The Allied Presence on Vis 1943-45 15 Jul 43 a C-47A
The Allied Presence on Vis 1943-45 15 Jul 43 A C-47A (ser. # 42-23515; Mission 9377) went MIA at Vis Island (apparently all crewmen were accounted for).1 Mid Aug 43 Some 3 weeks before Italy capitulated, the Partisans captured the entire Italian military garrison, of approx. 50 troops, on Vis without a fight, nor any casualties (variously described as an old fort and a lookout post atop Mt Hum). The Italians were disarmed and then freed, whereupon 10 hostages were taken from both Komiža and Vis, with the Italian demand that their weapons be returned within three days.2 31 Aug 43 With no weapons having been returned, the 20 hostages from Komiža and Vis were publicly executed by Italian firing squad.3 8 Sep 43 Italy capitulated. 24 Sep 43 Split evacuated by Partisans under Gen Koca Popović, to advancing Germans, having only controlled the city for eleven days.4 12 Oct 43 OSS began a 3-month mission, under Major Louis Huot, USA, to provide 6,000 tons of supplies to the Partisan garrison on Vis, via Bari, aboard the HMS Gull (Sub-Lt Taylor, RNR) and the little coal steamer SS Bakar. Huot wrote of his main interlocutors being the garrison commander, Commander Sergije Makiedo (actually the Commissar, Lt Col [later Admiral] Josip Černi/Černy was the Cdr), and Jože Poduje. They would moor in the "Baie des Anglais," a little basin on the eastern side of Vis harbor. A derelict convent on the waterfront then served as the Partisan hospital, with 3 young indefatigable doctors, “Bobin,” who spoke shaky French, “Zucalo” who spoke appalling English, & “Biacic” who spoke basic German [note how Strutton cites only 2 Partisan doctors on Vis, the charlatan, “Dr.
[Show full text]