Op Frantic - Winter Detachment

[Lee Trimble]

My father, Captain Robert M. Trimble (pilot of 35 bombing missions out of England in WWII) was sent after his tour to Poltava Air Base, Ukraine. The Soviets, even my father, believed he was there to help repair and return downed bombers in Soviet/Polish territory. When he arrived in February 1945, he was informed his mission was to rescue downed aircrews, POWs and expatriates of the West. He flew, then went on foot to areas around Lvov, Lublin and Crakow.
He told me it was a mission associated with the OSS, and he was often tracked by "bird dogs" (NKVD). On one notable mission, he found and arranged rail passage for 400 French women to Odessa. They had been released by the fleeing Germans.
From April to June, 1945, he was Commander of Eastern Command, Poltava. This was also part of the American "Mission to Moscow".
I have confirmed his presence in Russia, his rise to command, and rescue of a few air crews (AFHRA and US National Archives). I have not been able to find specific info on any OSS connection with Russia, or the rescue of the 400 French women, though I have no doubt these are true.
If anyone has information about these events, I would be grateful. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Lee

[Larry deZeng]

Isn't there a National Intelligence Library (or) Archive in WashDC? If that's the name of it, then they have a lot of published material and manuscripts there on the OSS. Also, the main OSS documentation is in Record Group 226 at the National Archives in College Park. The archivists there should be able to help you find what you are looking for.

L.