Halyard Mission Airfields (2) - Koceljeva

Koceljeva field, near Valjevo in western Serbia, was second airfield used by Halyard mission.

Local field was quickly prepared for landing It was used only once, on September 17th, when 20 US airmen, one Italian and French escaped prisoner were evacuated, with medical team of Dr Mitrani.

It was daytime evacuation, and photographer J.B. Allin took some nice photos of field and planes. One of the C-47 planes clipped haystack on landing, and wing was lightly damaged.

Once again, under pressure of Tito's partisan forces, chetniks had to withdrew, and this airfield was abandoned.