SHOT DOWN AND ON THE RUN: The RAF and Commonwealth Aircrews Who Got Home from Behind Enemy Lines, 1940-1945

Pitchfork, Air Commodore Graham

ISBN 10: 1903365538 / ISBN 13: 9781903365533

Published by PRO Publications, Kew, 2003

About this Item

This copy is in mint, unmarked condition bound in blue cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling to the spine. This copy is bright, tight, white and square. The unclipped dust wrapper has a small hole to the rear panel where the RRP has been removed so best described as near fine condition International postal rates are calculated on a book weighing 1 Kilo, in cases where the book weighs more than 1 Kilo increased postal rates will be quoted, where the book weighs less then postage will be reduced accordingly. Graham Pitchfork is a well known authority when it comes to aviation history. In this book he combines the interesting history of the British MI 9 and later the US MIS X escape and evasion organisations and how, from their innovative conception, through their evolution until the end of the Second World War strove to provide the planning, tools and eventually the escape lines that eventually brought thousands of Allied airmen and troops back to UK to fight again of share their knowledge with other airmen. The book goes on to describe numerous escapes by various ground troops and airmen. These accounts vary from the mundane "walk in the park' escapes to the amusing to the bizarre. An extremely informative and entertaining book Ref KKK 4.

Seller Inventory # 027536

Bibliographic Details

• Title: SHOT DOWN AND ON THE RUN: The RAF and Commonwealth Aircrews Who Got Home from Behind Enemy Lines, 1940-1945
• Publisher: PRO Publications, Kew
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1903365538
• ISBN 13: 9781903365533
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: As New
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

About this title

Synopsis

Many POW escape stories are well known, but what about those who miraculously evaded capture in the first place and returned to fight another day? This book tells some of the epic stories of the thousands of shot-down British, Canadian, Australian and other Commonwealth airmen who got out from behind enemy lines across all theatres of World War II. They include the Halifax pilot shot down in northern Germany who walked and cycled over 1000 miles to arrive safely in Barcelona two months later; the Baltimore navigator brought down in Italy who had to hide in a bush for three days before escaping over mountains to reach friendly lines; the Wellington crew who were rescued after a 400-mile, 28-day trek through the African desert; and the Beaufighter crew that survived for a month behind Japanese lines. debriefing documents held at the National Archives, many of these accounts have never been published before. A key element of the book is a full exploration of the pivotal role of the Military Intelligence body MI9 that masterminded the training, support and organization of escape and evasion. Also featured throughout are rare photographs of evaders and their helpers, unusual illustrations from training manuals and clear maps for each key theatre of war.