Magyar News, 2001. szeptember-2002. augusztus (12. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2001-10-01 / 2. szám

A happy Hungarian family that enjoyed the hospitality of the Presidential Aircraft, Columbine.

ed by Santa Claus with a gaily wrapped gift that had just previously reposed under some Air Force family Christmas tree.

As an airplane arrived in Munich from the staging base at Rhein Main, it was met by a committee of a dozen decorators. Armed with tinsel, bulbs, and mistletoe, within the time it took to top off the tanks, they converted the gray interior of the C- 118s and General Dany and C-12Is into a wonderland of color. Each window was festooned with red and green banners with a brightbulb glistening in the center. Streamers ran the length of the aisle, crisscrossed by silver tinsel from which dangled a galaxy of stars. On each seat reposed a Christmas stocking bulging with goodies.

The initial reaction of the Hungarians was one of bewilderment as they filed to their seats. The gifts and decorations had not overcome a natural reserve, heightened by the shock of recent events.

Just as the silence started to clash with the intent of the scene, the melody and words of "Silentnight" filled the plane. A choir from Neubiberg had followed the last passenger aboard and had grouped themselves around a small Christmas tree at the cargo door. While the words were in English, the refrain was a familiar one. Soon several Hungarians were singing along. Others remained quiet; however an occasional tear or sob indicated the shocked trance had been broken. "0, Little Town of Bethlehem" enlarged the response. One could sense that the remembrance of the birth of the Christ child had again filled a gap of despair.

With "Jingle Bells" and "Joy to the World" swelling through the plane, punctuated by the shout of a child probing the depths of a Christmas stocking, the refugees soon began to open their gifts. The time of departure had approached, and as the choir descended the passenger ramp, the flight attendant slowly closed the cargo doors on the happy sounds within. However, as the plane taxied out, one could glimpse behind the dangling Christmas bulb a happy face and a vigorous wave of goodbye.

It was not only at Munich that the Christmas spirit prevailed but also all along the transatlantic run - at Preswick, Harmon, Azores, Bermuda - the planes were greeted by gift bearing, substitute Santas. One airplane was diverted at the last moment, because of McGuire runway conditions, into MATS' Palm Beach base. Despite the "no notice" stop, soon after the plane was blocked in, each Hungarian was outfitted in a gaily colored flowered sport shirt as befitted the warm Florida sunshine. Imagine the surprise at McGuire next day when this brightly bedecked group descended the passenger ramp into the newly deposited snow drifts.

Even the Commander in Chief was not to be outdone. On December 23rd, Munich received word that the then Air Force One, the Columbine, was enroute to London with Prime Minister Nehru. It was next to proceed to Munich to pick up refugees for the return trip to Washington. Munich was asked to select two of the largest Hungarian families and provide the age and sex of each member to the AF Detachment in London. By the time the Columbine arrived in Munich, the presidential suite had been transformed into a typical American living room, complete with a fire-place and a full sized Christmas tree. Beneath the tree were heaped packages, each tagged with the first name of one of the Hungarians.

The final paragraph of the official report on Operation Safe Haven reads as follows: "The whole tenor of the Operation was cast in the spirit of those who also serve. These acts and countless more, freely and joyfully given, provided a real purpose and meaning to the entire operation. From the total combined effort evolved a team capable of immeasurable accomplishments."

^ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ^

Major General George B. Dany, USAF' (Ret), then Commander of the 1611th Air Transport Wing based at McGuire AF'B, N.J., was the Task Force Commander of Operation Safe Haven. He graduated from West Point in 1934 and received his pilot wings in 1935. During World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater .Post war assignments included duty as Commander, 22nd AirForce, Travis AFB, Calif, and Commander of U.S. Forces, Azores, during which service the Portuguese government awarded him their Distinguished Service Medal for humanitarian work, the only American to be so honored.

\__________________J

FIRST OF ALL

We would like to thank General Dany for the help he gave the Hungarian refigees in 1956. We are also appreciative for the article he sent. Also for the heart warming note about the Hungarians he mailed to our friend Richard Nemeth in Virginia. Following is a small part of his note:

AN OTHER THANKS

should go to Richard Nemeth, retired Air Force Colonel who established the connection with General Dany. He also wrote for the Magyar News and two years ago he found the U.S. Marines who were stationed in Budapest in 1956.

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING

if this article would get into the hands of people who were participants in Operation Safe Haven. Either the grownups or those who at that time were children and remember parts of their experience, or the stories their parents told them. Maybe some people know a neighbor, or have a friend who flew with General Dany’s Operation Safe Haven.

Don’t keep silent. Send us a note, probably a story or just a Hello to the General. We will forward it to him.

The address is:

Magyar News 60 Tyrone Place Stratford, CT 06614-4756 Telephone: 203-377-0569 E-mail: magyar@ntplx.net

Thanks for considering.

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