

May 29th Evacuation from Pranjani
British military missions with the Yugoslav Army in Homeland (JVuO, Chetniks) were being withdrawn, not to return. Along with more than 60 British mission personnel, 30 American airmen and two RAF officers that bailed out in Serbia from January were evacuated. Eight British escaped prisoners also had the chance to return home. George Musulin, from the OSS mission, was also withdrawn to Italy. However, he would soon return to Pranjani, to assist the increasing number of downed


Sunce day care for disabled in Prokuplje
On 21 May, the Halyard Mission Foundation was happy to see our friends at Sunce day care center for the disabled. The Foundation provided personal protection supplies for the center to help them to work during this difficult time.


Help for families in Kursumlija, day two
During the second day in Kursumlija we deliver additional packages of food to those in need. We are partnering with the Red Cross office in the Kursumlija municipality to help us reach those in remote areas. We also had the pleasure of visiting St Nicholas monastery and learn about one of the oldest religious sites in Serbia. Our talk with Father Gregory was fascinating. Thank you father...


Help for families in Kursumlija
We visited Kursumlija in south Serbia to deliver assistance to over fifty families in need. A beautiful area of Serbia, many in the municipality live in rural areas in difficult conditions. Those who are isolated face greater difficulties during this time of crisis.


May 18: Mission to Ploiesti
Another busy day for more than 200 US heavy bombers that attacked Ploiesti. Enemy defenses were prepared, and 14 planes were lost, five of which crashed in Yugoslavia.
Aircraft 42-52253 made an emergency landing in Montenegro at the only suitable airfield, near Podgorica, where they were immediately captured by the Germans. Another Liberator, No 42-78081, crashed in Macedonia. Local pro-Bulgarian militia killed one airman while capturing the others. A third B-24, 41-29246, r


Donation of masks for NOOIS
The Halyard Mission Foundation.donated 500 medical masks to the National Organization of Persons with Disabilities (NOOIS). The assistance was provided in partnership with Lifeline Chicago, the Pittsburgh Tri-State Committee and support from HRH Princess Katherine Foundation. The masks will be used by employees of the Alliances from the NOOIS network, who have started back at work. The donation was received on behalf of NOOIS by Vice President Mihailo Pajević and Executive Di


May 6th, Three Planes
On May 6th, 1944, while returning from missions in Romania, three bombers crashed in Serbia. Liberator No 42-52307 crashed near Tutin, and the entire crew of 10 was captured the Germans. Flying Fortress B-17 No 42-32022 was damaged over the target area. The pilot tried to keep pace with the group, but the damage progressively got worse, no longer able to maintain altitude. The crew bailed out near Požega and were chased by the Germans who captured three. The remaining seven


Humanitarian aid for Trstenik
The Halyard Mission Foundation is pleased to be providing humanitarian assistance to over 75 needy, disabled and elderly residents in Trstenik in the close cooperation and partnership with the municipality. This donation is made possible because of the support provided by LifeLine Chicago, Pittsburgh Tri-State Committee, HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation, and our individual supporters in the U.S. We are working with some local organizations doing difficult work within t


Big Noise from Kentucky
On May 5th, 1944, the 449 Bomb Group was attacking targets in Ploesti. While over the target, Liberator No 42-52149 "Big Noise from Kentucky" was hit and one engine was damaged. The plane remained in formation, but over Bor was hit again, resulting in additional damage to another engine. Since they could no longer keep altitude, an order was given to bail out. On the ground, they were immediately assisted by Serbian farmers and Chetniks, except the copilot who was captured by