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    Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II [Illustrated Edition]
    Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II [Illustrated Edition]
    Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II [Illustrated Edition]
    Ebook71 pages44 minutes

    Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II [Illustrated Edition]

    By William M. Leary

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    Includes 14 illustrations

    Of all the Army Air Forces’ many operations in the Second World War, none was more demanding or important than those supporting the activity of resistance groups fighting the Axis powers. The special operations supporting the Yugoslavian partisans fighting the forces of Nazism in the Balkans required particular dedication and expertise. Balkan flying conditions demanded the best of flying skills, and the tenacious German defenses in that troubled region complicated this challenge even further. In this study, Professor William Leary examines what might fairly be considered one of the most important early experiences in the history of Air Force special operations. It is ironic that, fifty years after these activities, the Air Force today is heavily involved in Balkan operations, including night air drops of supplies. But this time, the supplies are for humanitarian relief, not war. The airlifters committed to relieving misery in that part of the world follow in the wake of their predecessors who, fifty years ago, flew the night skies with courage and skill to help bring an end to Nazi tyranny.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTannenberg Publishing
    Release dateNov 6, 2015
    ISBN9781786252401
    Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II [Illustrated Edition]
    Author

    William M. Leary

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      Book preview

      Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II [Illustrated Edition] - William M. Leary

      This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

      To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – picklepublishing@gmail.com

      Or on Facebook

      Text originally published in 1995 under the same title.

      © Pickle Partners Publishing 2015, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

      Publisher’s Note

      Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

      We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

      The U. S Army Air Forces in World War II

      Fueling the Fires of Resistance — Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II

      William M. Leary

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Contents

      TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

      Fueling the Fires of Resistance 5

      Hitler's Assault in the Balkans 5

      Balkan Resistance Is Born 7

      British Aid to the Guerrillas 8

      The Army Air Forces Behind Nazi Lines 10

      Gearing Up to Support the Balkan Patriots 14

      The Hazards of Night Work 16

      Evacuations Against the Odds 17

      Guns and Mules 26

      Rescuing Downed Airmen 28

      Little One's Journey 31

      Nazi Forces on Retreat in Greece 32

      A Job Well Done 33

      Special Operations Units Do Their Part 34

      Troop Carriers Persist 38

      No Longer a Secret War 39

      Suggested Readings 41

      REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 42

      Fueling the Fires of Resistance

      Of all the Army Air Forces' many operations in the Second World War, none was more demanding or important than those supporting the activity of resistance groups fighting the Axis powers. The special operations supporting the Yugoslavian partisans fighting the forces of Nazism in the Balkans required particular dedication and expertise. Balkan flying conditions demanded the best of flying skills, and the tenacious German defenses in that troubled region complicated this challenge even further. In this study, Professor William Leary examines what might fairly be considered one of the most important early experiences in the history of Air Force special operations. It is ironic that, fifty years after these activities, the Air Force today is heavily involved in Balkan operations, including night air drops of supplies. But this time, the supplies are for humanitarian relief, not war. The airlifters committed to relieving misery in that part of the world follow in the wake of their predecessors who, fifty years ago, flew the night skies with courage and skill to help bring an end to Nazi tyranny.

      Hitler's Assault in the Balkans

      The Second World War began in the Balkans even before Germany attacked Poland in September 1939 and the conflict spread throughout Europe. In April Italy anticipated the wider war when it assaulted and quickly occupied neighboring Albania. With dreams of a new Roman Empire, or at least an expanded Italy, Benito Mussolini saw this as the first step in a grander scheme that next would encompass Yugoslavia. Adolf Hitler, however, vetoed the idea. Germany already exercised economic dominion over the Balkans, and with his own thoughts of conquest, Hitler did not wish to endanger the flow of oil, bauxite, copper, and other crucial war materials by sanctioning an Italian adventure in the region.

      Although

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