The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II

Wounded airmen and those who have been in Yugoslavia the longest receive priority for the first night’s evacuation. Six planes are expected. At 12 evacuees per plane, there will be room enough to get 72 airmen out of Yugoslavia on the first night. The OSS agents and airmen spend the day of August 9 reviewing preparations and making sure the landing strip is as smooth and clear as they can make it.

Musulin spots three German planes in the distance and sounds the alarm. Airmen and Chetniks take cover, but they know the Germans almost surely will spot the freshly cleared airstrip. Suddenly, Musulin notices “a most providential herd of cows sauntering onto the airstrip” (217) just in time for the German flyover, which gives the field the appearance of a farm and thus raises no suspicions.

Musulin remains nervous that the pilots still might sound the alarm, but Chetnik soldiers report no changes in Nazi activity. At 10:00pm, four C-47s approach, but two must turn back due to engine trouble, meaning that 24 of the 72 airmen who expected evacuation will have to remain behind for one more night. OSS agent Rajacich gives the prearranged signal and then lights the flares to illuminate the airstrip.