Lynn Fairbanks
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THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/02/2007 04:47:23 PM
Am reading a new book by Gregory Freeman entitled THE FORGOTTEN 500--the story of airmen who were shot down during attacks on Romanian targets (after Tidal Wave) and their being rescued by the Yugoslavian underground and OSS. The airmen, along with partisans, constructed airfields under the Germans' noses big enough for C-47's to land. Just started it but the book looks extremely interesting. Just thought there might be interest.
Lynn Fairbanks
History Dept.
Paramount HS
Paramount, CA
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G M Strong
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/02/2007 06:31:42 PM
Is Capt. Tom Oliver part of the story?? I assume he must be. I have to get this one.
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Lynn Fairbanks
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/02/2007 10:06:48 PM
Yes, Capt. Oliver is in the book--in fact (I've just started it) but a check of the index shows numerous pages with references to him.
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jpeters140
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/02/2007 10:11:41 PM
Lynn...Also the repatriation of the interned Roumanian POWs was accomplishd by B-17s of the 5th Wing in Italy. The B-24s nose wheels were considered too fragile to land on the rough landing fields.
A ME-109 piloted by a Roumanian pilot with the POW Commander. as a passenger behind the pilot, was flown to Bari, Italy to arrange for the transportation...with the P-51 escort fighters overhead, the B-17s landed and evacuated the POWs.
Jim :-)
James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions 99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45 M/Sgt USAF (Retired)
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ng19delta
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/03/2007 01:29:28 AM
Read Bill Fili's book, "Passage to Valhalla" available through Filcon Publishers, Media, Pa. It has some very good reading about his time as a P.O.W in Roumania, as well as his personal involvement/recollections of Lt. Colonel James Gunn, who flew as baggage & Constantine Cantacuzino, a Roumanian fighter pilot who flew the ME-109 to San Giovanni Airfield, Italy. www.ploiesti.net Robbie
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jpeters140
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/03/2007 03:09:09 AM
Robbie, thanks for the correction.....San Giovanni Airfield Italy, instead of Bari....(I flew on B-17s).
Jim :-)
James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions 99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45 M/Sgt USAF (Retired)
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G M Strong
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/03/2007 08:14:34 AM
Last I checked Tom Oliver was still living in Rapid City, SD. Still has well kept handlebars. He had e-mail though I have not sent one in awhile.
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Armyappreciator
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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09/12/2007 09:36:13 PM
Hi Lynn,
I'm glad you are enjoying this important book ! Please take a look at the review of "The Forgotten 500" that I just posted. I wanted to clarify something for you and the readers - "partisans", in the context of Yugoslavia and the Second World War, refers to the Yugoslav communist forces who fought under the command of Marshal Tito. The Chetniks, who fought under the command of General Draza Mihailovich, was the group of rescuers involved in Operation Halyard, not Tito's partisans. Thank you for initiating this post. This is an important new book that needs to be read.
Take care,
Army Appreciator
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WillowRun
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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04/24/2008 07:01:52 PM
Thought I'd refresh this post as I am about a third of the way through the book: The Forgotten 500. I am finding it very interesting, and it is one that you can "pick up and read in small batches." It's been staring at me for some time on my "unread stack" so I thought I'd give it some attention! Best Regards! Steven
Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl Willow Run Historian (RET.)
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators Life Member: Yankee Air Museum
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WillowRun
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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06/01/2008 09:31:17 AM
Lynn, FINALLY FINISHED IT! I had started and worked thru several others at the same time. I found it very interesting and most especially in regard to the compassion of the peasants toward the American flyers under extreme conditions and duress. Not my ordinary reading fare, but I am glad that I read it. Having taught in Secondary Education for ten years prior to entering GM at the former FO WR Plant (a B-24/Historian dream), I appreciate diversity in reading and book recommendations in the aviation field and WWII! Thanks! Best Regards! Steven
<message edited by WillowRun on 06/01/2008 09:39:11 AM >
Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl Willow Run Historian (RET.)
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators Life Member: Yankee Air Museum
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jj463rd
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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06/01/2008 11:51:21 PM
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WillowRun
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RE: THE FORGOTTEN 500
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06/06/2008 09:16:54 AM
Jonathan, Thanks for the tip, and I have already gone to YouTube to view the clips. Believe it or not, many of us "chronologically gifted" folks have stepped into the electronic age, albeit with reluctance at times, and what a blessing this Site has been! Best "D-Day" Regards! Steven
Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl Willow Run Historian (RET.)
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators Life Member: Yankee Air Museum
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