tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.comments2024-03-12T13:28:53.733+00:00The Escape LineKeithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-28759772775125493172024-03-12T13:28:53.733+00:002024-03-12T13:28:53.733+00:00I've pasted your post in as the link doesn'...I've pasted your post in as the link doesn't seem to be working. "That's done. One more thought, more controversially... was it worth it?<br />Seems around 3,000 airmen evaded capture and got back to UK, but they then couldn't take part in ops. The argument could be made that they freed up others, but I don't think the RAF, as the war progressed, was short of volunteers? And the civilian cost, in occupied countries, was terrible. Maybe they should have been instructed to hand themselves in?"<br /><br />Many thanks for your review and reply. Reviews make such a difference and I’m very grateful to you. I must apologise for the lengthy delay in responding to your post; as I’ve been inundated with reader interest and sales following publication of ‘Don’t Look Back’. <br />There’s much more which could be written on the subject you raised, depending on what sources you get to read. It’s interesting that Fighter Command generally returned their pilots to operational duties, whereas Bomber Command did not. Some aircrew asked for a return to ops after evading but I’ve found very few of these and they occurred much later in the war. <br />The overall numbers of airmen evading capture in Western Europe and reaching the UK during the war can also give a distorted picture of their chances of successfully achieving this. Until the Allies advanced through Belgium and France in 1944, successful evasions in Western Europe and a return home remained relatively low. But new directions to reach possible safety did open up. If the geography was favourable, then reaching Allied lines became a possibility. The camps in remote forest areas of France and Belgium set up via Operation Marathon during 1944 also provided shelter for evaders until liberation. <br />Dangers faced by the population still under Nazis occupation were unchanged, and the driving force for helping in the escape lines stayed equally resolute: it was fight back against the oppressor and feel that you were doing something, via the local Resistance or as a civilian. I guess it would look passive to the patriots (and the Nazis) if airmen just followed orders and gave themselves up to the enemy upon landing. <br />There was also the morale issue among Allied airmen. If someone evaded or escaped and subsequently returned to their squadron it was a massive boost to everyone, especially the aircrews. The operational losses were tough enough to cope with, and on top of that, perish the thought that if you were then forced to bale out over enemy territory, you had to follow orders and throw in the towel. I’ve read some of the squadron forms 540 and appendices, including the notes on my father. You can feel the buzz. <br />Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-29107037120718909862023-12-24T20:49:24.578+00:002023-12-24T20:49:24.578+00:00Thanks very much for your message and kind words. ...Thanks very much for your message and kind words. Feedback like this is very much appreciated and gives the author a real lift. I've had some lovely comments (and reviews) but the challenge has been to nudge the reader into posting their thoughts into the reviews. They make such a difference to folks staying on the page when browsing. If there is a chance you could post some of your kind comments in the review section on Amazon or Troubador Publishing that would be terrific. <br />I've noted the publisher's link below here just in case. https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/biography/don-t-look-back <br /> The Amazon link is too long to put in here but you can search the Kindle store by title and author's name. <br /> You are spot with the term 'second dicky'. My father used the phrases 'second pilot' and 'second dicky' when he was recounting his experiences to me but this could have been because of the passing of the years. Additionally I was reluctant to use RAF slang pretty much on the first page. I'm not sure whether the Canadians used the same terminology, so I hedged that one in Ron and Clements' dialogue, although Ron does refer to 'second dickey' (wrong spelling by me) at the Maca's apartment before his exchange with Clements when he finds out what happened to Clements' and the aircraft. Its an interesting one, as the connection to the term was likely to relate to the hinged seat they used to sit on near the pilot. I was sorry to hear about your uncle - with an experienced crew the odds would be infinitely better than a crew in the 'survive the first five and stay alive' scenario. There was a good chance that they would have returned safely. <br />The sole driver behind this project has always been to reach out to a wider audience with escape and evasion. I feel that it is a vastly underrated area of WW2 and doesn't receive the coverage it deserves. The patriots risked everything for complete strangers and the evaders and escapees had a rough ride too.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-9001898259101494542023-12-24T19:35:50.397+00:002023-12-24T19:35:50.397+00:00Hi
Just finished Don't Look Back, and wanted t...Hi<br />Just finished Don't Look Back, and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. They say "write what you know" and it's clear you have researched the subject meticulously. The detail involved really drew me in!<br />It was particularly relevant as I have spent some time looking into my late uncle's story. He went on his, first op as "second dickie" (not "second pilot" which term I have not heard used?) as did Evans - in my uncles case, after no less than 18 months training as a, pilot. He was lost without trace, most likely shot down over the Bay of Biscay. In different circumstances, he might have made the, same journey as your father.<br />Well done for writing such a gripping and human story from your father's experiences. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-83885711721588910082023-10-02T17:14:26.047+01:002023-10-02T17:14:26.047+01:00Thanks for your message.You're right and Matth...Thanks for your message.You're right and Matthew Wilson Donaldson has an interesting story. My understanding is that he was the first POW of the Norwegian campaign. He appears in various publications as M.W. Donaldson, W.M. Donaldson, William Donaldson and Don Donaldson. After his escape attempts at Spangenberg and Thorn, its not surprising that he ended up at Colditz on 16th April 1941. Some publications note him as a flying officer and others as a flight lieutenant. He was listed as a flying officer in July 1938 and again in April 1941. Some references have retained that rank throughout but he's down as a flight Lieutenant in November 1941. I've not had time to drill down on this, but hopefully there be some definitive dates in the RAF records or The Times to clear up the inconsistencies. I used 'Don' in my post because Pat Reid always referred to him by that name in his excellent book. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-410738400534897572023-09-30T19:13:21.539+01:002023-09-30T19:13:21.539+01:00I believe the prisoner mentioned in several Coldit...I believe the prisoner mentioned in several Colditz publications as "Don Donaldson" is actually RAF Flt. Lieut. M.W. Donaldson, a Canadian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-59308060514396392432023-05-17T11:55:51.573+01:002023-05-17T11:55:51.573+01:00From memory, Paul, I am fairly sure it was the sam...From memory, Paul, I am fairly sure it was the same source as the other photographs. I have not seen any of them in publications. Sorry that I can't be of more help here. If the original copyright holder does contact me, I can follow their instructions as regards any accreditation or otherwise for the photographs. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-14259924308998249772023-05-17T09:52:46.535+01:002023-05-17T09:52:46.535+01:00Hi Keith. Re the previous comment regarding the ph...Hi Keith. Re the previous comment regarding the photos of French officers, is that the same for Lt Tatistcheff who was in the Schutzenhaus camp due to being of White Russian descent? or did his photo originate elsewhere as I've never seen his photo before? Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-20894988338084253352023-03-21T08:54:05.360+00:002023-03-21T08:54:05.360+00:00Thanks for your reply to my post, Ann. As the Lat...Thanks for your reply to my post, Ann. As the Late Arrivals Club was an informal Association, there may not be a definitive list of recipients of the certificate and silver winged boot badge. I will look into this and see what I can find. If that research is unsuccessful, I may require a contact email which will be treated in strictest confidence. I moderate all comments before posting anything on here. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-47323480676863294012023-03-21T08:25:35.038+00:002023-03-21T08:25:35.038+00:00Thanks for your comments, Peter. It is a fascinati...Thanks for your comments, Peter. It is a fascinating story and I am surprised that a film or docudrama has not been produced. The connection with Alfred Burke Thompson also caught my interest. He is on the list to include in a future post after my book about my father's evasion is published later this year. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-88460986350772656902023-03-21T01:49:16.379+00:002023-03-21T01:49:16.379+00:00Julian was a cousin of my Uncle Alfred Burke Thomp...Julian was a cousin of my Uncle Alfred Burke Thompson who survived the Great Escape. What a fabulous movie this would make!Peter F Thompsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-55325831519879667412023-03-16T22:49:50.087+00:002023-03-16T22:49:50.087+00:00Here in New Zealand I have received a flying boot ...Here in New Zealand I have received a flying boot from my mother's estate. She was an RAF nursing sister stationed in Cairo at least in 1943 as we also have a signed photo of King George II dated Cairo 1943. Her name was Ursula Johnson (Nee Hughes) and I'd love any information about how she may have received this insignia.annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06356048299468013210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-79920655422845454012022-09-28T12:28:10.090+01:002022-09-28T12:28:10.090+01:00Peter “Jock” Allan was a thorough gentleman and an...Peter “Jock” Allan was a thorough gentleman and an wonderful man - he told the story with a little more colour but like most of his generation didn’t big himself up. Rest in peace Peter Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-75560010637547427522022-05-29T21:44:12.894+01:002022-05-29T21:44:12.894+01:00Thanks for your kind comments. Unfortunately I don...Thanks for your kind comments. Unfortunately I don't have any info on this escape. I have Thom down as a Flying Officer and my notes only relate to when he was at Oflag 1XA/H at Spangenberg, Stalag Luft 1 at Barth and Fort XV at Thorn. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-49654201611361805282022-05-13T13:56:34.852+01:002022-05-13T13:56:34.852+01:00Excellent blog about the Colditz prisoners of war ...Excellent blog about the Colditz prisoners of war and their various escape attempts. I'm interested in learning more about Flight Lieutenant Don Thom. In P.R. Reid's book - Colditz The Full Story - the author mentions an escape attempt while Thom was at Lazarett 745 (Serves Stalag IV-A) Schmorkau. Would you happen to know more information about this escape?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-77816348596326238102021-12-31T13:46:06.326+00:002021-12-31T13:46:06.326+00:00Good story in Shadows of the Past. Also on the Web...Good story in Shadows of the Past. Also on the Web at https://www.49squadron.co.uk/personnel_index/detail/Gaunt_P<br />Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-56093626040324344602021-12-30T14:36:35.285+00:002021-12-30T14:36:35.285+00:00My grandpa was in the club, he walked out of croat...My grandpa was in the club, he walked out of croatia after crashlanding his plane, he and all of his crew arrived home late. Philip"Tubby"Gaunt.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14665852603190420712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-89121336793636661662021-12-23T12:52:15.850+00:002021-12-23T12:52:15.850+00:00As this point, Great Britain was fighting fascism ...As this point, Great Britain was fighting fascism on its own! These great men continued the struggle of wills 'behind enemy lines', and it is interesting to see the betrayal in the US attitude. However, Peter Allan may have dodged a bullet as around six weeks later, Hitler invaded the USSR and Hungary was a willing participant! The Vatican collaborated with fascism before, during and after WWII (assisting Nazi War Criminals to escape Europe) - and 'Catholic' Hungarian troops were brutal in the USSR! Peter Allan may well had been 'shot' if he had made to Hungary! Oddly, PR Reid in 'The Colditz Story' states that Peter Allan was heading to Poland - but this must be incorrect as Poland was occupied at the time by the very Nazi Germans Peter Allan was attempting to escape from!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-65753993613287783222021-10-13T09:37:44.071+01:002021-10-13T09:37:44.071+01:00Thanks for your reply, Sylvia. It is something spe...Thanks for your reply, Sylvia. It is something special when you get to meet the amazing people who were directly involved. I have been very fortunate to be able to do this in connection with my father's evasion through occupied Europe. The war made 'ordinary' people do extraordinary things, and I never stop being amazed by what I discover. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-33928633291677238532021-10-12T21:33:31.759+01:002021-10-12T21:33:31.759+01:00Very moved to find this account of the rescue of S...Very moved to find this account of the rescue of Sgt Mott by my grandparents neighbour in Lesconil where she used to spend the summer after the war. I met her in 1949 and will always remember this woman with a stick and dark glasses. My own uncle had been fighting in the British army and was airlifted several times to prepare D day!sylvia fize-rousselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14693346974966240854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-9708464284998833582021-09-06T17:37:25.199+01:002021-09-06T17:37:25.199+01:00Years ago, I was sent copies of various random mil...Years ago, I was sent copies of various random military photographs electronically. A very small number of them were evaders or escapers. The officers featured in this post were among them. Unfortunately, when I made the post, I couldn't remember the original source, as a number of years had passed, hence no credits were included with the pictures. If the original sender reads this reply and contacts me, I can apply the credits accordingly. Capt Tarrade's photograph was not among the original consignment. This may have been because, although he had escaped twice before being sent to Colditz, he never broke out of the castle (see my later reference). Little is known of his time in Colditz, but I have enclosed a link below which I found.There is a summary of his military career, and maybe the author of the web site can help you further. He notes that Tarrade is listed in Pat Reid's; Colditz The Full Story. I can confirm this, as I have the book. Very best of luck with your research. https://gmic.co.uk/topic/67225-my-prisoner-of-war-collection/page/7/ Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-11901371008639907502021-09-01T02:01:55.479+01:002021-09-01T02:01:55.479+01:00Hi, How did you find the original pow camp ID phot...Hi, How did you find the original pow camp ID photos for the french officers? I am trying to research Capt Jean Tarrade who was held at Colditz from 1941 to 1943.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-13187462294024919612021-05-25T09:57:47.928+01:002021-05-25T09:57:47.928+01:00Well written!!Well written!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00079646212695797307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-71107593685754697222020-09-02T18:57:52.234+01:002020-09-02T18:57:52.234+01:00They were great men in those days.They were great men in those days.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04622164572897224303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-34043831003556419042020-04-10T23:50:55.064+01:002020-04-10T23:50:55.064+01:00Love that! How life was historical like the board ...Love that! How life was historical like the board game. XAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052609136643768559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737903099642089452.post-78555816322893134992020-02-19T22:28:14.518+00:002020-02-19T22:28:14.518+00:00Thank you for your reply. I was very interested in...Thank you for your reply. I was very interested in your comments about the photograph and would like to contact you on this, if it is possible. Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15204149912245253542noreply@blogger.com