Special Duties Pilot: The Man who Flew the Real 'Inglorious Bastards' Behind Enemy Lines

John M. Billings was born to fly, taking his first plane ride in 1926 and joining the US Army Air Force in 1942. He flew Consolidated B-24 Liberator long-range bombers and was assigned to the 885th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (Special), which specialized in flying top secret, low-altitude missions at night in support of the OSS and the Special Operations Executive. His most eventful mission was his assignment in February 1945 to clandestinely insert a three-man OSS team, code-named Greenup, into Austria, which was the inspiration for the feature film Inglorious Bastards. After the war, Billings flew with Trans World Airlines and Eastern Airlines and flew more than 300 �Angel Flight airlift missions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

John M. Billings was a man born to fly, embarking on his aviation journey in 1926 when he took his first plane ride. His passion for flying grew, and he began taking piloting lessons in 1938. In July 1942, he joined the US Army Air Force, where he was assigned to fly Consolidated B-24 Liberator long-range bombers. After rigorous training, Billings was deployed to the European theater, where he participated in fifteen daylight strategic bombing missions with the 825th Bombardment Squadron of the 484th Bombardment Group.

However, his true calling was revealed when he was selected for assignment to the 885th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (Special). As its name suggests, the 885th was a unique unit specializing in top-secret, low-altitude missions at night in support of the clandestine operations of the OSS and the Special Operations Executive. These covert missions included parachuting OSS and SOE agents and supplies deep inside German territory, where they faced immense danger and challenges.

One of the most eventful and daring missions of Billings' thirty-nine secret missions with the 885th was his assignment in February 1945 to clandestinely insert a three-man OSS team, code-named Greenup, into Austria. The drop zone selected for the Greenup insertion was located on a glacier in a valley surrounded by mountains in the middle of the snow-covered Alps. Billings and his crew had to navigate treacherous weather conditions to locate the drop zone, but their determination paid off, and they successfully slipped their unwieldy B-24 between the mountain peaks and descended to an altitude just a few hundred feet above the moonlit snow.

On Billings' signal, the OSS agents parachuted right on target, achieving a remarkable feat that would later inspire the feature film "Inglorious Bastards." However, it's important to note that the vengeful character portrayed by Brad Pitt in the film was far removed from the real-life leader of the Greenup team, Fred Mayer. Mayer achieved success by infiltrating enemy ranks to gather vital intelligence, a strategy that played a crucial role in the success of the OSS and the Allied forces during World War II.

After the war, John Billings continued to fly, eventually becoming a commercial pilot. His remarkable journey from a young boy taking his first plane ride to a seasoned veteran flying top-secret missions in the Alps is a testament to his passion, bravery, and dedication to serving his country. John M. Billings truly was a man born to fly.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526798329