[Smith’s journey] Lloyd Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation, American Rescue Party,” RG 226, entry 144, box 97, folder 1023, NACP.
until they arrived in Dhoksat Hayes, interview; Agnes Jensen Mangerich, Albanian Escape (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1999), 150; Abbott, Out of Albania, 134.
Williamson Roderick Bailey, The Wildest Province (London: Jonathan Cape, 2008), 57.
diary Willie Williamson, diary transcribed by Roderick Bailey during an interview with Williamson around 1999.
Qeserat Hayes, interview; Abbott, Out of Albania, 134–135.
“an excellent lunch” Williamson diary.
[events at Qeserat] Hayes, interview.
Christmas Eve celebration Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 151–153; “Balkan Escape,” Collier’s, April 1, 1944, 66.
church service Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 153–154.
priest… killed Foto Prifti, interview, March 25, 2012, Dhoksat, Albania; Foto Prifti, e-mail interview through his grandson, Klevis Haxhiaj, December 24, 2012.
ate chicken… records on a phonograph Agnes Jensen, statement, Roll A6544, AFHRA.
[meeting with Tilman] Hayes, interview.
“Something special. Sheep intestine soup.” Ibid.
Christmas carols Ibid.
Roosevelt’s Christmas message Franklin D. Roosevelt, “To the Men and Women of the Armed Forces,” Billings Gazette, December 25, 1943.
807th in Sicily Untitled and undated account, Roll A0323, AFHRA; “[807th] War Diary for November 1943,” Roll A0323, AFHRA.
Chapter 13
cobbler Hayes, interview.
information Ibid.; Gavan Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party from Albania,” TNA, HS 5/124.
“the weather was filthy” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party from Albania.
looted several of shops Ibid.
tried to contact Cairo Ibid.
“blaring in” Ibid.
decoded… message Ibid.
to go in exchange for a sovereign Ibid.
“The airplanes are coming today!” Hayes, interview.
“saw the place alive” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
multiple planes Hayes, interview; Agnes Jensen, statement, Roll A6544, AFHRA.
“three trucks and one [armored] car” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party”; Lawrence O. Abbott, Out of Albania, ed. Clinton W. Abbott (Lulu Press, 2010), 144–149. Hayes did not remember seeing any trucks or a car near the road, but Duffy’s report and Abbott’s agreed.
“If I live to be 100” Agnes Jensen, statement, Roll A6544, AFHRA.
“One or two of the nurses did break down” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
dejected… sobbing Ibid.; Debriefings of nurses and medics from Army Intelligence, Roll A6544, AFHRA; Hayes, interview; Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 162–167; Abbott, Out of Albania, 144–149.
“There were so few of us” Lois Watson, statement, Roll A6544, AFHRA.
strafed them with machine-gun fire 1st Fighter Group mission reports, December 29, 1943, from the files of Jim Graham, 1st Fighter Group, 71st Fighter Squadron as copied from NACP and found in Roll A6544.
Hayes and Abbott volunteered Hayes, interview. Abbott, Out of Albania, 151, did not mention that he stayed behind after the air evacuation but mentioned a similar scene on December 31 while he was with Hornsby (152).
“Very regrettable” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
[Smith at Seaview on Christmas Day] Lloyd Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation, American Rescue Party,” RG 226, entry 144, box 97, folder 1023, NACP.
“This job here is no cinch” Roderick Bailey, The Wildest Province (London: Jonathan Cape, 2008), 197.
Field… injured Bailey, The Wildest Province, 205; Anthony Quayle, A Time to Speak (London: Sphere Books, 1990), 374–375.
“he has so low an opinion” Bailey, The Wildest Province, 206.
“I felt nothing but joy” Quayle, A Time to Speak, 372.
“ ‘Send out all the Intelligence’ ” Ibid., 374.
Kukich Bailey, The Wildest Province, 209; Peter Lucas, The OSS in World War II Albania (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2007), 42.
“Ahead was a narrow beach” Quayle, A Time to Speak, 375.
“I wish you joy” Ibid.
“This is [standard operating procedure]” Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
move the party to Saraqinishtë Hayes, interview; Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party”; Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 173; Abbott, Out of Albania, 154.
“We were not exactly thrown out” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
Greek Orthodox church Hayes, interview; Abbott, Out of Albania, 154–155.
Duffy told the party Hayes, interview; Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
leave immediately for Dhoksat Hayes, interview; H. W. Tilman, report, TNA HS 5/128. Duffy’s report told of leaving for the coast from Saraqinishtë rather than stopping in Dhoksat again, but Dhoksat is where Tilman gave the party the shoes and other supplies. In Tilman’s report he mentioned seeing the party again on January 2.
“I have a present for you.” Hayes, interview.
[Owen and Hayes switch shoes] Ibid.
[Supplies from Tilman] Ibid.
Chapter 14
“super-human effort” Gavan Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party from Albania,” TNA, HS 5/124.
arrived at Karjan Ibid.; Hayes, interview. Hayes’s account and Jens’s diary did not agree with Duffy’s report regarding the names of the villages they stayed in. Neither Agnes Jensen Mangerich, Albanian Escape (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1999), nor Lawrence O. Abbott, Out of Albania, ed. Clinton W. Abbott (Lulu Press, 2010), mentioned walking through the night, as Duffy’s report indicated.
McKenzie wrote Nolan McKenzie to Office of the Adjutant General, letter, January 2, 1944.
Cruise’s brother Jim Cruise’s brother to Office of the Adjutant General, letter, James P. Cruise personnel file, NPRC.
Hayes’s mother Hayes, interview.
oranges Ibid. Abbott, Out of Albania, 156, said Schwant was cutting a piece of cornbread.
Drino River Hayes, interview. Abbott, Out of Albania, 157, said they crossed in the dark.
“crack up” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
“a bunch of prisoners on the Russian front” Ibid.
“pushing the party through” Ibid.
Tacina… bad ankle Ibid.
[description of storm] Ibid.; Hayes, interview; Abbott, Out of Albania, 164–165; “Balkan Escape,” Collier’s, April 1, 1944, 64.
“Everything during this acrobatic display” Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
Hayes fell back Hayes, interview.
[meeting Smith] Ibid.; Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 181–183; Abbott, Out of Albania, 166; Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party”; Lloyd Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation, American Rescue Party,” RG 226, entry 144, box 97, folder 1023, NACP.
[Smith’s journey] Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
recommended for a promotion TNA, HS 9/454/8.
“After this reorganization” Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
safely proceed Ibid.
four partisans running Ibid.
olives from a barrel Hayes, interview.
Smith suggested Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
three giant steps Ibid.; Hayes, interview; Abbott, Out of Albania, 168.
raced ahead Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
[Stefa said goodbye] Hayes, interview. Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 183–185, described Stefa leaving at a different time of day and location.
arrest him Stefa family, written statement delivered to the author in person in Berat, March 20, 2012; Kostaq Stefa (grandson), e-mail interview,
December 31, 2012.
Smith and his guide Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
[description of truck ride] Ibid.; Hayes, interview; Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 190–192; Abbott, Out of Albania, 170–172; Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party.”
Chapter 15
“That was seven weeks ago” Hayes, interview.
“I cannot remember any group” Lloyd Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation, American Rescue Party,” RG 226, entry 144, box 97, folder 1023, NACP.
[boat delayed] Hayes, interview.
moonlight “Phases of the Moon: 1901 to 2000,” NASA, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/phase/phases1901.html.
radio in hand, Brodie David Brodie, “The Rescue of American Nurses from Albania,” in The OSS CommVets Papers, ed. J. F. Ranney and A. L. Ranney (Covington, KY: James F. Ranney, 2002), 28.
Davies… under attack E. W. (“Trotsky”) Davies, Illyrian Venture (London: Bodley Head, 1952), 148–153.
Orahood… received a message Hayes, interview.
tried… to get in touch with Brodie Ibid.; Brodie, “The Rescue of American Nurses from Albania,” 28.
crew made their way toward Albania Brodie, “The Rescue of American Nurses from Albania,” 28.
signal fires Ibid.; Hayes, interview.
last two to leave the shore Hayes, interview.
two fifteen Smith, “Report on Mission of Evacuation.”
one nurse was seasick Agnes Jensen Mangerich, Albanian Escape (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1999), 197.
Hayes and Wolf boarded Hayes, interview.
“it’s time to splice the main brace!” Ibid.
“How about giving me your jacket?” Ibid.
“Give it to him.” Ibid.
McKnight… photographers Ibid.; photos from 15th Air Force (USAAF), AFHRA, Roll A6544.
26th General Hospital Hayes, interview; photos from 15th Air Force (USAAF), AFHRA, Roll A6544.
open since December 4 Charles M. Wiltsie, The Medical Department: Medical Service in the Mediterranean and Minor Theaters (Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, 1965), 333.
equipment for the hospital Ibid.
being detained Hayes, interview; Colonel C. A. Young to Brigadier General Lauris Norstad, memo, Roll A6544, AFHRA.
signed papers Hayes, interview; William Eldridge personnel file, NPRC.
half the party Hayes, interview.
Late Arrivals Club Ibid.; Lawrence O. Abbott, Out of Albania, ed. Clinton W. Abbott (Lulu Press, 2010), 181; Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society (New York: Turner Publishing, 1992), 6.
President Roosevelt Hayes, interview; Jon Naar, interview at his home in New Jersey, March 7, 2012; David Smiley, Albanian Assignment (London: Sphere Books, 1984), 106; Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 200–201. Though no historical documents confirming FDR’s involvement in the story could be found at the NACP, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY, the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS, or the U.S. Army Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA, Naar reported that Roosevelt called the Cairo SOE office to find out why it was taking the SOE so long to get the nurses out of Albania. In his book, Smiley wrote of FDR’s interest, Hayes was told at his debriefing, and Mangerich wrote in her book of Donovan’s telling Smith he would update FDR.
[Donovan and Smith] Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 200–201; Douglas Waller, Wild Bill Donovan (New York: Free Press, 2011), 226. Waller confirmed that Donovan spent much of January “hopping in the Mediterranean.”
remained hospitalized “[807th] War Diary for January 1944,” Roll A0323, AFHRA.
“What are you doing in here?” Hayes, interview.
celebrated Untitled and undated account, Roll A0323, AFHRA.
[status of personnel] “[807th] War Diary for January 1944,” Roll A0323, AFHRA.
Morocco Hayes, interview.
Chapter 16
[three nurses in home in Berat] Wilma Dale Lytle Gibson, “World War II Story of Escape from Germans,” Falmouth Outlook, May 18, 1964; Koli Karaja, telephone interview through translator Albana Droboniku, December 22, 2012; Koli Karaja, interviews by Ajet Nallbani in Berat on behalf of the author, December 2012.
Victor Smith and Alan Palmer “Honours and Awards,” TNA, HS 7/70.
major Lloyd Smith, “Evacuation of Three American Nurses from Albania,” March 29, 1944, RG 226, entry 154, box 6, folder 105, NACP; Hayes, interview; “Promotion of Officer,” RG 226, entry 92A, box 7, folder 92, NACP. Smith signed his evacuation report as “Major,” thinking his promotion was official, as he’d been told, but on May 4, 1944, Colonel C. C. Carter wrote a memo asking for the promotion to be handled quickly as Smith was under the assumption that he had already been promoted to the rank of major.
Grama Bay Roderick Bailey, The Wildest Province (London: Jonathan Cape, 2008), 206.
“The situation was rather critical” Smith, “Evacuation of Three American Nurses from Albania.”
McAdoo and Orahood Bailey, The Wildest Province, 215.
three Italians drowned Ibid., 212.
“several members of their organization” Smith, “Evacuation of Three American Nurses from Albania.”
Tare Shyti Leka Bezhani, e-mail interviews, December 2012; Vojsava Bezhani, telephone interview through translator Albana Droboniku, December 22, 2012.
“We always tell our women” Smith, “Evacuation of Three American Nurses from Albania.”
“[Meto] wanted to know” Ibid.
“If my cousin does not” Ibid.
By this time Letter from Lloyd Smith, March 12, 1944, RG 226, entry 92A, box 7, folder 92, NACP.
Kadre Çakrani Gibson, “World War II Story of Escape from Germans”; Smith, “Evacuation of Three American Nurses from Albania.”
Goni bought the material Gibson, “World War II Story of Escape from Germans.”
given a rifle Ibid.; Diane Burke Fessler, No Time for Fear (East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 1996), 146.
“See, God——, Major” Smith, “Evacuation of Three American Nurses from Albania.”
Epilogue
Smith… Distinguished Service Cross RG 226, entry 92A, box 7, folder 92, NACP.
Duffy… Military Cross “Honours and Awards,” TNA, HS 7/70.
“For the party in general” Gavan Duffy, “Report on Evacuation of American Party from Albania,” TNA, HS 5/124.
Bell… Military Medal “Honours and Awards,” TNA, HS 7/70.
Brodie… Legion of Merit RG 226, entry 225, box 81, David Brodie personnel file, NACP.
Smith… Palmer… Mention in Despatches “Honours and Awards,” TNA, HS 7/70.
[what happened to Nicholls and a captain] E. W. (“Trotsky”) Davies, Illyrian Venture (London: Bodley Head, 1952), 226–227; Roderick Bailey, The Wildest Province (London: Jonathan Cape, 2008), 123–126.
“was more than half-starved” Bailey, The Wildest Province, 124.
[what happened to major, sergeant, and Davies] Davies, Illyrian Venture, 154–227.
final draft Ibid., 9.
Prisoner of War Office Hayes, interview.
Duffy’s interview “13 U.S. Nurses Dare Nazis’ Guns, Planes, Wilds—Escape!” NPN, February 15, 1943, newspaper article, Harold Hayes papers; “Chutist Leads Adams, Mates Through Nazi Balkan Lines,” NPN, February 16, 1943, newspaper article, Harold Hayes papers.
Boyle’s story Hal Boyle, “U.S. Nurses Tell of 60-Day Trek Across Nazi-Held Land,” Bee (Danville, VA), February 17, 1944 (delayed from January 9).
Kopsco [interview] “Guerrillas Save 12 Army Nurses Lost in Albania,” Memphis Press-Scimitar, February 17, 1944.
Hayes [interview] “Iowa Soldier’s Own Story of Escape from Nazis,” Des Moines Tribune, February 17, 1944.
Watson… again sent overseas World War II Flight Nurses Association, The Story of Air Evacuation 1942–1989 (Dallas: Taylor Publishing, 1989), 142.
instructors Ib
id., 19.
Hayes’s [service] Hayes, interview.
[draft of nurses] Jill Elaine Hasday, “Fighting Women: The Military, Sex, and Extrajudicial Constitutional Change,” Georgetown Public Law and Legal Theory Research Paper No. 1260756, 2008, http://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/facpub/450; Doris Weatherford, American Women During World War II: An Encyclopedia (New York: Routledge, 2010), 20.
reunion Hayes, interview.
[Thrasher told Jens] Agnes Jensen Mangerich, Albanian Escape (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1999), 212.
[Stefa’s family learns of execution] Ibid., 212–213; Stefa family, written statement delivered to the author in person in Berat, March 20, 2012; Kostaq Stefa (grandson), e-mail interview, December 31, 2012.
Gina was helping the Americans Marjola Llogoni, e-mail interview, February 21, 2013.
Smith… return to Albania Mangerich, Albanian Escape, 213.
American Embassy U.S. Embassy to Qani Siqeca, letter, November 8, 1996, Harold Hayes papers.
exchanged letters Copies of letters, Harold Hayes papers.
many items he carried with him Hayes, interview.
Watson… experiences Phyllis McKenzie, telephone interview, June 7, 2012; World War II Flight Nurses Association, The Story of Air Evacuation 1942–1989, 142.
“One night while I was missing” Lois Watson McKenzie, letter, McKenzie family papers.
Lebo Gayle Yost, Craig Lebo, interviews, October 10, 2011; Gayle Yost, e-mail interview, December 16, 2012.
Abbott Lawrence O. Abbott, Out of Albania, ed. Clinton W. Abbott (Lulu Press, 2010), 190–194.
Jens Jon Mangerich, Karen Curtis, interviews, Naples, FL, February 18–19, 2012; Jon Mangerich, Karen Curtis, e-mail interviews, January 2012.
The nurses and medics aboard the missing plane were part of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron (MAETS), an innovative Army Air Forces program that transported more than one million wounded and sick troops during the war. Taken in July 1943, the photo includes the 807th MAETS nurses and enlisted men. (Courtesy of the Harold Hayes Collection)
Captain William P. McKnight served as the 807th’s commanding officer and helped in search efforts for the missing. (Courtesy of William P. McKnight, Jr.)
The Secret Rescue Page 27