Shot down and on the Run : The Raf and Commonwealth Aircrews Who Got Home from Behind Enemy Lines, 1940-1945

Pitchfork, Graham Air Commodore

ISBN 10: 1903365538 / ISBN 13: 9781903365533

Published by The National Archives, Kew RICHMOND SURREY UK, 2003

About this Item

xvi + 288 pages incl. inde & appendix. Book has a fairly pronounced forward lean. Dustjacket has slight wear/slight creases to spine-ends & corners. Book has light wear/slight creases to spine-ends. Attractive b/w photos. Text is spotless & little used.

Seller Inventory # 038906

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Shot down and on the Run : The Raf and Commonwealth Aircrews Who Got Home from Behind Enemy Lines, 1940-1945
• Publisher: The National Archives, Kew RICHMOND SURREY UK
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1903365538
• ISBN 13: 9781903365533
• Binding: Hard Back/Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Very Good ++
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dustjacket Very Good ++

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.