RSK
04-10-2004, 08:10 PM
OPERATION "AIR BRIDGE"
The largest rescue of allies behind enemy's lines was performed in WWII in Serbia. It was dramatic "Air bridge operation", performed by USA air force in cooperation with Serbian chetniks under general Draza Mihailovic command.
During 1943 allies started with bombing oil fields in East Romania, which had vital importance for Hitler's war machinery, bombers form Italy basis had been flying over Serbia. Many ally planes were damaged and landed down by German antiaircraft defense. Germans never captured any of ally pilots. Cetniks were saving them. Germans offered lot of money and gold for pilots by no one was ever sold.
The Serbian chetniks saved 700 of ally pilots. The most of them were transferred from small airport Pranjani near Cacak in August 1944. Thousands of chetniks were blocked germen units, while ally airplanes were saving rescued pilots...
These events are described in the book by Miodrag D Pesic, who, as young chetnik, took part in that "Air bridge" rescue mission.
Here we present you pictures from his book.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/english/airbridge/index.php
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/13V.jpg
Geographic map of Yugoslavia - the airfields, used for the evacuation of American airmen to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/8V.jpg
General Dragoqub-Draza Mihailovic, the Commander of the Cetnik's Resistance Movement in Yugosavia during the Word War II.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/10V.jpg
From left to right: OSS Colonel Albert Seitz, the Chief of American mission, SOE general Charles Armstrong the Chief of British mission and general Mihailovic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/9V.jpg
OSS Captian, George Musulin and Cetnik Captain Zvonko Vuckovic, who organized evacuation of American airmen from the airfield Pranjani, on the Ravna Gora. Capt. Zvonko Vuckovic was Commander of the First Ravna Gora Corps
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/15V.jpg
American airmen are looking at the damaged wing of the plane running at the tree while landing
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/16V.jpg
Boarding of American airmen at the airfield Pranjani on Ravna Gora in the summer of 1944
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/17V.jpg
The American airmen in C-47 on their way to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/18V.jpg
An Amrican ariman says last farewell at boarding the plane for Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/19V.jpg
Boarding of American airmen at the airfield Pranjani in Ravna Gora prior to evacuation to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/20V.jpg
A group of Cetniks in charge for airfield security, in front of the C-47 plane just prior to American pilots boarding
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/22V.jpg
The American airmen, couvered with Serbian national rugs thorwn over their shoulders before evacuation to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/24V.jpg
General Draza Mihailovic (in center) together with the last American mission. To right: OSS Colonel Robert McDowell, Captain John Milodragovic, Lt. Michael Rajacich and Captain Nick Lalich, members of the mission.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/27V.jpg
Mihailovic's Island of Freedom in Yugoslavia - Published in the "Time" on May 25, 1942
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/28V.jpg
Military decoration awarded to General Mihailovic by Harry Truman, the President of the USA
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/30V.jpg
The proposal American Congressmans for monument of General Mihailovich in Washington
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/50V.jpg
Formal farewell to American airmen at the airfield Pranjani before their trip to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/51V.jpg
Chetniks liberated Krusevac from the communists. Serbian Chetniks are carrying American flag.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/52V.jpg
OSS Lt. Ellsworth Kramer in liberated Krusevac (center), to left the Cetnik Commander Col. Lt. Dragutin Keserovic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/53V.jpg
Air crew of American bomber B-24, shot down near Arilje, and saved by the Chetniks. Kneeling from left, are Leonard E. Pritchet, Carl E. Astrifan, Israel Meyer, Roland Hodgson, Thomas P. Lovett (killed), and Preston D. Angleberger. Standing from left, are Kenneth Munn, Richard L. Felman, James L. Kidd Jr., and Paul F. Mato.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/55V.jpg
A group of American airmen together with general Mihailovic. General is the fifth from the left. Captain Zvonimir Vuckovich set the third from left.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/56V.jpg
The American airmen at lunch, just after being rescued by Cetniks.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/57V.jpg
Cetniks with machine gum 12,7 mm, pulled out of Flying Fortress, crashed near the willage Virine, not far from Cuprija. Fourth from the left is the author of this book Miodrag Pesic American pilot Glean Oney stand the second from right
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/59V.jpg
Large group of American airmen at the airfield in Pranjani is waiting for evacuation to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/60V.jpg
Large group of American airmen is coming to the airfield Pranjani in order to be evacuated to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/61V.jpg
Two American pilots wearing Serbian national headgear, rescued by Cetniks of general Mihailovic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/62V.jpg
A group of American airmen rescued by Cetniks near Ljig together with a schoolteacher
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/63V.jpg
The funeral one crew American airmen, shot down near Gruza not far from Kragujevac
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/65V.jpg
A group Chetniks with two saved American Airmen crashed near Lazarevac (Donald Parkerson and Fred Barret).
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/66V.jpg
A group of rescued American airmen together with their rescuers, the Cetniks near Ivanjica
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/67V.jpg
Rescued American airmen near Boljevac. Their names are mentioned in one of the stories in this book "Two month with American Airmen" written by George Janosevic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/68V.jpg
One-dollar bank note signedd by American airmen rescued near Boljevac. The commander of the First Boljevac Brigade the captain Radomir Petrovic-Kent was given that bank note in memory.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/69V.jpg
OSS Captain George Musulin, in charge for the organization of evacuation from Yugoslavia to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/71V.jpg
Captain Nick Lalich and general Draza Mihailovic. (Capt. Nick Lalich was the last American who was with Draza.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/73V.jpg
Series of photographs taken by Lt. Col. P. Nelson and arranged from the saved ones. Lt. Col. John P. Nelson was downed in Mustang not far from Kragujevac in Gruza. Some American airmen who happened to be there and Cetniks who saved them are Photographed.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/78V.jpg
A group of rescued American airmen is sleeping in the barn waiting for evacuation to Italy.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/79V.jpg
Rescued American airmen near Boljevac.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/84V.jpg
A group of rescued American airmen near the Bunare village, not far from Jagodina. From the left: A Chetnik, Robert L.. Marshall, Antony J. Orsini, Donald E. Lohendorf, ROBERT I. WILSON, another Chetnik, Michael O'Keefe, Leonard M. Brothers, another Chetnik, Roy J. Bowers, Lawrence T. Norton, William Harwell, another Chetnik, and Russel W. Burney.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/87V.jpg
Recognition to the author of this book given by the general Dwight D. Eisenhower, the USA president for taking action in the rescue of American airman in the World War II.
The largest rescue of allies behind enemy's lines was performed in WWII in Serbia. It was dramatic "Air bridge operation", performed by USA air force in cooperation with Serbian chetniks under general Draza Mihailovic command.
During 1943 allies started with bombing oil fields in East Romania, which had vital importance for Hitler's war machinery, bombers form Italy basis had been flying over Serbia. Many ally planes were damaged and landed down by German antiaircraft defense. Germans never captured any of ally pilots. Cetniks were saving them. Germans offered lot of money and gold for pilots by no one was ever sold.
The Serbian chetniks saved 700 of ally pilots. The most of them were transferred from small airport Pranjani near Cacak in August 1944. Thousands of chetniks were blocked germen units, while ally airplanes were saving rescued pilots...
These events are described in the book by Miodrag D Pesic, who, as young chetnik, took part in that "Air bridge" rescue mission.
Here we present you pictures from his book.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/english/airbridge/index.php
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/13V.jpg
Geographic map of Yugoslavia - the airfields, used for the evacuation of American airmen to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/8V.jpg
General Dragoqub-Draza Mihailovic, the Commander of the Cetnik's Resistance Movement in Yugosavia during the Word War II.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/10V.jpg
From left to right: OSS Colonel Albert Seitz, the Chief of American mission, SOE general Charles Armstrong the Chief of British mission and general Mihailovic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/9V.jpg
OSS Captian, George Musulin and Cetnik Captain Zvonko Vuckovic, who organized evacuation of American airmen from the airfield Pranjani, on the Ravna Gora. Capt. Zvonko Vuckovic was Commander of the First Ravna Gora Corps
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/15V.jpg
American airmen are looking at the damaged wing of the plane running at the tree while landing
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/16V.jpg
Boarding of American airmen at the airfield Pranjani on Ravna Gora in the summer of 1944
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/17V.jpg
The American airmen in C-47 on their way to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/18V.jpg
An Amrican ariman says last farewell at boarding the plane for Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/19V.jpg
Boarding of American airmen at the airfield Pranjani in Ravna Gora prior to evacuation to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/20V.jpg
A group of Cetniks in charge for airfield security, in front of the C-47 plane just prior to American pilots boarding
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/22V.jpg
The American airmen, couvered with Serbian national rugs thorwn over their shoulders before evacuation to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/24V.jpg
General Draza Mihailovic (in center) together with the last American mission. To right: OSS Colonel Robert McDowell, Captain John Milodragovic, Lt. Michael Rajacich and Captain Nick Lalich, members of the mission.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/27V.jpg
Mihailovic's Island of Freedom in Yugoslavia - Published in the "Time" on May 25, 1942
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/28V.jpg
Military decoration awarded to General Mihailovic by Harry Truman, the President of the USA
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/30V.jpg
The proposal American Congressmans for monument of General Mihailovich in Washington
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/50V.jpg
Formal farewell to American airmen at the airfield Pranjani before their trip to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/51V.jpg
Chetniks liberated Krusevac from the communists. Serbian Chetniks are carrying American flag.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/52V.jpg
OSS Lt. Ellsworth Kramer in liberated Krusevac (center), to left the Cetnik Commander Col. Lt. Dragutin Keserovic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/53V.jpg
Air crew of American bomber B-24, shot down near Arilje, and saved by the Chetniks. Kneeling from left, are Leonard E. Pritchet, Carl E. Astrifan, Israel Meyer, Roland Hodgson, Thomas P. Lovett (killed), and Preston D. Angleberger. Standing from left, are Kenneth Munn, Richard L. Felman, James L. Kidd Jr., and Paul F. Mato.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/55V.jpg
A group of American airmen together with general Mihailovic. General is the fifth from the left. Captain Zvonimir Vuckovich set the third from left.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/56V.jpg
The American airmen at lunch, just after being rescued by Cetniks.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/57V.jpg
Cetniks with machine gum 12,7 mm, pulled out of Flying Fortress, crashed near the willage Virine, not far from Cuprija. Fourth from the left is the author of this book Miodrag Pesic American pilot Glean Oney stand the second from right
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/59V.jpg
Large group of American airmen at the airfield in Pranjani is waiting for evacuation to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/60V.jpg
Large group of American airmen is coming to the airfield Pranjani in order to be evacuated to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/61V.jpg
Two American pilots wearing Serbian national headgear, rescued by Cetniks of general Mihailovic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/62V.jpg
A group of American airmen rescued by Cetniks near Ljig together with a schoolteacher
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/63V.jpg
The funeral one crew American airmen, shot down near Gruza not far from Kragujevac
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/65V.jpg
A group Chetniks with two saved American Airmen crashed near Lazarevac (Donald Parkerson and Fred Barret).
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/66V.jpg
A group of rescued American airmen together with their rescuers, the Cetniks near Ivanjica
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/67V.jpg
Rescued American airmen near Boljevac. Their names are mentioned in one of the stories in this book "Two month with American Airmen" written by George Janosevic
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/68V.jpg
One-dollar bank note signedd by American airmen rescued near Boljevac. The commander of the First Boljevac Brigade the captain Radomir Petrovic-Kent was given that bank note in memory.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/69V.jpg
OSS Captain George Musulin, in charge for the organization of evacuation from Yugoslavia to Italy
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/71V.jpg
Captain Nick Lalich and general Draza Mihailovic. (Capt. Nick Lalich was the last American who was with Draza.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/73V.jpg
Series of photographs taken by Lt. Col. P. Nelson and arranged from the saved ones. Lt. Col. John P. Nelson was downed in Mustang not far from Kragujevac in Gruza. Some American airmen who happened to be there and Cetniks who saved them are Photographed.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/78V.jpg
A group of rescued American airmen is sleeping in the barn waiting for evacuation to Italy.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/79V.jpg
Rescued American airmen near Boljevac.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/84V.jpg
A group of rescued American airmen near the Bunare village, not far from Jagodina. From the left: A Chetnik, Robert L.. Marshall, Antony J. Orsini, Donald E. Lohendorf, ROBERT I. WILSON, another Chetnik, Michael O'Keefe, Leonard M. Brothers, another Chetnik, Roy J. Bowers, Lawrence T. Norton, William Harwell, another Chetnik, and Russel W. Burney.
http://www.pogledi.co.yu/galerija/airbridge/87V.jpg
Recognition to the author of this book given by the general Dwight D. Eisenhower, the USA president for taking action in the rescue of American airman in the World War II.