18.11.2016.
Anniversary of Operation Halyard
On Galovica field, in the village of Pranjani, today, the anniversary of the Halyard mission has been marked. During the celebration of 72nd anniversary of the mission of rescuing Allied pilots, several historical boards were revealed and wreaths were laid.On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, the delegation of the Air Force and Air Defence, led by Brigadier General Savo Milenkovic, Commander of the 250th AD Missile Brigade, laid laurel wreath at Galovica field.
The wreaths were laid by representatives of the embassies of the United States and Great Britain, Air Force Europe, Foundation Halyard and local government.
In Pranjani, in fact, during World War II, the largest action of the Allied forces was organised to rescue American pilots behind enemy lines. The mission was named Halyard or "Air Bridge"; it lasted from May to September 1944, rescuing then 520 airmen and members of the crews of aircraft downed over Yugoslavia during the bombing of the Nazi oil refinery complex in the Romanian city of Ploiesti. The villagers of Pranjani who sheltered, cared for and fed pilots downed over Serbia, provided assistance in their rescuing. The local population also built the temporary runway at Galovica hill that allowed US planes to land and rescue their comrades.
PHOTOGALLERY
