ but
then he )ent to the 8e) ,or# 'ournal Ameri!an/ a staun!hl( anti-Communist
ne)spaper/ and found an interested editor6 An arti!le )ritten b( =elman appeared in the
'ournal Ameri!an and other 5earst ne)spapers on 1ar!h 31/ 12"*6 That arti!le dre) the
attention of others in-ol-ed in Operation 5al(ard/ and )ithin a fe) )ee#s =elman had
letters from more than three hundred airmen )ho had been res!ued and )anted to help
1ihailo-i!h6 'ibilian re!ei-ed a similar response to the arti!le in Washington/ and soon
the airmen from ranGane )ere all ba!# in tou!h )ith one another6
Orsini also found himself in the odd position of tr(ing to defend a )orld leader half)a(
around the globe6 One e-ening at a small part( thro)n b( some friends/ a man started
tal#ing about the !urrent e-ents in-ol-ing 1ihailo-i!h/ not realiFing Orsini's personal
!onne!tion6 The man e:pounded at some length on ho) 1ihailo-i!h had on!e been an
all( but then !ollaborated )ith the Germans/ adding that his soldiers and the -illagers
supporting him )ere #no)n to be parti!ularl( brutal )ith !aptured Ameri!ans6 Orsini
felt li#e he )as ba!# in 9tal(/ sitting through a mission briefing6 5e !len!hed his drin#
tighter and tried to ignore the )indbag/ but finall( he !ouldn't stand it an( longer6
DThat's not true/D Orsini said/ a tinge of anger dra)ing attention from the !lut!h of
people )ho had been listening to the diatribe against 1ihailo-i!h6 D9 )as there and )hat
(ou're sa(ing is Gust not true6 9'm -isible e-iden!e that the( )ere helping res!ue airmen6 9
bailed out and the( helped me6D
The other man refused to belie-e Orsini/ insisting that if his stor( )ere true/ he )as the
e:!eption6 The propaganda demoniFing 1ihailo-i!h had rea!hed all the )a( to 'erse(
Cit(6
Orsini's e:perien!e )as repeated a!ross the !ountr( as airmen )ho had returned to their
!i-ilian li-es found themsel-es tr(ing to e:plain to friends and neighbors ho) the !laims
the( heard against 1ihailo-i!h Gust )eren't true6 When 1ihailo-i!h )as !aptured/ the
media !o-erage mostl( portra(ed him as a traitor to the Allied !ause/ )ith fe) reports
a!#no)ledging the !omple: histor( and !ompeting moti-ations of those in-ol-ed6
8e)s reports des!ribing Tito's triumph/ and the arrest of 1ihailo-i!h/ helped reunite the
res!ued airmen )ho had s!attered to their respe!ti-e !ommunities after the )ar6 'ibilian/
=elman/ Orsini/ and man( others in-ol-ed in Operation 5al(ard started !ommuni!ating/
!ommiserating in their outrage at the treatment of 1ihailo-i!h and )ondering )hat the(
!ould do6 The airmen #ne) the( had to do something to help 1ihailo-i!h/ but )hat$
5o) !ould the( affe!t e-ents in ,ugosla-ia$
The -eterans all #ne) )hat )as at sta#e6 9n the struggle for !ontrol of post)ar
,ugosla-ia/ Tito had )on out o-er 1ihailo-i!h/ )ith !onsiderable help from the >nited
States and 4ritain6 Tito )ould put 1ihailo-i!h on trial/ but it )ould all be a Communist
dog and pon( sho)6 There )as no hope that 1ihailo-i!h !ould a!tuall( defend himself
in Tito's !ourtroom/ and after being !on-i!ted of !ollaborating )ith the enem(/
1ihailo-i!h )ould be e:e!uted6 The -er( thought of it !aused su!h anguish in the hearts
of these men )ho #ne) the( )ould not be ba!# home no) )ith their )i-es and !hildren
if not for the bene-olen!e of 1ihailo-i!h6 The( determined that the( !ould not stand b(
and )at!h 1ihailo-i!h be e:e!uted b( a Communist go-ernment )ithout e-en tr(ing to
help him6
1ost of the airmen/ li#e 7obert Wilson/ #ne) the( )ere attempting the impossible/ but
still the( had to ma#e the effort6 D+-en if )e !an't sa-e him/ )e Gust )ant him to #no)
that )e remember )hat he did for us/ that somebod( appre!iates ho) mu!h he ris#ed/D
Wilson said6 D1a(be that )ill bring him a little !omfort6D
The 4ishop of the Serbian Orthodo: Chur!h in 8e) ,or#/ a !lose friend of 1ihailo-i!h/
than#ed =elman for )riting the arti!le that brought the men together and for the
)illingness of the airmen to stand up for an a!!used )ar !riminal6
D9t does not matter that ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h )ill li-e or die6 Some other ;raFa )ill be
born in the mountains to lead the nation/D he told =elman6 DWhat does matter is the
effort to !lear his name6D
7epeating his role in ranGane/ =elman be!ame the de fa!to leader of the do)ned airmen
again and led their attempt to sa-e 1ihailo-i!h from a Communist e:e!ution/ or at least
to let the )orld #no) )hat he did for Ameri!ans before he died6 The group formed the
8ational Committee for ;efense of ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h and the Serbian eople/ setting
about an organiFed effort to spread the )ord of their o)n e:perien!e )ith the supposed
)ar !riminal6 The group rallied around the slogan D5e sa-ed our li-es6 8o) )e'll sa-e
his6D The( distributed pamphlets/ )rote letters to the State ;epartment and their
!ongressmen/ and told their stories to an(one )ho )ould listen6 4uilding on ea!h
ne)spaper arti!le and radio inter-ie)/ the men )or#ed hard to !hange publi! opinion
and influen!e )orld e-ents6 =elman and the other organiFers !reated a stunningl(
su!!essful publi! relations ma!hine/ )riting press releases to ne)s outlets and ta#ing
ad-antage of the fa!t that there )ere more than fi-e hundred men s!attered a!ross the
!ountr( )ho !ould gi-e dramati!/ sometimes heart-)ren!hing firsthand a!!ounts of their
e:perien!e )ith the Serbs led b( 1ihailo-i!h6 1ost of the men had not met 1ihailo-i!h
personall(/ but the( #ne) his people and the( #ne) )hat the general had done for the
lost Ameri!ans6 The( !onsistentl( -ou!hed for his dedi!ation to Ameri!an ser-i!emen/
based on their o)n e:perien!e and the fa!t that the( !ame home6 Soon the( found that
all o-er the !ountr(/ hometo)n ne)spapers )ere eager to run stories detailing a lo!al
bo('s !onne!tion to a sensational post)ar trial in +urope6
The headline in the ress in Cle-eland/ Ohio/ )as C&+A+&A8;+7 A9;S G+86
195A9&OA9C56 The stor( Juoted lo!al Western 7eser-e >ni-ersit( student George
Salapa/ one of the res!ued airmen/ sa(ing/ D9 thin# he is getting a boot in the pants6D 9n
the Telegraph of ittsburgh/ enns(l-ania/ the headline read STAT+ T7OO+7S 5A9&
195A9&OA9C5 AS D=79+8;6D The stor( Juoted aul =6 1ato of South Connells-ille
and Carl '6 Walpus# of 'enners/ both state troopers and former airmen/ as sa(ing that the
Chetni# leader Dis getting a ra) deal from the Allied nations6D The up!oming trial )ould
be a Dtreason of Gusti!e/D the( said6 The 8e) ,or# 'ournal Ameri!an Juoted former OSS
agent +li opo-i!h as sa(ing/ DWe ha-e sold 1ihailo-i!h do)n the ri-er to Tito6 8o)
Tito is selling us and sitting in Trieste )aiting to fire on Ameri!an soldiers at the drop of
a hat )ith Ameri!an guns and Ameri!an ammunition6D The headline in the Times in
;etroit/ 1i!higan/ read ;7ABA 4+T7A,+;/ C&A91S ;+T7O9T+76
=elman pro-ed to be a persuasi-e/ arti!ulate/ and most of all/ passionate representati-e
of the res!ued airmen6 9n an arti!le he )rote for the 8e) ,or# 'ournal Ameri!an/
headlined ,A8I A+TS A9; 195A9&OA9C5/ =elman des!ribed )h( he and the other
airmen )ere so intent on helping a ,ugosla- a!!used of aiding the 8aFis<
9 am tra-eling to Washington toda(/ )ell fed/ )ell !lothed/ !omfortable in bod( but not
-er( !omfortable in mind6
9 am going to meet some of m( buddies/ )ell fed/ )ell !lothed6 When 9 last sa) them
)e )ere dirt(/ bearded/ ragged/ and death )as al)a(s behind the ne:t boulder or tree6 9t
should be a pleasant Gourne( toda(/ (ou thin#$ Well (es/ e:!ept 6 6 6
We shall be thin#ing/ the other gu(s and me/ of the soft-spo#en/ s!holarl( man )ho
sa-ed us from the shado) behind the boulder or tree6
The same shado) no) ho-ers o-er him/ and )e shall be thin#ing of that/ too6
=elman )ent on to des!ribe ho) the airmen hoped to influen!e the >6S6 go-ernment to
Dassure a fair trial for the man )ho is still a hero to us/ although a traitor to Tito and the
man in the Iremlin )ho (an#s the strings6D Of 1ihailo-i!h/ =elman said/ D5e )as about
as mu!h of a 8aFi !ollaborationist as 9 am6 5is great/ unforgi-able !rime )as that he
didn't li#e Communists either6D
4uo(ed b( gro)ing publi! s(mpath(/ =elman and nineteen other res!ued airmen/ along
)ith t)o Canadians/ !hartered a ;C-3/ the !i-ilian -ersion of the same C-". that had
res!ued the men in ranGane6 On April 20/ 12"*/ the( fle) to Washington/ ;C6 The(
dubbed their trip the D1ission to Sa-e 1ihailo-i!h/D )hi!h )as sten!iled on the side of
the plane6 The( made stops in ;etroit/ Cle-eland/ and ittsburgh to pi!# up more airmen
from their !ommunities/ posing at ea!h airport for the lo!al press6 The papers ran
pi!tures of sharpl( dressed (oung men in suits and fedoras/ )a-ing to the !amera from
the steps leading into the airplane/ )ith !aptions su!h as T+8 =&9+7S 7+SC>+; 4,
C5+T89I &+A;+7 STO 98 ;+T7O9T6
5a-ing s#illfull( publi!iFed their Gourne( to Washington ahead of time/ the delegation's
plane )as met at the Washington airport b( more than t)o thousand supporters )ho
!heered and )a-ed signs supporting 1ihailo-i!h6 oli!e motor!(!les es!orted the group
to their hotel in Washington/ and there the men immediatel( set off on their rounds6
Splitting up and -isiting as man( politi!ians and bureau!rats as the( !ould/ the airmen
tried to !on-in!e Washington leaders that 1ihailo-i!h should be a!#no)ledged for his
efforts in sa-ing the forgotten %336 =elman and other members sought a meeting )ith
a!ting Se!retar( of State ;ean A!heson but )ere refused6 The( -isited )ith other State
;epartment offi!ials and as#ed for help in going to ,ugosla-ia to testif( on behalf of
1ihailo-i!h/ insisting that the stor( of Operation 5al(ard must be heard if 1ihailo-i!h
had an( !han!e at all of getting a fair trial6 ;oFens of airmen )ere )illing to get on a
plane at an( moment and fl( ba!# to ,ugosla-ia to testif(/ but the( !ould not go )ithout
an in-itation from Tito/ and the onl( )a( to get that )as through the State ;epartment6
8ot surprisingl(/ !onsidering its past in-ol-ement )ith Tito and 1ihailo-i!h/ the State
;epartment said no6 +-en sending information about Operation 5al(ard to Tito/ or
publi!iFing it for the )hole )orld to see/ )as out of the Juestion/ the airmen )ere told6
The State ;epartment refused to for)ard the do!umentation offered b( the !ommittee/
!onsisting mostl( of the airmen's o)n personal a!!ounts in ,ugosla-ia/ to Tito6 All
go-ernment re!ords do!umenting Operation 5al(ard )ere !lassified/ so the onl( !redit
for 1ihailo-i!h's a!tions )ould !ome from the airmen themsel-es/ and the State
;epartment )ould do nothing to help them get to ,ugosla-ia6
The airmen did re!ei-e !onsiderable press !o-erage of their trip to Washington/ )hi!h
helped raise publi! a)areness that the !ase against 1ihailo-i!h )as/ at a minimum/ not
as !ertain as Tito !laimed6 9n one arti!le 8i!# &ali!h deli-ered a !op( of his o)n &egion
of 1erit !itation to the Washington ost to pro-e that he had performed heroi!all( in
,ugosla-ia during Operation 5al(ard and arguing that in his fi-e months )ith
1ihailo-i!h he had ne-er seen an( e-iden!e of betra(al6 &ali!h des!ribed the ,ugosla-
general as a Dgood-humored/ regular gu( and a!!omplished s!holar6D The reporter/
ho)e-er/ noted that the !itation said &ali!h )as )ith Tito's artisans during this time/
not 1ihailo-i!h6 &ali!h e:plained he had -igorousl( protested that ina!!ura!( )hen
presented )ith the !itation/ but senior offi!ers told him to Dforget it or he'd get into
trouble6D
D9'm not going to forget it/D &ali!h told the reporter6 DAnd 9'll do all 9 !an to get
1ihailo-i!h a de!ent brea#6 5e's getting a ra) deal6 5e is not and ne-er )as a 8aFi
!ollaborator6 The proof is in the frontline intelligen!e reports/ if the arm( )ill ma#e
them publi!6D
The arm( )ouldn't6
4efore the -isit to Washington ended/ a!ting Se!retar( of State A!heson !hanged his
mind and agreed to meet )ith a representati-e of the airmen's group6 1i#e 1!Iool/ the
;allas/ Te:as/ airman ni!#named Tom 1i: b( the Serbs/ and b( this time a la) student
at Southern 1ethodist >ni-ersit(/ )as !hosen to meet )ith A!heson6 After tal#ing for
thirt(-se-en minutes/ A!heson assured 1!Iool that the >nited States )ould ma#e a
strong appeal to ,ugosla-ia to gi-e 1ihailo-i!h a fair trial6
While in Washington/ the !ommittee members also sought a meeting )ith resident
Truman6 The president de!lined6 Wor#ing through their senators and !ongressmen/ the(
had to be satisfied )ith ha-ing a resolution entered into the !ongressional report of 1a(
1/ 12"*<
As )e/ the offi!ial delegates of the 8ational Committee for ;efense of ;raFa
1ihailo-i!h and the Serbian eople/ representing at the same time some si: hundred
Allied airmen )hose li-es as ours )ere res!ued b( 1ihailo-i!h and his people/ !ame to
the !apital of our !ountr( from all regions of the >nited States/ at our personal e:pense
in order to submit full e-ident proofs in fa-or of ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h from ,ugosla-ia to
the resident of the >nited States of Ameri!a and to the a!ting se!retar( of stateH
As )e tried in -ain to submit to the authorities at the highest le-el Tmeaning the
president and the a!ting se!retar( of stateU the reliable do!umentar( negation e-iden!e
of !harges that ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h has been a traitor and enem( !ollaborator as
announ!ed b( 1arshal Tito in ,ugosla-iaH
As )e/ being formall( denied the right to as# dire!tl( our supreme !ommander to
inter-ene personall( )ith ,ugosla- authorities and arrange for us and for other Allied
personnel to be summoned as defense )itnesses of material fa!ts to appear in the !ourtH
As )e/ being denied the right to as# personall( our president and the a!ting se!retar( of
state to ha-e all the do!uments of the State Ar!hi-es and of the 1inistr( of War
submitted for the presentation at the trial to General 1ihailo-i!h/ )e therefore ha-e
de!ided that<
We/ the representati-es of the 8ational Committee of Ameri!an Airmen to Aid General
1ihailo-i!h and the Serbian eople/ in spite of the failure of our president to meet us
and personall( listen to us/ in spite of the dire!t refusal of 1r6 A!heson to personall( see
us/ a!!ept and further for)ard the do!umentation/ in spite of the hesitant and e-identl(
insin!ere approa!h of the >SA go-ernment to)ards Tito's regime in ,ugosla-ia/ shall
pro-e un(ielding on the fight for the fair trial and absolute Gusti!e for General
1ihailo-i!h6
5a-ing said this/ )e ma#e #no)n that/ no matter )here )e are/ in our homes in the
States )here )e li-e/ or through our senators and !ongressmen of the >SA/ )e shall
persistentl( !ontinue to insist on the fair international trial to 1ihailo-i!h6 We/ the
Ameri!an -eterans/ )ill !onsider that international Gusti!e and moralit( do not e:ist
an(more if the fair trial is not pro-ided6
Though the delegation returned to 8e) ,or# disappointed/ the airmen !ontinued their
!ampaign/ as#ing for three things< &et the airmen spea# at the trial/ allo) OSS personnel
to testif( about 1ihailo-i!h/ and mo-e the trial to another !ountr( )here he !ould get a
fair hearing6 =elman/ 'ibilian/ Wilson/ Orsini/ and all the other men )ere Gust simple
!itiFens or militar( personnel at this point/ )ith no po)er but )hat the( might muster
under a demo!rati! so!iet(6 The( perse-ered be!ause the( had faith that !itiFens of a free
nation !ould stop an inGusti!e being perpetrated half)a( around the )orld6 Their
e:perien!e in the )ar had taught them e:a!tl( that6
The effort did (ield results6 Shortl( after the trip to Washington/ the State ;epartment
follo)ed through on A!heson's promise and sent a letter to Tito stating<
A !ertain number of those indi-iduals TAmeri!an airmenU )ho )ere in !lose !onta!t
)ith General 1ihailo-i!h ha-e firsthand proofs that ma( den( allegations for
!ollaboration )ith the enem(/ of )hi!h ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h is indi!ted/ as it )as
announ!ed b( ,ugosla- authorities6 The go-ernment of the >nited States belie-es in
su!h !ir!umstan!es that the ,ugosla- go-ernment )ill in the interest of Gusti!e beha-e in
an adeJuate )a(/ a!!epting proof of ea!h indi-idual )ho )ishes to submit it/ and ta#ing
it into !onsideration at the trial of General 1ihailo-i!h6
Tito's repl( )as s)ift and !lear6 5e had no interest in hearing from the Ameri!an airmen6
The Christian S!ien!e 1onitor on April 13/ 12"*/ reported that/ D4elgrade has !urtl(
turned do)n Washington's reJuest that these men in the interest of Gusti!e be allo)ed to
present their e-iden!e6 9ts reason< 9t does not )ant to influen!e the !ourt6D The reason
)as laughable to an(one )ho #ne) ho) mu!h the !ourt )as alread( influen!ed in the
e:treme b( Tito and Stalin6 The report )ent on to e:plain that/ DThe Tito go-ernment
!aps its reGe!tion of Washington's reJuest )ith the amaFing statement that General
1ihailo-i!h's !rimes are too terrible to permit the Juestion of his inno!en!e to be
raised6D The message from Tito stated that/ DThe !rimes !ommitted b( 1ihailo-i!h are
too great and terrible for an( dis!ussions to ta#e pla!e on )hether or not he is guilt(6D
Aided b( su!h blatant !onfirmation that the trial )as merel( a formalit( before
e:e!ution/ publi! sentiment )as building in fa-or of the airmen and 1ihailo-i!h6
Ameri!ans )ere alread( leer( of the gro)ing Communist presen!e in +urope/ and no
one in the >nited States seemed to ha-e a good feeling about Tito/ not e-en the State
;epartment/ )hi!h failed to embra!e him e-en as it offi!iall( shunned 1ihailo-i!h6
Anti-Communist feelings/ !oupled )ith respe!t for the returning )ar -eterans )ho )ere
sometimes mo-ed to tears in their defense of this foreign leader/ !reated a gro)ing
!on!ern that ,ugosla-ia )as being allo)ed to railroad an inno!ent man6 A long list of
prominent !itiFens/ in!luding numerous state go-ernors/ senators/ !ongressmen/ and
Gudges formed the Committee for the =air Trial to General 1ihailo-i!h/ building on the
airmen's o)n efforts to push for >6S6 inter-ention before 1ihailo-i!h )as e:e!uted b(
his s)orn enem(6 The e:e!uti-e -i!e president of the !ommittee )as 7a( 4ro!#/
pre-iousl( a foreign !orrespondent for the 8e) ,or# Times/ and one of those )ho/ (ears
earlier/ defended AuGno-i!h from the >stashe guard )ho )anted to e:e!ute him if he
didn't produ!e his passport6 Soon after its formation/ the !ommittee announ!ed that
prominent attorne( 1orris &6 +rnst had -olunteered to defend 1ihailo-i!h/ intending to
fl( to +urope immediatel( in an effort to !onta!t Tito6
4( this time/ the 4ritish role in the betra(al of 1ihailo-i!h also )as emerging6 9n the
8e) ,or# World-Telegram on April 12/ 12"*/ a headline read C5>7C59&& WAS
TAI+8 98 4, T9TO/ W79T+7 C&A91S6 The )riter )as ;a-id 1artin/ alread( #no)n
as the foremost s!holar on ,ugosla- histor( and a!ti-e in the mo-ement to sa-e
1ihailo-i!h6 5e told the ne)spaper that although Chur!hill did not !onspire to hand
,ugosla-ia o-er to Communism and a!ted in good faith/ D5is mista#e )as in treating
Tito as an +nglish gentleman6D 1artin also Juoted Chur!hill as telling a 4russels/
4elgium/ ne)spaper that his handling of ,ugosla-ia )as his biggest mista#e of the )ar6
9n 12"*/ the influen!e of Communist spies and moles li#e 'ames Ilugmann )as (et to
be dis!o-ered or full( appre!iated6
As publi! outrage gre) at the prospe!t of a sho) trial in 4elgrade/ the State ;epartment
sent another letter to Tito/ reJuesting that the airmen's stor( be allo)ed into e-iden!e6
StanoGe Simi!/ the ,ugosla- minister of foreign affairs/ responded b( informing the State
;epartment that the airmen )ould not be heard6 An( further !ommuni!ation on the
matter )ould be ignored/ Simi! reported6
7ealiFing that Tito )ould not allo) the Ameri!ans to parti!ipate in 1ihailo-i!h's trial/
the Committee for the =air Trial organiFed the ne:t-best thing-an in-estigation
!ommission that )ould hear all the e-iden!e in the >nited States and then for)ard it on
to Tito )hether he )anted it or not6 The airmen eagerl( lined up to testif( before the
!ommission/ #no)ing that it might be the onl( )a( the( !ould e-er get their stor( on the
re!ord6 9n the interest of time/ ho)e-er/ the !ommission heard from t)ent( airmen and
OSS offi!ers )ho had dire!t !onta!t )ith 1ihailo-i!h and his guerillas6 The airmen
in!luded =elman and 1!Iool/ and the )ritten testimonies of three hundred more airmen
also )ere a!!epted6 Then the !ommission heard from si: OSS offi!ers )ho personall(
had )or#ed )ith 1ihailo-i!h/ in!luding 1usulin/ &ali!h/ 7aGa!i!h/ and 'ibilian6 To a
man/ e-er( single person testified that the( had ne-er seen an( indi!ation that
1ihailo-i!h !ollaborated )ith the Germans6
After a )ee# of testimon(/ the !ommission for)arded a si:-hundred-page report to Tito6
As e:pe!ted/ Tito's go-ernment !ompletel( ignored it6
The trial of General ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h began on 'une 13/ 12"*/ in a ma#eshift
!ourtroom/ the auditorium of an infantr( s!hool in the 4elgrade suburbs that had been
rigged )ith floodlights6 The outsiFed -enue )as ne!essar( to hold the more than one
thousand spe!tators and one hundred foreign and ,ugosla- Gournalists6 Tito returned
from a trip to 1os!o) in time to be present for the trial of his ri-al6 1ihailo-i!h entered
the !ourtroom unaided but loo#ing )ear( and )ea#/ stepping !arefull( to the defendant's
do!# be!ause his nearsightedness had re!entl( gro)n mu!h more se-ere/ nearl( to the
point of blindness6 Thirteen other defendants stood in the do!# )ith him/ also on trial for
!ollaborating )ith the enem( during the )ar6 Ten more )ere tried in ab sentia/ in!luding
=oti
/ the former ,ugosla- ambassador to the >nited States )ho had re!entl( detailed
Operation 5al(ard in the Washington ost6 The indi!tment a!!used =oti
of organiFing Dlarge-s!ale propaganda/ full( a)are that 1ihailo-i!h and his Chetni#s/
)ith their organiFation/ )ere !ollaborating )ith the o!!upiers6D
Collaborating )ith the enem( )as the main !harge against 1ihailo-i!h6 The indi!tment
!laimed that in August 12""/ the same month that the Operation 5al(ard res!ues began/
1ihailo-i!h met )ith an Ameri!an offi!er and the !hief of the administrati-e staff of the
8aFi militar( !ommand in Serbia6 That meeting )as but one e:ample of ongoing
!ollaboration )ith the Germans and 9talians in an effort to defeat the artisans led b(
Tito/ the indi!tment !laimed6 And in a !lear e:ample of ho) the -i!tors )rite histor(/ the
indi!tment )ent on to !ondemn 1ihailo-i!h for the -er( a!t of fighting the artisans/
des!ribing the Chetni# resistan!e to the Communists as if it )ere treason per se6 The
Ameri!ans and the 4ritish )ere not spared !riti!ism in the indi!tment e-en though Tito
probabl( )ould not ha-e been in a position to tr( 1ihailo-i!h )ithout the support of the
Allies during the )ar6 The Ameri!an and 4ritish go-ernments/ Tito !laimed in the
indi!tment/ !onspired )ith 1ihailo-i!h and Iing eter's e:iled go-ernment to defeat the
artisans/ again des!ribing resistan!e to the Communist mo-ement as inherentl(
!riminal6
1ihailo-i!h maintained a Juiet dignit( as the indi!tment )as read and responded to
preliminar( Juestions )ith a firm -oi!e6 When the prose!utor as#ed his o!!upation/
1ihailo-i!h replied/ DGeneral of the arm(6D
As the trial began/ the prose!utor did not mention the possibilit( that 1ihailo-i!h !ould
re!ei-e the death penalt(/ but he said he )ould De:pe!t the !ourt to pass se-ere and Gust
senten!e o-er these traitors and !riminals6D 8o one doubted that 1ihailo-i!h )ould be
e:e!uted if found guilt(/ and hardl( an(one doubted that either6 That Stalin )as dire!ting
the trial through Tito )as ob-ious to most people in the West/ and besides/ it )as !lear
that Tito harbored more than enough hate for 1ihailo-i!h to guarantee a guilt( -erdi!t
e-en )ithout Stalin's urging6 Western obser-ers alread( )ere forming a !lear pi!ture of
Stalin and Communist 7ussia/ in!luding the !ampaigns of politi!al repression and
perse!ution or!hestrated b( Stalin in his o)n !ountr( beginning in the late 1233s6 Stalin
purged the Communist art( of the So-iet >nion of an(one suspe!ted of dislo(alt( and
perse!uted unaffiliated persons/ )hile !o)ing the popula!e )ith omnipresent poli!e
sur-eillan!e/ )idespread suspi!ion of saboteurs/ sho) trials/ imprisonment/ and nearl(
random #illings6
9n an editorial on 'une 1./ 12"*/ the Washington ost a!#no)ledged that Tito )as
railroading 1ihailo-i!h to e:tra!t a personal -engean!e on his former !ompetitor for
post)ar ,ugosla-ia and also to denigrate the West6 D8o) it be!omes apparent that the
propaganda is being dire!ted not so mu!h against 1ihailo-i!h and the Chetni#s as
against Great 4ritain and the >nited States6 =or this )e ha-e our o)n statesmen to
blame6D The editorial )ent on to address the most !on!rete of the !harges brought out in
the trial/ that 1ihailo-i!h had se!retl( met )ith German !ommanders/ noting that an
Ameri!an offi!er had alread( de!lared publi!l( that he organiFed the meetings on the
orders of the Ameri!an high !ommand for the purpose of dis!ussing the terms of a
German surrender6 The ne)spaper denoun!ed the artisans for ha-ing been more
interested in ta#ing o-er ,ugosla-ia after the )ar than defeating the Germans during it/
and it said the !ountr('s e:perien!e did not bode )ell for a future in )hi!h Communists
)ere gro)ing more po)erful e-er( da(6 The ost !on!luded b( noting that neither the
4ritish nor the Ameri!an go-ernments had e:plained the Dsudden shift of poli!(
)hereb( 1ihailo-i!h )as abandoned to the -engean!e of his enemies6 ConseJuentl(
there is no Ameri!an )ho !an read )ith an( eas( !ons!ien!e about ho) this 'first
organiFer of the resistan!e/' as he proudl( and rightl( !alls himself/ no) stands deserted
and friendless/ )ea#ened b( !onfinement and perhaps b( torture/ to fa!e his -indi!ti-e
and remorseful Gudge6D
9n a surprise to no one/ in!luding 1ihailo-i!h/ the leader of the Serbian resistan!e )as
found guilt( of all !harges on 'ul( 1%/ 12"*6 The offi!ial trans!ript of the sho) trial
in!ludes the !losing !omments of the resident of the Court< D4( pronoun!ing this
-erdi!t the Court !onsiders itself to be a faithful interpreter of the national feeling for
Gusti!e and eJuit(/ and that b( the stigmatiFation of treason against the fatherland it has
remained !onsistent to the agelong freedom-lo-ing traditions of our peoples/ )ho from
time immemorial esteemed libert( abo-e e-er(thing/ and treason against the fatherland
as the gra-est !rime6 ;eath to =as!ism6 &ibert( to the people6D
The trans!ript ends )ith a notation t(pi!al of the )a( Communist go-ernments !laimed
to al)a(s ha-e the !omplete support of the people< DAt the !on!lusion of the spee!h of
the resident of the Court/ there )as enthusiasti! applause/ and shouts of '&ong li-e the
eople's Courts6' D
1ihailo-i!h )as e:e!uted on 'ul( 1./ 12"*/ and buried in an unmar#ed gra-e6 The ne:t
da(/ a four-paragraph stor( on page * of the Washington ost reported )hat e-er(one
)ho had follo)ed the trial #ne) )ould happen immediatel( after6 195A9&OA9C5
+R+C>T+; 4, =9798G SY>A;/ the headline read6
Gen6 ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h died at da)n toda( before a firing sJuad6
The bearded %3-(ear-old Chetni# leader/ )ho ele!trified the Allied World in 12"1 b(
organiFing the first ,ugosla- resistan!e to the 8aFi in-aders/ )as e:e!uted less than "0
hours after a ,ugosla- militar( !ourt found him guilt( of treason and !ollaboration )ith
the Germans6
1ihailo-i!h's last )ords to the )orld )ere/ D9 stro-e for mu!h/ l undertoo# mu!h/ but
the gales of the )orld ha-e !arried a)a( both me and m( )or#6D
Ton( Orsini )ept )hen he heard the ne)s/ and he )as not alone6 All o-er the !ountr(/
men )ho o)ed their li-es to 1ihailo-i!h bro#e do)n in tears of sorro) and anger/ some
pounding the table in frustration/ others tr(ing to !omfort !hildren frightened b( their
fathers' sho) of emotion6 The e:e!ution of 1ihailo-i!h )as so unfair/ Orsini thought/ a
stain on the honor of all freedom-lo-ing !ountries6
The gales of the )orld left (oung Ameri!an men stranded behind enem( lines in
,ugosla-ia/ and no) the gales of the )orld left them )ondering ho) the man )ho had
)at!hed o-er them !ould be e:e!uted in a Communist !ountr( )hile the free )orld did
nothing6
Chapter 10
Se!rets and &ies
On!e 1ihailo-i!h spo#e his last )ords and too# his last breath/ the press and !on!erned
!itiFens of the Western )orld forgot him as Jui!#l( as the( had learned of his plight6 5is
sho) trial and ignoble death faded from the headlines )ithin da(s6 The )orld mo-ed on
to other troubles/ other international threats and !ontro-ersies/ and ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h
be!ame Gust another !asualt( of World War 996 Onl( in the (ears to !ome )ould he be
seen as one of the first !asualties of the Cold War6
The onl( Ameri!ans )ho !ontinued to thin# of ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h )ere those of Serbian
des!ent and the more than fi-e hundred airmen and OSS agents )ho felt the( had lost a
dear friend6 The res!ued airmen ne-er forgot 1ihailo-i!h/ and the( ne-er ga-e up on the
effort to !lear his name6 Their effort )as e-en more diffi!ult than before6 =elman )rote
more arti!les and letters to the editor/ as did s!ores of other airmen/ but the( Jui!#l(
found out that the press )as no longer interested in their stories6 As headlines go/
&OCA& 1A8 ST9&& >S+T A4O>T ;+AT5 O= 195A9&OA9C5 S9R 1O8T5S
AGO Gust )asn't the same as the ones that ran on so man( stories in papers a!ross the
!ountr( )hile 1ihailo-i!h )as on trial and there still seemed to be some !han!e that the
airmen !ould influen!e )orld e-ents6 The( ga-e it a good tr(/ the !ountr( seemed to
thin#/ but there )asn't an( more for them to do and the )orld mo-ed on6
Within t)o (ears of 1ihailo-i!h's death/ he and the res!ued airmen )ere all but
forgotten6 =elman/ 1usgro-e/ Orsini/ Wilson/ 1usulin/ and 'ibilian all immersed
themsel-es in their !i-ilian li-es/ follo)ed e-entuall( b( &ali!h and AuGno-i!h6 Though
the( had little or no audien!e an(more/ the( !ontinued to tell their stories )hene-er the(
!ould/ to famil( and friends/ to !hur!h groups/ to s!hool !lasses )ho as#ed )hat the(
had done in the )ar6 The( al)a(s emphasiFed that a great man had been the -i!tim of a
great inGusti!e6 The( held out hope that one da( the name of 1ihailo-i!h )ould be
!leared and he )ould get the proper re!ognition for aiding the airmen in their time of
need/ but in moments of honest(/ the( )ere not optimisti!6
What the airmen did not #no) )as that the 1ihailo-i!h name )as still spo#en in the
halls of the entagon6 There )ere still a!ti-e-dut( militar( personnel/ as )ell as OSS
agents and dire!tors/ )ho felt as strongl( as the airmen that 1ihailo-i!h had been
treated unfairl( not Gust b( Tito and Stalin/ but b( the >6S6 go-ernment6 The( pushed/
dis!reetl( but persistentl(/ for the Ameri!an go-ernment to someho) right this )rong6
One of these ad-o!ates for 1ihailo-i!h )as General ;)ight ;6 +isenho)er/ supreme
!ommander of the Allied for!es in +urope/ )ith responsibilit( for planning and
super-ising the su!!essful in-asion of =ran!e and German( in 12"" and 12"%6 5e )ould
be!ome president of the >nited States in 12%36
+isenho)er strongl( urged resident 5arr( Truman to !orre!t the histori!al re!ord and
formall( a!#no)ledge that/ despite being abandoned b( the Allies in the midst of the
)ar/ 1ihailo-i!h )as a true friend of the >nited States6 9n 12"0/ +isenho)er and the
arm( !on-in!ed Truman that 1ihailo-i!h had done the !ountr( a great ser-i!e and
deser-ed re!ognition6 Truman posthumousl( a)arded 1ihailo-i!h the highest a)ard
possible for su!h ser-i!e to the !ountr( b( a foreign national-the &egion of 1erit6 This
)as no small de!ision/ and it !ould not be !onstrued in an( )a( as thro)ing a bone to
1ihailo-i!h supporters6 The &egion of 1erit is a signifi!ant militar( de!oration/
a)arded for e:!eptionall( meritorious !ondu!t in the performan!e of outstanding
ser-i!es and a!hie-ements6 9t is one of the fe) medals that !an be issued both to >6S6
militar( personnel and to militar( and politi!al figures of foreign go-ernments6 Se-enth
in the order of pre!eden!e of militar( de!orations/ the &egion of 1erit also is one of
onl( t)o >6S6 de!orations to be issued as a Dne!# order/D meaning it is )orn on a ribbon
around the ne!#6 The other is the esteemed 1edal of 5onor6
Created on August %/ 12"2/ the &egion of 1erit reJuired that the president personall(
appro-e its a)ard to an( foreign national/ and non-!itiFens !an re!ei-e the &egion of
1erit in one of fi-e degrees/ the top a)ard being D!hief !ommanderD )hen a)arded to
the head of a foreign go-ernment6 Se-eral of the OSS agents in-ol-ed in Operation
5al(ard had re!ei-ed the &egion of 1erit/ in!luding 1usulin/ )hose a)ard )as
presented personall( b( OSS dire!tor Wild 4ill ;ono-an6
So b( the time Truman )as !on-in!ed that 1ihailo-i!h should be re!ogniFed for his
ser-i!e to the >nited States/ the !hoi!e )as ob-ious6 At the urging of the arm(/ Truman
de!ided that the !ountr( )ould posthumousl( a)ard the &egion of 1erit to ;raFa
1ihailo-i!h as offi!ial re!ognition for his aid to Ameri!an airmen and as an apolog( of
sorts6 9n a subtle rebu#e to Tito and Stalin/ the &egion of 1erit )ould be a)arded at the
highest le-el/ re!ogniFing 1ihailo-i!h as the !hief !ommander of ,ugosla-ia6
On April 2/ 12"0/ almost t)o (ears after his death/ the >nited States of Ameri!a
posthumousl( a)arded the &egion of 1erit to 1ihailo-i!h6 The a!!ompan(ing !itation
stated that 1ihailo-i!h
666 distinguished himself in an outstanding manner as Commander-in-Chief of the
,ugosla-ian Arm( =or!es and later as 1inister of War b( organiFing and leading
important resistan!e for!es against the enem( )hi!h o!!upied ,ugosla-ia/ from
;e!ember 12"1 to ;e!ember 12""6
Through the undaunted efforts of his troops/ man( >nited States airmen )ere res!ued
and returned safel( to friendl( !ontrol6 General 1ihailo-i!h and his for!es/ although
la!#ing adeJuate supplies/ and fighting under e:treme hardships/ !ontributed materiall(
to the Allied !ause/ and )ere instrumental in obtaining a final Allied -i!tor(6
9nterestingl(/ Truman ga-e 1ihailo-i!h the &egion of 1erit not Gust for res!uing the
airmen but for his o-erall effort in the )ar6 +ssentiall( the !itation said that 1ihailo-i!h
did e-er(thing the 4ritish and Ameri!ans a!!used him of not doing-fighting -aliantl(
against the enem(6 The a)ard )as signed personall( b( resident Truman6
,ears after a!!using 1ihailo-i!h of failing to fight the enem( and possibl( e-en
!ollaborating )ith the 8aFis/ the >nited States a!#no)ledged that 1ihailo-i!h )as/ in
fa!t/ lo(al to the end and had a!ted heroi!all( in helping res!ue the forgotten %336
The a)ard )ould go a long )a( to)ard assuaging the anger and frustration felt b( the
airmen and OSS agents-if onl( the( !ould #no) that it )as gi-en to 1ihailo-i!h6 4ut
the( did not6
8o one outside of the entagon and a fe) go-ernment offi!es )ould hear about
1ihailo-i!h re!ei-ing the &egion of 1erit6 When State ;epartment offi!ials got )ind of
the effort to a)ard the medal/ the( immediatel( e:pressed !on!ern that the a)ard !ould
be detrimental to !urrent relations )ith ,ugosla-ia6 Sho)ing the same attitude to)ard
1ihailo-i!h that it had sho)n four (ears earlier/ the State ;epartment strongl(
suggested to Truman that if the &egion of 1erit )as a)arded/ it should be #ept Juiet6
One !able from the State ;epartment post in 7ome/ dated April 1/ 12"0/ urged Truman
to !onsider ho) an( positi-e re!ognition of 1ihailo-i!h !ould antagoniFe not onl( Tito
but the 9talian go-ernment as )ell6 The !able stated that/ DWe do not belie-e it )ould be
a positi-e fa!tor in 9talian preele!tion period and might in fa!t be harmful to >6S6
prestige in 9tal(6 8on-Communist 9talians ha-e no great s(mpath( for an( ,ugosla- and
an( pro-1ihailo-i!h elements here )ould be in!lined to -ie) !(ni!all( posthumous
re!ognition of a patriot )hom the( might feel the Allies had abandoned in life6D State
;epartment offi!ials in 4elgrade sent similar dis!ouragement/ and Truman agreed not to
ro!# the boat6
A telegram from the State ;epartment to the Ameri!an embass( in 4elgrade on April 21/
12"0/ assured the ambassador that/ D8o steps )ill be ta#en at this time to gi-e publi!it(
to this a)ard6D
9nstead of being publi!iFed and 1ihailo-i!h's famil( or other representati-e in-ited to
the White 5ouse for a formal presentation/ the State ;epartment insisted that the )hole
matter be stamped S+C7+T6 9t )as offi!iall( a)arded to 1ihailo-i!h/ but for the first
time in histor( the &egion of 1erit )as #ept se!ret from its re!ipient and nearl(
e-er(one else/ in!luding the forgotten %336 The arm( for)arded the -iolet/ blue/ green/
and gold medal/ )ith its -iolet ne!# ribbon and !itation signed b( the president/ to the
State ;epartment/ )hi!h put it in a dra)er for safe#eeping Duntil su!h time as
arrangements for presentation ma( be made6D
8o one )ithout offi!ial !learan!e from the arm( or the State ;epartment e-en #ne) that
the &egion of 1erit had been a)arded to 1ihailo-i!h6 1ean)hile/ Tito's Communist
go-ernment !ontinued to tell the )orld that 1ihailo-i!h )as a traitor for !ollaborating
)ith the 8aFis6
The &egion of 1erit a)arded to 1ihailo-i!h sat in the dra)er at the State ;epartment/
offi!iall( se!ret/ for almost t)ent( (ears6 9t might ha-e remained a se!ret if not for the
)or# of Congressman +d)ard '6 ;er)ins#i of 9llinois/ )ho inter-ened in 12*. at the
urging of airmen )ho had heard rumors6 ;er)ins#i insisted that the State ;epartment
ma#e the te:t of resident Truman's !itation publi! and for the first time the airmen and
the rest of the )orld learned that the !ountr( had than#ed 1ihailo-i!h for sa-ing more
than fi-e hundred Ameri!an ser-i!emen )ith a grand gesture made halfhearted b( the
State ;epartment's timidit(6
The re-elation helped rehabilitate 1ihailo-i!h's name/ albeit in a small )a( and )ithout
the impa!t that the a)ard )ould ha-e had if made publi! in 12"0/ or e-en better/ in
12"*/ before 1ihailo-i!h )as e:e!uted6 As the (ears passed/ the )orld !ontinued to
forget )ho 1ihailo-i!h )as/ and )hether he )as friend or foe )as relegated to
arguments bet)een historians and Ameri!ans of Serbian des!ent6
A-o)ed anti-Communist 7onald 7eagan/ then go-ernor of California and about to
be!ome president in the ne:t (ear/ paid respe!t to 1ihailo-i!h on September 0/ 12.26 5e
)rote to the California CitiFen's Committee to Commemorate General ;raFa
1ihailo-i!h<
9 )ish that it !ould be said that this great hero )as the last -i!tim of !onfused and
senseless poli!ies of Western go-ernments in dealing )ith Communism6 The fa!t is that
others ha-e suffered a fate similar to his b( being embra!ed and then abandoned b(
Western go-ernments in the hope that su!h abandonment )ill pur!hase pea!e or
se!urit(6 Thus/ the fate of General 1ihailo-i!h is not simpl( of histori! signifi!an!e-it
tea!hes us something toda( as )ell6 8o Western nation/ in!luding the >nited States/ !an
hope to )in its o)n battle for freedom and sur-i-al b( sa!rifi!ing bra-e !omrades to the
politi!s of international e:pedien!(6
7eagan )ent on to sa( that the betra(al of 1ihailo-i!h sho)ed Dbe(ond doubt that both
freedom and honor suffer )hen firm !ommitments be!ome sa!rifi!ed to false hopes of
appeasing aggressors b( abandoning friends6D
Another step to)ard !learing 1ihailo-i!h's name/ this one far more signifi!ant than the
se!ret medal/ !ame in 122. )hen the 4ritish de!lassified )artime reports on one of the
most !ontro-ersial 4ritish under!o-er operations of World War 996 With those
do!uments/ it )as re-ealed that the suspi!ions of man( )ere true< The So-iet mole
'ames Ilugmann )as largel( responsible for the 4ritish s)it!hing their support from
1ihailo-i!h to Tito6 8ot onl( did Ilugmann's lies ensure 1ihailo-i!h's defeat and
e:e!ution/ the( helped s)a( the Allies' support to Tito and !emented Communist !ontrol
o-er ,ugosla-ia6
1an( Ameri!ans )ere appalled to learn that not onl( )as an all( betra(ed/ but that the
Ameri!an and 4ritish go-ernments had helped Communism gain a foothold in +urope
after the )ar that )ould ta#e de!ades to dislodge6 The )orld )as learning the
trea!herous/ de!eitful )a(s of the Communists/ something that AuGno-i!h/ 1usulin/ and
the forgotten %33 alread( #ne) from firsthand e:perien!e6
+pilogue
With e-er( passing (ear/ the airmen res!ued in Operation 5al(ard and the OSS agents
)ho sa-ed them )ere forgotten/ Gust as the )orld forgot 1ihailo-i!h6 The airmen and
their res!uers !ould ne-er forget the e:perien!e/ thin#ing about it e-er( da( of their
li-es/ and man( !ontinued to !ampaign for !learing the name of the Serbian fighter )ho
had sa-ed them6 Their pleas )ere largel( ignored b( a )orld that )as mo-ing on/
uninterested in a !ontro-ers( that seemed to die )ith a supposed 8aFi !ollaborator
e:e!uted in 12"*6
As the( got on )ith their li-es/ man( of those in-ol-ed in Operation 5al(ard gre)
disillusioned )ith international relations/ !on-in!ed from their o)n e:perien!e that
nations e:hibited a disturbing )illingness to trust those )ho shouldn't be trusted and to
sa!rifi!e those )ho had demonstrated great lo(alt(6 The( struggled to re!on!ile that
!on!lusion )ith their o)n patriotism and lo-e of !ountr(/ and their frustration gre)
more pronoun!ed as Communism's grip on the 4al#ans and +astern +urope gre) tighter
in the 12%3s/ 12*3s/ and on6
George AuGno-i!h left the OSS in 12"* and )anted to go ba!# to medi!al s!hool/ but he
found that )ith so man( ser-i!emen returning to s!hool/ the one s!hool that a!!epted
him/ 4oston >ni-ersit(/ )anted to pla!e him in the se!ond (ear of studies e-en though
he had !ompleted four (ears of s!hool in ,ugosla-ia6 5e )ould ha-e to li-e on one
hundred t)ent( dollars a month pro-ided b( the G9 4ill meant to support returning
ser-i!emen/ and he de!ided he !ouldn't support 1irGana and his daughter/ Renia/ on
su!h a pittan!e6 5e relu!tantl( ga-e up on be!oming a do!tor and he and 1irGana mo-ed
to 8e) ,or#/ )here he )ent ba!# to )or# for an Ameri!an as a pur!hasing agent6
Within a fe) (ears AuGno-i!h opened his o)n business selling air!raft parts6 1irGana
studied art histor( and for three (ears )or#ed as a librarian at The 1etropolitan 1useum
of Art6 She also )or#ed for Aoi!e of Ameri!a radio and Grolier ublishing/ retiring in
12.26 Ahead of her times )ith her -ie) that )omen should not !ontent themsel-es )ith
house)or#/ 1irGana en!ouraged her daughter/ Renia/ to go to !ollege and de-elop a
profession6 ?Renia e:!elled a!ademi!all( and enGo(ed a su!!essful !areer in/ of all
pla!es/ the State ;epartment6@ At home/ 1irGana )as an a!!omplished !lassi!al pianist
and )ea-er/ lo-ed b( her friends and famil( for being lo(al and a good listener )ho
#ne) ho) to dra) people out )ith a !arefull( !onsidered Juestion6 She ne-er got o-er
her disappointment at ho) the Allied -i!tor( led to Communism instead of a
representati-e demo!ra!( in her nati-e !ountr(6
1irGana died on April 12/ 2333/ at the age of ninet(6 She and George had been married
for si:t(-t)o (ears/ and he still misses his dear 1irGana terribl(6 8o) ninet(-t)o (ears
old/ AuGno-i!h li-es on his o)n in 8e) ,or#/ onl( semiretired from the air!rafts parts
business and still easil( riled )hen the subGe!t turns to Communism and the
mistreatment of 1ihailo-i!h6
George 1usulin passed a)a( in 1!&ean/ Airginia/ in =ebruar( of 120. at the age of
se-ent(-t)o/ ha-ing lost tou!h o-er the (ears )ith the rest of the men in-ol-ed in
Operation 5al(ard6 Those )ho had an( !onta!t )ith him after the failed effort to sa-e
1ihailo-i!h remember him as being disillusioned and bitter about the )ar e:perien!e6
8i!# &ali!h )or#ed for the C9A in Gree!e for fi-e (ears/ and then he be!ame an a!!ount
e:e!uti-e )ith an ad-ertising agen!( in 8e) ,or#6 9n the 12*3s he Goined the >6S6
;epartment of Commer!e and retired in 120"6 &ali!h died in 1a( of 2331 at the age of
eight(-fi-e6
=rustrated )ith his inabilit( to more effe!ti-el( influen!e the e-ents leading to the death
of 1ihailo-i!h/ and more than a little bitter/ Arthur 'ibilian de!ided he needed more of
an edu!ation so that he might be better prepared for an( future !hallenges6 5e returned
to the >ni-ersit( of Toledo/ )here he had studied for a (ear before the )ar6 9n the ne:t
three (ears he met his )ife and obtained a degree in business administration6 After
!ollege/ he )or#ed )ith Wonder 4read and then as safet( dire!tor for an industrial
manufa!turing !ompan( )hile raising three !hildren6 5e and his )ife still li-e in Toledo6
7i!hard =elman ne-er ga-e up his effort to honor 1ihailo-i!h and all those in-ol-ed in
Operation 5al(ard6 =elman retired from the >nited States Air =or!e in 12*0 and spent
his time spea#ing fer-entl( about the debt o)ed to 1ihailo-i!h6 9n 12.3/ he sought
federal appro-al for a statue on Capitol grounds honoring 1ihailo-i!h6 After being
rebuffed/ he tried again in 12.* and again in 12../ )hen finall( the bill )as introdu!ed
into the Senate b( Strom Thurmond and 4arr( Gold)ater6 The legislation died be!ause
of the State ;epartment's !ontinued relu!tan!e to do an(thing that might GeopardiFe
!urrent relations )ith ,ugosla-ia6 The bill )as reintrodu!ed se-eral times more in the
!oming (ears but )ithout su!!ess6
9n 122%/ =elman and &ali!h/ along )ith a number of other Operation 5al(ard -ets
returned to Serbia for the fiftieth anni-ersar( of A-+ ;a(6 The( )ere met on a mountain
in 7a-na Gora/ near ranGane/ b( fift( thousand Serbian people )ho !heered them as
returning heroes6 =elman died in 8o-ember 1222/ at the age of se-ent(-eight6
Clare 1usgro-e studied agri!ulture and forestr( at 1i!higan State College of
Agri!ulture and Applied S!ien!e after the )ar/ going on to a long !areer in the 1i!higan
state !ooperati-e e:tension ser-i!e6 5e retired in 1203 and !urrentl( li-es in 4errien
Count(/ 1i!higan/ )ith his )ife6 1usgro-e has ne-er forgotten the people of Serbia and
often thin#s of the famil( that sheltered him that first night on the ground in ,ugosla-ia/
hiding him under a bed )hile a 8aFi offi!er stal#ed through the house loo#ing for him6
Ton( Orsini returned to )or#ing at a lo!al ban# after the )ar and then )ent to !ollege/
earning a degree )ith honors and enGo(ing a long !areer in finan!e6 5a-ing lost his
belo-ed )ife to AlFheimer's disease re!entl(/ he still li-es in 8e) 'erse( and has se-en
grand!hildren6
7obert Wilson also returned to s!hool after the )ar/ going ba!# to the >ni-ersit( of
9llinois/ and obtained a degree in me!hani!al engineering6 5e )or#ed as an engine
designer and anal(st )ith Caterpillar for eighteen (ears and then left to )or# in the sto!#
mar#et full-time6 5e married during that time and li-es in eoria/ 9llinois/ )ith his )ife/
still )or#ing full-time6 9n 12**/ Wilson returned on his o)n to Communist ,ugosla-ia/
still under Tito's !ontrol/ to -isit 4unar/ one of the small -illages that harbored him
before his res!ue in ranGane6 The people of the -illage re!alled the Ameri!an airmen
)ith great )armth/ )hi!h onl( unders!ored the fa!t that Ameri!ans barel( remembered
them at all6 Though proud to ha-e !ontributed to the defeat of the 8aFis and un)a-ering
in his lo(alt( to his !ountr(/ he re!alls the betra(al and e:e!ution of 1ihailo-i!h as one
of the great disappointments of his life6
8i!# etro-i!h/ the (oung Serbian fighter )ho helped prote!t the airmen in ranGane and
)at!hed from his guard post as the Ameri!an planes s)ooped in for the res!ue/ is no) a
su!!essful businessman in 1e:i!o Cit(/ 1e:i!o6 5e still !onsiders himself a great friend
of the Ameri!an people6
On September 2"/ 12"%/ 1aGor General William '6 ;ono-an made a final address to a
gathering of OSS emplo(ees at the headJuarters in Washington/ ;C6 ;ono-an told the
men and )omen of the OSS that the( )ere !oming to the end of Dan unusual
e:periment6 This e:periment )as to determine )hether a group of Ameri!ans
!onstituting a !ross se!tion of ra!ial origins/ of abilities/ temperaments/ and talents !ould
meet and ris# an en!ounter )ith the long-established and )ell-trained enem(
organiFations6D As the OSS agents and staff )ent on to other !hapters in their li-es/
;ono-an told them/ D,ou !an go )ith the assuran!e that (ou ha-e made a beginning in
sho)ing the people of Ameri!a that onl( b( de!isions of national poli!( based upon
a!!urate information !an )e ha-e the !han!e of a pea!e that )ill endure6D
5a-ing ser-ed its purpose in helping )in World War 99/ the OSS )as disbanded along
)ith man( other )ar operations6 Ie( go-ernment leaders/ ho)e-er/ had learned the
-alue of !landestine )or#6 4efore resident 7oose-elt's death/ ;ono-an proposed to
him the idea of !reating a ne) espionage organiFation that )ould be similar to the OSS
;ono-an had !reated (ears earlier/ but )ith one maGor differen!e< This sp( group )ould
be dire!tl( super-ised b( the president6 Sensing a threat to their o)n po)er and
influen!e/ the militar( establishment/ the State ;epartment/ and the =ederal 4ureau of
9n-estigation opposed the idea )ithout su!!ess6
resident Truman !reated the Central 9ntelligen!e Agen!( in 12". b( signing the
8ational Se!urit( A!t of 12".6 The )or# of the OSS )ould !ontinue6
Tito ruled ,ugosla-ia as di!tator until his death on 1a( "/ 12036 7epresentati-es of 122
states attended his funeral and most eulogiFed him as the last great World War 99 leader/
praising him for su!!essfull( !hallenging Stalin's efforts to !ontrol his !ountr( after the
)ar6 5e )as !onsidered the !reator of modern ,ugosla-ia and !redited )ith uniting the
!ountr('s di-erse ethni! and religious fa!tions6 5e did so b( using the iron fist of a
Communist poli!e state/ of !ourse/ and his long rule o-er ,ugosla-ia )as instrumental in
ensuring that Communists maintained !ontrol o-er +astern +urope through the end of
the Cold War6
The forgotten %33 ne-er forgot )ho helped them sur-i-e the )ar6 The( )ere eternall(
grateful to the OSS agents )ho !ame to their aid/ and the( held a spe!ial pla!e in their
hearts for the ,ugosla- people )ho harbored them at great ris# to themsel-es6 Si:t(
(ears after their res!ue/ on 1a( 2/ 233%/ the do)ned airmen presented the &egion of
1erit- #ept se!ret for so man( (ears-to 1ihailo-i!h's daughter Gordana6 Though the(
struggled )ith the limitations of age/ George AuGno-i!h/ Arthur 'ibilian/ Clare
1usgro-e/ and a number of other -eterans in-ol-ed in Operation 5al(ard )ere proud to
return and do )hat should ha-e been done de!ades earlier6
The sur-i-ing airmen and OSS agents/ mu!h older and e-en more a)are of ho) mu!h
1ihailo-i!h had done for them/ gathered around Gordana 1ihailo-i!h and e:pressed
their gratitude6 Some of the old men !ried openl( as the( told her ho) mu!h their father
had done for them/ and ho) mu!h the( regretted the )a( he had been treated6 A retired
medi!al do!tor/ 1ihailo-i!h's daughter )as se-ent(-eight and a bit of an enigma6 O-er
the (ears/ little )as #no)n about her e:!ept that she had Goined Tito's artisans after her
father's death/ probabl( against her )ill/ and had almost ne-er appeared in publi! sin!e6
8er-ous and e:!ited/ her hands trembling/ Gordana bro#e into tears )hen the Ameri!ans
handed her the &egion of 1erit medal6 She #issed her father's photograph/ )hispering to
her long-gone father6
The tears from the Ameri!ans flo)ed partl( in gratitude/ but also be!ause Gordana
1ihailo-i!h reminded them of all the )omen )ho ran to greet them as the( para!huted
do)n and all the -illagers )ho helped them along the )a(6
'ibilian/ still spr( and Jui!#-)itted as e-er/ )as happ( to see the &egion of 1erit in the
hands of the 1ihailo-i!h famil(/ )here it belonged/ but he still thought it )as onl( a
step to)ard Gusti!e for the man )ho had sa-ed so man( Ameri!ans6 As pleased as he )as
to be in ,ugosla-ia honoring the memor( of 1ihailo-i!h/ he !ould not help feeling
frustrated that his !ountr( still )as not )illing to !ome !lean )ith the stor( of
1ihailo-i!h and Operation 5al(ard6 5e )as Jui!# to anger )hen informed that the
medal presentation !eremon(/ originall( s!heduled as a publi! e-ent )ith media
!o-erage/ )as !hanged to a small affair in a pri-ate home6 'ibilian )as sure the State
;epartment had stepped in (et again/ relu!tant to allo) publi!it( fa-orable to
1ihailo-i!h e-en after si:t( (ears6 There's still a !onspira!( to #eep this stor( from
being told6
5is anger )as tempered upon meeting another Ameri!an attending the small !eremon(6
The (oung man introdu!ed himself as Clare 1usgro-e's grandson and remar#ed that/ if
not for 1ihailo-i!h and Operation 5al(ard/ he ne-er )ould ha-e been born6 The sight of
the (oung man )ho had tra-eled all the )a( to Serbia to honor a man from his
grandfather's past helped restore 'ibilian's faith6
'ibilian !ho#ed up and tears !ame to his e(es as he realiFed that/ though good men ma(
pass )ithout the )orld's re!ognition/ the( !an li-e on in the hearts of (oung people )ho
#no) the truth6
'artial !ist of Airen Rescued in "(eration )alyard
This is a partial list of the 3"% Ameri!ans/ four 4ritish/ four =ren!h/ se-en 9talians/ and
t)el-e 7ussians res!ued in the Operation 5al(ard mission bet)een August 2/ 12""/ and
September 1/ 12""6 Another 1*. )ere res!ued before the mission ended on ;e!ember
2./ 12""6
?4@ - 4ritish
?=@ - =ren!h
?9@ - 9talian
?7@ - 7ussian
&lo(d '6 Adams
5arold 16 Adee
Carl 6 Anderson
6 ;6 Angleberger
46 Antoine ?=@
C6 +6 Astifan
5o)ard 4aetGer
aul 4a#er
5ugh 4alfont
;6 4arna
7ussell W6 4arne(
=6 4arrett
'6 W6 4arrett
=6 4artels
86 16 4aughman
76 +6 4aum
C6 4aumann
Charles 4eall
T6 &6 4eard
A6 76 4erger
46 56 4erger
4ernie 4erggren
+dmund 4erni!e
C6 T6 4e(er
G6 =6 4la!#burn
Aladimir 4obro- ?7@
76 S6 4oren
7o( '6 4o)ers
Tom 4radsha)
T6 76 4radsha) ?4@
5erbert S6 4rinell
G6 '6 4roadhead
&6 C6 8orman 4roo#s
&eonard 16 4rothers
7obert &6 4roun
;onald 6 4ro)n
+6 '6 4ro)n
Gus T6 4ro)n 'r6
'6 =6 4ro)nell
W6 46 4rube!#
G6 T6 4r(an
56 W6 4r(nildsen
'a!# A6 4u!hanan
'6 +6 4u!hler
Anthon( 4u!#ner
I6 W6 ?7o(@ 4u!#ner
76 W6 4u!#ner
4ill( 46 4urnett
+nnis 4urns
'ohn A6 4urton
=6 4(field
=6 '6 4(rne
W6 I6 Callam
A6 S6 Calli!utt
'6 &6 Camara
C6 16 Card
'6 =6 Cardone
Thornton Carlough
'6 6 Carlson
A6 C6 Carri!o
'6 46 Carroll
6 +6 Carroll
;amon &6 Carter
&6 W6 Car-er
76 Cassit(
46 C6 Cator
'6 W6 Chambers
=6 '6 Chappell
A6 Chesbo)itF
S6 T6 Ciotti
;6 Clar#
Ai!tor Clar#e
4ru!e 56 Clifton
=6 56 Clos
=lo(d S6 Cofer 'r6
4ertram Cole
76 Cole
'6 A6 Crandall
=ran# S6 Cra)ford 'r6
'6 Cribari
1artin Cudilo
4oris Cugions#i ?7@
'6 W6 Cunningham
Willard Curtis
6 ;anser!our ?=@
Charles &6 ;a-is
7i!hard &6 ;a-is
Anthon( ;egaeta)d
;onald ;e&au!a
'ohn 6 ;e-lin
A6 '6 ;e)a
T6 86 ;i:on
56 &6 ;odgen
C6 +6 ;rigger
+6 ;unn
7obert +agan
Wilbur +arl
;6 +dmundson
'ohn 46 +d)ards
'ohn T6 +ldridge
W6 +l-in
W6 76 +l(
86 &6 +lFeer
7obert +nglish
'ulian +ntre#en
+-erett C6 +st(s
;6 &6 =airban#s
W6 =6 =arle(
&ee =arris
7i!hard =elman
76 46 =erris
Sameuel =erris
C6 76 =lo)er
7obert T6 =ole(
+6 W6 =ord
+d)ard =ord
56 ;6 =oreman
'6 =oster
'6 T6 =o:
+r-in =re#!o
A6 =riedberg
16 =riend
Ienneth C6 =ulier
K Gannaro ?9@
W6 Gantt
C6 46 Gerrish
S6 A6 Gibson
A6 Gibson
76 ;6 Gilson
G6 +6 Goad
76 56 Goldman
Ai#tor Golu#o#o- ?7@
C6 =6 Gra!F
'6 =6 Granger
76 Greene
Will( Griffin
4eluga GrigoriGe ?7@
6 C6 Grinnell
Stephan 5ani!#
76 &6 5ansen
76 76 5arper
William 46 5arrell
W6 76 5arris
W6 '6 5arter
&6 &6 5ar-e(
76 '6 5efling
G6 A6 5eini!#e
W6 16 5enle(
56 ;6 5enton
C6 46 5i!#man
7i!hard 46 5obb(
56 S6 5o!#
'6 6 5offman
'6 T6 5ol!omb
'6 G6 5oltF
'6 +6 5onsinger
76 &6 5ooper
Allan 56 5oo-er
&a)ren!e 56 5orne
'6 76 5orner
76 96 5o)ard
A6 5unt
G6 76 5urd
'6 9ndrise#
=red 9r)in
7udolph 16 'an!i
86 S6 'anos#(
16 W6 'ar-is
;6 46 'effers
A6 +6 'ohnson
C6 76 'ohnston
+6 ;6 'ones
=6 A6 'ones
=orrest 86 'ones
W6 +6 'ones
Charles 76 Iear
W6 &6 Ieepers
1enl( Ient
76 C6 Ient
Glenn Ierris
William Ie(s
'6 96 Iidd
16 &6 Iiel
=6 86 Iin!aid
'ames +6 Iing
W6 '6 Iir#patri!#
Claren!e +6 Inight
76 Ino)lton
G6 G6 Io!h
=6 S6 Ioffel
Aladimir Iomis#alo-
?7@
eter Io-a!o-i!h
etar Iri#un ?7@
;6 +6 &a4issioniere
A6 =6 &aCom
'ohn &ane
O6 56 &arson
4ernard '6 &ar-in
A6 &e4oulie ?=@
Claren!e 76 &edford
William &ee
76 &eger
W6 T6 &eslie
'ohn &indstrom
;onald +6 &oehndorf
T6 O6 &oone(
C6 S6 &o-itt
C6 &u!iano ?9@
=6 &u#as
+6 ;6 &(n!h
Al 1aas
8i#olaG 1ahinG#o ?7@
Ionstantin
1amasu# ?7@
I6 46 1anle(
W6 I6 1ann
=6 1ario ?9@
56 1ar#er
7obert &6 1arshall
;6 ,6 1artin
=rederi!# 1artin
'6 6 1artin
76 A6 1artin
C6 1asellis ?9@
=ran# 1athe)s
aul =6 1ato
46 A6 1aFFara
&ee 1!Alister
1i!hael +6 1!;onnell
;ale &6 1!+hane(
Thomas 1!+lro(
W6 O6 1!Ginn
G6 86 1!Guire
1i#e 6 1!Iool
76 6 1!&aughlin
O6 1ena#er
G6 =6 1essi!#
S6 '6 1eth-in
&6 1e(er
G6 1it!hell
7obert ;6 1olina
76;6 1oore
'6 1orris
'6 1ortimer
Simeon 1os#alem#o ?7@
56 1u!#o)
'6 =6 1ueller
I6 1unn
9r-ing S6 1un(
&6 I6 1urra(
Clare 16 1usgro-e
16 8ierman
=6 8ino ?9@
&a)ren!e T6 8orton
7obert '6 8or)ood
O6 8ous#a
;6 O'Connell
1i!hael O'Ieefe
'6 T6 Oli-er
Thomas I6 Oli-er
'6 =6 O'Grad(
G6 O'8eal
Anthon( '6 Orsini
;6 46 Osborne
'6 ;6 O)ens
I6 &6 O)ens
'ohn W6 a!e
;6 ar#erson
I6 atten
;6 T6 atterson
T6 =6 aul
&6 a-lo-i!h
A6 &6 ear!e
=6 ederson
&6 W6 eller
S6 86 ensabena
A6 +6 eterson
T6 ettigre)
I6 A6 fister
;6 ierino ?9@
Ale#sander lahotni#o-
?7@
7obert &6 o)ers
&eonard6 +6 rit!hett
;6 ;6 7adabaugh
C6 G6 7e!htin
86 C6 7eid ?4@
8orman 7eid
6 &6 7einhardt
'oe 7en#o)itF
;6 =6 7i!e
T6 C6 7i!hards
56 '6 7ipper
5o)ard 7obert
5upert 7obert
a#smur 7obert
;ale =6 7odgers
A6 ;6 7omans
Anthon( 7usso
W6 C6 7(e
George Salapa
;elbert =6 Salmon
A6 Sau!er
'6 56 S!harnits#(
4a:ter C6 S!ott
'6 +6 S!roggs
=lo(d =6 Shanle(
76 S6 Sheeh(
'6 Si!#els
;onald Siegfried
S6 Si#a
+6 +6 Simon
A6 Simone ?9@
;6 '6 Smith
&6 &6 Smith
hilip Smith
W6 76 Smith
56 '6 Sn(der
76 Somers ?4@
56 Souter
76 &6 Spen!e
6 A6 Stearns
C6 &6 Ste-enson
56 76 Stillman
76 Straub
+d)ard +6 Stringham
16 Su!harida
;6 W6 Sulli-an
'oseph 6 Sulli-an
=ran# Sutton
GeorgiG Taminsin ?7@
W6 Ta(lor ?4@
16 A6 Tennison
Anthon( 6 Thalmann
'ohn 56 Thibodeau
76 '6 Thies
G6 Thomas
'6 Thomas
7odger Thomas
C6 56 To)nsend
Ienneth 16 TurnJuist
SergiGe Aalar ?7@
G6 Aander-all ?=@
16 AasJueF
A6 6 Aerdi
'oe Aere!her/ 'r6
=6 Aernon
76 86 Ala!hos
76 C6 Aol#
A6 A6 Aolrath
A6 6 Walds!hmidt
'ames A6 Wal#er
16 W6 Wal#er
C6 '6 Walpus#
76 16 Walton
76 '6 Weber
7obert Weiss
76 &6 Wellborn
86 C6 Werner
W6 Whelan
7i!hard 6 White
Glenmore 76 Wi!#um
76 76 Wiese
76 W6 Williams
7obert 96 Wilson
W6 Win#
7obert +6 Winmill
5ar-e( C6 Witman
&eslie Wolfe
W6 +6 Wright
;6 ,aun
A6 Bion
=6 A6 Buer!het
Ackno*ledgents
Writers al)a(s o)e a huge debt of gratitude to people )ho )ere )illing to share their
intensel( personal stories )ith a stranger6 9 must than# the -eterans in-ol-ed in
Operation 5al(ard for sharing their stories )ith me and allo)ing me to !raft their
memories into a singular narrati-e that portra(s a bigger pi!ture6 George AuGno-i!h/ in
parti!ular/ )as e:tremel( helpful in )al#ing me through the histor( of the OSS and
Operation 5al(ard/ not to mention the fas!inating stor( of his o)n ad-enture in
,ugosla-ia )ith 1irGana6 1( than#s also go out to Arthur 'ibilian/ Ton( Orsini/ 7obert
Wilson/ Clare 1usgro-e/ and 8i!# etro-i!h for ta#ing the time to share their stories
and for trusting that 9 )ould treat them )ith respe!t6
1( resear!h assistant/ ;re) 1osle(/ must be !redited )ith mu!h of the leg-)or# and
ba!#ground studies that help frame the stories of the men in-ol-ed in Operation
5al(ard6 ;re) )as a terrifi! asset/ and 9 appre!iate his dedi!ation to resear!hing this
stor(6
1el 4erger is e:a!tl( )hat e-er( )riter )ants in an agent6 Than# (ou/ 1el6 Than# (ou/
1ar# Chait/ m( editor/ for (our thoughtful input6 1( appre!iation also goes out to the
resear!h assistants and staff at the &ibrar( of Congress/ 8ational Ar!hi-es/ and the Air
=or!e A!adem(6 1( good friend Wes 5ardegree made a signifi!ant !ontribution )ith his
re-ie) of an earl( -ersion of the boo# and b( suggesting the title6
Than# (ou/ Caroline and 8i!holas/ for being at m( side throughout this proGe!t6 When 9
thin# of )h( stories li#e this matter/ and )h( men and )omen throughout histor( ha-e
been )illing to ris# e-er(thing for those the( lo-e/ 9 thin# of (ou6
-GA=
8otes
A note about the 1ihailo-i!h name< 4e!ause of the -agaries of translating 4al#an names
to +nglish/ the name of ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h is found under -arious spellings/ sometimes
-ar(ing e-en )ithin the same go-ernment do!ument or press report6 The most !ommon
usage is 1ihailo-i!h/ but 1ihailo-it!h/ 1i!h hailo-i!/ 1i!hailo-i!h/ 1i!hailo-it!h/
1i#hailo-i!/ 1i#hailo-i!h/ 1i#hailo -it!h/ 1ahailo-i!/ 1ihaGlo-i!/ and 1ihaGlo-i!h
also ha-e been used6 =or !onsisten!(/ this boo# uses 1ihailo-i!h regardless of ho) the
original sour!e do!ument spelled the name6
Chapter 2
age 11 DSo-iet ad-an!es from the >#raineD 4a#er/ Addison +arl/ &lo(d 5erbert
5ughes/ 'ohn &ouis 'erstad/ &eon William 'ohnson/ 'ohn 7ile( Iane6 Dloesti< When
5eroes =illed the S#(6D )))6homeofheroes6!omE)ingsEpart2E32Kploesti6html
age 11 Dse-en maGor refineries/ storage tan#s/ and related stru!tures !o-ering nineteen
sJuare milesD Dloesti Oil 7aid< Operation Tidal Wa-e6D )))6))2guide6!omEoil6shtml
age 11 Da!!ounting for "3 per!ent of 7omania's total e:portsD 9bid6
age 1* Dan ingenious pie!e of ma!hiner(D Ienned(/ 'oseph6 DSperr( 4all Turret6D
freepages6militar(6roots)eb6!omE[Goseph#enned(Esperr(KballKturret6 htm
Chapter "
age "* Dnot Gust to herd the flo!# but also to #eep the )ol-es a)a(D esi!/ 1iodrag ;6
Operation Air 4ridge< Serbian Chetni#s and the 7es!ued Ameri!an Airmen in World
War 99 T+nglish translation from the original SerbianU6 4elgrade/ ,ugosla-ia< Serbian
1asters' So!iet(/ 2332/ p6 1.16
age "0 Dthe( had bailed out mu!h later and farther a)a( than the other !re)D The pilot
and !opilot of Wilson's 4-1. )ere aided b( a separate group of Chetni#s but ne-er
Goined up )ith the other !re)6 The( made it out of ,ugosla-ia safel(6
age "0 D)as a ma!hine gunner on a 4-1. )hen he bailed out o-er ,ugosla-ia on 'ul(
"/ 12""D esi!/ p6 1*"6 1i#e 1!Iool's stor( is a summar( of the a!!ount he pro-ided in
Operation Air 4ridge/ along )ith ne)spaper arti!les from 12"*/ in )hi!h he des!ribed
his e:perien!e )hile !ampaigning to sa-e 1ihailo-i!h6
age "2 D)as fl(ing a borro)ed planeD Oli-er/ Thomas6 >nintended Aisit to ,ugosla-ia6
>npublished manus!ript donated to the >nited States Air =or!e A!adem(/ 1223/ p6 16
Thomas Oli-er's stor( is a summar( of the a!!ount he pro-ided in his unpublished
manus!ript6
age %3 DAnother pilot blamed ;inah Shore )hen he found himself in trouble o-er
,ugosla-iaD esi!/ p6 1*"6 7i!hard =elman's stor( is a summar( of the a!!ount he
pro-ided in Operation Air 4ridge/ along )ith multiple spee!hes he ga-e about his
a!!ount/ and -arious ne)spaper and magaFine arti!les in )hi!h he des!ribed his
e:perien!e6
age %3 D=elman )as immediatel( stru!# b( Aasi
's appearan!eD 9bid6
Chapter %
age *3 D#no)n as Captain 1ilan#o-i!/ spo#e +nglishD esi!/ p6 1**6
age *% Dafternoon on horseba!#/ a!!ompanied b( three soldiersD Oli-er/ p6 26
age ." DGoined 1ihailo-i!h's for!es in !ondu!ting sabotage against the GermansD
=elman/ 7i!hard6 D1ihailo-i!h and 96D Serbian ;emo!rati! =orum/ O!tober 12.26
Chapter *
age 03 Dlease ad-ise the Ameri!an Air 1inistr( that there are more than one hundred
Ameri!an a-iators in our midstD 1artin/ ;a-id6 The Web of ;isinformation < Chur!hill's
,ugosla- 4lunder6 Orlando/ =lorida< 5ar!ourt 4ra!e 'o-ano-i!h/ 1223/ p6 2326
age 03 DAre (ou in-ol-ed in tr(ing to get them out$D These are not the e:a!t )ords
from 1irGana's letter/ )hi!h is no longer a-ailable/ but George AuGno-i!h re!ounts this
-ersion as the gist of )hat she )rote to him6
age 03 DOne agent reported finding a half-star-ed 4-2" tail gunner )ho had been shot
do)n in the first raid on loestiD =ord/ Core(6 ;ono-an of OSS6 4oston< &ittle/ 4ro)n
and Compan(/ 12.3/ p6 23%6
age 2" DWhen 5itler first heard of the !oup d'Qtat and the !ountr('s attempt to
)ithdra) from the A:is/ he thought it )as a Go#e6D Testimon( of 5er mann Goering at
8uremburg 1ilitar( Tribunals/ ro!eedings of the 9nternational 1ilitar( Tribunals at
8uremburg/ p6 3""6
age 2" DWinston Chur!hill des!ribed )hat happened ne:tD Winston Chur!hill/ The
Se!ond World War/ Aolume 3< The Grand Allian!e6 4oston< 1ariner 4oo#s/ 120*/ p6
1.%6
Chapter .
age 113 D '9t's 1rs6 Goebbels!' D There is no )a( to -erif( that it a!tuall( )as 1agda
Goebbels on the plane/ but George and 1irGana AuGno-i!h both thought it )as her and
said that she a!ted as one )ould e:pe!t the po)erful )ife of a top 8aFi offi!er to a!t6
George and 1irGana responded a!!ordingl( at the time and remained !onfident after the
)ar that 1agda Goebbels had sa-ed them from a li#el( arrest6
Chapter 0
age 123 Dindi-idual !ommanders )ho )ere a!!ustomed to )or#ing independentl(D
=ord/ Iir#/ 'r6 OSS and the ,ugosla- 7esistan!e 12"3-12"%6 College Station/ TR< Te:as
AX1 ress/ 1222/ p6 *6
age 12" D1ihailo-i!h too# a firm position that he !ould not e:pose the people of
,ugosla-ia to su!h ris# unless the out!ome )as great enough to Gustif( the ine-itable
deaths 6 6 6D =ord/ Iir#/ 'r6/ p6 .6
age 12% D!hief of the ,ugosla- prime minister's militar( !abinet and the former
,ugosla- militar( and air atta!he in WashingtonD IneFe-i!/ Bi-an6 Wh( the Allies
Abandoned the ,ugosla- Arm( of General 1ihailo-i!h/ )ith Offi!ial 1emoranda and
;o!uments/ =irst art6 >npublished manus!ript donated to the >nited States &ibrar( of
Congress/ 12"%/ p6 "6
age 12* Dthe deaths of se-ent(-eight thousand Serbians bet)een the ages of si:teen and
fift(D 9bid6
age 12. Dman( of those Goining the artisan mo-ement had no su!h dreamsD =ord/
Iir#/ 'r6/ p6 06
Chapter 2
age 133 D 'grand finale against the A:is' D ;ea#in/ =6 W6 +mbattled 1ountain6 8e)
,or#< O:ford >ni-ersit( ress/ 12.1/ p6 1%26
age 131 Dhe announ!ed that for e-er( German soldier #illed b( 1ihailo-i!h/ one
hundred Serbs )ould be shotD 1artin/ p6 3"6
age 131 D9n a telegram sent from 1ihailo-i!h on 1ar!h 2/ 12"3 6 6 6D IneFe-i!/ =irst
art< p6 .6
age 13" DThe +nglish are no) fighting to the last Serb in ,ugosla-iaD IneFe-i!/
Se!ond art< p6 26
age 13" D '9 appre!iate that )ords spo#en in heat ma( not e:press a !onsidered
Gudgment6 6 6' D IneFe-i!/ Se!ond art< p6 %6
age 13% D 'mu!h )orse things )ould be heard than that spee!h b( General
1ihailo-i!h/' he told Chur!hillD IneFe-i!/ Se!ond art< p6 *6
age 13% D '9 a-oid battle )ith the Communists in the !ountr( and fight onl( )hen
atta!#ed' D IneFe-i!/ Se!ond art< p6 26
age 13% Ddetailing an 'operational de!ision' !on!erning 1ihailo-i!hD IneFe-i!/ Se!ond
art< p6 136
age 13* D ')ho )as #illing the most Germans and suggesting means b( )hi!h )e !ould
help to #ill more' D =ord/ Core(/ p6 23*6
age 13. D9f 5itler in-aded 5ell/ 9 )ould ma#e at least a fa-orable referen!e to the
;e-il in the 5ouse of Commons!D Chur!hill/ Winston S6 8e-er Gi-e 9n< The 4est of
Winston Chur!hill's Spee!hes6 8e) ,or#< 5(perion/ 2333/ p6 2026
age 130 DSome OSS agents felt that the 4ritish )ere e-er( bit their enem( as the
Germans/ at least )hen it !ame to their intelligen!e a!ti-itiesD Tomp#ins/ eter6 9tal(
4etra(ed6 8e) ,or#< Simon and S!huster/ 12**/ p6 2%36
age 132 Dthe hea-iest Ameri!an soldier to ma#e a su!!essful para!hute Gump in World
War 99D =ord/ Iir#/ 'r6/ p6 226
age 132 D!ould mobiliFe more than four hundred thousand if he had arms for themD
1usulin/ George6 D7eport on the 1i!hailo-i!'s Cetni# arm(H suggestions of some Allied
support6D Central 9ntelligen!e Agen!( 12""6 7eprodu!ed in ;e!lassified ;o!uments
7eferen!e S(stem/ =armington 5ills/ 1i!higan< Gale Group/ 233*6
age 132 D 'a fairl( )ell-organiFed arm(' D 9nterestingl(/ an Ameri!an )oman )as one of
1ihailo-i!h's better-#no)n fighters6 7uth 1it!hell/ the sister of William ?4ill(@
1it!hell/ the outspo#en Arm( Air =or!es general )ho )as !ourt-martialed in 122% for
a!!using superiors of in!ompeten!e in not fo!using more on air po)er6 5is red-haired/
headstrong sister -olunteered to ser-e )ith 1ihailo-i!h/ a!ting as liaison offi!er of the
Chetni#s )ith the 4ritish arm(6 She )as !aptured b( the Gestapo after se-eral months
and spent thirteen months in German prisons6 She )as finall( released in 12"2 as a
result of pressure from the S)iss go-ernment and returned to the >nited States/ )here
she helped report on German atro!ities and torture6
age 1"1 D-irtuall( all !ommuni!ations in and out of ,ugosla-ia had to go through
4ritish !hannelsD =ord/ Iir#/ 'r6/ p6 1"6 George AuGno-i!h also !onfirmed in personal
inter-ie)s that the 4ritish )ere diffi!ult to )or# )ith and sometimes seemed to
intentionall( interfere )ith OSS operations6
age 1"1 DWe !an't fight 'err( )ith bare feet/ bra-e hearts/ and 7adio &ondonD =ord/
Iir#/ 'r6/ p6 316
age 1"2 DThe do!uments in!luded trans!ripts 6 6 6D 4ro)n/ Colin/ and 'ohn Crossland6
D5o) a So-iet 1ole >nited Tito and Chur!hill6D The 9ndependent/ 'une 20/ 122.< 1A6
age 1"3 Dthat the time should be !alled the 'Ilugmann period' D 1artin/ The Web of
;isinformation< Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 2"6
age 1"" D 'Ilugmann )as a mole )hose great a!!omplishment 6 6 6' D 1artin/ The Web
of ;isinformation< Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 :i:6
age 1"" D 'the pure intelle!tual of the art(' D Wood)ard/ +6 &6 4ritish =oreign oli!(
in the Se!ond World War6 &ondon< 5er 1aGest('s Stationer( Offi!e/ 12*2/ p6 3"*6
Chapter 13
age 1"0 Db( O!tober 12"" that number )ould rea!h fort(D O';onnell/ atri!# I6
Operati-es/ Spies/ and Saboteurs< The >n#no)n Stor( of the 1en and Women of
WW99's OSS6 8e) ,or#< =ree ress/ 233"/ p6 0*6
age 1"2 D '&isten/ (ou bastards! ,ou thin# 9 )ent in and ris#ed m( life for almost a (ear
for nothing$' D =ord/ Iir#/ 'r6/ p6 %16
age 1"2 D9 !ame to 4ari and sa) artisans all o-er the damn to)nD =ord/ Iir#/ 'r6/ p6
%16
age 1%3 D,ugosla- refugee girls )or#ing as )aitresses )ho made no effort to !on!eal
their pro-Communist politi!s/ e-en )earing artisan uniforms around 4ari on their off
hours6D 1artin/ The Web of ;isinformation< Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 13.6
age 1%3 Dthe( hadn't !ompletel( -a!ated the premises b( the time the OSS mo-ed inD
=ord/ Core(/ p6 1226
age 1%" D 'absolute dis!retion/ sobriet(/ de-otion to dut(/ languages/ and )ide
e:perien!e/' 9an ad-isedD 1!&a!hlan/ ;onald6 7oom 326 &ondon< Weidenfeld and
8i!olson< 12*0/ p6 2336
age 1%" D '!al!ulatingl( re!#less' and trained for 'aggressi-e a!tion' D Smith/ 7i!hard
5arris6 OSS< The Se!ret 5istor( of Ameri!a's =irst Central 9ntelligen!e Agen!(6
Guilford/ Conne!ti!ut< The &(ons ress/ 12.3/ p6 316
age 1%" DThe most important Jualifi!ation/ ;ono-an de!lared/ )as strength of
!hara!terD =ord/ Core(/ 12.3/ p6 13"6
age 1%% DA !olumnist for the Washington Times )rote of the ne) OSS 6 6 6D 4ro)n/
Anthon( Ca-e6 The &ast 5ero< Wild 4ill ;ono-an6 8e) ,or#< Aintage 4oo#s/ 120"/ p6
3316
age 1%* Dand a Catholi! missionar( )ho had li-ed )ith the Ia!hin tribesmen in
northern 4urmaD =ord/ Core(/ p6 13%6
age 1%. D 'The maGor part of our intelligen!e )as the result of good old-fashioned
intelle!tual s)eat' D =ord/ Core(/ p6 1"06
age 1%. D&argel( be!ause of the number of upper-!lass/ 9-( &eague-graduates in the
ran#s/ OSS agents at des#s in Washington and in the field around the )orld tended to
share a so!ial idealism/ the same un)a-ering faith in the !ommon man espoused b(
;ono-an6D Smith/ p6 2*6
age 1%0 D '9 don't #no) if he's on the Communist honor roll/ but for the Gob he's doing
in 9tal(/ he's on the honor roll of OSS' D =ord/ Core(/ p6 13%6
age 1*3 Dan e:plosi-e that loo#ed remar#abl( li#e regular flour and !ould e-en be used
to ba#e muffins and breadD &o-ell/ Stanle(6 Of Spies and Strategems6 +ngle)ood Cliffs/
8'< renti!e 5all/ 12*3/ p6 1.6
age 1*1 DThe 4eano a!ti-ated and e:ploded )hen he !aught it on the )a( do)nD
O';onnell/ p6 1.6
age 1*1 DOf the 031 members of the OSS de!orated for gallantr( during World War 99 6
6 6D =ord/ Core(/ p6 1"%6
age 1*2 Dimpale members of the resistan!e on meat hoo#s in the publi! sJuareD =ord/
Core(/ p6 10*6
age 1*2 D4iting do)n on the pill )ould spill its !ontents and bring nearl( instant
deathD 7oose-elt/ Iermit6 The O-erseas Targets< War 7eports of the OSS6 Aol6 96
Washington/ ;C< Carrollton ress/ 12.*/ p6 1%26
age 1*3 Dthe agents ris#ing their li-es in the field de-eloped a disdain for the 'bourbon
)his#e( !olonels' in Washington and other OSS posts )ho thought the( !ould tell them
ho) to do their GobsD Smith/ p6 *6
age 1*3 D 'men for the higher e!helons of the organiFation )ho b( ba!#ground and
temperament )ere uns(mpatheti! )ith ;ono-an's o)n !on!eption of the ne!essit( of
unstinting !ooperation )ith the resistan!e mo-ements' D Goldberg/ Arthur6 7e-ie) of
Sub 7osa< The OSS and Ameri!an +spionage6 The 8ation/ 1ar!h 23/ 12"*/ pp6 3"2-
3%36
age 1*% Da larger dis!ussion about ho) ;ono-an and his subordinates )ere not happ(
about losing their presen!e in the territor( !ontrolled b( 1ihailo-i!hD ;ono-an/ William
'6 &etter to resident =ran#lin ;6 7oose-elt6 'ul( "/ 12""6 7eprodu!ed in ;e!lassified
;o!uments 7eferen!e S(stem/ =armington 5ills/ 1i!higan< Gale Group/ 233*6
age 1** D 'S!re) the 4ritish! &et's get our bo(s out!' D This e:!hange is not offi!iall(
re!orded/ but the ane!dote )as passed do)n among OSS -eterans and parti!ipants in
Operation 5al(ard6 4oth George AuGno-i!h and Arthur 'ibilian report hearing of the
e:!hange during or soon after the res!ue6 9t is possible that the !omment is apo!r(phal/
but it is entirel( !onsistent )ith William ;ono-an's personalit( and !on-ersational st(le6
Chapter 11
age 1*2 D ',ou are reJuested/ therefore/ to a!t on this soonest 6 6 6' D =ord/ Iir#/ 'r6/ p6
1336
age 1*2 Dmanaged to res!ue ninet( do)ned airmen o-er a four-month periodD
O';onnell/ p6 0"6
Chapter 12
age 103 Drandoml( assigned !ode name Operation 5al(ard 6 6 6D The Serbians #no) the
mission as Operation Air 4ridge6 DAir bridgeD )as a generi! term in the militar( for
!onne!ting distant points through the use of airdrops or freJuent flights6 The res!ue
mission is )ell #no)n in Serbia/ mu!h more than in the >nited States/ be!ause the
Serbian people are parti!ularl( proud of their efforts in aiding Ameri!an airmen during
World War 996
age 10" D 'an( militar( or politi!al !ommitments on behalf of the >nited States of
Ameri!a 6 6 6' D =ord/ Iir# 'r/ p6 1316
Chapter 13
age 121 Dsending the first message from the do)ned airmenD =elman/ 7i!hard6
D1ihailo-i!h and 96D Serbian ;emo!rati! =orum/ O!tober 12.26
age 122 DOli-er -olunteered to )or# )ith some other airmen to de-elop a !odeD
Oli-er/ p6 %6
age 12% D 'That's Oli-er's !re) and 4u!#ler's !re)!' D 1artin/ The Web of
;isinformation < Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 23%6
age 12. D 'Ta#e good !are that nothing happens to these men6' D 1artin/ ;a-id6 All(
4etra(ed< The >n!ensored Stor( of Tito and 1ihailo-i!h6 8e) ,or#< renti!e 5all/
12"*/ p6 2226
Chapter 1"
age 23% D 'Captain George! Captain George!' the( shouted 6 6 6D =elman/ 7i!hard6
D1ihailo-i!h and 96D Serbian ;emo!rati! =orum/ O!tober 12.26
age 23. D1ihailo-i!h often )ould tease the bo(s in the group b( sa(ing he had heard
that one of them )as a artisan 6 6 6D 1artin/ All( 4etra(ed< The >n!ensored Stor( of
Tito and 1ihailo-i!h/ p6 2036
age 230 D9n IralGe-o/ onl( thirt( miles a)a(/ a &uft)affe unit )as stationed at an
airfield 6 6 6D The do)ned airmen/ Chetni#s/ and OSS men in-ol-ed in Operation 5al(ard
sometimes disagreed about )h( the Germans ne-er atta!#ed the airmen in ranGane6
Some thought the Germans )ere full( a)are of the airmen's presen!e but un)illing to
laun!h an all-out battle )ith the man( thousands of Chetni# fighters6 Others thought the
efforts at se!re!( had been a !omplete su!!ess and the Germans ne-er #ne) the( )ere
there/ at least not until the res!ue flights )ere )ell under)a(6
age 232 DThe minimum distan!e reJuired for landing a C-". is se-en hundred (ardsD
Case(/ 56 '6 Offi!e of the Chief +ngineer/ South)est a!ifi! Area/ >nited States Arm(6
+ngineer +stimating ;ata/ 'une 1/ 12"%/ p6 26 The offi!ial manuals of the arm( during
World War 99 state se-en hundred (ards as the minimum landing distan!e for a C-"./ but
that allo)s no margin of error6 9t also does not ta#e into a!!ount the ris# of trees and
other obstru!tions dire!tl( be(ond the landing strip/ as )as the !ase in ranGane6 The
original field at ranGane has been reported in -ar(ing lengths bet)een si: hundred and
se-en hundred (ards/ but )hate-er the original siFe/ it )as e:tended b( the airmen and
-illagers6
age 213 Dsi:t( o:!arts 6 6 6D =ord/ Core(/ p6 2136
Chapter 1%
age 213 D5e )as pla(ing it safe b( assigning onl( t)el-e men to ea!h C-". 6 6 6D Some
reports/ in!luding =elman's re!olle!tions/ indi!ate that 1usulin assigned t)ent( men per
plane/ but 1usulin's report of the initial res!ues indi!ate that he sele!ted se-ent(-t)o
men for si: planes6 9t is li#el( that he in!reased the number of men per plane after the
first night/ on!e he had more !onfiden!e that the C-".s !ould safel( use the impro-ised
landing strip6
age 21. DThe !o)s )addled up into the field 6 6 6D 1artin/ The Web of ;isinformation<
Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 23.6
age 221 DThen/ at e:a!tl( ten p6m6/ the( heard the drone of a planeD =ord/ Core(/ p6
2116 Other reports state that the planes arri-ed at ele-en p6m6 or midnight/ but all state
that the planes arri-ed e:a!tl( )hen the( )ere e:pe!ted6 1usulin's report after the
res!ue in!ludes a dire!t Juote sa(ing the( arri-ed at ten p6m6
age 222 DThis time he used the lamp to blin# a predetermined !ode )ord< -6 6-6 8anD
=ord/ Core(/ p6 2116
Chapter 1*
age 22. DThe planes )ere on the ground/ and no) he had to get ba!# in the airD Some
a!!ounts des!ribe the four planes landing one at a time/ loading up )ith airmen/ and
then ta#ing off before the ne:t plane landed6 That )as 1usulin's intention/ to a-oid the
planes !ro)ding ea!h other on the small airstrip and possibl( !olliding/ but the C-".
pilots apparentl( )ere eager to land and get ba!# up again be!ause the( )ere !arr(ing a
minimal fuel load6 1usulin's report indi!ates that the planes )ere on the ground together
and then too# off again6
age 23% D 'is &aGuardia airfield an(thing li#e this$' D 1artin/ The Web of
;isinformation< Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 23.6
age 23* D5e had o-erindulged in plum brand( during the night and almost missed his
flightD 1artin/ The Web of ;isinformation< Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder/ p6 23.6
age 23. D1usulin soon had orders to get on one of the res!ue planes and return to
9tal(D Some parti!ipants re!all that 1usulin )as ordered ba!# to 9tal( on the same da(/
returning on one of the last flights out of ranGane on August 136 Though that -ersion of
e-ents ma#es a better ane!dote/ 1usulin a!tuall( sta(ed in ranGane for more than t)o
)ee#s after sending the Serbian men to 9tal(6 The rebu#e from 4ari did !ome on the
same da(/ but 1usulin spent t)o )ee#s arguing )ith his superiors and insisting that he
be allo)ed to sta(6 When he sa) that the dispute )as holding up an( further res!ue
flights and nearl( one hundred more men )ere read( to lea-e ranGane/ he relented and
angril( returned to 4ari6
age 232 Dthe most su!!essful res!ue e-er of do)ned airmen behind enem( lines and
one of the largest res!ue missions of an( t(pe in World War 99 or sin!eD 9n fa!t/ b( Gust
one man the Operation 5al(ard mission )as the largest res!ue behind enem( lines in
World War 99-if the multiple res!ues o-er se-eral months are !ounted as a single
mission6 A total of %12 Ameri!an airmen and Allied personnel )ere res!ued in Operation
5al(ard from August 12/ 12""/ to ;e!ember 2./ 12""6 A month later on 'anuar( 33/
12"%/ >nited States Arm( 7angers and =ilipino guerillas liberated %11 Ameri!an and
Allied personnel from a prisoner-of-)ar !amp near Cabanatuan in the hilippines6
?Iing/ 16 '6 &ea-en)orth apers 8o6 11/ 7angers< Sele!ted Combat Operations in
World War 996 >6S6 Arm( Command General Staff College6@ The number of prisoners
thought to be at the !amp )as higher b( at least t)o or three/ but %11 )ere su!!essfull(
res!ued6 9t should be noted that unli#e Operation 5al(ard/ the Cabanatuan res!ue too#
pla!e all at on!e and under enem( fire6 A full a!!ount of the Cabanatuan res!ue !an be
found in Ghost Soldiers b( 5ampton Sides ?;oubleda(/ 2331@6
7eaders also ma( be familiar )ith the stor( of 7o(al Air =or!e offi!ers )ho es!aped
from Stalag-&uft 999/ German('s most se!ure prisoner-of-)ar !amp/ in 1ar!h 12""6 The
stor( is told in The Great +s!ape b( Anton Gill ?7e-ie)/ 2332@ and other boo#s/ as )ell
as the 12*3 mo-ie b( the same name6 4( !omparison to the %12 res!ued in Operation
5al(ard/ the Stalag-&uft 999 es!ape in-ol-ed se-ent(-si: men/ of )hi!h se-ent(-three
)ere re!aptured6
Chapter 1.
age 2"2 DThe first hint in the press of the remar#able su!!ess of the res!ue mission
!ameD D7adio Signal Aids 7es!ue of 2%3 =liers6D The Washington ost/ =ebruar( 23/
12"%/ p6 26
age 2%3 DT)o da(s later the ne)spaper ran a length( letter to the editor from
Ionstantin =oti
6 6 6D &etters to the +ditor< Credit Where ;ue6 The Washington ost/ =ebruar( 22/ 12"%/
p6 *6
age 2%1 D 'rather depressed/ thin#ing of the possibilities of 7ussia one da( turning
against us 6 6 6' D Gilbert/ 1artin6 Chur!hill< A &ife6 8e) ,or#< 5enr( 5olt and Compan(/
12216
age 2%2 D7eading the Washington ost on the morning of 1ar!h 2%/ 12"*/ he found a
small arti!le 6 6 6D D1ihailo-i!h >nder Arrest/ 4elgrade Sa(s6D The Washington ost/
1ar!h 2%/ 12"*/ p6 26
age 2%" D9t does not matter that ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h )ill li-e or dieD esi!/ p6 1226
age 2%% DThe headline in the ress in Cle-eland/ Ohio/ )as C&+A+&A8;+7 A9;S
G+86 195A9&OA9C56D 8ational Committee of Ameri!an Airmen to Aid Gen6 ;raFa
1ihailo-i!h and the Serbian eople6 ress Clippings/ 4oo# 996 Chi!ago/ 12"*6
age 2%% D9n the Telegraph of ittsburgh/ enns(l-ania/ the headline read STAT+
T7OO+7S 5A9& 195A9&OA9C5 AS =79+8;D 9bid6
age 2%% DThe 8e) ,or# 'ournal Ameri!an Juoted former OSS agent +li opo-i!h 6 6 6D
9bid6
age 2%* DThe headline in the Times in ;etroit/ 1i!higan/ read ;7ABA 4+T7A,+;/
C&A91S ;+T7O9T+76D 9bid6
age 2%* D9n an arti!le he )rote for the 8e) ,or# 'ournal Ameri!an 6 6 6D 9bid6
age 2%. D9n one arti!le 8i!# &ali!h deli-ered a !op( of his o)n &egion of 1erit
!itation to the Washington ost 6 6 6D D+:-OSS Agent >ses Citation in +ffort to Aid
1ihailo-i!h6D The Washington ost/ 1a( 1/ 12"*/ p6 1"6
age 2*1 D9n the 8e) ,or# World-Telegram on April 12/ 12"*/ a headline read
C5>7C59&& WAS TAI+8 98 4, T9TO/ W79T+7 C&A91SD 9bid6
age 2*2 DThe trial of General ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h began on 'une 13/ 12"*/ in a
ma#eshift !ourtroom 6 6 6D D;raFa Aided 7ei!h/ 9tal(/ Court Told6D The Washington ost/
'une 11/ 12"*/ p6 26
age 2*" D9n an editorial on 'une 1./ 12"*/ the Washington ost a!#no)ledged that Tito
)as railroading 1ihailo-i!h 6 6 6D D1ihailo-it!h Trial6D The Washington ost/ 'une 1./
12"*/ p6 *6
age 2*% D195A9&OA9C5 +R+C>T+; 4, =9798G SY>A;/ the headline readD
D1ihailo-it!h +:e!uted b( =iring SJuad6D The Washington ost/ 'ul( 10/ 12"*/ p6 *6
Chapter 10
age 2.1 D9t might ha-e remained a se!ret if not for the )or# of Congressman +d)ard '6
;er)ins#i of 9llinois/ )ho inter-ened in 12*. at the urging of airmen )ho had heard
rumorsD The State ;epartment telegrams that led resident Truman to agree to !lassif(
the &egion of 1erit )ere themsel-es !lassified6 The telegrams )ere not de!lassified
until 12.36
4ibliograph(
4a#er/ Addison +arl/ &lo(d 5erbert 5ughes/ 'ohn &ouis 'erstad/ &eon William 'ohnson/
'ohn 7ile( Iane6 Dloesti< When 5eroes =illed the S#(6D
)))6homeofheroes6!omE)ingsEpart2E32Kploesti6html6
4ro)n/ Anthon( Ca-e6 The &ast 5ero< Wild 4ill ;ono-an6 8e) ,or#< Aintage 4oo#s/
120"6
4ro)n/ Colin/ and 'ohn Crossland6 D5o) a So-iet 1ole >nited Tito and Chur!hill6D The
9ndependent/ 'une 20/ 122.< 1A6
Carroll/ Tim6 The Great +s!ape from Stalag &uft 999< The =ull Stor( of 5o) .* Allied
Offi!ers Carried Out World War 99's 1ost 7emar#able 1ass +s!ape6 8e) ,or#< o!#et
4oo#s/ 233"6
Case(/ 56 '6 Offi!e of the Chief +ngineer/ South)est a!ifi! Area/ >nited States Arm(6
+ngineer +stimating ;ata/ 'une 1/ 12"%6
Chur!hill/ Winston6 The Se!ond World War/ Aolume 3< The Grand Allian!e6 4oston<
1ariner 4oo#s/ 120*6
Chur!hill/ Winston 8e-er Gi-e 9n< The 4est of Winston Chur!hill's Spee!hes6 8e)
,or#< 5(perion/ 23336
;a-is/ &arr(6 -%1 1ustang in A!tion6 Carrollton/ TR< SJuadronESignal ubli!ations/
12016
;a-is/ &arr(6 -30 &ightning in A!tion6 Carrollton/ TR< SJuadronESignal ubli!ations/
12236
;a-is/ &arr(6 C-". S#(train in A!tion6 Carrollton/ TR< SJuadronESignal ubli!ations/
122%6
;ea#in/ =6 W6 +mbattled 1ountain6 8e) ,or#< O:ford >ni-ersit( ress/ 12.16
;ono-an/ William '6 &etter to resident =ran#lin ;6 7oose-elt6 'ul( "/ 12""6
7eprodu!ed in ;e!lassified ;o!uments 7eferen!e S(stem/ =armington 5ills/ 1i!higan<
Gale Group/ 233*6
D;raFa Aided 7ei!h/ 9tal(/ Court Told6D The Washington ost/ 'une 11/ 12"*/ p6 26
;ras#o-i!/ Wu#6 &etter from Serbia and 1ontenegro 1inister of =oreign Affairs to 1r6
and 1rs6 Arthur 'ibilian6 April ./ 233%6
;rendel/ &ou6 Wal# Around< 4-1. =l(ing =ortress6 Carrollton/ TR< SJuadronE Signal
ubli!ations/ 12206
D+:-OSS Agent >ses Citation in +ffort to Aid 1ihailo-i!h6D The Washington ost/ 1a(
1/ 12"*/ p6 1"6
=ederal 4ureau of 9n-estigation6 =reedom of 9nformation reJuests regarding 4urgess/
1a!&ean/ and hilb(6 foia6f bi6go-Efoiainde:Ephilb(6htm6
=elman/ 7i!hard6 D1ihailo-i!h and 96D Serbian ;emo!rati! =orum/ O!tober 12.26
=ord/ Core(6 ;ono-an of OSS6 4oston< &ittle/ 4ro)n and Compan(/ 12.36
=ord/ Iir# 'r6 OSS and the ,ugosla- 7esistan!e 12"3-12"%6 College Station/ TR< Te:as
AX1 ress/ 12226
=ran#lin ;6 7oose-elt &ibrar(6 resident's ersonal =ile< Corresponden!e related to
William '6 ;ono-an6 5(de ar#/ 8,6
Garland/ Greg/ and =rederi!# 86 7asmussen6 D8i!# A6 &ali!h/ 0%/ leader of OSS team
that res!ued do)ned air !re)s in WW996D The Sun/ 1a( 1%/ 2331/ p6 *46
Gilbert/ 1artin6 Chur!hill< A &ife6 8e) ,or#< 5enr( 5olt and Compan(/ 12216
Gill/ Anton6 The Great +s!ape< The =ull ;ramati! Stor( )ith Contributions from
Sur-i-ors and Their =amilies6 &ondon< 5eadline 4oo# ublishing/ 23326
Goldberg/ Arthur6 7e-ie) of Sub 7osa< The OSS and Ameri!an +spionage6 The 8ation/
1ar!h 23/ 12"*/ pp6 3"2-3%36
9nteragen!( Wor#ing Group6 D7e!ords of the Offi!e of Strategi! Ser-i!es 12"3- 12"*
?7e!ord Group 22*@6D Washington/ ;C< 8ational Ar!hi-es6
Goldi!h/ 7obert &6 D,ugosla-ia< World War 99 7esistan!e Operations and Their
9mpli!ations for the Current War6D Washington/ ;C< Congressional 7esear!h Ser-i!e/
The &ibrar( of Congress/ 12226
'effre(-'ones/ 7hodri6 Cloa# and ;ollar< A 5istor( of Ameri!an Se!ret 9ntelligen!e 6
8e) 5a-en< ,ale >ni-ersit( ress/ 23326
'ibilian/ Arthur6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith the author6
Iell(/ 7i!hard 16 The 5al(ard 1ission6 The "*1st &iberaider 122%H 12<20-3.6
Ienned(/ 'oseph6 DSperr( 4all Turret6D freepages6militar(6roots)eb6!omE
[Goseph#enned(Esperr(KballKturret6htm
IneFe-i!/ Bi-an6 Wh( the Allies Abandoned the ,ugosla- Arm( of General
1ihailo-i!h/ )ith Offi!ial 1emoranda and ;o!uments6 >npublished manus!ript
donated to the >nited States &ibrar( of Congress/ 12"%6
&etters to the +ditor< Credit Where ;ue6 The Washington ost/ =ebruar( 22/ 12"%/ p6 *6
&indsa(/ =ran#lin6 4ea!ons in the 8ight< With the OSS and Tito's artisans in Wartime
,ugosla-ia6 Stanford/ CA< Stanford >ni-ersit( ress/ 12236
&o-ell/ Stanle(6 Of Spies and Strategems6 +ngle)ood Cliffs/ 8'< renti!e 5all/ 12*36
1arJuette/ Sand(6 DGoodb(e to a tireless )arrior6D &ibert(6 'anuar( 13/ 23336
1artin/ ;a-id6 All( 4etra(ed< The >n!ensored Stor( of Tito and 1ihailo-i!h6 8e)
,or#< renti!e 5all/ 12"*6
1artin/ ;a-id6 atriot or Traitor< The Case of General 1ihailo-i!h6 Stanford/ CA<
5oo-er 9nstitution ress/ 12.06
1artin/ ;a-id6 The Web of ;isinformation< Chur!hill's ,ugosla- 4lunder6 Orlando<
5ar!ourt 4ra!e 'o-ano-i!h/ 12236
1auer/ 1auer/ +d6 Combat SJuadrons of the Air =or!e< World War 996 Washington/ ;C<
>6S6 Go-ernment rinting Offi!e/ 12*26
1!&a!hlan/ ;onald6 7oom 326 &ondon< Weidenfeld and 8i!olson/ 12*06
D1ihailo-it!h Trial6D The Washington ost/ 'une 1./ 12"*/ p6 *6
D1ihailo-it!h +:e!uted b( =iring SJuad6D The Washington ost/ 'ul( 10/ 12"*/ p6 *6
D1ihailo-i!h >nder Arrest/ 4elgrade Sa(s6D The Washington ost/ 1ar!h 2%/ 12"*/ p6 26
1usgro-e/ Clare6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith the author6
1usulin/ George6 7eport on the 1i!hailo-i!'s Cetni# arm(H suggestions of some Allied
support6 Central 9ntelligen!e Agen!( 12""6 7eprodu!ed in ;e!lassified ;o!uments
7eferen!e S(stem/ =armington 5ills/ 1i!higan< Gale Group/ 233*6
8ational Committee of Ameri!an Airmen to Aid Gen6 ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h and the
Serbian eople6 ress Clippings/ 4oo#s 9/ 99/ 9996 Chi!ago/ 12"*6 >npublished !olle!tion
donated to &ibrar( of Congress/ 12"*6
O';onnell/ atri!# I6 Operati-es/ Spies/ and Saboteurs< The >n#no)n Stor( of the 1en
and Women of WW99's OSS6 8e) ,or#< =ree ress/ 233"6
Oli-er/ Thomas6 >nintended Aisit to ,ugosla-ia6 >npublished manus!ript donated to the
>nited States Air =or!e A!adem(/ 12236
Orsini/ Ton(6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith the author6
esi!/ 1iodrag ;6 Operation Air 4ridge< Serbian Chetni#s and the 7es!ued Ameri!an
Airmen in World War 99 T+nglish translation from the original SerbianU6 4elgrade/
,ugosla-ia< Serbian 1asters' So!iet(/ 23326
etro-i!h/ 8i!#6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith the author6
Dloesti Oil 7aid< Operation Tidal Wa-e6D )))6))2guide6!omEoil6shtml
D7adio Signal Aids 7es!ue of 2%3 =liers6D The Washington ost/ =ebruar( 23/ 12"%/ p6
26
7ebi!/ Ale#sandra6 DThe &i-ing Spirit of 7a-na Gora6D &ibert(/ 'ul( 2%/ 23336 )))6snd-
us6!omE&ibert(EsmK10"36html6
7oberts/ Walter 76 Tito/ 1ihailo-i! and the Allies< 12"1-12"%6 ;urham/ 8orth Carolina<
;u#e >ni-ersit( ress/ 120.6
7oose-elt/ Iermit6 The O-erseas Targets< War 7eports of the OSS6 Aol6 96 Washington/
;C< Carrollton ress/ 12.*6
7oose-elt/ Iermit6 The O-erseas Targets< War 7eports of the OSS6 Aol6 996 Washington/
;C< Carrollton ress/ 12.*6
Sa-i!h/ Carl I6 D;raFa 1ihailo-i!h and the res!ue of >6S6 airmen during World War 996D
Serbian >nit( Congress6
)))6serbianunit(6netE!ultureEhistor(E;raFaK1ihailo-i!hEres!ue6html6
Smith/ 7i!hard 5arris6 OSS< The Se!ret 5istor( of Ameri!a's =irst Central 9ntelligen!e
Agen!(6 Guilford/ Conne!ti!ut< The &(ons ress/ 12.36
The Trial of ;ragolGub-;raFa 1ihailo-i!< Stenographi! 7e!ord and ;o!uments from the
Trial of ;ragolGub-;raFa 1ihailo-i!6 Salisbur(/ 8orth Carolina< ;o!umentar(
ubli!ations/ 12..6
Tomp#ins/ eter6 9tal( 4etra(ed6 8e) ,or#< Simon X S!huster/ 12**6
>nited States ;epartment of State6 Telegrams related to a)arding &egion of 1erit to
;raFa 1ihalio-i!h6 April 1/ 12"0/ to April 2/ 12"06
>nited States ;epartment of War6 Western >nion Telegram to Angiolina Orsini/ 'erse(
Cit(/ 8'< August 3/ 12""6
AuGno-i!h/ George6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith the author6
AuGno-i!h/ George and 1irGana6 As told to Theodore Wil#inson6 1emoirs of a 1arriage<
Oral 5istor( of George and 1irGana AuGno-i!6 Washington/ ;C< =i-e and Ten ress/
23316
Au#si!/ Aelimir6 Tito's artisans< 12"1-12"%6 4otle(/ O:ford/ >nited Iingdom< Ospre(
ublishing/ 23336
Wil#inson/ Renia6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith author6
Wilson/ 7obert6 ersonal inter-ie)s and !orresponden!e )ith the author6
Wood)ard/ +6 &6 4ritish =oreign oli!( in the Se!ond World War6 &ondon< 5er
1aGest('s Stationer( Offi!e/ 12*26
Inde+
A!!ra
A!heson/ ;ean
AC7> ?Air Cre) 7es!ue >nit@ ?see also Operation 5al(ard@
Adriati! Sea
Afri#a Iorps
Air Transport Command
Aldis lamp
Ale:ander/ Iing of ,ugosla-ia
Ameri!an Communist art(
Anglo-Ameri!an Club/ 4elgrade
As!ensiVn
Astra refiner(/ 7omania
Aunt 'emima de-i!e
Austria
4-1. bombers
4-2" bombers
4-2% bombers
4all turret gunners
4ari/ 9tal(
4a( of Iotor
44C ?4ritish 4road!asting Corporation@
4eano grenade
4elgrade/ ,ugosla-ia
4enigno/ Sam ?4anana 8ose@
4ethlehem Ship(ard/ 4altimore
4let!hle( ar#
4lunt/ Anthon(
4ogdan
4or/ ,ugosla-ia
4osnia
4rindisi/ 9tal(
4ritish
+ighth Arm(
General Ser-i!e 9ntelligen!e ?GS9@
19*
1iddle +ast Command
Operation 5al(ard and
Spe!ial Operations +:e!uti-e ?SO+@
4ro!#/ 7a(
4roo#s/ 8orman
4u!harest/ 7omania
4u!#ler
4udapest/ 5ungar(
4ulgaria
4unar/ ,ugosla-ia
4urgess/ Gu(
C-". !argo planes
in Operation 5al(ard res!ue
Cairn!ross/ 'ohn
Cairo/ +g(pt
California CitiFen's Committee to Commemorate General ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h
Cambridge Apostles
Cambridge =i-e
Cape of Good 5ope
Cape To)n/ South Afri!a
Carl/ Sergeant
Case( 'ones de-i!e
Catholi!ism
Cha!ha#/ ,ugosla-ia
Chamberlain/ 8e-ille
Chetni#s ?see also 1ihailo-i!h/ ;raFa@
Child/ 'ulia
Christian S!ien!e 1onitor
Christi/ 1aGor
Chur!hill/ 7andolph
Chur!hill/ Winston
C9A ?Central 9ntelligen!e Agen!(@
Columbia mission
Committee for the =air Trial to General 1ihailo-i!h
Constanta/ 7omania
Corfu/ Gree!e
Croatia
;almatian Alps
;anube 7i-er
;a-idson/ 4asil
;-;a( in-asion
;ea#in/ Sir William
;eni!/ 4ran!o
;er)ins#i/ +d)ard '6
;inari! Alps
;ono-an/ William '6 DWild 4ill/D
;oolittle 7aid
;ubro-ni#/ ,ugosla-ia
+a#er/ 9ra
+isenho)er/ ;)ight ;6
+rnst/ 1orris &6
=arish/ &(nn
=arm/ the
=49 ?=ederal 4ureau of 9n-estigation@
=elman/ 7i!hard
=erdinand/ Ar!hdu#e of Austria
=ighting 1ud!at bomber
=leming/ 9an
=ord/ Iir#/ 'r6
=ort 4enning/ Georgia
=oti
/ Ionstantin
Gene-a !on-ention
Gestapo
Ghana
Goebbels/ 'oseph
Goebbels/ 1agda
Goldberg/ Arthur
Gold)ater/ 4arr(
GornGi 1ilano-a!/ ,ugosla-ia
Gree!e
Grottaglie air for!e base/ 9tal(
Ground loop
5al-erson/ 5arr( A6
5a(den/ Sterling
5erFeg 8o-i/ ,ugosla-ia
5istor( of the Communist art( of Great 4ritain ?Ilugmann@
5itler/ Adolf
5oo-er/ '6 +dgar
5udson/ ;uane
5ungar(
9stanbul/ Tur#e(
9tal(
4ari
4rindisi
'agodina/ ,ugosla-ia
'apan
'erusalem
'ibilian/ Arthur
'ibilian/ O#sana
'ibilian/ Sar#is
'oint Chiefs of Staff
'o-ano-i!h/ Slobodan
'>-%2 'un#er planes
Ient/ Chetni# !ommander
IG4
Iilpatri!#/ William '6
Iingdom of Serbia
Iingdom of ,ugosla-ia
Ilugmann/ 'ames
IneFe-i!h/ Bi-an &6
Ino:/ =ran#
IraguGe-a!/ ,ugosla-ia
Iraigher/ George
IralGe-o/ ,ugosla-ia
&ali!h/ 8i!#
&anding strip !onstru!tion
&apo-o/ ,ugosla-ia
&aredo/ Te:as
&aFi!/ 1ir#o
&e!!e/ 9tal(
&egion of 1erit/ a)arded to 1ihailo-i!h
&iberia
&ib(an ;esert
&o-ell/ Stanle(
&o-ett/ Tom 6
D&D pills
&ufthansa airlines
&uft)affe
1a!lean/ ;onald
1aGesti! ?liner@
1ar#o/ IralGe-i!h
1artin/ ;a-id
1ar:ism Toda(
1ato/ aul =6
1a(er/ 9srael D4ron:D
1!Iool/ 1i#e
1editerranean Allied Air =or!e
1essers!hmitt fighters
1ihailo-i!h/ ;raFa
Allies/ relations )ith
anti-8aFi a!ti-ities
arrest of
!hara!ter of
!learing name
defense of/ b( res!ued airmen
ethni! ba!#ground of
e:e!ution of
hunt for
last )ords of
&egion of 1erit a)arded to
ph(si!al appearan!e of
on Time magaFine !o-er
Tito and
trial of
>6S6 airmen/ prote!tion of
in World War 9
1ihailo-i!h/ Gordana
1ila!/ 9-an
1ilan#o-i!/ Captain
1ilGa!#a 7i-er
D1ission to Sa-e 1ihailo-i!hD
1ontenegro
1oslems
1ount OrGen
1ueller/ rofessor
1usgro-e/ Clare
1ussolini/ 4enito
1usulin/ George
8atal
8ational Committee for ;efense of ;raFa 1ihailo-i!h and the Serbian eople
8ational 5ealth 9nstitute
8ational 1o-ement
8ational Se!urit( A!t of 12".
8egati-e information te!hniJue
8e) ,or# 'ournal Ameri!an
8e) ,or# Times
8e) ,or# World-Telegram
8igeria
8is/ ,ugosla-ia
8orden bombsight
8ormand(
8orth Afri!a
8orth/ 'ohn 7ingling
8orton/ &a)ren!e
8o-i Sad/ ,ugosla-ia
Obili!h/ 1ilosh
Ogalen/ ,ugosla-ia
Oli-er/ Thomas
Operation 5al(ard
August 2th night res!ue
August 13th da(light res!ue
landing strip !onstru!tion
last flight of
order of e-a!uation
OSS agents dropped into ,ugosla-ia
planning for
Operation 5al(ard ?!ontinued@
press a!!ounts
se!re!( surrounding
supplies shipped b(
team !hosen for
th)arted attempts
total number of airmen res!ued b(
-eterans of
Operation 1ihailo-i!h
Operation unishment
Operation Tidal Wa-e
Orsini/ Angiolina
Orsini/ Ton(
Orthodo: Chur!h
OSS and the ,ugosla- 7esistan!e ?=ord@
OSS ?Offi!e of Strategi! Ser-i!es@
!aptured agents
Columbia mission
de-i!es and methodologies of
disbanding of
establishment of
Operation 5al(ard and
purpose of
re!ruitment for
)eapons and training
Ostro 7omano refiner(/ 7omania
-30 &ightning fighters
-%1 1ustang fighters
alestine
an Ameri!an World Air)a(s
an!ho Ailla +:pedition
artisans
aul/ rin!e of ,ugosla-ia
earl 5arbor
eter 99/ Iing of ,ugosla-ia
etro-i!h/ 8i!#
hilb(/ Iim
ittsburgh/ enns(l-ania
loesti oil fields/ 7omania
oland
opo-i!h/ +li
ranGane/ ,ugosla-ia
rit!hett/ &eonard DTe:D
urlia/ Io#a
urlia/ Aasa
7adar
7adio eJuipment
7aGa!i!h/ 1i#e
7a-na Gora/ ,ugosla-ia
7eagan/ 7onald
7eed/ hilip
7isan/ ,ugosla-ia
7omana Ameri!ana oil refiner(/ 7omania
7omania
loesti oil fields in
7ommel/ +r)in ?the ;esert =o:@
7oose-elt/ =ran#lin ;elano
7oose-elt/ Yuentin
Sabotage
Salapa/ George
Sal-oldi/ 'umping 'oe
SaraGe-o/ ,ugosla-ia
Sa-a 7i-er
Se!ret 9ntelligen!e Ser-i!e
SerbECroat !onfli!t
Serbian-Ameri!an !ommunit(
Serbian 8ational =ederation
Shepherd =ield/ Te:as
Shore/ ;inah
Simi!/ StanoGe
Simo-i
/ ;uaan
Sofia/ 4ulgaria
So-iet >nion
Spanish Ci-il War
Sperr( Corporation
Stalin/ 'oseph
State/ >6S6 ;epartment of
Stefano-i!/ 1iodrag
Stu#a di-e bombers
Sudan
S-ilengrad/ 4ulgaria
S)itFerland
S(ria
Taurus +:press
Tehran Conferen!e of 12"3/
Thibadeau/ 'ohn
Thurmond/ Strom
Time magaFine
Titani! ?liner@
Tito/ 'osip 4roF
To#(o/ 'apan
Tolsto(/ 9l(a
Trans(l-anian Alps
Trinit( College/ Cambridge
Tripartite a!t of 12"1
Truman/ 5arr(
Tur#e(
T)ining/ 8athan
>#raine
>ni-ersit( of 4elgrade
>6S6 =ifteenth Air =or!e
>6S6 22th 9nfantr( ;i-ision
>6S6 "2nd ;i-isionh 7egiment of
>6S6 *3th Troop Carrier Command
>6S6 *2th 8e) ,or# Aolunteers
>6S6 ""2th 4omb Grouph SJuadron of
>6S6 "%2th 4omb Group
>stashe
Aasi ;ragis
Ai!h( =ren!h
Aido-dan holida(
AuGno-i!h/ George
ba!#ground of
in 4elgrade
in Cairo
es!ape from ,ugosla-ia
in 9stanbul
marriage to 1irGana
meeting and !ourtship of 1irGana
Operation 5al(ard and
)ith OSS
post)ar !areer of
supplies sent b(
AuGno-i!h/ 1ar(
AuGno-i!h/ 1irGana &aFi!
in 4elgrade
in Cairo
es!ape from ,ugosla-ia
in 9stanbul
marriage to George
meeting and !ourtship b( George
AuGno-i!h/ eter
AuGno-i!h/ Renia
Walpus#/ Carl '6
War/ >6S6 ;epartment of
Washington ost
Wilson/ 5enr(
Wilson/ 7obert
World War 9/
Wu!hini!h/ George
,oung 4osnia
,oung Communist &eague
,ugosla- Arm( of the 5omeland
,ugosla- Communist art(
,ugosla-ia ?see also 1ihailo-i!h/ ;raFa@
bombing of 4elgrade
!i-il )ar
German in-asion of
Tripartite a!t of 12"1 and
,ontact the Author
=or more information about Gregor( A6 =reeman and his )or#/ go to the author's Web
site at )))6Gregor(A=reeman6!om6
9f (our boo# !lub is interested in ha-ing the author parti!ipate in a dis!ussion of The
=orgotten %33 b( phone/ send (our reJuest to author\ Gregor(A=reeman6!om6