WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hi Guys,

Could someone help me with names of the American airmen who are still listed as missing in operations over Yugoslavia during WW2? Thank you in advance.

Aleks

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
To all of you I wish loads of health, happiness and clear blue sky!

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hello,

Have you any particular date, month or year in mind ?

Alex

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Without wishing to be pedantic - it was the USAAF, as the USAF was not founded until September 1947 - until then the USAAF had been part of the US Army.

But, to reiterate what Alex has written - what time frame do you have in mind.

Wishing you, and other members of this forum, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

regards

Allan

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hello Alex/Allan,

Maybe my question wasn’t formulated properly. I collected some data from MACRs and IDPFs related to US airmen KIA/MIA over Yugoslavia during WW2 (1943-1945). After the war US commission visited Yugoslavia during 1947-1948 in attempt to investigate and collect bodies of US airmen KIA/MIA with known burial locations. They managed to collect some of them but not all of them.
So, I’m looking for the names (if such data exists) of those that are STILL buried on the territory of former Yugoslavia. They were overlooked by commission from one reason or another. Like Brewer/Coulson case.
Allan, it seems that those “A” was also MIA… Thanks.

Aleks

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Aleks -

This will not help you very much, but many years ago, 30 to be exact, I spent two weeks at the U.S. National Archives in Washington researching the U.S. Army Graves Registration files looking for incidents where the Ustasa Vojnica and the Chetniks had captured and murdered American airmen who had baled out of their aircraft and come down in the former Yugoslavia.

These records as well as those of the U.S. Embassy Beograd and the U.S. Consulate Zagreb for the 1945-49 period have a huge amount of correspondence on your subject. If you cannot fly to Washington for a week, perhaps you can contact them through the NARA website.

Good luck!

L.

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Larry

Just for own curiosity when and according to your research the Chetniks murdered US airmen coze from 1944 on under D.Mihalovic they were called saviours and their leader was even awarded a US presidential medal for saving more that 550 US airmen lives . If the Chetniks were split in more fractions under separate leaders then that would make more sense . If the event took place in 1943 with limited US air campaigns over Yugoslavia please advice.

Happy Holidays
Alex K

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

This subject is so thoroughly discussed and well covered on Axis History Forum that it would be very tiresome and time-consuming to try and recapitulate it all here. I'll just say that the Chetniks rescued and protected downed Allied airmen during 1943-44 a good 95% of the time. However, there was a very independent group of Chetniks in Dalmatia that did not always see eye-to-eye with this policy. I found at least two cases of Chetniks in Dalmatia murdering Allied airmen in spring 1944. There were still numerous local witnesses there in 1945-47 who gave statements on these incidents. I also found several cases of Ustasa from the Obrana Zdrug (think Jasenovac) in the Sava Valley SE of Zagreb doing the same thing in fall 1944.

L.

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hi Larry

Many thanks for your respond. Somehow I was always thinking that some sort of list “must” exist. I’m quite sure that at that time US postwar commission must have their list of unfortunate airmen that they were looking for. That’s the one I have and most of you interested in the subject I believe. They also made the list of the airmen that they found I suppose (that’s the one I’m looking for). I’ll try with NARA, thanks for your suggestion.

Alex, Chetniks issue is quite complicated. I’ll absolutely agree with Larry that more or less crucial details were already discussed in life, time and nerve consuming topic on Axis forum years ago. There was couple of fractions as you said. Unfortunately I don’t have any info regarding 1943 period. Operation “Halyard” was the one that you are speaking about as largest rescue operation during WW2 behind enemy lines. There is no blockbuster movie about that one. Only very good US author book. US and other friendly airmen picked up by General Mihajlovic forces were in safe hands as far as I know. As Larry mentioned, in some cases other fractions killed US aviators, even exchange them with Germans for ammunition, food, etc. There were also cases that leaders and members of mentioned fractions were caught, trialed and executed by Gen. Mihajlovic forces. It’s not exactly my point of interest and knowledge so I don’t want to go off topic and provoke reactions.
I hope that there is someone on the 12’o clock who can help us to send those guys back home.
Mary Christmas to both of you!

Aleks

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Larry & Aleks

Thanks for updating me , while this may be boring and certainly time consuming
for you, for me this a new subject , because I have a complete list of the US airmen
which rescued by Mihalovic Chetniks ( Halyard ) and those by Tito partisans including
some captured by other fractions and Germans in 1943 ( Ops Tidalwave ) and 1944 enroute to or
returning from Romanian targets. I was not aware of any Dalmatian Chetniks which
may have operated near Austrian border and their atrocities against US airmen . In any
case thanks for the update again

BR
Alex K

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hello Aleks,

I have a list of some 500 or so US losses over Yugoslavia between 1943 and 1945.
Some 100 plus are where there are KIA's and MIA's. Also some aircraft do not have an MACR possibly because the crew came down in "Friendly" area's.

You may find this link helpful

http://www.7tharmddiv.org/docrep/ima...es/YUGOSLAVIA/

Also here are the Fighter Group losses - easier as only one man each aircraft.
18/10/43 - P38J-15 - 43-2552 - 97 FS/82FG - 2Lt J. Homan - KIA - MACR 990.
25/10/43 - P38G-13 - 43-2354 - 97FS/82FG - 2Lt R.B. Williams - MIA - MACR 1011.
10/01/44 - P47D-10-RE - 42-75006 - 319FS/325FG - Lt. Beverly E. Miller - Adriatic Sea - MACR 2061.
14/01/44 - P38G-15 - 43-2436 - 97FS/82FG - 2Lt Robert T. Voelker - KIA - MACR 1813.
14/01/44 - P38G-15 - 43-2556 - 97FS/82FG - 2Lt James T. Rogers - KIA - MACR 1812.
24/05/44 - P51B - 42-106595 - 309FS/31FG - Lt Harrison (NMI) Mann - Vis - MACR 6316.
02/07/44 - P51B-5 - 43-6746 - 334FS/4FG - Lt Ralph "Kidd" Hofer - KIA - MACR 6801.
03/09/44 - P51 - 2FS/52FG - Lt William R. Cowan - KIA - MACR ?
03/09/44 - P51 - 307FS/31 FG - Lt Sterling T. Zimmermann - MIA - MACR ?
07/11/44 - P38L-1-LO - 44-24035 - 95FS/82FG - 2Lt Philip Brewer - KIA - MACR 9694.
15/11/44 - P38J-10 - 42-67959 - 96FS/82FG - 2Lt Bowen Lindsay - KIA - MACR 10941.
04/01/45 - P47D-20-RE - 42-25296 - 85FS/79FG - Lt Wiliam Holding - KIA - MACR 10949.

Have a great Christmas
Alex

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hello again Alex,

You sure gave me very good material for weekend! It’s completely new to me. Many thanks! I would like to add one name on your FG losses list.

11/7/1944 - P-38J-15-LO - 43-28662 - 95th FS/82nd FG - 2/Lt Coulson, Eldon – KIA

Shot down in same combat as 2/Lt Brewer, Phillip. Both of them still buried here.

Best Regards

Aleks

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Aleks , the last two mentioned by you along with Capt King were engaged and shot down by Soviet 866 IAP Capt Koldunov along with his wingmen Lt's Krivonogih , Shypulya and Zhestovsky due to an incident on the ground mistakenly caused by 82nd FG leading to the death of Soviet General. This however is little or not at all related to the started topic. If I may add the US grave commission may have moved their remains back to the central US cemeteries in France or US sometime between '46 - '49 . Hard to believe they are still buried in Yugoslavia unless the relatives desired so.The 2 Soviet pilots also KIA on same day may have also been repatriated later on .

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Hello there Alex K,

You’re not off topic at all. I posted this one related to US aviators that are STILL in the missing category, like Brewer and Coulson. But not Cpt King. Captain King was not involved in aerial combat over Nis (Serbia) with Russians. He was downed on another location that same day, badly burned but alive. Take a look at IDPFs of Brewer/Coulson. If you don’t have them, please let me know.

Both, Brewer/Coulson are still buried here in Serbia, like 15-20 of US airmen as well. And it has nothing to do with wishes of their families or beloved ones or US Government WGC. They are just here, waiting. I started this topic because of them and other US aviators that are still here…

Kind Regards

Aleks

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Regarding both MIA 82FG pilots ,I don't know where did you pick up your info from , both Brewer and Coulson were declared MIA on Nov 7,1944 and their remains were never recovered due to a post crash fire . If there is a burial place in Yugoslavia this may just be a memorial only , either way please post a photo of the burial place you spoke about. In the mean time you may wanna look at this :

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...599666&df=all&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...023158&df=all&


As into to King OK and regarding the other 15-20 airmen I can't speak without knowing who were they

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Info came from Americans. Some sort of their commission visited Krusevac few months ago with information that Brewer is buried there (?!). They also claime that remains of him and Coulson are still here together with additional 16 US airmen. I don’t know about their source. I don’t know their names but I’m working on it.
According to witnesses both aviators or what was left of them were buried by Russians close to the gate of what today is Nis airfield. Two Russians pilots too. Small red wooden pyramid was posted on grave. If I understand well there is nothing there today that could point exact location of grave. Even if someone know the exact place , It’s not possible to take photo of location because part of Nis airfield is still military installation guarded by military police.
Thanks for links.
I noticed case X-56 via link that Alex S posted. P-38, November same year… Any ideas?

Aleks

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

I understand ,but again as on previous posts I am convinced that no foreign
airman is burried overthere . Also both Russian pilots remains were buried in
1945 in Soviet Union one of them was even awarded the order of the Red Banner for that
incident. Lt.Gen.Grigory Kotov killed on the ground by 82 FG was initially buried in Nis
then reburied in Odessa . For your info US grave commission removed all known
US airmen remains burried in Eastern Europe and Balkans to either US or France US central
cemetries. In some cases and based upon family members wishes the remains
were not reinterred . As into X-56 case I have no idea what that is and I can't
help further

Alex K

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Regarding X-56 I have determined the meaning of your Q. The golden wedding ring of a deceased or KIA USMC enlisted or officer found at the wreckage of Lt Brewer not at all connected to Brewer is as puzzling as the fate of 2nd Lt.Lawrence A Grazin from Intl.Falls MN ( not L.L.Grazin ) a transport C-47 pilot of the 13th Air Force killed in non battle in South Pacific who was initially burried in Belgrade and later on in Hawai . Who knows what went wrong in WWII with mortuary shipping services of the US Armed Forces GC.

http://www.7tharmddiv.org/docrep/ima...ND%29/X-23.pdf

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...776440&df=all&

https://www.wwiimemorial.com/Registr...noreeID=304080

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

Some 220 American airmen are still listed as missing over Yugoslavia.
Most of them over Adriatic, so finding their remains is impossible, unless they are still in the aircraft wreck.

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

That is very interesting claim, but I seriously doubt it.
How did you made this list?
How many names are on chetnik list?

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

If you seriously doubt something then is worth sticking
to your doubts rather expect an answer , at least I would
do so ! Second of regarding your other post as into the
B-24 over Brod, there is no need for you to repeat the
stuff and details already given by the other,period .

Re: WW2 USAF airmen MIA over Yugoslavia
 

If you are referring to this topic:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=44000

Please note that I added information that 7 crew members were rescued by partisans, based on their Escape statements.

Your claim given in this post
is not correct for following reason:
- First evacuation in Halyard mission was on August 9. Three months after you claim it happened.
- There were no chetnik units in that area (Slavonia), nor source that airmen were rescued by them.

So, if you on one side claim that you have list of airmen rescued during Halyard mission, and on other side you don't know when first evacuation was, I can really doubt your claim.

-----

I made pretty complete list of airmen rescued from Yugoslavia. For most of them I have MACR (lot of them were not made), and for some 80% I have escape statements. With combination of those two documents, with other sources, I believe that I listed more than 98% of Americans rescued from Yugoslavia (missing 2% is my estimate).

Regarding chetniks: I have found documents for almost every airmen rescued during Halyard, found other that were rescued apart from that mission, others that were handed over to partisans, and some cases where airmen were given to Germans.
Overall, I know all about making such list.

-----

So, once again, how did you made your list?