I am looking for information on the Halyard Mission from both the American side and the Serbian side.

Can anyone help?

Thank you
Leslie

Yougoslavian side here
Serbian Unity Congress | Serbian People's History - Draza Mihailovich and the Rescue of US Airmen during World War II

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Thanks Skipper
I look forward to reading the article. One of my dad's very close friends was shot down and spent over two months with Mihailovich. He is being used as a consultant for a huge film that is now in the works to tell this apparently widely unknown story.

Kind regards

Leslie

Glad I could help, I didn't know there is going to be a film about their adventures in Yougoslavia.
Have you read Freeman's The forgotten 500? You may have since you know about the story, but just in case here is the link.


Amazon.com: The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All For the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II: Books: Gregory A. Freeman

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Hello Skipper
I'm not sure the information about the film is widely known. Apparently it will be made in 2008 and Robin Williams will play Mihalovich with a possible of George Clooney playing Tito.
The friend of my father's who is working on this, knows about Felstead's book and says it contains many "untruths". He told me about "The Forgotten 500" along with 3 others that are very good by David Martin. Ally Betrayed, General Mihalovich,Patriot or Traitor and Web of Misinformation. Another book, was Too Little To Late, but he couldn't remember the author.
Norm, my dad's friend, is very excited about this as after the war, he has made it as he says"my lifelong mission to clear General Mihalovich's name."
Norm flew Wellingtons with #40 Squadron, 205 group, flying out of Italy.
It sounds like a very interesting story.

Regards,
Leslie

Yesterday, I read a posting by Julia Gorin here Political Mavens » Arthur Jibilian, the last of the WWII Halyard Mission Rescuers, is Dying that Arthur, Jibilian the last Halyard Mission rescuer has just 6 months to live. He has posted to one of Gorin's sites that he is not at all adverse to discuss his life and the end of his life. I sent him my best wishes & prayers and received a very nice response.

Here is a good article on the operation.

Rescue Behind Enemy Lines - Operation Halyard and the Rescue in Occupied Serbia » HistoryNet - From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

General Draza Mihailovich: Major George Vujnovich, Serbian-American WWII veteran of the Halyard Mission, honored in the U.S. Congressional Record, March 16, 2009

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

We will be having the author of Forgotten 500 in the forum for discussion next weekend. Those who have signed up and agreed to read his book beforehand have been invited to talk with Mr Freeman. The transcript will be posted afterward.

I have read the book and found it to be an excellent read. Even if you are not participating in the discussion, I heartily recommend that you read the book if possible.

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Best Regards,
JW

A little off the main topic being the rescue, does anyone know where I could find information about the following:

I believe most of the airmen rescued, were members of Squadrons belonging to 8 Group stationed in Italy. I am looking for data for the period of February 1944 to September 1944. Specifically,
Number of allied aircraft lost
Number of airmen killed
Number of airmen wounded
Number of airmen taken POW
Number who found sanctuary and ultimately escape through contact with the guerillas, and Mihailovich.

During this time period these aircraft would have been taking part in raids to destroy the oil refineries/fields, key bridges, and mining the Danube River to destroy the barges carrying the oil in and around Ploesti Romania.

Any information or sources of information would be appreciated.

Thanks
Leslie