The remarkable, previously undisclosed tale of World War II’s most extraordinary rescue mission unfolds—a daring operation by the OSS to recover over 500 airmen stranded behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia…
Amidst a bombing raid over Romanian oil fields, numerous American airmen were downed in Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia. Local Serbian farmers and peasants courageously risked their lives to shelter these soldiers while awaiting rescue. In 1944, Operation Halyard was conceived. The challenges were immense. The starving Americans in Yugoslavia had to construct a landing strip large enough for C-47 cargo planes—devoid of tools, without alerting the Germans, and without jeopardizing the villagers. Meanwhile, the cargo planes had to navigate enemy airspace safely, ensuring their return without falling prey to enemy fire.
Kept classified for over five decades due to political reasons, the complete chronicle of this unforgettable narrative of loyalty, selflessness, and valor is now revealed for the first time. “The Forgotten 500” provides an enthralling, behind-the-scenes perspective on the greatest World War II escape.