tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post7608446560597691557..comments2024-03-12T13:28:53.733+00:00Comments on The Escape Line: The Traitors Part 1Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-73302529360861715312012-06-06T23:42:42.808+01:002012-06-06T23:42:42.808+01:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Keith Largehttp://www.carrotnapper.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-33008772908561931882012-06-04T11:48:50.857+01:002012-06-04T11:48:50.857+01:00Thanks for your comments Helen. The more I researc...Thanks for your comments Helen. The more I research this theatre of war, the more dark and misty the waters become. Dezitter's actions were motivated by money, but he was acting out a part in one great play -deception. I remain convinced that there was a bigger picture to some of this. I wonder what is contained in the SOE files that are still sealed.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-72749068427915374222012-06-04T00:15:37.502+01:002012-06-04T00:15:37.502+01:00The full range of treachery and collaboration perp...The full range of treachery and collaboration perpetrated by Britons during WW2 was well documented in a book by Sean Murphy called ‘Letting The Side Down’. Lord Haw Haw-aka William Joyce who was actually American was executed by hanging by Albert Pierrepoint and afterwards a few men in the crowd outside were seen to do a Hitler salute albeit not as overtly as they would have wished... John Amery the son of H. Leopold Amery a member of Churchill’s wartime cabinet, was also hung. A national newspaper said,‘Moments before the white hood of a condemned man was placed over his head, John Amery, a Second World War traitor, turned to his besuited executioner holding the noose and said: "I've always wanted to meet you Mr Pierrepoint. But not, of course, under these circumstances."’ I’m not sure I believe that a person under such stress would be so calm but that was the story told at the time. PG Wodehouse had made some ill-advised broadcasts for his American fans, but this was regarded as simply naïve rather than malicious. He was denied a Knighthood until his demise in 1975. There were around 200 Britons who collaborated with the Reich in WW2 which excludes the Channel Islands-the only British soil to come under German occupation. <br />The airman’s escape in your book was even more remarkable given the background to treachery you have posted here and that Dezitter our anti-hero was operating at that time.(Negotiating a cobweb of delicate strands which could have been blown away at any time.) A matter of luck or judgement, circumstance and behaviors. Why one saved and another not? The eternal question. In ‘Les Miserables’ in the famous song about lost comrades Marius sings “My friends, my friends forgive me,that I live and you are gone”. Also, “here they talked of revolution, here it was they lit the flame, here they sang about tomorrow, but tomorrow never came…” French revolution but still ringing true in WW2. Our featured traitor here was shot. His reasons for his actions may have gone with him. Jesus was supposed to have said on the cross in translation, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. However Dezitter knew exactly what he was doing. Another riveting blog, Keith, to be commended and I look forward to Part Two.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13304115337328075135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-91838167160960935542012-06-03T12:13:34.990+01:002012-06-03T12:13:34.990+01:00To my knowledge there has been nothing on DeZitter...To my knowledge there has been nothing on DeZitter specifically in actual feature films (English or foreign), but there have been 'fictional' dramas and films that are clearly based on the escape lines, especially Comete e.g. Secret Army. The Yesterday Channel's 'Secret War' series devoted a whole 1 hour episode to SOE Belgium Section, Hardy Amies, DeZitter and the aborted 'Operation Ratweek'. Some of my E & E friends were involved with providing information for the making of that programme.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-16906003512015196932012-06-02T17:58:03.865+01:002012-06-02T17:58:03.865+01:00I often wonder what motivates people, but then I e...I often wonder what motivates people, but then I expect it all comes down to whose side you choose to take. Threats against family would be high on anyone's list I imagine.<br /><br />Has Dezitter's story been made into a film do you know? Or has one been based upon it?Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322234219197041788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-18925809619577452062012-06-02T10:32:08.905+01:002012-06-02T10:32:08.905+01:00Thanks Sally. At times it is difficult for me to t...Thanks Sally. At times it is difficult for me to take a step back and write about this subject with a balanced overview, because I'm so close to it. Writing the book which is almost complete now has taken me through the whole range of human emotions. War is a dirty business and it makes ordinary people do extraordinary things; good and bad. Who would have thought Hardy Amies was involved with SOE Belgian Section. This only came to light recently following the release of documents held in the National Archives. After the war when he was quizzed about his involvement with SOE, he simply replied 'Sorry old man - don't know anything about it.'Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-78217634231199071442012-06-02T09:47:43.038+01:002012-06-02T09:47:43.038+01:00That is so interesting. It is amazing what motiva...That is so interesting. It is amazing what motivates people, even when we think their actions are wrong, it still takes courage. <br />I love reading your pieces.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14090018804016223955noreply@blogger.com