Thursday, April 29, 2010

Земни остаци генерала Михаиловића






Ada Ciganlija, Belgrade / Photo by Milica Prodanovic Sept. 2007


Није више далеко. Марта 2010. године група Срба је објавила да ће овог пролећа почети са копањем на Ади Циганлији за земним остацима Драже Михаиловића. Ада Циганлија, врста полуострва реке Саве крај Београда, била је некад озлоглашено место где су „непожељне елементе“ убијали. Данас, „Ада“ је једно од најпопуларнијих места уживања у Србији где на хиљаде посетилаца дневно ужива у природи, плажама и спортским активностима. Ко би икад знао да је ово некад било поље безбројног злочиначког убијања. Верује се да земља овога, сада забавног дела Београда, крије земне остатке генерала Драже Михаиловића, погубљеног Врховног команданта Југословенске војске у отаџбини у Другом светском рату. То је овде где ће копање почети сада када је стигло пролеће. Ако овде ненађу оно за чим трагају, неће престати, прећи ће на друго место.



Ada Ciganlija Promenade at Dusk by Milos Rancic April 2008


17 јула 1946. године, после претворног суђења „издајнику народа“, које је, у поређењу, учинило суђење О.Ј. Симпсону парагоном судске врлине, југословенски комунисти, одани Јосипу Брозу, су извршили смртну казну коју је Тито захтевао. Тито се коначно решио свог противника, Михаиловића, четничког борца за слободу, и истинског демократе који је до краја остао веран и истинит западним савезницима иако су га напустили и издали, и који је зарадио поштовање, поверење и љубав свог народа. Јосип Броз је био лукав човек. Тито је знао да иако ће погубљење Драже Михаиловића истог подићи у мученика, да ће сакривање његових посмртних остатака гарантовати да неће бити гроба палог генерала. Зато није било опела, није било „званичног“ погреба и неће бити ни гроба, у овом случају, још важније, неће бити светишта знаном јунаку где би генерације долазиле да му се поклоне, да му захвале, а кад отаџбина зовне, да нађу надахнуће.

Зато, нико није смео да зна где су га затрпали. Можда је Тито рачунао да „оно што не видиш – лакше заборавиш“. Али, чак и препредени људи, као што је Јосип Броз био, који је још од самог почетка успона на моћ у Југославији био усусређен на успостављање култа личности, што би чак Хитлера, Стаљина и Черчила учинило завидним, имали су своја ограничења. Он није рачунао да ће жила куцавица, коју је Дража дотакао у народу, бити тако ненадмашна да ће превазићи и време и место, тако да ће народ, који није био ни рођен до дуго после Другог светског рата и хиљаде километара далеко од места где је био вођен, бити дотакнут урођеним врлинама истог.


Тито, такође, није могао да предвиди снагу ДНА технике, супериорног алата у трагању и откривању пуно тога скривеног у земљиној утроби. Тако, чак ни Тито, који је мислио да је све завршено јула 1946. године, није могао сасвим да „заврши посао“ како би остао потпуно завршен јер мртви имају начин да говоре, нарочито они којима су животи скраћени неправедним, аморалним деловањима.


Већ дуго времена, тачније речено годинама, навраћам се на чињеницу да гроба још увек нема, да се не трага за остацима и колика је то срамота. Како је могуће да нема сведока тог великог злочина. За време моје прве посете Србији у зиму 1995. године, фантом „нема гроба“ ме је морио. Онда, кад ми је синуло да је Дражин дух СВУДА у Србији, била сам утешена. Био је сувише велик да би био садржан у неком малом месту.


Иако је то богојављење учинило да се много боље осећам, наставила сам да протетствујем, јер није било праведно да после лажног суда у Београду и злочиначког погубљења истинског родољуба, Михаиловић није имао пристојну сахрану. Он није умро у некој страној земљи. Он је погубљен у својој отаџбини, он је умро, искрено речено, за своју отаџбину. Поред пуно тога зашто Срби с правом оптужују западне савезнике, постоји и Србијино властито бреме и одговорност за трајну срамоту што сам ја испољила још првог септембра 2006. године:


Србија дугује дуг.

За разлику од свог супарника, вође комуниста Југославије, маршала Јосипа Броза – Тита, генерал Дража Михаиловић је био и остао истински човек народа његове вољене Србије. Чак и онда кад је помињан као први стварни и успешан вођа отпора у окупираној Европи у току Другог светског рата, Генерал Михаиловић је остао скроман човек кога је народ поштовао и волео. Не само да није лажи народу говорио него није ни за влашћу жеднио. Срце му је рањавано жртвама које је његов народ добровољно подносио за савезничку ствар. Народ је остао веран Михаиловићу као што је он остао веран савезницима - до краја.

То је легат који је Тито хтео да уништи, у чему је међу младима земље скоро успео – пропаганда је моћно оружје.


Још много тога није у реду у Србији. Док постоји „кућа цвећа“ комплетирана са лепим парком на Дедињу, једном од богатијих предела Београда, где бронзани лик диктатора Тита гледа на маузолеум од белог мермера декорисан црвеним плишаним драперијама, које окружују његов од мермера масивни, златом исписан гроб, дотле не само да нема надгробног камена, већ нема никаквог посмртног обележја за вољеног генерала Михаиловића у целој Србији.


Чак се не зна ни где је закопан.


Србија мора да то исправи. Она то дугује генералу Дражи Михаиловићу. Oна то дугује не само народу који га је волео већ и њиховом потомству које једино зна легенду али које одржава завештање човека, који јесте био човек из народа у истинском смислу те речи, који је био присутан вођа „у рововима“са својим људима, који није сматрао да му је народ на личном располагању, и који је изабрао да, остане у Србији и сретне своју судбину уместо да је напусти кад му је то понуђено, и који је платио својим животом за бескомпромисну љубав коју је гајио за своју отаџбину.


Србија дугује.“

_________________


Пре годину дана, марта 2009. године, Српска народна одбрана (СНО) у Америци је објавила награду коју ће добити она особа која нађе посмртне остатке генерала Михаиловића и пошто се докаже да су заиста његови. Док, не могу да говорим о ранијим понудама и изазовима нити да ли их је било, знам да се овај нарочити изазов чуо широм света и да је изазвао велико комешање и интерес да сам, ускоро после понуде, рекла председнику СНО г. Славку Пановићу да сам уверена да ће ова иницијатива имати добре резултате и да би без исте трагање за Михаиловићевим земним остацима највероватније остало заувек успавано.


Mноги су прихватили зов да се пронађу ти остаци а међу њима су Александар Чотрић и његова група у Србији који о овом подухвату већ дуго размишљају и којих су и намере и мотиви, ја верујем, чисти.


Јуна 2009. године, у разговору са г. Пановићем, у односу на све ово, он је рекао нешто што се дубоко урезало. Рекао је нешто попут „цела српска нација је сахрањена са Михаиловићем.“ Другим речима, са његовом смрћу, нешто битно у срцу српске нације је умрло исто тако. Можда, наласком Михаиловићевих земних остатака и поштованим третирањем истих, српска нација и њен национални дух ће моћи да нађу себе поново.

Ја сам сигурна да ће се у 2010. години коначно наћи земни остаци. Истраживање ће наћи нешто. Добиће се ДНА доказ. Али тада, бојим се, ствари би могле да се поремете ако небудемо довољно опрезни и одрасли како неби препредености дозволили никакву улогу. Искушења нађу начин да помоле главу.


Кад су остаци нађени – шта онда! Настављам са неколико питања до којих сам дошла размишљањем:


Где ће се пронађене мошти чувати док не дође време сахране?


Где ће се опело одржати и како ће бити организовано?


Где ће Генерал Михаиловић бити сахрањен?


Ко ће водити погребом?


Да ли ће погреб и комеморативни сервис бити јаван или приватан?


Ко ће бити позван да присуствује?


Шта ће гробно место сачињавати? Избор надгромног споменика и шта ће на њему писати?



То је оно, ја сам сигурна, што се мора узети у обзир да би се посмртни остаци Драже Михаиловића, ако се пронађу, сахранили на достојан начин који је он и заслужио.

Пошто ће Срби бити ти који ће доносити одлуке, ствари би могле да буду, најблаже речено, врло живахне заиста, јер није лако за нас Србе – а што је једна од наших карактеристика – да постигнемо сагласност најчешће зато, што нисмо довољно вољни а не зато што заиста не можемо!


Мене интересује да ли су моћни Србије чак и почели да расматрају слично овим питањима и могућност сродних и ненамерних ситуација које ће највероватније искрснути. Надам се да јесу.


Свеједно, иако мене сигурно нико неће питати, овде је моја кратка листа онога што мора да се деси:

Председник Србије мора да присуствује сахрани - Србија дугује.


Премијер Велике Британије би морао да присуствује – јер Британија дугује.


Председник САД би морао да присуствује - Америка дугује.


Генерал Михаиловић – ако ме чујеш – има нас много широм света у чијим ћеш срцима Tи заувек живети без обзира да ли ћете икада пронаћи или где ћете достојно сахранити. Задње 64 године твој дух је свуда где нас има и ту ће заувек и бити. Ја се надам да, ако Те нађу, да ће Те третирати са поштовањем овога пута.





Александра Ребић
Aприл 2010


_______________________

To read this same essay in English, please click below:

The Remains of Mihailovich

*****

To get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com

*****

Sunday, April 25, 2010

"Me and Jibby" - Sam Subotich remembers his friend "Uncle Arthur" Jibilian and the Quest for Truth and Justice

Aleksandra's Note: I know I'm definitely biased, but that's okay. I've had the great fortune of becoming acquainted with many Serbs in America who reflect the very best virtues of Serbdom. This is the story of one such Serbian gentleman who was born in the United States. If you are looking for a dedicated, giving, patriotic, passionate Serb with a huge heart, and that heart in the right place, you need look no further than Sam "Savo" Subotich of Michigan.

Thank you, Sam, for this wonderful account of your friendship with our mutual friend "Arthur" who has left us both enriched and inspired to continue the quest for truth and justice.

Sincerely,

Aleksandra Rebic

*****


"ME AND JIBBY"

by Sam Subotich


Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian (left) and Sam Subotich
"Tommy's" Restaurant in Sylvania, Ohio
October 3, 2004
Photo courtesy of Sam Subotich


Well, how do I begin?  My father, Bozidar ("Robert") Subotich was in the U.S. Navy in WWII and always talked about General Mihailovich and the gallant Chetniks. He saved many articles, bought books, and, in general, was always looking for answers as to the truth of what really happened back in his country of birth. He instilled that in me, and there started my lifelong quest for answers.


When the communists took control of Yugoslavia after WWII, their lies never seemed to end. I was mystified. These lies continued on all fronts. One prime example was the 1978 movie “Force 10 from Navarone” starring Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford and Richard Kiel. This movie was based on a book by Alistair MacLean. It showed the "collaborationist Chetniks" as being under German control and led by "General Drazak" (note the “k”) portrayed by Richard Kiel (aka: "Jaws" from the James Bond movies), and this really boiled my blood, as this movie even portrayed Chetniks killing American airmen! How could this lie be allowed?!


The "Freedom of Information Act" and the release of previously classified information regarding General Mihailovich's Legion of Merit Medal, which was posthumously awarded him in 1948 by President Truman, along with the continued outreach by the rescued airmen of "Operation Halyard", especially Major Richard L. Felman, whom I was proud to call my friend, fueled and aided my quest. It wasn't until Aleksandra Rebic and her father had an outstanding event in April 1993, at the Congress Hotel in Chicago to honor the 100th birthday of General Mihailovich, that my quest gained a permanent foothold. This is when I knew it was going to be a lifelong goal to pursue the truth and make it known. Even historians with Masters Degrees are not aware of the "Halyard Mission", the remarkable event in our history which was the essence of this quest for truth and justice. Since then, I have written hundreds of letters to various groups, politicians, and publications in support of the truth and to inspire the establishment of a monument to General Mihailovich in Washington D.C. as a reflection of American gratitude for all that Mihailovich did for the Allies in WWII. The late Senator Strom Thurmond was one of our Senators who really gave his support to the House Bill which was initiated on behalf of this effort, only to be told “No, we already have too many statues." Bills were initiated on behalf of this cause in both the House and the Senate, but the effort never came to fruition due to "political considerations".


It was really in these times that I sought out my heroes such as Major Richard L. Felman, Captain Nick Lalich, local Ravna Gora Chetniks, and especially OSS radio man Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian who lived in nearby Fremont, Ohio. Though Art did not attend the Chicago celebration, I knew that nothing was going to stop me from meeting him and welcoming him to the Serbian community here in America.  Arthur had a story to tell, and I was going to make sure it was told. So, in the spring of 1993, Art and I corresponded via letters and telephone calls numerous times, but it wasn't until we met several times at my sister’s restaurant, "Tommy's", in nearby Sylvania,Ohio with his lovely wife Jo, that this smiling, gentle man, and my American hero, would be embedded in my heart forever. Later, I know I was in his heart too, as he presented me with 2 gold coins that he received during his trip to Serbia in 2005 to honor General Mihailovich. It was then that they presented the General's daughter "Gordana" with the "Legion of Merit" Medal that had been awared to General Mihailovich posthumously and "secretly" in 1948. Unfortunately, influenced by our State Department, there was little media attention given to this historical event in 2005 as they did not want to compromise the current talks on Kosovo.

My wife Susan, who is Armenian like Arthur, has a grandmother who knew the Jibilians and thinks her sister dated Art. Grandma is 97 years old. It was then that our Serbian-Armenian ties got even stronger, and the man I had called "Jibby" became "Uncle Arthur".  Both he and his wife "Aunt Jo" said they liked these terms, as neither of them had siblings with children so as to be called Uncle and Aunt, so it stuck. "With pride," I may add.


During these "early years" in our friendship, I told Arthur about the Tuskegee Airmen and their contributions to the Halyard Mission Rescue Operation in 1944 Yugoslavia. I also met with one of them, Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, author of “Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free”. As a WWII P-51 pilot, Lt. Col. Jefferson was not even aware of the extent of these escort missions, or their assistance in the massive evacuations conducted by the Serbs loyal to General Mihailovich. 

Through the years, Uncle Arthur and I would send each other numerous articles. Occasionally, he would send me a Serbian letter for my family to translate. What I cherished most was his photo collection. He would take the time and care to make copies of his photos for me and wrote a narrative on each before mailing them. Many of these had never been made "public" before. I had dreams of writing a book that would include these special photographs, or at least presenting them to the Smithsonian Institute. Thank God, Gregory Freeman wrote “The Forgotten 500”, and it was published in 2007, as this was one of the best things that ever happened for the recognition of the Halyard Mission, next to Arthur!


I wrote about Uncle Arthur to both of our church publications and wrote to numerous historical societies, aviation groups and magazines with limited success. Most of the politicians I wrote to responded quite similarly with, “Thank you for your letters, as we are all for helping our Vets.” It was the Serbian community who really supported, and fell in love with Arthur. Our "Jibilian Legions" grew through the years, but I would like to especially thank two of them: Aleksandra Rebic and Mim Bizic, who are relentless and tireless in their efforts to make the truth known. Their Web sites and persistence are surpassed by none, and every Serbian alive should be grateful they are writing for us. They are my friends, and I love them. Please visit their web sites: www.generalmihailovich.com and http://www.babamim.com/.


One of the biggest highs and also the biggest lows for “Me and Jibby” was in July 2005, when I met Lt. Col. Oliver North at the USS Indianapolis (CA35) reunion. I told him all about the Halyard Mission, Uncle Arthur’s photo collection and his documentations. Lt. Col. North not only contacted Arthur but flew him and a couple of other rescued airmen to the FOX studios in New York to film a documentary segment to be aired on his famous TV show: “Oliver North's War Stories”. Could this be our big break? We got word of the date that the show would air. How exciting! Both "Uncle Arthur" and I told everyone we could think of! Friends, family, historical groups, etc… As we set our recorders and watched with eager excitement and anticipation, nothing about the Halyard Mission was presented. Art was bitterly disappointed. They said it was a "scheduling problem", and that the Halyard Mission presentation would possibly be shown that fall. It never was. My guess was that Lt. Col. North was just following the State Department's wishes like a good soldier…

Sam Subotich and Lt. Col. Oliver North
Indianapolis, Indiana
July 22, 2005
Photo courtesy of Sam Subotich


One of my favorite memories of Uncle Arthur was on Flag Day, June 14th, 2008, at Ohio's Metcalf Field near Toledo. The Toledo chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Yankee Air Force, (of whom I'm a life member #2151WR), honored our dear Arthur with a fly-in aboard our beautifully restored B-17 bomber called "Yankee Lady". With honor guards present and 512 American Flags on the ground for each of "Halyard's" rescued American airmen who were evacuated from Yugoslavia in 1944, a fitting tribute was given to Arthur with speeches and awards. This beautiful sunny day will live with me forever, as family and friends honored Arthur and the Halyard Mission. Too bad the Yankee Air Force did not see fit to publish an account of this event in their newsletter, but we are all used to that... This was also the first time I met my friend Milana Bizic, the lovely lady known "Baba Mim", in person!

Metcalf Field, Ohio June 14, 2008
Left to Right: Debi Jibilian (Arthur's daughter),
Friend of Mim Bizic, Arthur Jibilian, Sam Subotich
and Milana "Mim" Bizic

 As letters turned into emails, Uncle Arthur and I continued our mutual fight to honor General Draza Mihailovich. In 2009, in one of the great highlights of his long, incredible life, Arthur Jibilian was nominated for the coveted Congressional Medal of Honor, and we were ecstatic! As Art would often say: “Sam, this is not about me; this is about General Mihailovich and the Serbian people, and if I can get the Congressional Medal of Honor, think of the weight this would bring, although I must admit, I am absolutely thrilled to have even been nominated."  Arthur died on March 21, 2010 with the quest for the medal still pending...


I'm proud of Uncle Arthur for all his efforts and persistence to promote his story and this EPIC adventure called The Halyard Mission. Whether he was speaking at VFW halls, American Legion halls, Air Shows, Reunions, Parades, Radio Shows or the many Veteran events that he participated in, he spoke eloquently, first hand, and always with a smile. I will really miss all his emails informing me of his latest quests, yet, aside from his family and us, his friends, it is the proponents of the Halyard Mission and the Serbian people who will really feel the loss.


May God Rest Your Soul Uncle Arthur! Your life’s work is done and you can be proud. You have my promise that your "Jibilian Legions" will carry on your gallant fight for justice!


Memory Eternal!


Sam "Savo" Subotich
April 24, 2010
 
 
*****
 
If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com
 
 
*****
 

Thursday, April 22, 2010

"Leaving Home" - A Chetnik father is reunited with his Serbian family

The following personal account by Angeliya Kuraica, the daughter of a Chetnik freedom fighter, was published in the Vaskrs (Easter) issue of "Britic - A British Serb Magazine" April 2010


From the editors of Britic:


Angeliya Kuraica

Anđelija Kuraica arrived in Britain in 1957 aged just 15 years old. She married Petar Zarač in 1964 and they went on to have 3 children, Milan, Milena and Rajko. Anđelija never went to school in England and started work almost immediately. She worked up to retirement, often doing two jobs at a time. She has been very active with the Pokret Chetnika since coming to Britain and has held many positions within the organisation, always working closely with the Church committee and the Serbian community. Anđelija is now 67 years old and retired. She devotes much of her time to the Church and is currently the President of the Derby Parish.






"Leaving Home"

by Angeliya Kuraica

Thinking back to when I was two years old, I have a few vague images. I remember sitting on the floor and eating my dinner when I was too small to reach the table while the rest of the family sat around the table eating theirs.


I can also remember my father’s rifle propped up by the door, his back turned to me. He wore a green army cap. That was all I could remember of him before he left.


As a child I lived in the beautiful countryside of a big round valley, called Plavno which was in Dalmatia, in the area of Yugoslavia between Croatia and Bosnia. It had been part of the old Austrian Military Frontier or "Vojna Krajina" (Voynah Krynah) and was about 5 miles in diameter and round like a plate. Forty-four villages surrounded the valley, and mountains rose all the way around it.


Our valley was rich in all kinds of produce. There were corn and wheat fields, vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens. Water springs were everywhere, and water mills were scattered over the meadows.


One of the very early schools in Dalmatia was opened there in 1770 by Dositej Obradović, the Serbian academic. Later, in 1878, an Englishwoman, Miss Adeline Pauline Irby from Norfolk, built a big new school in Plavno. In that school, I had some happy times – and some sad ones.


After World War II, the children whose families had fought against the Communists were made into examples. The people in my country had lots of religious traditions for Christmas, Easter and saints’ days. For the Communists, getting rid of these customs was proving to be very hard.


Very often my teacher spoke against the side on which my father had fought. I knew my father, Josip Kuraica, had served in the Serbian Chetniks under Vojvoda Momchilo Djujich of the Dinar Division, and I stood by my desk, a lump in my throat and red-faced, while the teacher would say, “Her father and others believed in God. Anđelija was in Church yesterday.


He would continue, “There is no God. You are not allowed to go to Church! Have you seen God there?”


I couldn’t speak, but I thought, “If only my dad were here, they would leave me alone.”


As the teacher spoke, everybody laughed except my friend Dushanka. One day, she quite casually said, “Sir, the wind is blowing. Can you see it?


He was shocked by her question and ordered us both to sit down.


That day, like many before, I told my neighbours to go home without me. Then I went to sit by the wall or near a bush to try to work out the situation between home and school.


I was happy at home with my grandfather’s teachings. I just loved our traditions except for my unhappy times at school when we would have “moral guidance” instructions.


At home, I was taught to believe in God, and I went to Church with my mother. Trying to balance home and school, my mind was doing overtime.


In Church, my eyes searched from icon to icon. I thought all of the saints were looking at me with their beautiful, calm eyes. I couldn’t understand why it was so wrong to go to Church when I felt so happy there. There were too many questions and no answers.


When I was alone, all I could think of was my father. If only I could see him! Whenever I met a stranger, I looked into his face to see if, by some miracle, he could be my dad. I was always searching for the impossible.


The nice clothes from England that my dad sent me were a constant reminder of him. That was more annoying for the Communist children. Many were the tears I shed where no one knew – alone in the attic.


When I was sitting quietly in my attic and looking through my window, I watched the stars. I tried to imagine that my dad in England was looking at the same stars. Then I felt happy and close to him.




At other times, I wasn’t sure at all that he could see those same stars. I would think that maybe he wasn’t even looking. Then I felt very sad and shed my heartfelt tears.

When I was fifteen, we learned that some ladies with children were trying to get passports to go to England and join their husbands who, like my father, had left Yugoslavia. My mother asked me if I would like to go to England, but I wasn’t sure because I knew I would have to leave my home and my family for something very different.


I also knew that, if I didn’t go, I wouldn’t be able to see my dad ever. In the end, he won my heart. I finally said “Yes.”

For many reasons, our family didn’t want us to go. First of all, we had a good home and a good standard of living. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, my grandparents couldn’t bear to lose my mum, sister and me. They had lost my dad to the world, and they knew that they would never see him again, but to let us go would be a tragedy for them.




Those days it was very difficult to get passports in a Communist country, but it had to be done. We kept our secret plan from the rest of the family too. Only Mum and I knew.


First Mum and I went to see the Mayor of Plavno because not only was he a distant cousin of my dad, he was also a Communist war hero. Mum told him what she was planning to do and asked if he could help us.


He listened and said that he could, but he warned her that it was going to be difficult. He said we would have to bribe some officials to keep them quiet. She understood.


When we got our passports, Mum took my sister Milka and me to town and had beautiful, deep blue dresses made for us. They were long-sleeved and nicely fitted at the waist. The very flared skirts came down to our knees.

When we brought them home, my mum hung them in our bedroom and covered them with our jackets. The next morning, my grandmother, Baba Đuja, came into our bedroom, and when she saw those dresses, she guessed that we were getting ready to leave.


She questioned us. When we answered, she started to cry. We said, “Baba, you mustn’t tell anybody yet or Mum will be very upset.”


That night, when the evening meal was prepared by our baba and all the family was there, Baba told Grandfather and the rest of our family that Mum was going to take us away to England. Baba started to cry again.


“You can’t do that to us,” she said to my mum. “Please tell us you will not. Please.” Mum was quiet.

Without a word, Granddad’s tears poured down his face. Marko Kuraica was a proud gentleman and well respected in the community, and seeing the tears on his face was enough to make the rest of us cry – except my mum.


It was only then that the daunting prospect of leaving home and going to a foreign country hit me too. Mum looked numb. No one felt like eating. Our news had come as a complete surprise to the rest of the family.


When several minutes passed, my granddad composed himself, turned to my mum and said, “Draga, is that true?”


“Yes, if I can”, Mum replied. “We don’t have our visas yet so, if certain people in authority find out, we might have problems, so you will have to keep it quiet.”


But that would be impossible with Grandma constantly crying. It was decided that Uncle Ilija would go to Zagreb to get the visas.


Then Granddad started to cry again. He asked, “Is that what you really want?”


“It is.”


“In that case, you and the children must go with Ilija before anyone finds out what is going on.”


That evening all the family was crying. My grandparents were two very sad people, and then there was Uncle Milan, Aunt Marija, and Aunt Đuka.


The next day, on December 17, 1957, I remember being dressed in my bedroom with my head turned towards the wall. I was crying.


When they found out we were leaving, all of our neighbours came ‘round. Everybody was crying. My friends were saying that they did not want me to go, and I didn’t really know what I wanted. I wanted both: to go and to stay. But that was impossible. Of course, I had to go.


I remember scratching the paint from my bedroom wall and thinking that I would never see my room again. I thought, “This is my home. This is where I was born. Where am I going? Why?”


I didn’t like this situation which forced me to choose. To me, life seemed very cruel. That was the saddest day in my life. I loved my grandparents and the rest of my family, and now it was time to leave them and go to some place called “England”.


“England” didn’t mean anything to me. The only thing I knew was that my father was there and my parents wanted to live a normal life as a family. In my geography class, I had seen a map of England, and I looked for the place we were going called Leicester. I had learned that England was mainly industrial and that the capital city was London, but that was all.


When we finally started to walk away from home, we left my grandfather in bed. He was so ill he couldn’t come out of the house. He was crying and said that we had broken his heart. He told us that after my father had left our country and my Uncle Marko had died at the age of 28, without children, we were the only reason that he enjoyed living. Without us, all the hard work of building his home and farm suddenly had no meaning for him.


Grandma Đuja followed us with two of her friends on each side. She was crying her heart out. I was with my friends, and my sister with hers, walking down the valley with all of our neighbours. As we passed other villages, people came out, some crying, some sending their regards to their loved ones, some saying good-bye to us.

It was heartbreaking for me. I wanted to memorize every last look of my Plavno Valley and of my friends. That was going to be the last time I would ever see them and Plavno Valley.


When we arrived at the train station, my mum’s sister and sister-in-law were there with all my cousins. It was complete chaos. Once more, I had to say good-bye to my home, my past, my family, my relatives, and my friends.


The feelings were choking me when the train started pulling out of the station. I felt that part of my life was left behind on the platform. I felt that my chest was going to explode. I was gasping for breath while we were waving good-bye to everyone and to everything we knew and loved. My throat was very sore, and I had a horrible pain across my stomach. I sobbed until I lost my strength only to find out it would be five days before I would see my long-lost dad.


December 21, 1957, would be the happiest day of my life. That day, at Victoria Station in London, my father was waiting to meet us. When my mum saw him she said, “Children, that is your father in the grey suit on the platform.” He looked excited and anxious.


“He is the most gorgeous man I have ever seen in my life!” I exclaimed. It seemed too good to be true. After thirteen years apart, we would now finally be together, a family once more.




-END-



http://britic.co.uk/current_issue.php?article_id=106


*****

If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.


*****

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Meet the British Serbs of "BRITIC" - A British Serb Magazine! // A bit of Serbia in England




Aleksandra's Note:  The existence of "Britic", The British Serb Magazine, recently came to my attention. I'm excited about this! The relationship between the British and the Serbians has been a volatile one over the course of the last century. There's been "good" times and there's been "bad" times in that relationship. The U.K. is home to a number of Serbs who care very much about what's happening in the homeland and in the Diaspora. "Britic" is about building bridges and a bit of Serbia in England. Take a look!

Sincerely,

Aleksandra Rebic

http://britic.co.uk/index.php

*****

"ABOUT US"

"Britic" is a quarterly magazine distributed by print, online and email establish in 2008.

The magazine is produced by Serbs in the UK to provide a forum for all Serbs in the UK, with particular interest to British born Serbs, hence the name.


We are Aleks Simic and Stan Smiljanic editors of the magazine and owners of Britic Media Ltd. which owns the publication. We have no political affiliations that are relevant to Serb issues and will tolerate a variety of views being expressed in these pages provided they are not gratuitously offensive, libellous or just boring. We welcome contributions from anybody who can articulate a coherent point of view on a Serb related topic or provide an interesting commentary on a Serb related event.


Britic is not-for-profit.


Britic Media Ltd. is registered in England and Wales, Company Number: 06654032


Registered address: 30 Mill Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HD


******

MISSION STATEMENT OF "BRITIC"

On 1st January 2009, the Directors passed the following first resolution:



Britic Media Limited is a private UK company number 06654032 formed in 2008 by Aleksandar Simic and Stanislav Smiljanic, who are sole and equal shareholders and Directors.


A separate arm of Britic Media Limited was formed to own and operate Britic, a not-for-profit magazine. It is anticipated that it shall be funded primarily by advertising and merchandising. All financial losses shall be met by the owners and no other party. Any profits shall be reinvested in the magazine or projects with an associated interest or charitable causes.


Britic is initially based on a printed quarterly format, distributed free-of-charge directly to the door and electronic distribution. However, the format, delivery, and frequency will adapt to find a stable balance that meets its not-for-profit status.


The magazine is expected to be of greatest interest to British born Serbs and secondly Serbs living in the UK and further afield in particular other English-speaking countries with significant Serb communities. Interest from other former Yugoslav ethnic groups living in the UK is anticipated and welcome, although not specifically targeted in order to avoid a potential nuisance. Lastly, any UK resident interested in Serbia may be interested in Britic.


The aim of Britic is to inform, interest and to cultivate a forum and identity for all Serbs in the UK. Editorial content shall be almost entirely English language, which is the only language that is universally understood by the entire intended demographic.


The Directors are also the editors and ultimately take ultimate editorial responsibility. As such, either director editor can refuse or modify any editorial content for any reason. The magazine is independent of any external organisation and editors have no political affiliations that are relevant to Serb issues and will tolerate a variety of views being expressed in these pages provided they are not gratuitously offensive, libellous or just boring. As far as there is an editorial stance, it is pro-Serb, pro-Serbian Orthodox Church and with a specific focus on items of interest to British born Serbs.


http://britic.co.uk/index.php

*****

THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY WAS PUBLISHED IN THE "REVIEW" SECTION OF THE "VASKRS 2010" ISSUE (April) of "Britic"


General Mihailovich Portrait by Pollard


Dražа: First Press Victim

George Orwell’s taboo essay eerily ‘predicts’ Yugoslavia’s death by press

"Animal Farm" (1945) is one of The Great Books of the Western World, often read at school and the subject of two films. Along with his other famous novel 1984, author George Orwell offers us bleak visions of totalitarian societies.

Orwell’s original preface to "Animal Farm" exposes the invisible hand of British self-censorship he sensed at that time. The preface cited Četnik leader Draža Mihailović falling prey to this censorship. It was felt so controversial that the preface was itself removed, seldom appearing in any editions of the book.


"Animal Farm" is a parable of the Soviet Union where the animals take over the farm and pigs become the ruling caste. At the time the novella was written, the British and the Soviets were fighting a common foe – Hitler. In his preface, Orwell accused the English intelligentsia of turning mute in order to appease Stalin.


Four publishers threw out "Animal Farm". One of the publishers sought advice from the Ministry of Information. An official cautioned against publishing at the present time (he later turned out to be a Soviet spy).


Orwell chose the example of wartime allegiance in Yugoslavia to illustrate his point. (These words were later censored.)


“A particularly glaring case was that of Colonel Mihailovich, the Jugoslav Chetnik leader. The Russians, who had their own Jugoslav protégé in Marshal Tito, accused Mihailovich of collaborating with the Germans. This accusation was promptly taken up by the British press: Mihailovich’s supporters were given no chance of answering it, and facts contradicting it were simply kept out of print. In July of 1943 the Germans offered a reward of 100,000 gold crowns for the capture of Tito, and a similar reward for the capture of Mihailovich. The British press ‘splashed’ the reward for Tito, but only one paper mentioned (in small print) the reward for Mihailovich: and the charges of collaborating with the Germans continued.”


The British press seeded a bias that later transpired to be a policy shift with profound consequences to Serbs. Up until 1943, Churchill had supported the royalist Četnik opposition. Towards the end of that year, British allegiance had swung to Tito’s Partisans. The mud has stuck, for example Wikipedia cites Draža as “now primarily remembered as a World War II collaborator”.


Was this the first example of Fleet Street seeding policy towards Serbia? It continues to play a pivotal role as “the blind leading the heavily armed” in the Balkan conflicts of the 90s. Orwell might have written this passage of those later conflicts:


“Anyone who has lived long in a foreign country will know of instances of sensational items of news…being kept right out of the British press, not because the Government intervened but because of a general tacit agreement that ‘it wouldn’t do’ to mention that particular fact.”


Britić readers will have a spectrum of sophisticated views on Draža’s legacy. Orwell did not discriminate over what could rightfully be addressed, only that “the enemy is the gramophone mind, whether or not one agrees with the record that is being played at the moment”.


http://www.britic.co.uk/current_issue.php?article_id=111


*****

AN INVITATION TO ATTEND A SPECIAL EVENT IN LONDON:


Dear Friends of Britic,


HRISTOS VOSKRESE !


Want to know about Britic in its first year and Britic moving forward in 2010 and beyond?....


In that case you absolutely must attend the...


"Friend of Britic" Dinner
on Saturday, 22nd May, 2010  7:30 p.m. at the


Ravna Gora Hotel
29 Holland Park Road
London W11 3RW
















Keep reading for details ....


Following the recent success of the Britic event at The Holiday Inn, Coventry we're doing it all again! At the start of the second year of Britic, “the British Serb Magazine”. You have the Golden opportunity to spend some time with not only us but also other Serbs from around the UK.


Where else can you find out about * the future plans for Britic * how the idea for Britic came about * the new Britic campaign.


Hear as editors Aleks and Stan tell you in person what their motivation was in starting the first ever UK wide magazine for Serbs and


* You can tell them first hand.....


* What you've enjoyed and not only that, but also.....


* What you would like to see more of and.....

* What you would like to see less of.


The format for the evening is:


* Meet in the Ravna Gora bar for drinks at 7.30pm


* Sit down for a three course meal at 8.00pm


* Britic presentation & questions during coffee


* Retire to the bar.


Price per person is £29, partner of invitee is also welcome.


A three course meal will be served with coffee, please state vegetarian preference if required, at time of booking.


To book please send cheques made payable to “Britic”,
c/o Aleks Simic, 1B brereton Road, Bedford MK40 1HU

Spaces are limited, and being snapped up - so don't delay....


"Some of you will have provided articles for Britic whilst others might have sent in donations or become Britic 100 Club members. Some of you will have sent in photographs or just encouraged and advised us. You are all part of the reason why Britic has been a success and we want to thank you. "


Aleks and Stan, Editors, Britic

Any questions, ring Aleks Simic on 01234 350716

*****

If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com


*****

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Man they called “Jibby” / Who was Arthur Jibilian? Part 1 of 2 / The Radioman returns to Serbia 60 years after the Halyard Mission


Arthur Jibilian, far left, and friends
on Ravna Gora, in Serbia.
September 12, 2004

Signed note to Arthur Jibilian from General Draza Mihailovich
1944
The inscription reads:
"To Mr. Jibilian, ally and friend, in these
difficult days of the fight for freedom."
General Draza Mihailovich

Gen. Draza Mihailovich standing with his hand over his heart
in the middle row, with Serbs and American airmen.
Nick Lalich is to Draza's right and
Arthur Jibilian is in the front row between them. December 1944.



“I wonder if Mihailovich knew that
we were desperately trying to help him.”

Arthur Jibilian, OSS Radioman “Halyard Mission
Pranjani, Serbia, Sept. 12, 2004



THE MAN THEY CALLED 'JIBBY'

Who was Arthur Jibilian?

Part One of Two

By Aleksandra Rebic



My first direct contact with Arthur “Jibby” Jibilian was sometime at the end of 2002, when he sent in a donation for a book my father and I were writing that we were going to publish and distribute on Ravna Gora, Serbia in May of 2003. I knew of him, of course, but we didn’t have contact with each other that I remember until we received his letter with his best wishes for the success of “Dragoljub-Draza Mihailovich and the Second World War – The History of a Great Betrayal.” The book was being written and published in the Serbian Cyrillic language, and Arthur Jibilian would not be able to read it, but still, he wanted to support the effort. We included his name as a donator in the book, and from that point on, I kept up with his life through correspondence with Sam Subotich of Michigan, a dedicated young man who adored “Uncle Arthur” and who graciously shared his updates with those of us who understood and appreciated exactly who “Uncle Arthur” was. Although everyone seemed to refer to Arthur Jibilian as “Jibby”, and never did I hear him referred to as “Mr. Jibilian”, Sam and I would always refer to him as “Arthur”.


Then, in September of 2004, Arthur Jibilian and I would reconnect directly via a request made by Sandi Radoja of the American Srbobran, to whom I will be forever grateful. One day, late that September, Sandi Radoja sent me an e-mail asking if I would be interested in writing up a story on Arthur’s trip to Serbia earlier that month for the dedication of the Halyard Mission memorial plaques that were erected in Pranjani to commemorate the great rescues of American and Allied airmen in Serbia in 1944. Well, there was no question about being interested. Without hesitating, I immediately contacted Arthur directly and he responded warmly and graciously, two traits, I was to learn, that were an integral part of his personality. I remember my first impression being “such a nice man!” He was 81 years old and he’d just been to Serbia for the first time in 60 years to honor “Halyard” and he was eager to tell his story. His mind was sharp, his memory intact, and his enthusiasm and energy would make him the object of envy of men half his age. Extraordinary, when you think about it, given his age and all that he had been through. He gave true meaning to the adage “young at heart”. As we proceeded to collaborate on the story of his visit to Serbia, I would find out a lot of things about Arthur Jibilian, all of which made me increasingly aware that this new friend was to be a very special friend, indeed.


In telling the story of who Arthur Jibilian was, his trip to Serbia in September of 2004 is the perfect place to start.


He was the last of them - the last of the living OSS agents of the Halyard Mission team. 81 years old, with vivid memories on his mind and gratitude in his heart, Arthur “Jibby” Jibilian, the ‘radioman’, made the milestone journey back to that far away place where he had been a young man in a big war. On September 12, 2004 Arthur Jibilian would once again find himself in the village of Pranjani, Serbia, a plateau 55 miles south of Belgrade, this time for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the amazing thing that took place there. Two eternal marble plaques, one engraved in Serbian, one in English, were being officially dedicated, marking an event that remained a defining moment in the lives of all those who participated. Arthur Jibilian had lived to see it happen.



Of those still living who had been invited for the historic commemoration, only a few managed to make the trip. Robert Wilson, 79, and Clare Musgrove were two of the rescued American airmen who made it. George Vujnovich, the OSS Chief of Operations in Bari, Italy and George Knezevich, his friend, were also present. Others were not able to make it, and too many of the others did not live to see this day, among them the late Richard L. Felman.


From left to right: Arthur's wife Jo Jibilian, George Knezevich,
Arthur Jibilian, Serbia's Defense Minister Prvoslav Davinich,
OSS Chief of Operations, Bari, Italy George Vujnovich,
 Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic,
American airmen Clare Musgrove and Robert Wilson
and wife Sharon Wilson, Corbin - Clare's grandson
Serbia, September 2004.

Vuk Draskovic and George Vujnovich
Serbia, September 2004

This commemoration was a milestone in ways the radioman from Ohio, a World War II veteran, could not have conceived of. The Serbian press would report heavily about the event in Pranjani, and the legacy of General Mihailovich would be brought to the forefront, if only for a few days, in the homeland that had turned its back on him, a homeland that he had served so valiantly and loyally, despite knowing that his fate had already been sealed. On this September day in 2004, Belgrade officials, American diplomats, Serbian war veterans and civilians, and grateful American airmen and Halyard Mission heroes would give the General his day in the light.


Serbs and Americans gather in Serbia in September of 2004 to
dedicate the Halyard Mission plaques on Pranjani.





Far left, in Serbian cap, American airman Robert Wilson
Pranjani, Serbia September 2004

The Americans in Pranjani, Serbia, September 12, 2004
Left to Right: Clare Musgrove, Jo and Arthur Jibilian,
Robert Wilson, Sharon Wilson, and George Vujnovich.


Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovich and his Serbian Renewal Party [CPO] made the historic visit by the Americans possible. He publicly voiced the hope that the story of the rescued airmen, the essence of the Halyard Mission, would help ‘right a wrong’, indicating that the Serbs wanted to “build a future Serb-American alliance on the basis of historical truth.”


Arthur Jibilian lived that truth.


*****

Born on April 30, 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Toledo by his cousins Sarkis (Sam) and Oksana (Agnes) Jibilian, Arthur was 19 years old when he was drafted into the Navy on March 15, 1943. He had tried to voluntarily enlist when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor two years earlier when he was only 17, but he missed one letter on the eye exam and was advised to come back at a later time. He stayed home to care for his cousin who’d been diagnosed with lung cancer. It was shortly after his cousin passed away that Fate called for him to enter the war. He began his training as a ‘Radioman’ in Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in North Chicago, Illinois.


Arthur Jibilian, Age 20

One day Lt. Commander Green from the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) arrived on the base looking for recruits. Arthur was in his sights. Jibilian remembered:


“He wanted to talk to all those who spoke a foreign language. I spoke Armenian, so I was interviewed by him. In my case, Armenian wasn’t particularly important, but he said that OSS needed radio operators desperately. Radio operators, usually in conjunction with a “team”, would parachute behind enemy lines and relay information regarding troop movements and activities. They might also blow up bridges and railroad tracks and harass the Germans in any way possible. He pointed out that the mission(s) were voluntary and extremely dangerous. He was very up-front about everything. I told him that I was interested and volunteered.(After all, I was more expendable as I had no immediate family and I might, just possibly, be more valuable with OSS than if I were on a ship).


Just prior to taking my Radioman exam, I received orders from OSS to report to Washington, DC. I was placed on ‘detached temporary duty with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)’. They taught me to code and decode messages and operate their three-piece radio consisting of a transmitter, receiver and power pack. It all fit into a small suitcase so that one could ‘mingle in a crowd’ carrying it, looking like a refugee or traveler.


We then went to Ft. Benning, GA for parachute training. Normal training takes five weeks. We made it in seven days. We made three jumps there and then two more at Ft. Bragg, taking part in army maneuvers with Special Ops groups.


We were then sent overseas, via liberty ships, ending up in Cairo, Egypt, staying in one of villas occupied by President Roosevelt during the Teheran Conference.

I was informed that a Lt. Eli Popovich would be interviewing radio operators for a mission into Yugoslavia. Col. Lynn Farish and Lt. Popovich were going into Yugoslavia and needed a radio operator. Col. Farish had been in Yugo before but had not had a radio operator, being dependent of the British Missions to relay his reports. This was not acceptable to him, or to OSS. I was thrilled when Eli (we were quite informal in OSS) selected me.


We parachuted into Partisan territory [that portion of Yugoslavia controlled by the guerrilla forces of Tito], on March 15, 1944. Initially, I failed to make radio contact with the base and everyone, including me, began to doubt my competence. Finally making contact, we discovered that base had not been listening for us as the mission was scheduled to be cancelled. We were just getting comfortable, when the Germans, using a direction finder, locked in on my radio signals. When I began transmitting, German Stukas and Messerschmitts strafed and dive-bombed our positions.”


The Germans were relentless. Sending a contingent after the mission, they kept up the pursuit for five days and six nights. This was a week that Arthur Jibilian would never forget.


“We were in summer khakis and as we climbed the mountain trails, the air became colder and colder. We ran into snow, sometimes sinking so deep that we had to help each other lift our feet out of the drifts. When we stopped for a 10 minute break, we were soaked with sweat and the clothes literally froze to our bodies. When we started to “pokret” (march), we quickly generated enough heat to melt the ice.


We had little to eat, subsisting on goat cheese and bread with straw, given to us by the Serbian peasants. We all suffered from diarrhea.”


This first mission would last only two months, but according to Jibilian, it was the ‘toughest two months, mentally and physically, of his life’. Over the course of it they would learn that some fallen airmen who were hiding from the Germans were being protected by the Serbs. On their way out of Yugoslavia this first time, Arthur’s group managed to pick up about a dozen of the airmen who had been shot down while bombing the oil fields of Ploesti, Romania and brought them safely out of the country. Jibilian was awarded the Silver Star for his participation in this mission, coded “Columbia”, and treasured the recognition.


He also remembers the atmosphere that pervaded this mission to Partisan territory, and not all of the tension was created by the German enemy surrounding them. The atmosphere that was prevalent in Partisan territory in Yugoslavia would become especially evident in retrospect after a future mission sent the Americans back into Yugoslavia, but this time it would be into Chetnik territory.


It wasn’t long after Arthur Jibilian’s first wartime ordeal that Colonel George Kraigher of the 15th Air Force contacted OSS to let them know that he’d gotten word that 50 American airmen were stranded in the Serbian village of Pranjani, Yugoslavia. Col. Kraigher had flown for Serbia in the First World War and was now the commander of the Air Crew Rescue Unit [ACRU] which was a Mediterranean Allied Air Force unit flying out of Brindisi, Italy, which was attached to the U.S. 15th Army Air Force. Thus, another mission was activated. This time it would be sent into Chetnik territory. The rescue operation, code-named “Halyard Mission”, would be composed of Captain George “Guv” Musulin, Lt. Mike Rajacich and Navy Radio Operator Arthur “Jibby” Jibilian. All they knew was that General Draza Mihailovich, leader of the Chetniks in Serbia, had kept these airmen safe while they waited to be rescued. They had been shot down while bombing the oil fields of Ploesti, an extremely valuable resource the Nazis were depended on, and the Germans were intent on capturing the Americans. After falling into Chetnik hands, the airmen had been fed and protected and taken care of and were now just waiting. All the while, however, the Germans continued their search for the fallen airmen and were out for the blood of those who were protecting them. Those in charge estimated that the mission established to rescue the Americans who had fallen behind enemy lines would take a short seven to ten days. How wrong they were.


Unfortunately, political ‘concerns’ came into play. It must be remembered that this was all taking place after the Allies had made the decision to abandon General Draza Mihailovich in favor of Marshal Josip Broz Tito. False charges of collaboration with the Germans were leveled against Mihailovich to justify the Western Allies’ tragically misguided abandonment of their most loyal ally. Under these circumstances establishing a mission to rescue the American airmen now being kept safe in Chetnik territory under Mihailovich’s command created a real dilemma for those in charge. The irony was not lost on the young Americans of the OSS team who had volunteered to parachute into Serbia behind enemy lines and evacuate the airmen.


“If we Allied agents went in and rescued the airmen,” said Jibilian, “how could Mihailovich be called a collaborator? The British were vehemently opposed to anyone going into Chetnik territory on any pretext, as were the Russians.


As a result of these ‘political concerns’ our mission was delayed and/or aborted a dozen times. We were originally to go in on July 3, but it was not until August 2, 1944, that we finally parachuted into Pranjani, Serbia.


Two things made the mission finally successful:


Captain Musulin asked for an American pilot, an American plane and an American jumpmaster, the morning of August 2. We were in Yugo that night.


We were told that Gen. Bill Donovan, head of OSS, and President Roosevelt were discussing the situation. The President mentioned that the British were unhappy with the proposed mission. Gen. Donovan is alleged to have replied: ‘Screw the British, let’s get our boys out’.”


The group would not find just 50 Americans when they landed in Serbia, but 250, and Jibilian remembers the condition he found them in:


“Many were in bad shape, having been wounded by flack and/or sustaining injuries upon landing or while attempting to evade capture by the Germans. I cannot say enough about the care and protection that our wounded received from the Chetniks and the Serbian people. They risked their lives to shelter and protect our boys. The peasants fed the wounded when the peasants themselves had nothing to eat. You must remember that the land had been ravaged by the Germans, and the Civil War further depleted the resources of the farmers, giving meaning to the phrase ‘they were dirt poor.’”


Because there were so many airmen, the decision was made to evacuate them during daylight. A German garrison stood only 20 miles away in Chachak. When a suitable stretch of ground was found in the area to fashion a landing strip, the Americans, the Chetniks, and the Serbian farmers all worked together to make it happen.


One week later, on August 9 and 10, 1944, the first evacuations were successfully completed, without a single American casualty.


It was far from over, however. Arthur Jibilian would quickly learn just what kind of ally General Mihailovich was.


“General Mihailovich informed us that there were many more American airmen throughout his territory and he would funnel them to us, if we so desired. We received permission to stay and, what started out as a l0 day mission, lasted almost six months, during which we evacuated 513 American airmen, and “several” British, French and Italians.”


The "Ranger Mission", an extension of Halyard, would follow. Finally, on December 27, 1944, with Captain Nick Lalich and Jibilian having remained as the sole agents of the rescue mission in Mihailovich territory, the evacuations came to an end. The Radioman was going home. The first stop would be Italy.

Arthur Jibilian, front row left, on his last day in
Yugoslavia, December 1944

“After a quick physical, a long, hot shower, I collapsed into a bed. The next morning, I had eight eggs, probably a pound of bacon, six slices of toast, butter, and jam, and I can’t remember how many cups of coffee. Food never tasted so good! However, my elation was tempered with the thought of the poor Serbs who had sacrificed (and were still sacrificing) for the Americans.”


Reflecting back, Jibilian would be struck by the difference between his two stays in Yugoslavia:


“Having spent two months with the forces of Marshal Tito, and six months with Mihailovich, the contrast was amazing. The Partisans shadowed us, never leaving us alone with the villagers. They were always tense, and villagers were ill at ease in their presence. Once, when we were alone with a family, we were asked: ‘Why are the Allies backing Tito?’ I had been told to simply say: ‘Only God knows’. Being deeply religious, they accepted our answer.


In contrast, villagers in Mihailovich’s territory flocked out happily, strewing flowers in Mihailovich’s path and singing and celebrating his return. All available food was scrounged up so that a virtual feast could be prepared. The villagers donned their native costumes and danced and sang in Mihailovich’s honor. It was obvious that they literally adored him.”


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Arthur Jibilian 1945

Arthur Jibilian would be discharged from the Navy in September of 1945 and became employed with the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. One morning he would read a small article in the Washington Post that would leave him stunned and shaken. The headline read: ‘Tito’s Forces Capture Mihailovich.’


At that moment, Jibilian felt compelled to do whatever he could to stop the inevitable from happening.


“Knowing that Mihailovich felt abandoned by the Allies, I decided to tell the story of the Halyard Mission to the Washington Post. I saw the editor and told him my story and how Mihailovich had saved 513 American airmen.


I did not know it, but the rescued airmen had kept in touch with one another. They met at Ft. Stephens in Chicago and sent a 20 man delegation to Washington. They contacted me and we organized a ‘Mission to Save Mihailovich’ campaign. We distributed pamphlets, contacted the State Department, our senators, and our representatives. We asked for only three things:


1. Let the rescued airmen testify at his trial in Belgrade.


2. Allow OSS personnel to testify at his trial.


3. Move the trial to a neutral country so that Mihailovich would get a fair trial.


Even though we knew Mihailovich was doomed, we felt that if we could at least see him and let him know that we hadn’t forgotten him, he would die more peacefully.


Tito’s reply was: ‘This is an internal matter and will be handled by us.’


We tried valiantly, but Washington is a town full of very powerful lobbyists and our efforts paled in comparison with the money and influence they had.


Mihailovich was tried and executed by the communists as a collaborator. In his last speech, he concluded by saying:


‘The truth is for everyone.’’


This is the truth. The story of a hero and a martyr.”


Serbia came a little bit closer to the truth that fine September day in 2004, and an American radioman discovered that nothing would ever erase his memories of a people and nation that had been part of his great journey through life. The Serbian people had not changed. He found them as he had left them.


“To say that it was a great, marvelous, wonderful, ‘trip of a lifetime’ would still not do justice to the privilege of going back to Serbia. It was a dream come true for me.


As usual, the Serbs treated us as though we were kings and queens. We were given a young lady, Jelena Predojovic, and a young man, IIia Jatrayav, as escorts who saw to it that our every need was taken care of. We cannot speak highly enough of their care and consideration during our stay.


We were interviewed by the press, filmed for TV, and interviewed by the radio stations.


As I told one reporter: ‘The Serbs owe us nothing. We Americans risk our lives everyday for our fellow Americans. I am in awe, however, of the Serbs and the way they took care of our shot down airmen! They fed them, sheltered them, depriving themselves of VERY scarce food. To top it off, they gave their lives rather than reveal where the Americans were hidden!!’


I SALUTE THEM, AND I THANK THEM!”

The American Airmen front row, left to right, with their hosts
 in Serbia. Clare Musgrove, Arthur Jibilian and his wife Jo,
George Vujnovich and Robert Wilson,  and his wife Sharon.
September 2004.

Serbian youngsters welcome the Americans, September 2004.

Arthur Jibilian is served with the traditional Serbian "Zito"
Serbia, September 2004

Photos above and below:
The Americans are treated to a delicious traditional
Serbian feast in Serbia, September 2004



Warm hospitality shared between Americans and Serbs
gathering for the Halyard Mission plaque dedication
 in Pranjani, Serbia
September 2004

*****

On that same visit to Serbia, Arthur Jibilian would also make it to the hills of Ravna Gora, walking the same ground where the Mihailovich resistance to the occupying Nazi forces first began in May of 1941. This is the story of a radioman’s return to the place where he had participated in the ‘mission of a lifetime’ that had saved lives. You would think that this return to Serbia would have been more than enough to pay back the debt of gratitude that Arthur Jibilian had carried in his heart for over half a century. But, as it turned out, this was just the beginning of things to come for the Radioman. What would come to fruition in the years that followed this visit to Serbia in 2004 would go far beyond anything Arthur Jibilian could ever have conceived of.


Arthur Jibilian, left, visits Ravna Gora, Serbia after the
Pranjani Halyard Mission plaque dedication
September 12, 2004

Above: American Airman Clare Musgrove with Vuk Draskovic
 on Ravna Gora, in Serbia
September 2004

Standing, left, is Clare Musgrove, with George Vujnovich,
seated center, and Vuk Draskovic far right
 on Ravna Gora, Serbia, September 12, 2004

Above and below: Arthur Jibilian, left, with friends,
on Ravna Gora in Serbia.
September 12, 2004




To be continued...

End of Part 1 of 2
The Man they called 'Jibby'

All photos were courtesy of Arthur Jibilian.

Aleksandra Rebic
April 2010

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If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com

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