Serbian History 101
with Baba Mim....
PA
Draza (<---click here) & Operation Halyard....
At the age of 7 yeas old, I knew about the famous rescue of the 500+ American airmen by General Draza Mihailovich and his Serbian Chetniks because my father, Milan Karlo, published Nick Lalich's complete day-by-day diary in his magazine called American SERB LIFE in 1948. The magazine was short-lived due to the money investment involved, but it served its purpose nobly, standing as a strong sentinel down through the years, a beacon of undisputed proof, no matter the attempts to hide the information from the American people, and indeed the world.
These two covers of the May and June 1948 issues featured St. George and Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich. Nick Lalich's diary was published in a series of articles due to the length and wonderful photos included.
The articles were entitled: "I Was With Mihailovich"Here's a close-up of the U.S. pilots sleeping in a loft.
Most of the time, the villagers gave the pilots their own beds, and the Serbs slept on the floor. They fed the airmen even though there would be nothing left for themselves or their family members! The US fliers loved the Serbian villagers and couldn't understand how America could have been so bamboozled by the English moles into supporting Tito instead of Mihailovich.The airman in the middle is Curtis (Bud) Diles, now of Dayton, Ohio. This is his whole crew. Bud said recently in an interview in Ypsilanti, "My 15 grandchildren, my 3 Great-grandchildren would be here if it weren't for the Serbs! I may be old, and I may be forgetful, but I will never forget the man nor the Serbians who cared for me in 1944."
TIME Magazine had Chica Draza Mihailovich as their "Man of the Year" and people around the world hailed the leader and his heroic resistance fighters in 1941, the FIRST to stand up to Hitler's Germany.
My copy of the LIBERTY magazine from April 25, 1942. "The Story of Draja (Draza) Mihailovitch (Mihailovic/Mihailovich) -Fighter for Freedom."
The caption reads: "The headache: General Draja Mihailovitch, Yugoslav War Minister and Chetnik commander in chief." (p.18-LIBERTY magazine)
A photo of some of the airmen with Nick Lalich with hat. Radioman Arthur ("Jibby") Jibilian is kneeling in light-colored jacket in front. To Lalich's right in a "sjakaca" hat is Bobby Marjanovich of Aliquippa, PA, who was studying for the priesthood in Belgrade, and was rescued by the Maksimovich Brothers singers when the unexpected bombing of the city by the Germans began.
The ACRU & Medical Team. Note George Musulin (3rd from left), hugging Nick Lalich in the back row. The "Milosh Obilich-Kosovo 1389-1937" button from Wilmerding belonged to him! (See Kosovo page) Don't ever let ANYONE ever steal your history! Pittsburgh's Musulin was the person initially dropped behind the lines in charge of the Mission, replaced by Lalich. Jibby in the front middle.
Here's Jibby at the Museum in Serbia, when a few of the remaining airmen visited there. Many thanks to Jibby for sharing some photos! To read more about the FORGOTTEN 500, order the book. You'll be glad you did!
Last mission out! Back safely in Bari, Italy! To the far right is George Vuynovich, who was born on Pittsburgh's South Side right behind from where the American Serbian Club is now! He graduated from Ambridge High School and was an SNF Stipendist in 1934. He married a beautiful girl from Serbia while there. To read more about how "George" led the mission to rescue the men, read the book!
Here's Jibby in a May 10, 1999 paper: "I LOVE THE SERBS!" And the Serbs love Jibby, too! He's the last surviving member of the team that rescued the 512 airmen that was in Yugoslavia. George Vuynovich, the officer in charge in Bari, Italy, lives in New York. Nick Petrovich, an 18-yr. old guard with Chica Draza, lives in Mexico.
Former U.S. Airman Carl Walpusk and his lovely wife Virginia, with a statue of Draza Mihailovich, the man who saved him!
Operation Halyard: The Forgotten 500 of WW IIJibby's daughter Debbie, Vangie, Jibby, Sam & Sue from St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and me holding the Serbian flag on the field of 512 American flags, Father's Day week-end, June 15, 2008 at Metcalf Field in Toledo, Ohio. Here's a video clipping of the event from their local WTOL television station! <-----click here.
The Toledo Blade also had a wonderful story on Jibby and his special day entitled "Fremont Veteran Saluted For Saving Lives of 500 U.S. Fliers," by Kate Giammarise, Staff writer for the Blade.
Debbie, Vangie, Jibby, Sam, Sue, Mim, 6/14/08, American Flag Day, Metcalf Field. Serbian flag to acknowledge the contribution of the Serbs and Chetniks to the rescue of the 513 airmen.Jibby is right in front of this photo, next to tall Captain Nick Lalich in this WWII photo. Thanks, Jib!
Thanks to Steve Crum, of the AOPA Flight Training School at Metcalf Field (TDC), and photographer for the Toledo Television station, we have these photos of Jibby and his special day! Here's Jibby in front of a C-47, like the kind used to rescue the U.S. airmen. This plane was at the not-so-far away Yankee Air Museum.
Riding in the B-17 Bomber over Toledo Skies!
Ready for take-off!
The Truth About Draza Mihailovich!
Who can believe the next events described here? God bless the EAA #582 airmen from Metcalf Field in Toledo, Ohio! The pilots, led by their President Bill Hilzel, gave of their time, treasures and talents. They picked up several rescued airmen and me from various places around the USA and flew us to the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Monday, June 23, 2008, to meet Jibby and WTOL 11 reporter for Toledo's News Leader, Jennifer Boresz. It was an incredible experience!
Jibby and Clare are holding 2 different issues of my father's magazine published in 1948 called AMERICAN SERB LIFE. The day-by-day rescue of the airmen was documented in the diary of Nick Lalich that my father published in his short-lived publication due to monetary issues. What a thrill it was for me to see them holding these! It was living history at its best!
Remember the photo of the airmen sleeping in a hay loft published in my father's book up above? The fellow in the middle is our Curtis ("Bud") Diles shown here! He wanted us to see the documentation he has on his Serb rescuers. Bud has written many letters to the editors and has given several lectures on his debt of gratitude to the Serbian people, even during unpopular times. He's a true-blue friend! Why? He says his 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchldren wouldn't be here if it weren't for his Serb rescuers!
Here's a good story----one day Bud's grandson came home and showed a TIME-LIFE book he had taken out of his school library to his mother with a photo of the airmen in the hayloft. Imagine his surprise when Theresa, his mother, replied, "That's your Grandfather in the middle!"
Can you guess how I felt being next to these great heroes? I've "known" Jibby since I was 7 years old. And I met Bud and Clare before, but I didn't know until THIS day, that Bud was the man in the haystack! Bud had us on a role as he joked, "Every day we risked our lives running from the enemy and almost starving to death, and this photo of "sleeping on the job" is my legacy?" That's why we're all smiling!
"........and here's anothing thing," Bud Diles tells Jennifer while Jibby is all ears......
Jibby wants to make sure he gets a "good shot!"
Goodbye, Yankee Air Museum! What a great time!
(Middle, far left, is where all the action took place!)
What a scene to remember!
Jibby in front-back left to right- Bud Diles, Carl Walpusk and Clare Musgrave!
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Here's a bit from History!
Bud Diles' daughter, Theresa, remembered that this picture appeared in a 1995 issue of the American SRBOBRAN. Note the movie we all saw: Chetniks, the Fighting Guerrillas! (<----Read review)
Here's another review by Carl Savich---
http://www.serbianna.com/columns/savich/098.shtml
Mike Sudjovic, from California (far right above photo) has been collecting information about Operation Halyard for years! The U.S. airman, G. B. Allin, the photographer for Operation Halyard, left him all of his original photographs when he passed away. Interestingly enough, Bud Diles met Allinn at a Conference one year, almost by accident!
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And one of my favorite photos! Jibby says to stay tuned for more! It's not over yet! WOW!
Photo courtesy of Steve Crum from WTOL TV, Toledo!
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George Vuynovich, Nick Petrovich, Nick Lalich
16 yr. old Nick Petrovich, with Cica Draza's Chetniks.
Today?
Golf Champ (Seniors!) in Cancun, Mexico, 2008!
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His Postscript is most telling!
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News Flash!
Our Jibby has been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and the prognosis doesn't look good.
His daughter, Debbi said it came about so fast no one can believe it, as only two weeks ago, he was being honored with a fly-by, and the following week the trip to the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti.
Please keep him in your prayers.
But Jibby is tough. He knows the old saying:
"Nedaj se"
Get better soon, Jib, lots more to do!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++With Here's Brotherly Love for you!
Dr. Rick Zivic said he is sending Jibby a CD from the Kosovo Men's Choir!
Dear Mim,
Just opened your emails to me, and it truly is sad to hear the news about that "giant" of a man, "Jibby". I've met him on at least one occasion- possibly two- when he was the guest of the Serbian Ravna Gora Chetniks here in Cleveland. I know what your heart is saying, "We need to do something" for this man, and I do like the idea of having him (if he's able) to come to Pitt 3 Day where he could "feel" the "hearts" of the Serbian people who so appreciate him and his courage. My problem with Kosovo choir is right now, most of us in the choir are so-o-o-o involved in preparation for this trip in 6 weeks that it would be difficult to re-prepare one of the Chetnik songs that we've sung in the past, not to mention the traveling, etc. We are presently having rehearsals twice a week, along with daily hours of work for this trip, so our "free time" is almost non-existent- especially for me. What I will do though, would be to send Jibby one of our CD's with the "Ravno Gorski Zvuci" or "Nagari" to his home as a gift to him from Kosovo Choir. This way, he could spend as much time as he wished in listening to our beautiful Chetnik music.
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God bless Rick! When Jibby hears this, his heart will soar! In Nick Lalich's diary from 1944, he records that one night someone brought them a little "schlivo" and that Jibby was singing away, "O Topola!"
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Inside cover of LET MY PEOPLE GO.See Pranjani, middle right.
Ohio National Guardsmen in Pranjani, Serbia
September 6, 2008
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Here's Colonel Jerry Rees, head of the Ohio delegation, thanking the hosts by presenting the State of Ohio Flag to the head of the Pranjani community, Mr. Dragan Veselinovic.
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Lt. Col. John Cappello (center), who arranged the Ceremonies between the Ohio National Guard and the Residents of Pranjani, Serbia, shown here attending a reception honoring the visit of the Kosovo Men's Choir from Ohio at the home of Ms. Jennifer Brush, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the USA, Thursday, August 14.
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From Serb World's article on Nick Lalich.
Covered Up for Years to Appease Tito and His Communists.
David Martin published his book ALLY BETRAYED in 1946, debunking WWII propaganda and dealing with international mysteries. The book asks the crucial questions:
- Why did the Allied press which had made a great hero of Mihailovich as a resister of Axis invaders of Jugoslavia begin to play him down after 1942?
- What was Tito's past? And where was the radio station located that heralded his appearance in Yugoslavia?
- What decision was reached at Teheran with respect to Tito and Mihailovich?
- How was the ALLIED military intelligence about Jugoslavia falsified?
- Why did Churchill say of Jugoslavia, "I was deceived and badly informed."
David Martin was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1914. Before the war he wrote on Canadian affairs for Current History, The Nation, The New Republic, the New Leader and other journals. He joined the Canadian Air Force in October, 1942, became a pilot and flew on the Burmese frontier, being Honorably discharged in 1946.
David Martin devoted his entire life to defending the truth and Mihailovich.
In his 1990 book THE WEB OF DISINFORMATION: CHURCHILL'S YUGOSLAV BLUNDER, David Martin fully uncovered the tragic tale "found in secret British files that were only recenty and inadvertently declassified. He reveals that Churchill and others were deceived- by Communist moles and sypathizers who had infiltrated the military intelligence services. The prime mover was the famous Cambridge spy set that included Kim Philby, Guy Burgess, Donald Macclean and "Sir" Anthony Blunt. Martin names the "Fifth Man": James Klugman, most brilliant mole of them all."
The National Geographic TRAVELER magazine of March 2005 says Blunt's exposure in 1979 as a Soviet spy, after being knighted in 1956 and appointed art adviser to the Queen, was a major embarrassment to the Crown.
I remember attending a 1991 Conference in Toronto entitled "Serbia: The Ally that Lost." David Martin was one of the four main speakers. By this time, the distinguished journalist, political analyst and staffer on the Senate Judiciary Committee suffered badly from Parkinson's disease and could hardly stand, shaking badly. His wife, Virginia, sitting next to him, offered to read his speech. He declined. Writhing in pain as he stood, he threw his shoulders back and proclaimed that he OWED it to the Serbs and Draza Mihailovich to read it himself!
"Vejcnaja Pamjat" to a wonderful man!
Airmen rally for Mihailovich
These "Yanks" above were showing their gratitude at the Stevens Hotel rally: John Scroggs of Kansas City, Robert Eckman, David O'Connell, Don Parkerson, John Fox, Peoria; Capt. Nick Lalich, Cleveland; Fred Zuecher, Milwaukee; William Rogers, Manteno; Thomas Pettigrew, David Labissoniers, Milwaukee; Del Salmon, Charles Cracz, Neal Janosky, Milwaukee.
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Charles Gracz who then lived on 1411 N. Bosworth Avenue, was quoted in the Chicago HERALD AMERICAN on Thursday April 4, 1946 as saying, "If ever there was anyone loyal to the highest American traditions, it is General Mihailovich and his Chetniks.
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The Evening Star, Wash, DC 4/29/1946
"The 20 United States fliers were accompanied by wo Canadian veterans. They represent 600 airmen rescued by Mihailovich's forces.
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Donald Parkerson, Chicago Vet and his wife check out his Chetnik shoe, grateful to be home, thanks to the Serbs!
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Oaklander Ex-Lieutenant Allen Carrico helped wreck the German Supply Train with the Chetniks and more! (San Francisco Chronicle, 3/29/1946.
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"I'm alive today because of Mihailovich," former flier David J. O'Connell, Jr, age 24.
"When briefed, we were told to expect Marshall Tito's men to help, instead, it was General Mihailovich's men who saved them and kept them under cover, moving them from village to village and finally assembling the group to carve our an air strip +++++++++++++++
The Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph on April 3, 1946 reported in the paper how BOTH these Pennsylvania State Troopers were rescued by Mihailovich and his Chetniks:
Virginia Walpush remembered the story and quickly found it for me in a book of the gathered stories of the Airmen. "Here," she said. Here's your U.S. B-24 Pilot Paul Mato and his waist gunner, Carl Walpusk!"
(See larger photos of Carl and his wife below bottom left hand column. )
Jibby was honoroed at the Metcalf Airfied near Toledo, OH on Flag Day, June 14, 2008.
The University of Toledo presented Jibby with an award after his B-17 FLY-By.
Note the 512 flags on the field behind. Each flag represented one of the rescued airmen.
There was a beautiful honor guard waiting for Jibby to alight from the aircraft!
Here's the B-17 bomber that took Jibby for a special ride before doing the Fly-by!
The airplane is called THE YANKEE LADY!
Here are the HEROES in Serbia! Mnogo Hvala to Cica Draza Mihailovich and his brave Chetniks!
Jibby in his younger years.
On the way home!
Some of the rescued airmen left their shoes/boots for their Serbian rescuers who gave so much to help the Americans!
Admiring all the photos of the historic OPERATION HALYARD rescue on display at the airshow at Metcalf Field.
Jibby being congratulated by the organizers of the grand event. Note the 512 U.S. flags behind the podium, one each for each American airmen rescued by the Serbs!
Mim gives Jibby Certificate of Appreciation for CONTINUED HEROISM, for his defense of General Draza Mihailovich and the Serbian people.
Thank you, Jibby, on behalf of ALL of us!
Here's looking at super American-Serb History!
Jibby always looks out for the Serbs! I've heard him personally tell about the debt of gratitude America owes the Serbs MANY times myself during Interviews and talks with non-Serbs. He's a true friend!
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June 23, 2008
Here's Jennifer interviewing Carl Walpusk, Jibby, Clare Musgrave and Curt (Bud) Diles, 3 of the 512 airmen rescued by the OSS team where Jibby was the radioman! They're shown here in front of a C-47, the type of aircraft that took the American airmen back home!
Here's Inez Diles, with a photo of her husband in his American uniform, with his Chetnik "s(h)ajkac(h)a!"
Bud showing American SERB LIFE article and photos to the group assembled and making us laugh!
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Here's how we traveled to get to Michigan, in Dennis Lawrence's "Mooney" aircraft! First our pilot, then I plopped down in the back, and finally Carl could get in and lock the door!
Our pilot, Dennis Lawrence of the EAA #582, Metcalf group, and Carl Walpusk.
Carl and his wife Virginia and their family. How things could have been different, eh?
Carl said although he appreciated the attention he has received, so much more credit should be given to the men of the OSS rescue team who voluntarily risked their lives for the airmen and their Serb rescuers.
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We'd also like to thank all the airmen from EAA #582 for taking us to Michigan for this historic moment in time!
Thanks guys!
Who can believe it really happened?
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Here's author Gregory Freeman at a meeting in Washington June 2007 where he received special acclaim for his book, THE FORGOTTEN 500.
Here's a photo I took of wonderful George Vujnovich who coordinated the Halyard Mission from Bari, Italy. At 93 yrs. old, and in a wheelchair, George came to Washington, taking a taxi from his home in NY to the train station, and another taxi from the train station to the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, DC. George is another Super Hero!
Let's pray that we are as active, spry, and mentally-sharp brilliant as these WWII heroes are when we reach their age!
What inspirations they are to all of us!
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Nick Petrovich, 18 yr. old guard!
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Mim's Trophy:
One of the 512 American Flags (each representing an American Airman rescued in Operation Halyarad) - Metcalf Airfield in Toledo- that was in the field behind the podium. The flag from Jibby was for the American Airman in Mim's hometown rescued by Draza Mihailovich and his Chetniks, and the OSS: Carl Walpusk! Read more about Carl above!
Flag for Carl from Jibby! Photo by Savo Subotich who I met that day for the first time!
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This incredible interview was aired so appropriately on July 4, 2008, on the 5:00 PM news KTOL-TV.
Jennifer Boresz and the cameraman and all the people at the Yankee Air Museum were wonderful to all of us!
Jennifer, Jibby and the Airmen: Carl, Bud and Clare!To see and hear this historical interview, click on this site below. You are in for a real PATRIOTIC treat!
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=862
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Oh, our Jennifer, our Jennifer!
Here's her BLOG about that day in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
God bless her!
The Serbs love YOU, too, Jen!
http://www.toledo11.com/blogs/index.php?blog=19&title=the_heroes_of_operation_halyard&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
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I was happy to see the Serbs getting some long overdue credit. Hopefully this will be the start of something.
Rade V., Pittsburgh
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Update! 9/18/08 MKB
41 Ohio National Guardsmen receive traditional Serbian welcome of bread & salt, Sept. 6, 2008 at Pranjani!
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One of the greatest pleasures I had while on my recent trip to Serbia was meeting Lt. Col. John Cappello, USAF Air Attache´, his wife, and members of his staff at the home of Ms. Jennifer Brush, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the USA in Belgrade.
There, I was able to present him with a copy of the American SRBOBRAN, that featured 4 pages of the Tribute to OSS Radioman, Arthur Jibilian, in Toledo, Ohio that I had written up, along with the guest reporter, Jennifer Boresz, of WTOL. It was Jennifer who interviewed several of the rescued airmen in Ypsilanti, Michigan for her TV station.
Being in the Air Force, Lt. Col. Cappello immediately recognized the importance of Operation Halyard and is currently working on several projects (Museum/Library, etc.) to help the Serbs from that area as a "Thank You" for their sacrifices.
He also helped organize the following event!
On September 6, 41 members of the Ohio National Guard participated in the U.S. - Serbia State Partnership Program, arriving in Serbia on an Ohio Air National Guard aircraft. The Ohio delegation included members of the Ohio National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, the Ohio Air National Guard, and Senior Non Commissioned Officers from the Ohio Army and Air National Guard. The Guardsmen met their counterparts from the Serbian Armed Forces and participated in joint activities, including an exercise that simulates the support by military forces to a municipality following a natural disaster.
The joint exchanges provided the opportunity to share information between personnel of the Serbian military and the Ohio National Guard and to develop future opportunities for ongoing State Partnership Program activities.
On September 7th, the delegation had the honor to commemorate the historical military cooperation between the U.S. and Serbia during World War II and visit the village of Pranjani, the location of the Halyard Mission.
U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Cameron Munter, also accompanied the delegation.
Operation Halyard:
"During the summer of 1944 approximately 1, 000 U.S. airmen bailed out over German-occupied Yugoslavia, a significant number of them landing in Serbia. In a series of daylight and night airlifts, a team made up of troops of General Mihailovic's Royal Yugoslav Army in the Homeland and the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) evacuated over 300 U.S. airmen from the village of Pranjani. The rescue of the U.S. airmen involved small unit actions against German troops and put at risk entire Serb villages that sheltered the U.S. personnel. U.S. airmen bear testimony to the significant sacrifices of local Serb villagers who fed, cared for and protected them, in some cases up to six months."
The Halyard Mission is considered one of the greatest rescues of American airmen from behind enemy lines in the history of warfare.
Thank you, Lt. Cappello!
The only thing I question is the number rescued....
PA
