Finding Aid for the Anthony E. Dolgiela Second World War correspondence 2014.103.w.r
Taylor Dipoto
Center for American War Letters Archives
8/12/2015
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Anthony E. Dolgiela Second World War correspondence
source:
Jablonski, Edward J.
Creator:
Dolgiela, Anthony E.
Identifier/Call Number: 2014.103.w.r
Identifier/Call Number: 270
Physical Description:
0.025 Linear Feet
(1 envelope)
Date: 1945 February 10
Abstract: This collection contains 1 correspondence written by Lt. Anthony Dolgiela, USAAF to his friend Joe J. Leniant during the Second
World War. This was Dolgiela's last letter, dated February 10, 1945 just 6 days before he was killed during a bombing raid
on Regensburg, Germany on February 16, 1945.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 1
Container: 13-14
Container: 1-2
Container: Oversize 1
Container: 7
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Edward J. Jablonski
The collection is divided into two folders. Folder 1 contains a letter dated February 10, 1954. Folder 2 contains supplementary
biographical information.
From donor letter:
"Lt. Dolgiela was was one of the 'Forgotten 500' chronicled in a book by Gregory A. Freeman. He tells the story of a secret
rescue mission of World War II, 'Operation Halyard, a daring rescue in the summer of 1944 of more than 500 allied airmen from
Nazi occupied Yugoslavia' (New York Times)."
"Lt. Dolgiela eluded capture when his aircraft was downed on August 7, 1944. He wrote his parents that his ability to speak
Polish helped him being rescued by the Yugoslavian guerillas under the leadership of General Mihailovic. Lt. Dolgiela returned
to duty and on a bombing raid to Regenshburg, Germany was killed on February 16, 1945 and buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery,
Nettuno, Italy."
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Anthony E. Dolgiela Second World War correspondence (2014.103.w.r), Center
for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains one letter from Lieutenant Anthony E. Dolgiela, United States Air Force to Joe J. Leniant during
the Second World War. The letter was dated February 10, 1945 and highlights more lighthearted aspects of war, discussing Dolgiela's
squadron basketball team, and his hopes that his service would be done within two months. The letter was also the last letter
written and sent by Lt. Dolgiela before he died during a bombing raid over Regensburg, Germany on February 16.
Also included is one folder of supplementary information, including notes from the donor regarding Dogliela's life, a newspaper
article on the "Forgotten 500," a copy of the missing air crew report filed by Dolgiela's squadron, and copies of an online
Air Force forum discussion on participation in Operation Halyard.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1939-1945)
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
Leniant, Joe J.
Jablonski, Edward J.