Royal Yugoslavian Air Force Detachment 15th AF USAAF

Now here is another unit I wasn't aware of.

Headquarters- 376th Bomb Group (H) AAF
It is desired to commend the Royal Yugoslavian Air Force detachment, attached to the 512th sqadron of the 376th Bomb Group (Heavy) and the 15th AF for outstanding performance of duty in action in strategic support of allied forces in the Mediterranean theater.
From November 1943 to August 1944- four (4) crews made up of forty (40) Officers and Enlisted men forming the Detachment flew regular and frequent combat missions attacking vital enemy installations; exhibiting the greatest bravery, stamina and skill completing eighty eight (88) successful missions. During this period the Detachment lost three (3) of their B-24 aircraft, and sacrificed three of their four crews, all lost over enemy targets. The Royal Yugoslavian Air Force Detachments by its actions has constantly given its utmost in devotion to duty for the allied cause, and will always be worthy of emulation.
R.W Fellows, Lt. Col.
Air Corps, Commanding

This detachment was presented their B-24s by FDR after completing training. Although they were attached to the 15th AF in the Mediterranean Theater, they were never asked to attack their own country.

 

Why not? Was this just a coincidence? The Fafl flew operations to France, including bomber (Lorraine Group), the Belgians the Dutch and many others had Operations on their own territories . I understand the reasons why Yougoslavians didn't fly to Yougosalvia , but why grant them that favor and not others?

 

Good question. Ill have to see what else I can did up LOL. The unit is mentioned in,

Walker, James
The Liberandos: A WWII History of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group and Its Founding Units
Waco, TX: 376th Heavy Bombardment Group Veterans Assn, 1994
Binding: Hardcover. Pages: xxv + 613.

 

Found this info on another discussion site,

15 Air Force,376 BG.,Yugoslav Detachment:

complete crew of B-24 killed 19/12/43 over Augsburg:

pilot Dusan Z. Milojevic
pilot Dusan M. Mucic
gunner Dusan Lazarevic
observer Borislav Stefanovic
observer Momcilo V. Vidojkovic
pilot Dragoljub Jeremic
radiooperator Eduard Ceraj
gunner Petar A. Isic
gunner radiooperator Jovan Ognjenovic
gunner-mechanic Franjo F. Intihar

bombardier-gunner Bogdan M. Madjarevic killed 24/5/44,
while bombing a/c factory in Wiener Neustadt,Austria.He
was only one killed aboard B-24,376 BG.,Yugoslav Detachman.
He is burried at Military cem. in Bari,Italy.

crew of B-24 killed 24/8/44 over Drnis-Knin area:
pilot Blagoje M. Radosavljevic
pilot Borivoje G. Vulic
observer Slobodan M. Pavlovic
gunner-mechanic Vuko Sijakovic
bombardier-gunner Obrad Dj. Crvenkovic
gunner-mechanic Boris K. Parapatic
gunner-mechanic Toma Zivanovic
gunner Milutin Bobek
gunner Emil Trampus

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=printer_format&om=3955&forum=DCForumID6

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Heroes of the Skies: The Yugoslav Detachment (1942-1945)

Reprinted from the September/October 1992 issue of Serb World USA.

August 27, 1944- Lt. Colonel Richard Fellows, then commanding officer of the 376th Heavy Bomb Group (H) paid a tribute to the men of the Yugoslavian Air Force Detachment. The tribute, given by the colonel in the form of a commendation read as follows:

Headquarters- 376th Bomb Group (H) AAF
It is desired to commend the Royal Yugoslavian Air Force detachment, attached to the 512th sqadron of the 376th Bomb Group (Heavy) and the 15th AF for outstanding performance of duty in action in strategic support of allied forces in the Mediterranean theater.

From November 1943 to August 1944- four (4) crews made up of forty (40) Officers and Enlisted men forming the Detachment flew regular and frequent combat missions attacking vital enemy installations; exhibiting the greatest bravery, stamina and skill completing eighty eight (88) successful missions. During this period the Detachment lost three (3) of thier B-24 aircraft, and sacrificed three of their four crews, all lost over enemy targets. The Royal Yugoslavian Air Force Detachments by its actions has constantly given its utmost in devotion to duty for the allied cause, and wil always be worthy of emulation.
R.W Fellows, Lt. Col.
Air Corps, Commanding









1) 1st Lt. Vladislav G. Radovich- navigator, 2) unknown, 3) unknown, 4) unknown, 5) Capt. Voyislav N. Skakich- pilot, 6) Major John T. Snyder, 7) unknown, 8) 2nd Lt. Deyan D. Radich- engineer, 9) 2nd Lt. Aurel T. Trailov- gunner, 10) T/Sgt. Viktor A. Starc- gunner, 11) 1st Lt. Momchillo M. Markovich- bombardier, 12) 2nd Lt. Dragomir V. Vidanovich- radio operator







Joe T. Milloy (Zhivko Milloykovich)- navigator





Vuko Sijakovic, Yugoslavian detachment, 512th squadron

Vuko Sijakovic was a crew member on B24 42-73085 #20 when it collided in mid air with B24 44-40502 #31 after a mission to Lobau in Austria. He died on that date August 22nd 1944.

Yugoslavia