Gregory A. Freeman - The Forgotten 500 & Lesser Known History
Published on Sep 18, 2025, 1:07:07 PM
Total time: 01:03:26
Published on Sep 18, 2025, 1:07:07 PM
Total time: 01:03:26
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by bestselling author Gregory A. Freeman, a master of historical true crime and untold wartime stories.
We’ll be diving into his incredible book, The Forgotten 500, which tells the gripping story of over 500 allied airmen shot down over Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia during World War II. With the help of local villagers and General Mihailović’s Chetnik forces, these airmen were hidden from German troops and rescued in one of the largest airlift operations behind enemy lines—a story of courage, ingenuity, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Gregory also shares insights into his research, the untold heroism of the people involved, and the dramatic real-life events that make this story both haunting and inspiring.
Links
My new thriller How It Falls Apart out now 🧨
Patreon 🙌🏼
Takeaways
Finding untold stories is a challenge.
Darker aspects of history reveal human emotions.
Researching historical narratives requires factual accuracy.
Survivor stories often highlight acts of kindness.
The political landscape during WWII was complex.
Personal accounts can change perceptions of history.
War often brings out both the worst and best in humanity.
Storytelling can be a cathartic experience for veterans.
Historical narratives can influence modern relationships.
The search for new stories continues despite challenges.
Keywords
history, storytelling, WWII, forgotten stories, survival, Mihailović, Tito, personal narratives, historical writing, empathy
Some stories just hit different. Welcome to The Dark Finds Podcast, hosted by writer, true crime creator, and psychology enthusiast Gary Colton. Each episode takes you deep into the world of those who’ve lived through — or created — something extraordinary. From fighters, musicians, and war veterans to cult survivors, ex-cons, psychologists, and entrepreneurs, we explore the lives of people who exist on the edge of the norm. Through honest, often raw conversations, we uncover their journeys, insights, struggles, and what drives them.
At its core, Dark Finds is fueled by one obsession: understanding human behavior in all its forms.